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Paraná: the Serra Verde Railway & Ilha do Mel: 5-Day Plan You Can Actually Do
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The 5-day version for March: every day fits real transit, opening hours and daylight. Prefer more or fewer days? 4-day plan · 5-day plan · best time to go.
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5
days
175 km
distance
12.4 h
in transit
17
curated stops
💡 Good to know for this plan
- ~12.2 hours of daylight in March — the plan keeps days inside a realistic window.
- The Serra Verde train descends its cloud-forest cliffs in summer green, and Ilha do Mel's car-free trails link warm surf beaches and the lighthouse climb.
Day 1 Curitiba
- Transit
- 0h34
- Finish
- ~13:50
- Temperature
- 15.9°C–25.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~21
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Marvel at a flower carpet at the entrance and explore a greenhouse with botanic species.
90 min · Curitiba · Free entrance
open: 06:00-19:30
10:50
Marvel at contemporary art inside a striking modern building designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
50 min · Curitiba · Paid admission; free Wednesday and the last Sunday of the month
open: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; last admission 17:30
12:00
Stroll around cherry trees sent from Japan and see artificial Japanese-style lakes.
50 min · Curitiba
open: Square open daily; cultural buildings have narrower hours
12:50
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Deville Curitiba · Pestana Curitiba Hotel
Day 2 Around Curitiba
- Transit
- 0h24
- Finish
- ~11:55
- Temperature
- 15.9°C–25.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~21
- Daylight
- 12.2h
09:00
Walk an elevated pathway through the Araucaria Forest and see dioramas and stuffed animals.
50 min · Curitiba
open: Tu-Su 09:00-17:00
10:00
11:05
Overnight here
e.g. Hotel Deville Curitiba · Pestana Curitiba Hotel
Day 3 Morretes
- Transit
- 6h24
- Finish
- ~17:10
- Temperature
- 19.0°C–26.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 12.2h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 07:10–07:30TransferCuritiba → Curitiba Railway StationReach the Serra Verde Express boarding point from central Curitiba.Check source
- 07:30–13:00Public transportCuritiba Railway Station → Morretes Railway StationSerra Verde Express tourist train — verify the operating date and departure before bookingCheck source
- 13:00–13:10TransferMorretes Railway Station → MorretesWalk or take a short local transfer from the railway station into Morretes.Check source
13:10
Nhundiaquara riverfront morretes.pr.gov.br
You will see picturesque trees and colonial buildings lining its banks, with an antique restored bridge from 1975.
50 min · Morretes
14:15
Church of São Sebastião do Porto de Cima search
Admire this structure completed in 1850.
50 min · Morretes
15:20
Matron Church of Nossa Senhora do Porto search
See a clock tower running continuously since the 19th century.
50 min · Morretes
16:10
Overnight here
e.g. Pousada Graciosa · Pousada Trilha da Serra
Day 4 Paranaguá
- Transit
- 1h24
- Finish
- ~14:00
- Temperature
- 19.0°C–26.2°C
- Rainy days
- ~28
- Daylight
- 12.2h
Travel connections
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 09:00–10:00TransferMorretes → ParanaguáTake a current intercity bus or prearranged road transfer to Paranaguá; verify the departure locally.Check source
10:00
MAE-UFPR Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology mae.ufpr.br
Housed in a former Jesuit college, it displays archaeological and indigenous artifacts.
50 min · Paranaguá
open: Tu-Su 08:00-20:00; groups require advance booking
11:05
Rua da Praia historic waterfront turismo.paranagua.pr.gov.br
Stroll along a road lined with colonial remnants and historic houses by the sea.
50 min · Paranaguá
12:10
Church of Nossa Senhora das Mercês search
Climb 365 steps for a charming view of the city and the sea from a hilltop church.
50 min · Paranaguá
13:00
Casa do Barreado search
Specializing in the local barreado, this place offers a taste of tradition.
60 min · Paranaguá
Overnight here
Day 5 Ilha do Mel
- Transit
- 3h37
- Finish
- ~16:25
- Temperature
- 23.7°C–26.4°C
- Rainy days
- ~27
- Daylight
- 12.2h
Travel connectionsIndicative times · check before travel
Transport is not booked. Confirm departures, local transfers and vehicle pickup before travel.
- 07:15–09:00Public transportParanaguá → Pontal do Sul ferry terminalViação Marumbi intercity bus — verify the current timetable before travelCheck source
- 09:00–10:40FerryPontal do Sul ferry terminal → Ilha do MelAbaline passenger boat to Nova Brasília — verify the current sailing before travelCheck source
10:40
Conchas Lighthouse iat.pr.gov.br read more
Capture stunning photos and get a sense of the island's unique shape from this spot.
90 min · Ilha do Mel
12:25
Gruta das Encantadas iat.pr.gov.br
Explore a grotto steeped in myths and legends, a mystical natural wonder.
240 min · Ilha do Mel
Pico Paraná mountain route
Curitiba region
Mountain route — plan separatelySet aside a separate day and choose a specific official trail. Complete the required visitor registration, confirm current access and weather, carry suitable mountain equipment, and reserve an overnight clearing if your route needs one. This expedition is not included in the timed itinerary.
details🔍 Check before you book
Every stop is a real, sourced place, but opening hours change, roads close and businesses move. Check anything you're paying for before you book.