Vila Velha State Park tour: Sandstone formations and crater lakes

Walk among sandstone cliffs shaped over millennia, with a guide who explains how they formed

A five-hour tour from Curitiba to Vila Velha State Park with private transport, hotel pickup and a specialist guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese. You walk trails through sandstone formations including the Cup, visit Golden Lagoon with its clear reflective waters, and explore Furnas craters. The guide shares the geological history that carved these landscapes over thousands of years. Minimum group size applies. Private tours available for smaller groups at an additional cost.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Vila Velha State Park

• Travel from Curitiba to Vila Velha
• Walk among sandstone formations
• Visit the famous Cup formation
• See the Golden Lagoon reflections
• Explore the Furnas craters
• Learn geological history from guide
• Return to Curitiba

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your Curitiba hotel and heads to Vila Velha State Park, where the sandstone formations dominate the landscape. You walk the trails at your own pace with the guide, who points out the Cup, a natural sculpture carved by erosion, and explains the geological processes that shaped each formation over millennia. The trails reveal new vistas with each step, and the guide fills in the stories behind what you're seeing rather than leaving you to guess.

After the main park, the route takes you to Golden Lagoon, where clear water reflects the sky, and then to Furnas, a series of large craters with emerald-green water pooled inside them. These stops break up the walking and show different sides of the park's geology. The five-hour window covers transport from Curitiba, the walking, both secondary sites, and the return to your hotel: enough time to see the main attractions without rushing, but structured enough that you're back by early afternoon.

A specialist guide travels with you throughout, speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese depending on your preference. Private transport means no crowded vans or fixed group schedules. The tour adjusts to your pace. If your group falls below the minimum, you can still book privately for a small additional charge, so solo travelers or pairs aren't turned away.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your Curitiba hotel and back.
• specialist guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• access to Vila Velha State Park trails including the Cup formation, Golden Lagoon and Furnas craters.
• hotel pickup and drop-off.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except TuesdayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (6 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 5 years): free · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 15

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyInfant seats available

Operated by Southern Brazil Adventures

Is this one for you?Five hours leaves room for the main sites without consuming your whole day, but it's tight enough that you're back in Curitiba by early afternoon. If you want a full-day immersion or plan to linger at each stop, this tour moves at a steady clip. If you prefer to see the highlights and have the rest of your day free, the timing works well.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (6 to 17 years); Child (2 to 5 years): free; Infant (under 2): free.

What exactly is the Cup at Vila Velha, and why is it the main draw?

The Cup is an iconic sandstone formation at Vila Velha State Park, a natural sculpture carved by wind and water erosion over thousands of years. It's the centerpiece of the park and the focal point of the walking trails. The guide explains the geological processes that shaped it and points out similar formations along the route.

How much walking is involved, and what are the trails like?

The tour includes walking trails through the park among the sandstone formations, but the itinerary notes the experience is suitable for all physical fitness levels. The pace is set by the group, and the guide leads you through the main sites without a fixed speed, so you can move at your own comfort level.

Does the five-hour tour include time to stop at Golden Lagoon and Furnas?

Yes, the five-hour duration covers hotel pickup, the sandstone formations and Cup at Vila Velha, Golden Lagoon with its clear reflective waters, and Furnas craters, plus the return journey to Curitiba. It's structured to fit all three sites without rushing.

Is lunch included in the tour?

Lunch is not included. You'll want to plan a meal either before departure or after returning to Curitiba. The guide can suggest options in the area.

What if I'm traveling solo or as a pair? Is there a minimum group size I need to meet?

A minimum group size is required for the standard tour. If your group doesn't reach that minimum, you can book a private tour for a small additional charge, so solo travelers and couples can still go.