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Brazil🇧🇷 | national parksGuaricana National ParkParaná cloud forest, muddy ridgelines, orchid trails, coastal gaps | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Guaricana
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

Guaricana National Park is known for its Atlantic Forest peaks, with Pico Paraná country and the Serra da Graciosa ridges forming its backdrop, in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil, inland from Guaratuba Bay. Trails are steep, muddy and rarely signed, so skip it if you want easy strolls. I filled my bottle at a clear creek crossing before the climb, and the cold water tasted of stone. It suits experienced hikers best, not casual sightseers.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #99 national park in BrazilWhat sets this place apart

Guaricana National Park rewards backpackers who like planning their own routes. Its forested ridges sit close to the Curitiba and Guaratuba corridor, so you can arrange a self-guided outing without booking a tour operator. The terrain is mostly steep, humid Atlantic Forest, with cloud-wrapped granite summits and clear mountain streams that make good rest stops. Crowds are thin compared with the better-known Paraná parks, and you will often hear only birds and running water. Carry your own map, water and food, because services inside are minimal.

💡 HighlightsKey sights and experiences for travelers

  1. Atlantic Forest ridgelines: Steep crests covered in dense, mossy forest, with gaps that open onto views toward the coast.
  2. Mountain streams: Cold, clear creeks cut through the slopes, with small pools suited to a pause on a hot climb.
  3. Birdlife: The canopy holds tanagers, toucans and other Atlantic Forest species, best heard in the early morning.
  4. Orchids and bromeliads: Trees along humid trails are draped in epiphytes, which bloom brightest in the wetter months.
  5. Cloud-forest summits: Higher points often sit in mist, giving a quiet, damp atmosphere and sudden clearings.
  6. Coastal outlooks: On clear days, ridge gaps reveal the lowlands and the bay toward Guaratuba.
For a first visit, start with the forest ridgelines, since they combine the views, the birds and the plant life in a single outing.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do near Guaricana National Park

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

Bar-hopping and Food Tour in Curitiba

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Sunset Train Ride

Sunset Train Ride

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Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

Scenic Train ride to historical cities of Morretes and Antonina

4.0(197) 9h
From €118
per personViator
Full-day tour in Curitiba

Full-day tour in Curitiba

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per personViator
Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

Complete Tour to Ilha do Mel

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From €154
per personViator
Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

Experience the Best of Curitiba: City Tour Highlights

4.1(24) 4h
From €61
per personViator
Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

Full Day Tour to Vila Velha and Buraco do Padre

4.9(13)
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per personViator
8h full city tour in Curitiba

8h full city tour in Curitiba

5.0(10) 8h
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4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4 Hour City Tour in Curitiba

4.6(11) 4h
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Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

Discover Vila Velha State Park Tour and Witmarsum Colony

4.0(15) 6h
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Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Seasonal considerations and timing

  • Autumn and winter (May to August): Driest and clearest stretch, with days of 15 to 24°C (59 to 75°F), cold nights near 5 to 10°C (41 to 50°F) and views that open up above the Serra do Mar mist. Daylight lasts about 10.5 to 11 hours.
  • Spring (September to November): Mild 14 to 26°C (57 to 79°F), with showers building.
  • Summer (December to March): Hot, humid, 20 to 30°C (68 to 86°F), with heavy afternoon storms and slippery trails. Holiday weekends bring the most visitors and higher lodging prices in nearby Morretes.
Aim for a weekday in June or July to get clear skies and quiet trails.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: fair for travelingFEBFebruary: fair for travelingMARMarch: fair for travelingAPRApril: fair for travelingMAYMay: highly recommended for travelingJUNJune: excellent for travelingJULJuly: excellent for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: highly recommended for travelingOCTOctober: fair for travelingNOVNovember: fair for travelingDECDecember: fair for traveling
when-to-go

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas to stay in Brazil

There are no lodgings inside Guaricana National Park, so you sleep in the towns around it. Morretes is the easiest base, about 40 minutes by road from the Guaricana area, with riverside pousadas at roughly US$20 to 45 a night and a few simple hostels near US$12 to 18 for a dorm bed. Curitiba, around 1.5 hours away, has the widest choice of hostels and the best bus connections. Antonina on the bay is quieter and cheaper, with rooms from about US$18. Book ahead on holiday weekends, when Morretes fills with train passengers from Curitiba.
Best hostels in Brazil


