Vila Velha and Furnas

This part of the Brazil was covered by the Atlantic Ocean 600 million years ago. Over time, volcanic eruptions and separating tectonic plates created several mountain ranges. Over the next 200 million years ice-age glaciers and wind erosion worked together to sculpt Vila Velha's unique rock formations.

The Vila Velha State Park is open from Wednesday to Monday and has recently been completely restructured. The main attractions are the sandstone sculptures and Dourada Lake.The Furnas Caves are no longer open to the public, in a conservation effort to protect the endangered animal and plant life which inhabits them. Park tours are conducted in minibuses under the supervision of a local guide.

A visit lasts approximately three hours and gives you the opportunity to visit the rock formations on foot. On one side of the loop road there are wide-open, native grasslands, while the other side is covered by the dense, humid vegetation of an Araucaria forest  - an incredibly interesting contrast. 

You should plan for the tour to last six hours (round trip). We recommend leaving Curitiba at 7:30 am to keep your afternoon free.

Leaving Curitiba at 7 am to the Vila Velha State Park (about 90 km from Curitiba). Visit the unique sandstone formations, the Dourada lake and the caves. Return to Curitiba at approx. 1:30 pm.