Curitiba

Curitiba is the capital of the southern Brazilian state of Paraná

Overview

Curitiba sits on a plateau at 932m and is located west of the seaport of Paranagua. In the 17 century Curitiba was considered a cattle-breeding and trading city. Later, between 1850 and 1950, it grew due to logging and agricultural expansion in Parana State. During the 1850s, waves of European immigrants arrived in Curitiba, mainly Germans, Italians, Poles and Ukrainians.

Curitiba's economy is now based on industry and services with the fourth largest in Brazil.

Curitiba's crime rate is considered low by Brazilian standards and the city is considered one of the safest cities in Brazil,

Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) rights in Brazil are among the most advanced in Latin America and the world.

Gay couples in Brazil enjoy the same rights guaranteed to heterosexual ones since 16 May 2013, including marriage. In June 2019, the Brazilian Supreme Court ruled that discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity is a crime the same as racism.

The status of LGBTQ rights in Brazil has grown since the end of the military dictatorship in 1985, and the creation of the new Constitution of Brazil of 1988.

Generally, with the world’s largest gay pride event in Sao Paulo and carnival which is popular in every city the Brazilian popular are generally open minded towards LGBTQ community.

Airport Transfer

Afonso Pena International Airport (CWB) is Curitiba's main airport and located in the nearby city of São José dos Pinhais. The Afonso Pena International Airport is located 18 km from the city centre of Curitiba.

There are 2 bus services from the airport to Curitiba city centre.

The Aeroporto Executivo bus journey time to the centre of Curitiba, near ‘Praça Rui Barbosa’ square is approximately 40 minutes. These buses have air conditioning and free WiFi. They depart every 20-30 minutes, operating Monday to Saturday from 06:30 am to 20:00 pm and on Sundays from 08:00 am to 13:30 pm.

If you need to travel outside of the Aeroporto Executivo timetable you need to take the bus line 208 or take a taxi.

The local bus route 208 runs from Curitiba Airport to Curitiba Centro Cívico, on the way this bus services stops at the university PUCPR and Rodoferroviaria bus\train station. To reach the centre of the city, it is best to get off at the stop ‘Estação Tubo Círculo Militar’, an 8-minute walk from the main square Praça Tiradentes.

There is Bacacheri Airport, a smaller general aviation facility which generally handles small and medium business aircraft.

Getting Around

Public transportation in Curitiba is excellent due to the extensive and efficient BRT Bus Rapid Transit system and very popular with residents and tourists.

A big advantage for speed is the reserved bus lanes. It is considered safe and cheap to travel by public transport in Curitiba and the surrounding area. Curitiba's public transportation consists entirely of buses. It opened the world's second bus rapid transit (BRT) system, Rede Integrada de Transporte, in 1974 with over 1,100 buses making around 12,500 trips every day

Places to stay

Most districts of Curitiba were born when colonial groups were formed by families of European immigrants that settled in the 19^th century. The centro (downtown or central business district), where the city was founded, is the most bustling area and houses most of the financial institutions of Curitiba.

The Curitiba City Centre is the heart of the city and houses attractions such as Plaza Tiradentes (Tiradentes Square). In this area, there are many icons of Curitiba, such as the Public Garden, Las Flores Street and Rui Barboza Square, one of the main recreational areas of the city.

In addition, it is the best area to stay in Curitiba for nightlife, thanks to the bars and nightclubs that are located in several parts of this lively district with good selection of hotels, and its excellent public transport connections and its proximity to the attractions of the city.

Sightseeing

The Parana state capital of Curitiba brings a European charm that sets it apart from most of Brazil. Curitiba is full of sights such as the Opera House, Oscar Niemeyer Museum, the Botanical Gardens and several parks scattered throughout the city's neighbourhoods.