Best quality hotels in Brazil

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Typical daily expenses

A realistic daily budget for Guaricana National Park is about US$58, using nearby towns as a base. Prices below are paid in reais but shown in US dollars.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Entrance feesUS$0No ticket is typically charged, but guided access may cost extra.
AccommodationUS$12 to 35Dorm beds or simple pousadas in Morretes or Antonina; high season rate counted at US$25.
Local transportUS$6 to 20Buses to Morretes, then a taxi or arranged transfer for the last stretch; counted at US$13.
Food and suppliesUS$8 to 18Set lunches (prato feito) cost US$5 to 8; counted at US$12.
GuideUS$0 to 30Local guide shared among a group; counted at US$8.
Total Daily BudgetUS$58Per person, per day, in high season.
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🥾 TrailsHiking Guaricana national park: highlights and difficulty

Guaricana National Park is a rugged, lightly developed area, and walking here means following rough forest tracks rather than polished, signed circuits.
  • Forest tracks: Routes climb from lowland forest into misty upper slopes, usually taking several hours out and back, with steep, slippery sections.
  • Terrain: Expect roots, red mud, stream crossings and sudden elevation gain, so boots with good grip matter.
  • Wildlife: Birds are the main draw, along with monkeys and butterflies, and snakes are possible in leaf litter.
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard, and navigation skills help because markings are limited.
… read more 👉
Guaricana National Park is a rugged, lightly developed area, and walking here means following rough forest tracks rather than polished, signed circuits.
  • Forest tracks: Routes climb from lowland forest into misty upper slopes, usually taking several hours out and back, with steep, slippery sections.
  • Terrain: Expect roots, red mud, stream crossings and sudden elevation gain, so boots with good grip matter.
  • Wildlife: Birds are the main draw, along with monkeys and butterflies, and snakes are possible in leaf litter.
  • Difficulty: Moderate to hard, and navigation skills help because markings are limited.
Public transport to the area is limited, so most visitors come by car or arrange a local ride from Curitiba or Guaratuba. Crowds are very light even on weekends. I would carry a downloaded offline map and start early so you finish before the afternoon fog thickens. Check current entry rules and any fee with the park management before you go.
⚠️ Hiking info can sometimes be outdated or inaccurate. Before you hit the trail, check the latest conditions with locals. If you do spot anything that's off, I'd love to hear from you, so I can update it for fellow travelers.

🛡️ SafetySafety Tips and Common Scams in Guaricana

Guaricana is a rugged Atlantic Forest area where weather is the main hazard. Cloud and drizzle can roll in within an hour, soaking clay trails and hiding junctions, so carry a rain shell, grippy boots and an offline map. Go with a local guide, since marked routes are limited and access roads are rough. Ticks, mosquitoes and the occasional snake are the usual wildlife concerns; wear long trousers, watch where you step and keep your distance. Carry more water than you expect, because streams are plentiful but should be treated.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Guaricana

Two days works well for Guaricana National Park. Day one covers the approach from Curitiba or Morretes (roughly 1.5 hours and 40 minutes by road) and a half-day hike, while day two allows a longer walk on a clear morning. A single long day is possible if you hire a driver.
Visiting Guaricana National Park without a car is difficult but doable. Take a bus from Curitiba to Morretes (about 1.5 hours, US$4 to 6), then arrange a taxi or guide transfer for the rough final roads, typically US$25 to 50 round trip. Public transport does not reach the trailheads.
Guaricana National Park typically has no standard entrance fee, so you can plan on US$0 at the gate. Check with the managing authority before you go, since access can depend on a guide or prior authorization. A local guide, if you hire one, usually costs about US$15 to 30 for the day.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Brazilian national parks near Guaricana

Explore more nearby:


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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Guaricana National Park’s mist is the detail people overlook: afternoon cloud can swallow ridge views and trail junctions within minutes. I would start at first light, carry a rain shell and an offline map, and treat the summit views as a bonus.

✈️ When did I visit Brazil?
Call it good timing or luck, but I was able to celebrate Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro in February 2022, after a round trip in the north and east coast.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Brazil, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

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