Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

The rainforest begins just beyond Curitiba. This full-day outing combines a 19th-century railway journey with a visit to Morretes, a traditional Paraná lunch, and a return drive through the Serra do Mar. I especially like the views from the train and the chance to taste barreado beside the Nhundiaquara River. The main drawback is the packed schedule, with limited time in both Morretes and Antonina.

At $128.40 per person, the tour is not a bargain-basement excursion, but it includes hotel transport, the train ticket, onboard snacks, lunch, a guide, city visits, and the return van. You need to be comfortable with an early start, a long day, and the possibility that weather or railway delays will change the timing.

The day in five useful facts

• The train covers the most memorable section: You travel along the Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway, opened in the 1880s, through Atlantic rainforest, valleys, bridges, waterfalls, and tunnels.
• Morretes deserves your attention: The colonial streets, churches, craft market, and riverfront give you the clearest sense of place during the day.
• Barreado is part of the experience: This Paraná specialty is slow-cooked beef served with rice, cassava flour, bananas, oranges, and breaded fish.
• English and Spanish support is strongest on the train: A bilingual guide is available in the carriage in your chosen language, but the wider day is led by a Portuguese-speaking guide.
• Antonina is a short stop: You may walk along the streets and shore, but the scheduled visit is only about 20 minutes.
• The return road is scenic but not guaranteed: The usual route is the Estrada da Graciosa, though bad weather can send the group back by BR-277.

Why this railway journey is worth your day

The railway is the star. The Paranaguá-Curitiba line was inaugurated in 1884, with its first trip made by Princess Isabel. Its engineering remains part of the story: more than 41 bridges, hundreds of smaller bridges and supports, 13 tunnels, and major structures such as Ponte São João and the Viaduto do Carvalho.

You leave Curitiba by bus at about 7:00 a.m. and go to the station for the train to Morretes. Once seated, you pass into the Serra do Mar ecological reserve, where the view changes from city streets to steep mountain country and Atlantic rainforest.

This is not a fast modern rail journey. The train moves at a pace that lets you watch the scenery, though some sections can feel slow. Delays have occurred, and a journey scheduled to reach Morretes around noon has arrived closer to 2:00 p.m. on one occasion. You should treat the timetable as an estimate, not a promise.

The train includes a snack and either a soft drink or bottled water. You can move around within your carriage, although boarding can take time and the train may be crowded. If the day is hot, the carriage can feel warm. If the weather is gray or wet, the trip still has appeal, but the mountains and waterfalls will be harder to see.

For the best experience, keep your attention outside rather than expecting a constant spoken presentation. The guide provides commentary, but the sound system has not always been clear. The most impressive moments are visual: a bridge over a gorge, a waterfall slipping through the trees, or a sudden opening toward the valleys below.

Morretes, where the day slows down

Morretes is the strongest stop after the train. The tour allows about 1 hour and 30 minutes for the town, including time for the historic center and lunch. You can walk past colonial homes, visit churches, browse the craft market, and get a feel for a small town shaped by the railway and the coastal route.

The schedule is tight, so you will not have the freedom of a full afternoon. Still, Morretes has enough character to reward a short walk. I would use this time carefully: take a quick look at the main streets first, then decide how much time you want for shops, photographs, or the riverfront.

Some people would happily trade the Antonina stop for more time here. That is a fair criticism. Morretes has more to see, and the town is also the place where lunch happens, so your walking time is split between food and sightseeing.

The guide is meant to help with the town tour, but language arrangements matter. The listed guide speaks Portuguese. English or Spanish commentary is available in the train carriage if you select that language when booking, but that does not necessarily mean every explanation outside the train will be given in the same language.

Barreado beside the Nhundiaquara River

Lunch is not an afterthought. It introduces you to barreado, one of the signature foods of Paraná’s coast.

The dish uses several cuts of beef, cooked slowly for about 12 hours in a clay pot. The pot is sealed with manioc flour and water so that steam stays inside. By the time it reaches the table, the meat is soft enough to fall apart. It is served with rice, cassava flour, sliced bananas, oranges, and breaded fish.

