I visited Curitiba in October 2026 because I wanted to explore something beyond the usual gringo São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro circuit. Before coming here, I had heard that Curitiba is known for amazing architecture, excellent city planning, green spaces, and a lot of European influence.
My first impression is that it feels noticeably more orderly and cleaner than São Paulo. The streets are wider, there are way more parks, and the vibe is just… calmer. The European influence can be seen from the demographics and the food options (Italian, Eastern European etc). It reminded me a bit of what I imagine southern European cities might feel like, but with Brazilian warmth and more affordable prices.
This city has unique public transportation — those famous tube-shaped bus stations are actually pretty cool and efficient. Curitiba pioneered the Bus Rapid Transit system that other cities around the world copied. However Curitiba does not have a train/metro system.
Is Curitiba Worth Visiting?
This is a hard one. I think it depends on what you are looking for. I really liked the parks here — Parque Tanguá and Jardim Botânico are genuinely impressive, and the Ópera de Arame is unlike anything I had seen before. The architecture is unique, and areas like the Batel neighborhood are visibly more developed with nice cafes and shops.
However, Curibita is not drastically different from São Paulo. It feels like a smaller, more orderly version of São Paulo, with a larger white population due to earlier European immigration (mostly Italian, German, Polish, and Ukrainian settlers). The energy is similar, just dialed down a lot.
Overall, this is a cool city to live in if you want to escape the hustle of São Paulo. It is best for travelers who want Brazilian city life without the chaos — or for those who are into urban planning, green spaces, and architecture. If you are looking for beaches, vibrant nightlife, or that quintessential “Brazilian vibe,” you might want to stick with Rio.
How Much Does It Cost to Visit Curitiba Brazil
What really surprised me was how much more affordable Curitiba is compared to São Paulo. I feasted at $6 USD Brazilian buffet places and there were so many of them everywhere! This is way cheaper than what I paid in São Paulo or Rio for similar quality food.
For context, R$30 (around $6 USD at the time) gets you an all-you-can-eat buffet with meat, rice, beans, salads, and sides. This is perfect for budget travelers or anyone doing slow travel through Brazil. Accommodation is also cheaper here — older hotels with breakfast included runs about 40 USD in the city center.
I can see myself taking Portugese classes here in the future.
What to Eat in Curitiba Brazil
Where to Eat Cheap in Curitiba: Brazilian Buffets
The buffet restaurant scene here is amazing. I love Brazilian buffets because you can try everything — grilled meats, rice and beans, pasta, salads, fried foods, and desserts. In Curitiba, you can find abundant buffet restaurants at around R$30 (roughly $6 USD) per person.
The quality and variety are similar to what I found in São Paulo and Rio, but way cheaper. These places are called restaurante self-service or buffet livre, and they are everywhere. You just grab a plate, load up on whatever you want, and pay at the counter. I mean sure there are not premium food but $6 for basically any amounts of food (Beef, fish, eggs included)? I think that’s a great deal.
Carne de Onça: Curitiba’s Version of Steak Tartare
One dish I had to try was Carne de Onça, which is Curitiba’s regional specialty — their take on raw beef. It is basically their version of steak tartare, and it is a big deal here.
The dish consists of finely minced raw beef mixed with spices, onions, and sometimes a raw egg on top. It is served with crackers or bread. I enjoyed it! I mean this is basically steak tartare, but Brazilian style.
You can find Carne de Onça at traditional Brazilian restaurants and bars around the city, especially in the historic center near Largo da Ordem, the cobblestoned heart of old Curitiba where colonial buildings house cafes and weekend craft markets. It is one of those regional dishes you should try at least once when visiting Curitiba.
Best Things to Do in Curitiba for First-Time Visitors
Jardim Botânico: Curitiba’s Iconic Greenhouse
The Jardim Botânico de Curitiba (Botanical Garden) is probably the most famous landmark in the city, and for good reason. The main attraction is the stunning Art Nouveau-inspired glass greenhouse with its distinctive triple domes — this is the postcard image of Curitiba.
The greenhouse itself is beautiful, both inside and out. Inside, you will find tropical plants and palms under the elegant glass-and-steel structure. It feels like stepping into a Victorian-era conservatory.
The real highlight is the formal French-style gardens outside. The geometric hedge patterns and manicured lawns are incredibly photogenic — I spent way more time walking around the gardens than I did inside the greenhouse.
The symmetrical layout, the carefully trimmed hedges, and the central fountain create this very orderly, European aesthetic. It is very different from the more wild, tropical gardens you see in other Brazilian cities. This really showcases Curitiba’s commitment to green spaces and urban planning.
There is also a cool tunnel walkway with glass panels and benches where you can sit and relax. The whole park is just really well-designed for leisurely walks and photos.
Admission is free, which is great. I would say budget an hour to walk around and take photos. This is definitely a must-visit if you are in Curitiba — it is the city’s signature attraction.
