Essentials
- City
- Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
- Population
- 1,968,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 150-300 Mbps (Fiber widely available via Vivo or Claro)
- Currency & Banking
- Brazilian Real (BRL). 1 USD ≈ 5.00 BRL
- Tap Water
- Safe for washing; filtered water (purificador) is recommended for drinking
- Power
- 127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets (three-pin Brazilian standard)
- SIM Card
- Vivo, Claro, and TIM. Prepaid 20GB plans for approx. 60 BRL ($12 USD)
- Banking for Expats
- Nubank and Inter (Digital banks), Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, and Itaú
- Accommodation
- Modern high-rises in Batel or renovated apartments in Centro Cívico
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, Pix is used everywhere; cards accepted in 99% of locations
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, QuintoAndar (long-term), and Housi
- Budget Accommodation
- Social Hostel (Batel), approx. 80 BRL per night for a dorm
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Batel (Upscale shopping and dining) and Centro Cívico (Government and museums)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Batel for lifestyle, Bigorrilho (Champagnat) for residential calm and walkability
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Nex Coworking (R. Francisco Rocha, 198); Day pass approx. 80 BRL
- Best Cafe for Work
- Lucca Cafés Especiais (Batel) - High speed Wi-Fi and artisan coffee
- Networking Events
- Curitiba Tech Meetups and Startup PR events at Engenho da Inovação
- Social Events for Expats
- Internations Curitiba Monthly Socials and English Speakers Curitiba Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber and 99 (99 is often cheaper in Curitiba)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Tembici (shared bikes) available at major parks like Barigui
- Best Beach Nearby
- Ilha do Mel (Paranaguá), approx. 2 hours away including boat ride
- Top Regional Airline
- Azul Brazilian Airlines
- Top International Airline
- LATAM Airlines and Gol
- Highway Access
- BR-116 (Connects North to South) and BR-277 (Connects to the Coast)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rodoferroviária de Curitiba (Main bus and scenic train station)
- Public Transport Passes
- Cartão Transporte (URBS); flat fare of 6 BRL per ride
- Regional Travel
- Executive buses to São Paulo (6 hours) or Florianópolis (4 hours)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Marcelino Champagnat (Private, top-tier equipment)
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Arte de Viver (Centro Cívico); Yoga flows and meditation sessions
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Smart Fit (Multiple locations, approx. 120 BRL/month) and BlueFit
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia 60 Minutos (Self-service laundromats, approx. 18 BRL per load)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- iFood (The dominant app in Brazil)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Barreado (Slow-cooked beef stew) or Carne de Onça (Raw beef on bread)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Veg Veg (R. Visc. de Nácar, 1173) and Sorella (Mercês)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Bolo de Rolo at Confeitaria Curitibana (Terrace view of the city)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercado Municipal de Curitiba (Fresh produce and gourmet items)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Livre and Amazon.com.br
- Grocery Delivery
- Clube Extra and Rappi (Turbo delivery)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Rua Itupava (Bar hopping) and Largo da Ordem (Historic Sundays)
- Local Brewery
- Bodebrown (Famous for IPAs and craft beer tours)
- Wine Bars
- Vino! Batel (Selection of local and imported wines by the glass)
- Street Food Stalls
- Feirinha do Largo da Ordem (Sunday morning market food)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Terrazza 40 (Italian/Uruguayan with 360-degree city views)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Jardim Botânico (Botanical Garden) and Opera de Arame
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu Oscar Niemeyer (MON) - 'The Eye Museum'
- Historical Sites
- Largo da Ordem (Historic center with cobblestone streets)
- Religious Sites
- Catedral Basílica de Curitiba in Praça Tiradentes
- Annual Events
- Festival de Teatro de Curitiba (March/April) and Christmas at Palácio Avenida
- Cultural Districts
- São Francisco (Bohemian and historic vibes)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Guaíra (One of the largest in Latin America)
- Local Markets
- Feira do Largo da Ordem (Sundays, 9 AM - 2 PM)
- Music Scene
- Wonka Bar (Jazz/Alternative) and Crossroads (Rock)
- Street Art
- Setor Histórico murals and creative walls in the Rebouças district
- Cooking Classes
- Espaço Gourmet Escola de Gastronomia
- Art Galleries
- Zilda Fraletti Galeria de Arte
- Historic Buildings
- Paço da Liberdade (Former city hall, now a cultural center)
- Local Heritage
- European heritage influences (Polish, German, Italian, Ukrainian)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parque Tanguá (Sunset views over a quarry) and Parque Barigui
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Nacional do Superagui (Coastal island forest)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovia de Curitiba (Extensive bike paths connecting major parks)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Torre Panorâmica (Mercês) - 100 meters high with 360-degree views
- Birdwatching Locations
- Parque Tingui (Native Atlantic Forest birds)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Restricted to private properties and designated campsites like Lunitti
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios (Post office) and Loggi for local fast delivery
- Tech Repair Services
- Ipsylon (Apple repair) and Rua 24 Horas tech stalls
- Table Tennis Spots
- Clube Duque de Caxias
- Language Classes
- CELIN-UFPR (Cultural/Language center of the Federal University)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Pública do Paraná (Daily 8:30 AM - 8 PM)
- Community Centers
- SESC Paço da Liberdade
- Gaming Lounges
- Cooldown E-Sports Burgers
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Bingo is prohibited; only Lotérica (State lottery) and online sites available
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 8,500 BRL per m² (40 m² = 340,000 BRL)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,000 BRL per m² (40 m² = 240,000 BRL)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 9,000 BRL per m² (60 m² = 540,000 BRL)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,500 BRL per m² (60 m² = 390,000 BRL)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 10,000 BRL per m² (80 m² = 800,000 BRL)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,000 BRL per m² (80 m² = 560,000 BRL)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% standard rate (plus 10% surtax on income over 240k BRL/year)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Currently dividends are tax-exempt in Brazil)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5%
- VAT
- ICMS/ISS/PIS/COFINS (Complex system ranging from 17% to 25%)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, profits of foreign subsidiaries are taxed annually
- Property Tax
- IPTU (Annual tax based on property value, approx 1%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITBI (approx. 2.7% in Curitiba)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Digital Nomad Visa available; 0% tax for the first 183 days of stay