That train ride through the jungle is the whole point. This full-day tour from Curitiba mixes a mountain-and-rainforest rail journey with time in the colonial town of Morretes, plus an excellent stop for Barreado, the region’s signature slow-cooked meat.

I especially like how the day feels organized around the “why” of this part of Paraná, not just a checklist. You get guided time walking Morretes’s old center with colonial houses, churches, and a craft market, then you eat lunch riverside in a classic Barreado setting.

One possible drawback to plan around: depending on the season and the train car, it can feel hot with limited cooling. If you are heat sensitive, you’ll want to pack for that reality.

Second, I like the contrast in the route: Serra do Mar foothills by day, then a short stop at Hisgeopar to add context before you head on to Antonina for another guided walk. It’s a smart way to cover two towns and keep your travel story interesting.

Key Highlights You’ll Really Care About

• Rainforest train ride through the Atlantic rainforest area on the way to Morretes
• Guided colonial walk in Morretes, including churches, older homes, and a craft market
• Barreado lunch made slowly in a clay pot, served with rice, fruit, and manioc flour
• Hisgeopar Theme Park quick 30-minute visit that adds regional context
• Antonina guided visit with a one-hour walking segment to round out the day

A Mountain-and-Rainforest Train Ride From Curitiba to Morretes

The heart of this tour is the train. From Curitiba, you’re taken by van for about 35 minutes to the train area, then the Estação Ferroviária de Paranaguá visit kicks off the rail portion of the day.

Once you’re on board, the scenery is the draw. You travel through the Atlantic rainforest region and along the foothills connected to the Serra do Mar. This isn’t just “pretty outside the window,” it’s a change in habitat and altitude that helps you understand why Morretes developed the way it did, at the edge of mountains and in reach of coastal trade routes.

Your train ride includes onboard service with a snack and a drink, and it runs with a guided setup for the experience. One thing I’d watch for: on warmer days, comfort can be inconsistent, since some train infrastructure can feel stuffy. If your tolerance for heat is low, plan accordingly.

Colonial Morretes on Foot, With Houses, Churches, and Crafts

After the train gets you to Morretes, the day shifts from moving to wandering. You get a guided city tour through the historic center, with time to walk at an easy pace among older architecture.

This is where the tour earns its value. Morretes is the kind of town where the details matter, and the guided portion helps you notice them, from the older colonial houses to the churches you pass and the general rhythm of the town.

You also get time at the craft market. Even if you don’t plan to buy much, it’s useful because you can connect the town’s look and materials to what you saw on the walk. Think of it as a visual “bridge” between buildings and local culture.

Time-wise, this Morretes segment includes about 1.5 hours in town, which is enough to get your bearings without rushing through everything. The guide pace tends to keep it moving, but not frantic.

Barreado Lunch by the Nhundiaquara River: What You’re Ordering

Then comes lunch, and it’s not a generic “included meal.” You’ll stop for lunch on the banks of the Nhundiaquara River for Barreado, Paraná’s famously slow-cooked specialty.

Barreado is meat cooked for several hours in a clay pot. That long cook is the whole trick, because it turns the meat very soft. You’ll typically get it served over rice with sliced bananas, oranges, and manioc flour, and there’s also breaded fish on the side.

Two practical tips for lunch:

• Go in hungry, because the plate is built to be filling.
• If you have dietary restrictions, ask ahead if adjustments are possible, since Barreado is very specific in ingredients and preparation.

The bonus here is the setting. Being at the river makes lunch feel like a break from travel, not just a meal stop. You’re not racing back onto the bus the minute you sit down.

Hisgeopar Theme Park Stop: Short, Purposeful, and Easy to Skip If You Want

After Morretes, the itinerary includes a quick visit to PARQUE TEMÁTICO HISGEOPAR, scheduled for about 30 minutes.

I like this kind of short stop because it gives you something “interpretive” between two towns. Even in a limited time window, it helps you frame the region beyond just old buildings and food, especially when you’ve just done a train ride through rainforest and foothills.

If you tend to be museum-fatigued, keep expectations realistic. This isn’t a long, deep visit. It’s a short context stop that should take pressure off your brain during the rest of the day.

Antonina Walk: Why This Second Town Matters

On the way back toward Curitiba, the tour includes Antonina for about one hour, with a guided visit that includes sightseeing and a walking segment.

Antonina is a strong companion to Morretes because it keeps your day tied to coastal influence and historical route logic. After walking Morretes’s older center, you’ll notice how a second town can shift the flavor while still feeling connected.

Because Antonina time is shorter, you’ll want to use the guide portion well. Ask questions while you’re there about what you’re seeing. It’s the easiest way to make the walk feel more than just a stroll.

Timing, Transfers, and the Real Feel of a 9-Hour Day

This is a 9-hour tour end to end. You’ll be picked up from multiple Curitiba-area locations, including options along Av. Cândido de Abreu, R. XV de Novembro, Av. do Batel, and R. do Herval.