Parque Tanguá and Jardim Botânico Curitiba: Best Parks in Curitiba
Parque Tanguá is another impressive park that really showcases Curitiba’s excellent urban planning. This was a former quarry that they converted into a scenic park with dramatic terraced fountains and Art Deco-inspired towers.
The symmetrical fountains and the twin towers create this very grand, formal look. It is a bit like a miniature version of European water gardens. There are also viewing platforms where you can see the surrounding valley and forest — the views are really nice.
What I liked about Parque Tanguá is that it shows how Curitiba takes old industrial sites and converts them into beautiful public spaces. The former quarry is now filled with green water, and there are even floating restaurant platforms on the lake. Very cool urban regeneration project.
Both Parque Tanguá and Jardim Botânico really stood out to me compared to other Brazilian cities. While Rio has its beaches and mountains, and São Paulo has its urban energy, Curitiba wins on green spaces and parks. This is the kind of city where you can actually walk around and enjoy nature without leaving the urban area.
Ópera de Arame Curitiba Architecture
The Ópera de Arame (Wire Opera House) is very close to Parque Tanguá and it is unlike anything I had seen before. This is a transparent theater made of steel tubes and wire mesh, set over a lake in the middle of a park. The whole structure is see-through!
According to the sign, this thing was built in just 75 days in 1992 — that is insane! The construction is all steel tubes and wire, which creates this delicate, almost skeletal appearance. It is set over a lake with an outdoor amphitheater, and the whole setting is really scenic.
Inside, the dome structure is even more impressive. The circular seating and the translucent roof create this really unique atmosphere. I can imagine watching a performance here would be an amazing experience.
A band performing in the middle of the lake!
This is a distinctive architectural landmark that really showcases modern Brazilian design. I would recommend visiting even if you are not attending a performance — the architecture and the surrounding park are worth the trip.
This attraction does require a ticket of about $6 and it also includes entry to a street of restaurants and cafes “Parque Jalme Lorner”. Overall a great tourist attraction to spend 1 hour at.
Largo da Ordem Historic Center Curitiba
Lastly, Largo da Ordem is the historic center of Curitiba, with colonial architecture and a distinctive blue church. It is charming, but honestly, it is rather small compared to the historic centers in other Brazilian cities like Salvador or Ouro Preto.
The cobblestone square and the colorful colonial buildings are nice for photos, and there are some bars and restaurants around. On weekends, they have a craft market here which is pretty popular. Good for a quick walk, but I would not say this is the main attraction of Curitiba — the parks and modern architecture are more impressive.
Cathedral Basilica and European Architecture
The Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Light is Curitiba’s most iconic religious landmark. The neo-Gothic cathedral with its twin bell towers dominates the city center plaza.
Inside, the vaulted ceilings and stained glass windows are really stunning. The golden lighting creates this warm, reverent atmosphere. The architecture is very European — it could easily be a cathedral in France or Germany.
This reflects the city’s strong European heritage. Curitiba has a much larger white European-descended population compared to other Brazilian cities due to the waves of Italian, German, Polish, and Ukrainian immigration in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. You can really see and feel that influence in the architecture and the overall vibe of the city.
Curitiba vs São Paulo
Since I visited both cities on the same trip, let me compare them. Here is my take: Curitiba feels like a smaller, more orderly São Paulo.
The urban planning is way better in Curitiba. The parks and green spaces are more abundant and better maintained. The city is more walkable, the streets are cleaner, and everything feels more organized. It definitely has that European efficiency vibe.
Food-wise, both cities have great buffet restaurants and Brazilian staples. However, São Paulo has way more international dining variety — the Japanese food in Liberdade, the Middle Eastern spots, the Italian restaurants, all that. Curitiba’s food scene is solid but less diverse.
Cost of living is noticeably cheaper in Curitiba. Accommodation is also more affordable.
The population in Curitiba is more homogeneous — larger white European-descended population, which gives it a different feel from São Paulo’s mega diverse mix. São Paulo has that chaotic, international big city energy with people from all over Brazil and the world. Curitiba is more refined and calm.
If you can do both, I would say start with São Paulo for the international vibe and diverse dining scene, then come to Curitiba for some slow travel. But if you have to choose one, it depends on what you are looking for — chaos and diversity, or order and green spaces.
Final Thoughts
Curitiba is a cool city to live in if you want to escape the hustle of São Paulo — I can totally see why people move here for the better quality of life. The parks are excellent, the architecture is unique, and the prices are way more affordable.
There are easy to find good shopping malls with international food and shops that you may need.
I would recommend Curitiba for slow travelers or those wanting affordable Brazilian city life without the chaos of São Paulo or Rio. Would I come back? Maybe to live here for a while, but probably not as a major tourist destination. It is more of a place to experience Brazilian life at a slower pace rather than a bucket list destination like Rio.