Curitiba to Morretes: Sunset Train Ride & Barreado Lunch

Summary

Ride through Atlantic Forest on a historic railway after tasting Morretes’ famous barreado

You’ll wind through lush forest roads to Antonina’s quiet streets before wandering Morretes and tasting its famous barreado stew for lunch by the river. Then ride the historic Serra do Mar train back to Curitiba as dusk falls outside your window. It’s not about perfect timing or polished sights—just small moments that linger long after.

What’s the experience like?

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect to feel so curious about a train ride, but something about leaving Curitiba for the coast by rail just got under my skin. We started out with a van winding down the Estrada da Graciosa — green everywhere, mist hanging over the hills, and our driver chatting away in Portuguese (I caught maybe half of it, but somehow it made sense). Antonina was first: sleepy streets, faded colonial buildings, and this tiny banana candy place where the air smelled like caramelized sugar. I tried to pronounce “bananinha” right — Li laughed at me, which felt fair.

Morretes came next. The Nhundiaquara River runs right through town — slow and brownish, almost lazy. We had some time to wander; old churches, stalls selling cachaça and weird citrusy sweets. Lunch was barreado — beef stew with cassava flour and banana on the side. It’s heavy but comforting (and honestly I’m still thinking about that flavor). The restaurant overlooked the river; you could hear kids shouting somewhere downstream and plates clinking inside. Our guide only spoke Portuguese but pointed at things with such enthusiasm you kind of got it anyway.

Boarding the afternoon train back up to Curitiba felt like stepping into another era. The car smelled faintly of old upholstery and cookies (they hand you a packet — don’t expect much). The ride takes four hours through tunnels and across bridges that look too narrow for comfort sometimes. You get these sudden views where the Atlantic Forest just explodes outside your window — vines hanging from trees, everything impossibly green. Someone behind us started singing softly for a bit; it was oddly soothing as we rattled along. The guides shared stories about how they built this railway in the 1880s — I couldn’t catch every detail but you could sense their pride.

The sun dipped low as we climbed higher, though honestly I couldn’t tell if it was sunset or just cloud cover making everything gold-grey. Arriving back in Curitiba felt both abrupt and gentle at once. If you’re looking for a day trip from Curitiba that’s less about checking boxes and more about letting things happen around you — this is it.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Antonina visit and train to Curitiba

• Travel via Estrada da Graciosa
• Tour historic center of Antonina
• Stop at Bananina banana candy factory
• Free time walking in Morretes
• Enjoy typical lunch in Morretes
• Board train at Morretes station
• Train ride through Serra do Mar
• Arrive in Curitiba by evening

Top questions

How long is the train ride from Morretes to Curitiba?

The train journey usually takes around 4 hours from Morretes back up to Curitiba.

Is lunch included on this day trip?

Yes, a typical lunch featuring barreado stew is included at one of Morretes’ best restaurants overlooking the river.

Do guides speak English on this tour?

No, both van and train guides speak only Portuguese during this tour.

What is barreado?

Barreado is a traditional beef stew from Paraná served with cassava flour, rice, banana, fish, shrimp, and salad.

Is pickup included from my hotel in Curitiba?

The tour includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle for travel between Curitiba and attractions.

Are drinks or desserts included at lunch?

No, drinks and desserts are not included—they’re paid separately according to what you order.

Will I definitely see sunset on this train ride?

No guarantee—the timing varies due to weather or delays; sometimes there’s sunset light but not always.

Are there snacks on board during the train ride?

You’ll get simple cookies and one water or soft drink per person during the train journey.

What’s included

Your day includes pickup by air-conditioned vehicle from Curitiba, guided visits (in Portuguese) through Antonina and Morretes with free time to explore each town, a traditional lunch with barreado stew (plus fish, shrimp, rice, salad) overlooking the Nhundiaquara River in Morretes before boarding your tourist-class ticketed train for a four-hour scenic return—plus snacks and one drink onboard before arriving back in Curitiba in the evening.