That combination may sound unusual if you have not eaten regional Brazilian food before, but the sweet fruit, salty meat, crisp fish, and cassava flour all have a purpose. You can mix the meat with rice and flour, then use the fruit to lighten the plate.

Lunch lasts about 1 hour and 10 minutes and is included in the price. Drinks and dessert are extra, so plan to pay separately if you want more than the included meal. This detail is easy to miss when comparing tour prices.

The restaurant setting beside the Nhundiaquara River adds to the meal. You may have time to put your feet in the river or sit near the water, depending on the day’s schedule. The return to the van can be less graceful if the roads are rough, with sharp turns and bumpy stretches reported on the way out of town.

Antonina in only 20 minutes

Antonina is a historic coastal town with old streets, a shoreline, small stores, and local sweets made with banana. It is pleasant, but the tour allows only about 20 minutes, so this is a brief look rather than a proper visit.

You may have enough time for a short walk, a quick photograph, or a look at the sweets. You should not expect a long guided tour or a full exploration of the town. Some versions of the day have included a very short commercial stop, such as an ice cream or banana shop, which can feel less rewarding than more time in Morretes.

This is the weakest section for me because the time is too short to create much connection with the place. If Antonina is important to you, ask for the exact stop plan after booking. If you mainly want the railway and Morretes, treat Antonina as a small bonus rather than a major reason to reserve the tour.

A miniature Paraná at HISGEOPAR

The visit to Parana Encantado HISGEOPAR lasts about 30 minutes. The attraction presents Paraná’s geography and past through moving miniature scenes.

You see models of the railway between Curitiba and Morretes, a working train with a locomotive, and scenes showing colonization in Paraná. There is also a model of the Itaipu Dam with an opening and closing mechanism, along with displays related to the former Sete Quedas waterfalls and Iguazu Falls.

The name theme park may suggest rides or outdoor entertainment. This is better understood as a miniature museum and historical display. It is a good stop if you enjoy models, regional geography, and mechanical exhibits. If you want more time outdoors, you may find the half-hour visit less essential than extra time in Morretes.

Its value comes from context. After seeing the real railway and mountain country, the models give you a compact explanation of how Paraná’s transport routes, towns, rivers, dams, and waterfalls fit together.

The return along Estrada da Graciosa

At the end of the day, you return to Curitiba by van, bus, or minibus. The expected arrival is about 4:30 p.m., though delays on the train can push this later.

The usual route is the Estrada da Graciosa, one of Brazil’s most scenic roads. Its curves pass through the Serra do Mar and offer a different view of the region from the train. The journey can be bumpy, especially on stone-paved sections, and the road has many bends. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit near the front of the vehicle and keep water available.

The road is weather dependent. In poor conditions, the operator may use BR-277 for safety. That is the sensible choice, but it means you might miss part of the scenic return that appears in the advertised plan.

What $128.40 really buys you

The price becomes easier to judge when you add up the separate pieces. You receive hotel pickup and drop-off in Curitiba, transport to the station, the train ticket, onboard snack service, a guide, lunch, the Morretes and Antonina visits, HISGEOPAR admission, and the road transfer back.

That makes the cost reasonable for someone who wants an organized day without arranging several connections independently. It is particularly useful if you do not speak Portuguese or do not want to manage railway tickets, a restaurant, and a long return drive on your own.

The value is less clear if you mainly want a train ride. The later stops are short, and the day includes a considerable amount of road time. A delay can also reduce the time available in Morretes and Antonina.

The group is limited to 30 people, which is more manageable than a huge coach tour, but it is not a private outing. Pickup timing can also be important. Two serious complaints involved passengers being missed because names or contact details were not handled correctly. Give your full name, birth date, and passport number, or Brazilian ID or CPF, exactly as requested for the mandatory passenger list. Confirm the pickup details after booking.

Language, guides, and communication

Language support deserves close attention. You choose Portuguese, English, or Spanish for the bilingual guide available in the train carriage. That is helpful during the most scenic part of the day, especially if you need instructions about seating, stops, or arrival.

