If you are looking for virgin beaches, glamour, or world renowned natural wonders, then Curitiba may not feature in your travel itinerary. However, this southern city in Brazil is acclaimed the world over as an exemplary model of urban planning. There are many hotels in Curitiba to choose from and, for locals, the ‘liveability' factor distinguishes Curitiba from many cities in Brazil. With the largest economy in southern Brazil, Curitiba has deployed urban solutions with innovative land use. Its educational initiative is apparent with a project known as ‘light houses of knowledge'. The city also boasts about a UNESCO prize, which it won for its organised and original urban development solutions.
Curitiba's diverse culture is the result of European immigrants, who have made this city their home. This is evident in the varied architecture, cuisine, language and the religious composition of Curitiba. The city has recognised this cultural inheritance with its 26 parks dedicated to all the nations that have contributed to its growth. Curitiba has one of the highest green spaces per capita (55 m2) in the world, with well preserved biodiversity comprising a total of 22 million m2. The largest of the Curitiba parks is ‘Parque Barigui', named after the Barigui River. Besides the small recreational lakes that are part of the parks, Curitiba has four other rivers -Passauna, Iguacu, Atuba and Belem. Exploring the beautiful parklands and rivers is just one of the many great things to see & do in Curitiba.
The city has a huge immigrant European population from Portuguese, Polish, Ukrainians, to Germans and Italians along with a large number of Russians, Japanese and Arabs. It is not surprising that the Metropolitan Cathedral of Curitiba, built in 1894, has a Barcelonan influence. Explore the city on a Curitiba tour taking in the city's classical scenario, theatre, music and other artistic performances all of which are heavily dominated by a Brazilian influence.
Curitiba has ‘pedestrian only' streets that are real delights for the tourists travelling in Curitiba. In the historical sector or Setor Histórico, eighteenth and nineteenth century buildings have been converted into galleries, cafes, cultural centres, bars and Curitiba restaurants. Sunday has a craft market, an interesting Curitiba shopping experience and a great place to explore and pick up some great Curitiba souvenirs. The XV de Novembro Street (Fifteenth of November or Flower Street) is one of the earliest of Brazil's ‘pedestrian streets' and was inaugurated in 1972. It also has a large number of historical buildings that has been restored as cake shops and cafes in Curitiba.
Examples of modern architecture are the Theatre Ópera de Arame, the Museu Oscar Niemeyer and the University Livre do Meio Ambiente. There is a fantastic range of public transport in Curitiba, the product of the Curitiba Master Plan. Five different types of buses including the Rapid Transit bi-articulated buses serve the passengers. Come March, Curitiba hosts the much awaited Festival de Teatro or Theatre Festival.
Curitiba's ‘liveability' factor has created a happy local population and ensured a tourist popularity that is almost entirely the creation of the people and the town planners. During the day tourists traverse the town on various kinds of Curitiba tours and activities, and after office hours, they are joined by the Curitibanos to ‘chill out' in the numerous coffee shops, restaurants and commercial establishments spread all over the city. For tourists, this actually means year round festivities and events in Curitiba, not limited by special occasions such as music, movie and theatre festivals, seasonal fairs, pageants, Christmas light displays, concerts and nightclubs in Curitiba.
If you find the shops in Curitiba teeming with teenagers on Friday evenings, do not assume it's a special occasion. On Saturday mornings entire families will be out on the mall, listening to the musical groups, or gathering around food and flower stalls in the Passeio Público or other parks all over the city. The pedestrian area, Rua das Flores, was built in the 70s, the first in Brazil and, at that time, local businessmen and residents opposed it. The mayor decided to begin the works on a long holiday, so that the street was ready on Monday, when the stores opened again.
Downtown Curitiba is safe, clean and a real pleasure to walk around, so check out our map of Curitiba to see the location of the many Curitiba tourist attractions, then hit the streets for a self guided Curitiba tour. Tourists need not hurry inside their hotels in Curitiba or other ‘safe' venues (night clubs etc) by nightfall. This goes a long way to speak about the efforts of the Municipal administration. The Children's Christmas show in the HSBC building in Centro is so spectacular that it truly defines Curitiba as the ‘Capital do Natal' or ‘Christmas Capital' of Brazil. The building, resplendent in dazzling Christmas lights and candles, has children standing at the windows singing. Do not miss this event if you happen to be in Curitiba during December.
Curitiba was one of the earliest South American cities founded by the Portuguese explorers in 1653. Named Vila da Nossa Senhora da Luz dos Pinhais then, it later became Curitiba in 1721. The ubiquitous Parana Pine tree is a state symbol. This flat topped, straight trunk tree is seen in every park, every square and street of Parana. In fact, the name of the city is derived from the language of the indigenous Brazilian people called ‘Tupi'. The word may have been coined from a combination of ‘core' (pine tree) and ‘etuba' (many) or ‘kuri' (pine tree) and ‘tyba' (great quantity). The pine tree is also characteristic of many photographs and paintings in Curitiba. The capital city is located at a height of 3,000 feet and is 250 miles to the south west of Sao Paulo. A small mountain range separates it from the port city of Paranagui. Curitiba is located on a plateau that extends 500 miles to the west.
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