You’re returned to Curitiba by road with an expected arrival around 5:30 p.m. The transfer back normally uses Estrada da Graciosa, and the itinerary notes that if conditions are adverse, the route may switch to BR-277 for safety.

Here’s how to think about the day logistically:

• Expect a “morning train, midday town and lunch, afternoon second town and quick park stop” rhythm.
• Plan your hydration and snacks around the train timing.
• If you want photos, you’ll likely get the best window moments on the train and during the guided walks, so keep your phone handy.

Also, remember that weather can change comfort. This is especially true because part of your day is on a train and part is walking.

Price and Value: Why $176 Can Make Sense

At $176 per person, the price feels high at first glance. But when you break it down, it includes a lot that you’d otherwise pay for separately: roundtrip transfer to most hotels in Curitiba, transportation from Morretes back to Curitiba, a guide, train ticket with onboard service, guided tours in both Morretes and Antonina, a Hisgeopar visit, and a typical local lunch.

The big value drivers here are:

• The train ticket and the guided orchestration around it.
• The included lunch focused on Barreado, which is the main reason many people come to Morretes.
• Two towns in one day, instead of just one.

If you tried to DIY it, you might save a bit on the guide, but you would still be paying for the rail logistics and dealing with timing. For many visitors, the guide adds enough structure that the day runs smoother than handling it yourself.

So, the question becomes: do you want the full “train to colonial town to food to another town” package? If yes, the price lines up.

Language and Guides: How to Choose What You Need

The tour offers a live guide in Spanish, Portuguese, or English. There’s also a bilingual guide option in the train carriage portion, and you choose your preferred language when purchasing.

This detail matters. If your goal is understanding every comment from start to finish, confirm how language support will work for the train segment and the town walks.

One note that’s easy to miss until later: the tour requires a mandatory passenger listing with government details for ANTT. You need to provide full name, birth date, and passport number for every passenger (or ID/CPF if you are Brazilian). If you’re traveling with a group, double-check spelling to avoid problems.

What to Pack for Comfort (Especially for the Train)

Because this is partly outdoors and partly on board, pack for both settings.

At minimum, I’d plan on:

• Water and sun protection, even though you get a bottled water or soft drink on the train.
• Light layers, since weather in the foothills can feel different than it does in Curitiba city.
• Heat coping if you’re traveling during warmer months, since at least some experiences point to weak ventilation on the train.

If you wear light clothing, bring something that helps you manage sun and sweat. You’ll be walking in town too, so comfortable shoes are worth it.

And if you’re a photo person, keep space in your bag. The train ride can be a steady stream of views, and once you step into Morretes, there’s a lot worth photographing in the older streets and market areas.

Should You Book This Morretes Full Day Tour?

Book it if you want the best kind of day trip from Curitiba: a real journey by train, a guided colonial walk, and an included meal that actually belongs to the place. It’s also a good fit if you like history you can see with your own eyes, plus food you can’t fake at home.

Skip it, or at least think twice, if you hate long days or you’re extremely sensitive to heat, since train-car comfort can be hit or miss. Also consider whether you’d rather spend more time in one town than split your day across Morretes, Hisgeopar, and Antonina.

For most visitors, though, this is a strong value package: train first, Morretes second, Barreado always, and Antonina to close the loop.

FAQ

What is the duration of the Morretes full day tour from Curitiba?

The tour duration is 9 hours.

Does the tour include hotel pickup in Curitiba?

Yes. Roundtrip transfer to most hotels in Curitiba is included, with multiple pickup locations offered.

How do you travel to Morretes?

You take a train to Morretes. You are also transported from Curitiba to the train area by van, and you return to Curitiba by road.

What is included on the train ride?

The train ticket to Morretes includes onboard service with a snack and a drink (bottled water or a soft drink).

What food do you have for lunch?

Lunch is typical local food, featuring Barreado. Barreado is meat slowly cooked in a clay pot for several hours, served over rice with sliced bananas and oranges, plus manioc flour, and a side of breaded fish.

Is drinks and dessert included with lunch?

No. Beverages and dessert are not included.

How long do you spend in Morretes?

The Morretes portion includes a guided visit, with about 1.5 hours in town, plus about 1 hour for lunch.

What other stops are part of the day besides Morretes?

You also visit PARQUE TEMÁTICO HISGEOPAR for 30 minutes and include Antonina for about 1 hour.

What languages are available for the guide?

The live tour guide is available in Spanish, Portuguese, and English. For the train carriage portion, the bilingual guide is available only during the train ride, and you choose your preferred language at purchase.

What time do you return to Curitiba?

Return is expected to arrive at about 5:30 p.m. The route is expected via Estrada da Graciosa, with an alternative road (BR-277) if adverse weather conditions require it.