Outside the train, the main tour guide is listed as Portuguese speaking. Some visitors have received useful explanations in English or Spanish, while others have understood little once the train ride ended. Do not assume that selecting English or Spanish guarantees a full-language guide for every stop.

The staff can be warm and attentive. Guides such as Alex and Josiane have been praised for patience and care, and Flavia has received particular praise for her helpful service in the train carriage. Staff assignments can change, so consider these examples rather than a promise about who will lead your departure.

Who will enjoy this day most

This tour fits you best if you want several kinds of experience in one outing:

• A historic train ride through mountain rainforest
• A taste of Paraná’s traditional food
• A short look at two historic towns
• A scenic road journey back to Curitiba
• The convenience of transport and tickets handled for you

It is a good choice for first-time visitors to Curitiba who want to see beyond the city. Families can participate, and most people can manage the activity. You should be ready for an early pickup, long sitting periods, crowded boarding, warm conditions, and a full nine-hour schedule.

I would hesitate to recommend it if you dislike fixed itineraries or want long, relaxed visits in each town. The train is the main event, while Morretes, Antonina, and HISGEOPAR are compact stops fitted around it.

Practical advice before you reserve

Book at least a few weeks ahead. The experience is commonly reserved about 35 days in advance, which suggests that popular dates can fill early.

Choose your language carefully at the time of purchase. Reconfirm the pickup point, departure time, and passenger details. The exact start time is confirmed later, although the normal departure is around 7:00 a.m.

Wear comfortable shoes for Morretes and Antonina. Bring water and sun protection, especially during warmer months. The train includes a snack and a drink, while lunch is included but additional beverages and dessert cost extra.

If you want clear mountain views, choose a day with good weather when possible. Cloud and rain do not cancel the appeal of the railway, but they can hide the valleys, waterfalls, and forest scenery that make the ride special.

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?

Book it if the railway ride is your priority. The old line, Serra do Mar scenery, bridges, tunnels, and waterfalls provide the day’s strongest memories. The included lunch adds genuine local flavor, and the return by Estrada da Graciosa gives you a second way to see the region.

Book with realistic expectations about the town stops. Morretes is worthwhile but rushed, Antonina is very brief, and HISGEOPAR is a miniature display rather than an amusement park. Confirm language support and pickup details before paying.

For most visitors staying in Curitiba, this is a good use of one day, especially at $128.40 with transport, food, tickets, and guiding included. Just leave room for delays, bring patience, and let the train ride carry the day.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The experience lasts about nine hours. Pickup is usually around 7:00 a.m., with an expected return to Curitiba at approximately 4:30 p.m.

Where does the tour begin?

Pickup is provided at most hotels in Curitiba. The group then travels by road to the train station.

What route does the train follow?

The train travels from Curitiba to Morretes on the historic Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway through the Serra do Mar ecological reserve.

What is included on the train?

The train ticket and onboard service are included. This consists of a snack and either a soft drink or bottled water.

Is lunch included?

Yes. Lunch includes barreado, rice, bananas, oranges, cassava flour, and breaded fish. Beverages and dessert are not included.

What is barreado?

Barreado is a traditional Paraná dish made from beef cooked slowly for several hours in a sealed clay pot. The meat is served with rice, cassava flour, fruit, and other accompaniments.

How much time is spent in Morretes?

The scheduled visit to Morretes lasts about 1 hour and 30 minutes, including the town visit and the lunch stop.

How long is the Antonina visit?

The scheduled stop in Antonina lasts about 20 minutes. It includes time to walk through the streets and by the shore and browse local products.

Is the tour available in English or Spanish?

A bilingual guide is available in the train carriage in Portuguese, English, or Spanish. You must choose your preferred language when purchasing. The main guide for the wider tour is listed as Portuguese speaking.

What happens if the weather is bad?

The return normally uses the Estrada da Graciosa. In adverse weather, the operator may use the BR-277 road instead for safety.

Can I cancel for a refund?

You can cancel up to 24 hours before the experience begins for a full refund. Cancellations or changes made less than 24 hours before the start time are not accepted for a refund.