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Parana Travel Guide

Southern Brazil

Paraná is known for Iguaçu Falls, one of the world's largest waterfall systems, and the preserved Atlantic Forest that can be visited in the state's National Parks.

Aerial view showing two levels of cascades at Iguazu Falls in Parana State of Brazil
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About the State of Parana, Brazil


Paraná is a southern Brazilian state with a population of around 11 million people and a total area of approximately 199,300 square kilometers. Its capital, Curitiba, is known for its innovative urban planning, strong public transportation system, and environmental policies, often cited as a model for sustainable urban development. Paraná was originally inhabited by indigenous groups such as the Guarani and Kaingang before Portuguese colonization intensified in the 17th century. Large waves of European immigration, particularly from Italy, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, arrived in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, shaping the cultural and demographic makeup of the state. These immigrant communities have left a lasting legacy in local architecture, cuisine, festivals, and bilingual signage in various towns across the state’s interior.


Paraná’s geography ranges from coastal lowlands and Atlantic Forest to interior plateaus and river valleys, providing a range of opportunities for tourism and outdoor activities. One of its most famous natural attractions is Iguaçu Falls, located on the border with Argentina and part of the UNESCO-listed Iguaçu National Park, which contains hundreds of cascading waterfalls amid lush subtropical rainforest. The park also protects diverse wildlife, including jaguars, toucans, and capuchin monkeys. In the coastal region, the Serra do Mar mountain range is home to preserved areas of Atlantic Forest, with scenic spots such as Pico Paraná—the highest peak in southern Brazil—and the Graciosa Road, a historic route connecting Curitiba to the coast. The small colonial town of Morretes, along this road, is known for its preserved architecture and traditional dish barreado. Inland, the Vila Velha State Park near Ponta Grossa features unique sandstone formations and caves.


Paraná’s economy is among the most dynamic in Brazil, based on a combination of industrial output, agriculture, and services. The state is one of Brazil’s largest producers of soybeans, corn, wheat, and pork, with highly mechanized agribusiness operations concentrated in the western and northern regions. Its industrial base includes automobile manufacturing, food processing, paper and cellulose, and petrochemicals. Curitiba and the surrounding metropolitan area form an important industrial and logistics hub, with strong connections to the ports of Paranaguá and Antonina on the Atlantic coast. The Port of Paranaguá is one of Brazil’s busiest and most important for agricultural exports. The state also invests heavily in education and research, hosting institutions such as the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR), the oldest university in Brazil.


Quick Facts: Parana, Brazil


Population of Paraná: Approximately 11.5 million (IBGE 2022 estimate)


Area of Paraná: 199,314 square kilometres


Major Airports in Paraná

  • Afonso Pena International Airport (Curitiba)

  • Londrina Airport

  • Maringá Regional Airport

  • Foz do Iguaçu International Airport


Climate and Best Time to Visit Paraná

Humid subtropical climate

Rainy season: October to March

Dry season: April to September

Best time to visit: April to September


Top Attractions in Paraná

  • Iguaçu Falls (Foz do Iguaçu)

  • Iguaçu Bird Park (Foz do Iguaçu)

  • Curitiba Botanical Garden (Curitiba)

  • Ópera de Arame (Curitiba)

  • Museu Oscar Niemeyer (Curitiba)

  • Vila Velha State Park (Ponta Grossa)

  • Lapa Historic Centre

  • Marumbi State Park (Morretes)

  • Guaratuba Beach

  • Morretes and Serra Verde Express Train ride

See all travel guides for destinations in Parana

Foz do Iguacu Iguazu Falls

Ilha do Mel

Must-try Regional Dishes in Parana


Paraná’s cuisine blends European immigrant influences, especially Polish, Ukrainian, and Italian, with native ingredients, resulting in hearty, slow-cooked meals that use root vegetables, preserved meats, and freshwater fish.


5 Must-Try Regional Dishes Unique to Paraná:

  1. Barreado – A slow-cooked beef stew native to the coast of Paraná, traditionally prepared in a clay pot sealed with manioc paste and cooked for up to 20 hours until the meat falls apart. Served with rice, bananas, and farofa.

  2. Pirão de Peixe à Moda Caiçara – A thick paste made from the broth of freshly caught fish, cassava flour, and local seasonings, commonly prepared by coastal Caiçara communities.

  3. Pão no Bafo – A steamed bread filled with seasoned pork or beef, onions, and sometimes boiled eggs, influenced by Eastern European immigrant cooking and popular in Curitiba's street food scene.

  4. Quirera com Costelinha – A dish of cracked corn (quirera) simmered with pork ribs, onions, and garlic, showing the Indigenous Guarani influence on Parana's food.

  5. Sopa de Agnolini – A soup made with small meat-filled pasta dumplings (agnolini), brought by Italian migrants to southern Paraná, especially around the region of Colombo.

Festivals & Events in Parana


  • Festa da Uva – Curitiba: A traditional celebration of the grape harvest featuring wine tastings, folkloric music, dances, and local crafts, highlighting the influence of European immigrants in Paraná.

  • Festival de Teatro de Curitiba: One of Latin America’s largest theater festivals, attracting national and international performers for two weeks of diverse theatrical productions, street performances, and workshops.

  • Festa Nacional do Pinhão – Lages do Paraná: A cultural event dedicated to the pine nut (pinhão), a regional staple, with folk music, traditional food stalls, dances, and craft markets reflecting Paraná’s rural heritage.

  • Festa do Vinho – Colombo: An annual wine festival celebrating the state’s viticulture with tastings, parades, music, and gastronomy inspired by the Italian immigrant community in the region.

  • Festa do Divino Espírito Santo – Paranaguá: A religious and cultural event blending Catholic rituals and local folklore, featuring processions, masses, and traditional music, deeply rooted in the coastal city’s history.

  • Festival de Música de Curitiba: A popular music festival showcasing emerging Brazilian artists and regional talent, held in various venues across Curitiba with a focus on MPB (Brazilian popular music) and contemporary sounds.

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