Best Time to Visit Curitiba

Summer: warm, wet and grey

December to March is the rainy season. Afternoons are warm and sticky, and it rains on most days. January is the wettest month, with rain on 25 days. Showers often come as heavy downpours, so plan indoor stops like the Museu Oscar Niemeyer (the "Eye Museum") for the wet hours. The Jardim Botânico, with its famous greenhouse, still works well between showers.

This is also the Brazilian school-holiday season. Hotels fill up in January, but Curitiba isn't a beach town, so it stays calmer than the coast. Many locals drive to the shore, and the city can feel quiet. Carnival in February is much smaller here than in Rio, so don't come just for it.

Autumn and spring: in between

April is a good bridge month. It's cooler, and the rain is easing. September is similar, with fewer wet days and a fresher feel. Both suit a city break, and you'll find the parks pleasant for walking.

October and November turn showery again, with rain on most days and little sun. If you're planning the Serra Verde Express train to Morretes (a scenic ride through Atlantic forest), those months can bring thick cloud over the mountains. Morretes is known for barreado, a slow-cooked beef stew.

May to August: the best window

This is the dry, cool season, and it's when Curitiba works best. May is a lovely start, with mild days around 21°C and crisp mornings. July and August are the sunniest months, though nights get properly cold, around 9°C in July. Houses here often have no heating, so ask your hotel about it.

Days are bright enough for Rua 24 Horas, Santa Felicidade (the Italian-heritage district, good for hearty dinners), Parque Tanguá and the Ópera de Arame, a steel-and-glass theatre in a quarry park. July is school-holiday time, so expect some family crowds at the main sights. It's still much easier than the summer coast.

Which month should you pick? For hiking in Serra do Mar, aim for May or August. For a long weekend of museums, food and cafés, any of the cool months will do. If you're sensitive to cold evenings, choose May or September.