Palacio Avenida is one of the most visited spots in the city. Address: Rua Luiz Xavier 11, Centro

The Brazil Telecom Panoramic Tower acts as a point of interest from which visitors can enjoy a bird’s eye view of the entire city. At the top of the tower is an observation deck. From there, one can enjoy the views of the entire city. The deck is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10am to 7pm. Address: Rua Prof. Lycio Grein de Castro Vellozo 191, Merces.

Metropolitan Cathedral also known as Basilica Minor of Our Lady of Light is the city’s most famous cathedral. The cathedral was constructed in 1876, adopting the Neo-Gothic style. There are several stained-glass windows and spectacular paintings by famous artists like Carlos and Anacleto Garbaccio. Close to the entrance is the chair that Pope John Paul II is said to have sat on when he visited the city in 1980. Address: Rua Barao do Serro Azul 31.

Sunday Market at Feirinha do Largo da Ordem attract throngs of people and is home to stalls selling all types of crafts, paintings, local food items and much more. The Sunday market held in the historical centre, making it convenient for visitors to visit the market and then head off to other tourist attractions. Address: Cavalo Babão - R. Kellers, s/n - São Francisco.

Opera de Arame is a real masterpiece of modern architecture. The building itself sits atop a rock in a crater of what used to be an abandoned quarry, and is made entirely of glass and steel. The venue is used for concerts, ballets and plays. Address: Rua João Gava, 970, Curitiba, Brazil

Jardim Botanico, is also otherwise known as the Botanical Garden of Curitiba in English. It stands as a major tourist attraction in the city and is a prominent landmark as well. Curitiba’s prominent landmark was created in the French style and also consists of French style fountains and lakes. Visitors to the gardens are welcomed by the sight of a carpet of flowers. On the other side of the park is the Botanical Museum which houses a herbarium. Address: R. Engo. Ostoja Roguski.

Curitiba Food and Restaurants

The capital of Parana is an important gastronomic centre in Brazil, and the typical foods of Curitiba tend be very different when compared to other common Brazilian dishes. The dishes of the local cuisine are a reflection of the history of the municipality and the typical foods. Curitiba's cuisine has mainly been influenced by Italian and German immigrants.

Curitiba is the home to one of the world's largest restaurants, Restaurante Madalosso. Madalosso can feed more than 4,600 diners at a time in its 10 different dining rooms, all named after Italian cities. Founded in 1963, the all-you-can-eat Madalosso focuses on family-style Italian cuisine: ravioli, lasagna, gnocchi, and salads rounded out with grilled meats.

LGBTQ Nightlife

Love y Gin arrived to provide an exclusively dedicated to the gay public here in Curitiba and the establishment, recently opened, has become increasingly an obligatory stop for gays before heading to the many clubs that are close by.

There's love and gin in every corner of the bar, decorated with care, creativity by the three male owners. Love y Gin is open from Wednesday to Sunday. Opening hours: Wednesday and Thursday, 6:00 pm to midnight; Friday and Saturday, 6:00 pm to 1:00 am; and Sunday, 5:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

Spot Bear is a bar with pub food aimed at the gay bear public and with electronic music.

The fire bar in the heart of the city, opened its doors with the proposal to offer gays a little bar with something “sweatier”, that is, it has a labyrinth and dark room too.

Dunkel, is a pop club that that recently opened. If you have been to warm up at Love y Gin, you can get discounts at Dunkel.

Vitto Bar located in the city centre, which offers themed nights and has a dance floor.

Vu Bar is one of the oldest and most popular gay clubs in town playing pop, funk, pop/rock or alternative rock, depending on the day.

Bwayne is one of the best-known nightclubs in town with an open bar all night.

Verdant is another very popular gay nightclub in Curitiba's nightlife with 2 dance floors. One for electronic music and the other for pop and funk.

Volt club is a relative new club which holds lively themed parties with well-known DJs on the scene.

Other

Currency – Brazilian Real (BRL)

Language - Portuguese

Visas - Not needed for travellers from the US, Canada and Europe

Best Time To Visit – November - March

Timezone – Brasilia Standard Time - GMT + 3 hours

Homosexual Activity - Legal