Overview
Morretes is a preserved colonial town in the coastal hills of Paraná, famous for its barreado—a slow-cooked beef and pork stew buried in clay and traditionally served at festivals. The town draws Brazilian tourists on holiday weekends who come to eat the local specialty, stroll past centuries-old churches, and sample artisanal cachaça aged in wooden barrels.
Architecture · Day Trips · History
Before you go
Food
Barreado is the must-try dish. Expect it at restaurants on Rua Visconde do Rio Branco and around Largo da Matriz. Local cachaça distilleries on Estrada do Anhaia offer tastings of spirits aged seven or more years.
Money
Brazilian Real (BRL) is the currency. Credit cards are accepted at mid-range restaurants and pousadas but smaller establishments may be cash-only. There are no ATMs in Morretes itself; withdraw cash in Curitiba before visiting.
Transport
Buses from Curitiba's Rodoferroviária take roughly 3 hours to Morretes. Driving via BR-277 and ES-410 takes about 2 hours. Within the town everything is walkable.
Weather
Subtropical climate with mild winters and warm, humid summers. Rain falls year-round. The dry season (winter months) is best for outdoor sightseeing and walking tours.