With panoramic views of the lush Quilombo Valley, Kingdom of Chocolate (O Reino do Chocolate) is a must-visit for travelers looking to indulge their sweet tooth. The museum and chocolate factory, which traces the history of cocoa and the chocolate-manufacturing process, offers visitors the chance to enjoy chocolate samples and hot chocolate.
Located in the foothills of the Serra do Mar mountains—and within easy day tripping distance of Curitiba—Aguas Claras Water Park is one of the region’s largest water parks. The family-friendly destination has an attraction for travelers of all ages; highlights include high-speed water slides, wave pools, a boating lake, and a zipline course.
As one of the most renowned zoos in South America, Gramado Zoo stands out for its commitment to animal welfare, conservation efforts, and educational experiences. Nestled in the Brazilian countryside, this zoo lets you observe a diverse array of indigenous species.
This elegant example of neo-Gothic architecture-- easily Brazil's finest-- might seem more at home in Medieval France than the rainforests of the New World. The graceful symphony of peaked arches and delicately rendered towers, built between 1928 and 1932, overlook Getúlio Vargas Square in Santa Cruz do Sul.
Home to the renowned Atlético Paranaense soccer team, Arena da Baixada—also known as Estádio Atlético Paranaense—is located in Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná. The first football match was played here in 1914, making this stadium an important part of Brazil’s world-renowned football legacy.
In the heart of the historic part of Curitiba, Garibaldi Square is a great place to get your bearings or take a break between sightseeing visits. The square also has a "flower clock," a fully functional, 26-foot (8-meter) timepiece made of shrubs and flowers, complete with fiberglass hands.
At the heart of Unipraias Park, Aguada Hill (Morro da Aguada) affords a spectacular view from its 787-foot (240-meter) summit. The Bondinho cable car orteleférico links the hilltop viewpoint with the park’s two beaches—the only beach-to-beach cable car in the world.
With its gigantic manmade lake, sandy beaches, and multiple swimming areas, Marina Park is a great place to cool off during Brazil’s notoriously hot summers. Water slides, boat cruises, and play areas offer fun for all ages, while swim-up bars and thermal pools ensure adults can relax too.
The Federal University of Paraná (UFPR) is one of the oldest educational institutions in Brazil. The school occupies an entire block of Curitiba’s town center on one end of Santos Andrade Square (Praça Santos Andrade). Originally a private institution that began in the early 1900s, it became a federal, tuition-free university in 1950. It’s also home to two museums.
A scenic green space, an open-air museum that commemorates the Polish immigrants that have helped shape Curitiba for more than 150 years, and a memorial to Pope John Paul II, the Pope’s Woods and Polish Immigration Memorial (Bosque do Papa Joao Paulo II) is a multi-part attraction. Known for its cultural festivals, it’s also peaceful and tranquil.
A paradise-like island off the coast of southern Brazil’s Paraná state, Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) has been a protected nature reserve since 1982. Closed to vehicles and accessible to limited numbers of visitors each day, it preserves a wild stretch of the coastal Atlantic Forest. The reserve’s highlights range from beaches and historic lighthouses to rocky caves.
Home to thrilling rollercoasters, water slides, and a huge variety of outdoor activities, Acqua Lokos has something to entertain all ages. As the largest leisure complex in Rio Grande do Sul, it’s a popular choice for a family day out and the on-site hotel is ideal for those who want to stay longer.
Dating back to the late 18th century, Largo da Alfandega (Customs Square) is packed full of historical architecture and cultural gems. Since its conception, the square has been a meeting point for commerce and socializing. It boasts neoclassical buildings, water features, vendors selling snacks and artisan goods, and the popular Municipal Public Market, where you can feast on Brazilian street food.
Run by the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio Grande do Sul (PUCRS), the PUCRS Museum of Science and Technology is Latin America’s only interactive museum of natural sciences. The space offers exhibits on the universe, the earth, the environment, and humankind as well as hands-on activities for visitors of all ages.
In the heart of Curitiba, Santos Andrade Square (Praça Santos Andrade) is a central hub for transportation, culture, and just hanging out. Brazil's first university—the Federal University of Paraná (UFPR)—is right by the square, which means you're likely to run into students, as is the celebrated Guaira Theatre.
Chave-Mestra is an escape room experience that offers a variety of themed games and puzzles. Pick from a variety of thrilling, magical, or macabre themes, and spend part of an afternoon or evening solving riddles and puzzles that will allow you to escape a locked room.
An engaging, exciting indoor attraction, Chave-Mestra is an escape game in the Brazilian city of Porto Alegre. Locked inside a themed room of your choice, you and your friends must solve puzzles and mysteries in order to free yourselves.
One of southern Florianopolis’ most famous viewpoints, Mirante do Morro das Pedras offers panoramic views of the pristine coastline that this part of Brazil is famous for. From here, you can admire the white sand and turquoise water of Praia do Caldeirão, Praia da Armação, and Praia do Morro das Pedras, and sometimes see as far as Campeche Island.
Located at Itaipu Dam (Barragem de Itaipu), one of the largest providers of hydroelectric energy on the planet, Itaipu Biological Refuge is dedicated to rescuing and researching the wildlife of this tropical region. Animals inhabiting the area include jaguars, harpy eagles, marsh deer, monkeys, snakes, anteaters, and skunks.
One of the largest open-air museums in Brazil, Carambei Historical Park (Parque Historico de Carambei) explores the story of the Dutch people who immigrated to Brazil. Highlights include a recreation of Zaanse Schans in the Netherlands, a Memory Museum that explores Dutch history and culture, and some tranquil ponds and lakes to wander.
Feira do Largo da Alfandega is a market that brings together the best of Florianopolis’ produce and handicrafts in one place. It takes place several times a week and has vendors similar to those you’d find at a typical farmer’s market; sample everything from spicy sausages and sugarcane juice to fresh fish, exotic fruit, and classic Brazilian street food.
If you want to escape Florianopolis’ more developed side, the stripped-back shores of Praia do Matadeiro are the place for you. Free of hotels and city noise, the pristine sand and crystal-clear waters of this locale are the ideal place to relax. The trees backing the beach provide some welcome shade.
