Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

The best views arrive by train. This full-day trip from Curitiba combines a historic railway journey through Serra do Mar, a guided walk in Morretes, a traditional Barreado lunch, and short stops in Antonina and at the Parana Encantado HISGEOPAR park. I especially like the 19th-century railway and the chance to taste a real coastal Paraná meal beside the Nhundiaquara River. The main drawback is time: the day is long, and the stops after lunch are brief.

At about $128.40 per person, the price is not bargain-basement, but it covers hotel transfers, the train ticket, onboard snacks, a guide, lunch, road transport, and several visits. You should also know that English or Spanish support may be limited outside the train carriage, even when you request it.

The day at a glance

• A railway built in 1884: Ride part of the Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway, with bridges, tunnels, viaducts, rivers, and waterfalls.
• Atlantic rainforest from your window: The train passes through the Serra do Mar ecological reserve, where steep valleys and thick forest provide the main show.
• Morretes gets the best town time: You have about 90 minutes to see colonial houses, churches, craft stalls, and the riverfront area.
• Barreado is the essential meal: Beef slowly cooked for many hours is served with rice, banana, orange, and manioc flour, with breaded fish on the side.
• Antonina is a quick taste: The old coastal town gets only about 20 minutes, so expect a brief look rather than a full visit.
• The ride home follows a scenic road: The return normally uses the Estrada da Graciosa, though bad weather can send the vehicle back by BR-277.

Why this train journey matters

The train is the heart of the outing. You leave Curitiba around 7:00 a.m. by road for the station, then board the train to Morretes. The railway dates from the nineteenth century, and its inaugural journey took place in 1884 with Princess Isabel aboard.

That history is not just decoration. The route was engineered through difficult mountain country, and you can see the work in its 41 bridges, numerous smaller bridges and pontoons, 13 tunnels, and major structures such as Ponte São João and the Viaduto do Carvalho. The train passes through canyons, gorges, valleys, rivers, and waterfalls as it descends toward the coast.

The scenery is the reason to choose this tour over a simple transfer to Morretes. The Serra do Mar is home to a well-preserved stretch of Atlantic rainforest, and the views change constantly as the train moves between forested slopes and open mountain views. On a clear day, the route can be spectacular. On a cloudy or rainy day, it still has atmosphere, but mist and low cloud may hide some of the best sights.

The train ride also has a social, organized feel. A snack and a soft drink or bottled water are included, and you can move around within your section of the train. The carriage guide provides commentary in the language selected at booking, with Portuguese, English, and Spanish available in the train section.

That last point matters. The language arrangement is not necessarily the same for the entire day. Several people have had a good English or Spanish explanation on the train but little help in their chosen language once the group reached the towns. If you do not speak Portuguese, confirm exactly what language support is included before paying.

The railway can be crowded, and boarding may take time. A few delays have also occurred, including a journey that arrived in Morretes much later than planned after several stops. Build patience into your expectations. This is an excursion on an operating railway, not a private sightseeing train.

Morretes: the strongest town stop

After the train arrives, the tour turns to Morretes. You get about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the historical center, including colonial houses, churches, craft stalls, and streets near the river.

This is the most satisfying town visit of the day because it gives you enough time to get a feel for the place. Morretes has a low-rise colonial character, and the combination of old buildings, small shops, local sweets, and mountain scenery makes it a pleasant counterpoint to the train ride.

Your guide is meant to lead the city walk, but the amount of explanation can depend on the language and the guide assigned that day. Some guides have been praised for being patient and helpful, while others have offered much less commentary in English or Spanish. If you receive only a short orientation, use your free time to walk slowly through the center and browse the craft market rather than waiting for a detailed lecture.

Morretes is also where the schedule can feel tight. Lunch follows the town visit, and many people would happily trade one of the later short stops for more time here. If you want to buy local crafts, sweets, or a drink, do that early instead of assuming you will have time at the end.

Barreado beside the Nhundiaquara River

Lunch is included and is one of the tour’s strongest cultural elements. You eat near the Nhundiaquara River and receive Barreado, a signature dish from the coast of Paraná.

The preparation is slow and traditional. Several cuts of beef cook for roughly 12 hours in a clay pot. Manioc flour mixed with water seals the lid, keeping the steam inside. By the time it reaches the table, the meat is so soft that it falls apart.

The dish is served over rice with sliced bananas, oranges, and manioc flour. Breaded fish is also served on the side. The meal is filling and regional, not a generic buffet inserted into a sightseeing day. I like that the food explains something about Paraná as clearly as the railway does.

Drinks and dessert are not included. This is easy to miss when reading the package details, so budget a little extra if you want something beyond the included meal. One useful feature is the setting: sitting near the river gives lunch a relaxed pause after the train and before the return drive.

The meal generally lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes. That is enough time to eat without rushing, but not enough for a long lingering lunch if the railway arrived late.

HISGEOPAR: a miniature Paraná

The stop at Parana Encantado HISGEOPAR lasts about 30 minutes. The name describes its purpose well: it presents the history and geography of Paraná through moving miniature scenes.

You see small figures representing colonizers and their work during the period of colonization. There are also models of the Curitiba to Morretes railway, including a locomotive, plus displays connected with the Itaipu Dam, Iguazu Falls, and the flooding of the Seven Falls.

This is not an adventure park in the usual sense. Think of it as a compact historical and geographic exhibition with moving models. If you enjoy miniature railways, local history, or mechanical displays, it adds context to the day. If you are expecting rides or outdoor activities, the visit may feel short and misnamed.

The timing is practical rather than generous. Thirty minutes is enough to see the main models, but you will not have much time to study every scene. I would treat it as a pleasant bonus, not a reason to book the tour by itself.

