A calm colonial town in Paraná state known for barreado, a traditional meat stew. The Serra Verde Express train winds through Atlantic rainforest to reach this riverside spot.
Morretes, a small city 70 kilometers east of Curitiba, sits along the Nhundiaquara River in Brazil's Paraná state. You can walk past 18th-century Portuguese mansions on Rua das Flores, taste barreado beef stew simmered for 24 hours in clay pots, or take the Serra Verde Express train through mountain passes and past waterfalls. The surrounding Atlantic Forest includes Marumbi State Park, where you can hike to the 1,539-meter Marumbi Peak.
Historical Background
Morretes began as a trading post along the Nhundiaquara River in 1733. The city grew through gold mining, yerba mate processing, and sugar cane mills, gaining independence from neighboring Antonina in 1841.
Taking the Serra Verde Express
The train journey from Curitiba to Morretes takes three hours through Atlantic Forest mountains. You'll cross steel bridges and pass waterfalls while traveling through 13 tunnels. The train departs daily at 8:15 AM from Curitiba, with an additional 9:15 AM service during peak season.
Walking Through the City Center
The Nhundiaquara River flows through Morretes, with the Old Bridge connecting the north and south banks. Along Rua das Flores, which follows the riverbank, you'll find several 18th-century buildings, including a colonial mansion where Emperor Dom Pedro II stayed in 1880. You can walk the entire center in about two hours.
Exploring Natural Areas
Marumbi State Park spans 8,745 hectares of Atlantic Forest. You can hike to Marumbi Peak (1,539 meters), swim in granite-bottom pools beneath waterfalls, or spot toucans and howler monkeys. At Ekôa Park, walking paths wind through native vegetation, and guides explain local ecosystems during scheduled tours.
Tasting Local Food
Barreado, the main local dish, consists of beef slowly cooked for 24 hours in sealed clay pots with bay leaves and spices. Restaurants serve it with manioc flour, rice, and banana. Local producers make banana chips, crystallized ginger, and cachaça (sugar cane spirit) using ingredients from nearby farms.
Getting Around
You can reach Morretes by train, car (1 hour 15 minutes from Curitiba), or bus (ten daily departures from Curitiba). Within Morretes, most places are within walking distance. Several shops near the train station rent bicycles for exploring further areas.