Antonina in twenty minutes

The final town stop is Antonina, a historic coastal settlement with old streets and a shoreline. The tour allows about 20 minutes, which is enough for a quick walk and perhaps a look at small shops selling regional products and banana sweets.

This stop is the weakest part of the schedule for anyone hoping to explore a town properly. You may see only a small portion of Antonina, and the short visit can feel more like a pause than a guided city tour. Some itineraries have included a very brief stop at a shop or ice cream outlet, which may disappoint if you expected a fuller look at the town.

I would not choose this excursion mainly for Antonina. Choose it for the railway, Morretes, the food, and the mountain route. Antonina is an extra glimpse of Paraná’s coast.

If your priority is historical streets and local atmosphere, you may wish the tour gave Antonina’s minutes to Morretes instead. Still, the shore and old buildings offer a change of scene, and the stop breaks up the road journey.

The return along Estrada da Graciosa

After the town visits, you return to Curitiba by van, minibus, or bus. The planned route is the Estrada da Graciosa, one of Brazil’s most scenic roads, with curves through the Serra do Mar.

The road trip can be beautiful, but it may also be long and bumpy. The historic route includes stone sections and many turns, so anyone prone to motion sickness should prepare accordingly. The drive is not merely a transfer. It gives you a second way to see the mountains after viewing them from the train.

Bad weather can change the plan. For safety, the operator may use the BR-277 highway instead. That means you cannot count on the Estrada da Graciosa every time, especially in heavy rain or poor road conditions.

The expected arrival in Curitiba is around 4:30 p.m., although the day can run later if the train is delayed. Hotel drop-off is included for most Curitiba hotels, but confirm your exact hotel during booking. A few past pickups and drop-offs have caused problems, including incorrect passenger names and missed departures, so check your confirmation carefully and be at the meeting point early.

Price, group size, and what you receive

At $128.40 per person, the tour works best as a bundled day trip. The price includes round-trip hotel transport for most Curitiba hotels, the train fare, the guide, onboard snack service, Barreado lunch, the Morretes and Antonina visits, HISGEOPAR admission, and the return vehicle.

Buying each part separately could be awkward, especially if you do not speak Portuguese or do not want to arrange the railway, restaurant, and return transfer yourself. The value is strongest for a first visit to Curitiba when you want one organized day beyond the city.

The value is less clear if you want a slow, independent visit. The group can include up to 30 people, and the schedule is fixed. Morretes, Antonina, and the railway all operate on different clocks, so the tour must keep moving.

The guide is Portuguese-speaking for the general tour, with bilingual support in the train carriage when selected at purchase. This is the main service issue to consider. English and Spanish assistance has been excellent on some departures and disappointing on others. If clear narration is central to your experience, contact the operator before departure and confirm the language arrangement in writing.

You must provide each passenger’s full name, birth date, and passport number. Brazilian citizens should provide an ID or CPF. This information is required for the passenger list, so enter it accurately. Some past service failures involved incorrect passenger details, which created stressful problems at pickup or boarding.

Who should book this day trip?

I would recommend it to you if you want:

• A scenic railway experience with historical engineering
• A simple way to visit Morretes from Curitiba
• A traditional Paraná meal rather than an ordinary tourist lunch
• A full day with transport and tickets handled for you
• Mountain, rainforest, river, and coastal scenery in one outing

It suits couples, families, solo visitors, and anyone without a car. Most people can participate, and the group size is limited to 30.

I would hesitate if you dislike early starts, long vehicle rides, crowded boarding areas, or fixed schedules. I would also think twice if you need detailed commentary in English or Spanish throughout the day. The train language service may be good, but the town visits are not guaranteed to receive the same level of translation.

Wear comfortable shoes for Morretes and Antonina, and bring water even though a drink is supplied on the train. A light rain layer is sensible because the mountain weather can change, and poor conditions may alter the return route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the start time. Changes or cancellations inside that window are not accepted for a refund.

Should you book the Curitiba to Morretes train tour?

Yes, if the train ride is your main goal and you want the rest of the day arranged around it. The railway through Serra do Mar is the memorable part, while Morretes and the Barreado lunch give the excursion a strong local flavor.

Book it with realistic expectations. You are not getting a leisurely day in two towns. You are getting a tightly timed regional sampler: historic train, rainforest scenery, Morretes, a satisfying traditional meal, a miniature-history park, a quick look at Antonina, and a scenic road back to Curitiba.

At $128.40, I consider it fair value for a first visit, especially when transfers and lunch are important. Confirm your hotel pickup, passenger details, and guide language before departure. If those practical points are in order, this is one of the better ways to connect Curitiba with Paraná’s mountains and coast in a single day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts approximately nine hours. Pickup begins around 7:00 a.m., and the expected return to Curitiba is about 4:30 p.m., though train delays can affect the schedule.

Is hotel pickup included?

Round-trip transfer is included for most hotels in Curitiba. Confirm that your hotel is covered and check the pickup time after booking.

What language is the guide?

The main guide is Portuguese-speaking. Bilingual guide service is available in the train carriage in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and you must select your preferred language when booking.

What is included with lunch?

Lunch includes Barreado, rice, sliced banana, orange, manioc flour, and breaded fish. Beverages and dessert are not included.

What is Barreado?

Barreado is a traditional dish from the coast of Paraná. Beef is cooked slowly for many hours in a clay pot sealed with manioc flour and water until the meat becomes very soft.

How do you return to Curitiba?

The return is by van, bus, or minibus. The planned route is the Estrada da Graciosa. In adverse weather, the operator may use the BR-277 highway for safety.

How much time is spent in Morretes and Antonina?

The Morretes visit lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes. The Antonina stop lasts about 20 minutes.

Can the tour be canceled for a full refund?

Yes. You can cancel at least 24 hours before the experience starts for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours in advance are not refunded.