Things To Do
in Maringá
Maringá is a mid-sized planned city in the state of Paraná in southern Brazil, known for broad tree-lined avenues, abundant parks and modernist architecture. The city's striking Catedral Basílica Menor de Nossa Senhora da Glória — with its conical shape — is an iconic skyline landmark surrounded by green public spaces. Maringá balances a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere with a lively university scene (Universidade Estadual de Maringá) and a diverse immigrant heritage that influences food and culture.
It’s a convenient base for exploring northern Paraná’s lakes, small towns and agricultural landscapes while offering good services and infrastructure for visitors.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Begin your day with a leisurely breakfast at a local café, savoring fresh pão de queijo and coffee. Afterward, stroll through the picturesque streets of Maringá's Historic Center, admiring the stunning architecture of the Cathedral of Maringá. Stop by the nearby Praça Napoleão Moreira da Silva to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and lush greenery.
For lunch, indulge in traditional Brazilian cuisine at a local restaurant, relishing dishes like feijoada or a hearty steak. After your meal, visit the Museu Histórico de Maringá to dive into the region's rich cultural heritage and history. Spend the afternoon exploring the local artisan shops, where you can find unique crafts and souvenirs.
As the sun sets, head to a lively bar or restaurant in the center for a taste of Maringá's nightlife. Sample local craft beers or caipirinhas while enjoying live music from local artists. End the night with a leisurely walk through the illuminated streets, taking in the charm of the city after dark.
Start your day with a refreshing walk in Parque do Ingá, surrounded by beautiful native trees and wildlife. Enjoy a picnic breakfast under the shade while listening to the sounds of nature. Take time to appreciate the serene lake and perhaps catch a glimpse of local birds.
After your morning stroll, visit the nearby botanical garden to learn about Brazil's diverse flora. Grab lunch at a nearby eatery known for its fresh salads and regional dishes. Spend your afternoon leisurely exploring the park, taking photographs, and enjoying the peaceful ambiance.
As evening approaches, find a cozy spot in the park to watch the sunset over the lake. Consider dining at a local restaurant specializing in international cuisine, enjoying dishes inspired by global flavors. After dinner, take a peaceful walk back through the park to reflect on the day's experiences.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $8-12 |
| ☕Regular coffee (cafe) | $1.50-3 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (within city) | $3-7 |
| 🍺Domestic beer (bar) | $2-4 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel (per night) | $50-90 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Green, well-planned city with many parks and good urban design
- Safe compared to larger Brazilian metropolises and comfortable for families
- Good regional cuisine, coffee culture and local markets
- Convenient services, healthcare options and a lively university influence
- Limited international flight connections—most visitors connect through larger hubs
- Smaller nightlife and cultural scene compared with São Paulo or Rio
- Summer humidity and seasonal rains can disrupt outdoor plans
- Fewer tourist-focused amenities outside the city center
- "Olá / Oi" - Hello / Hi
- "Bom dia / Boa tarde / Boa noite" - Good morning / Good afternoon / Good evening
- "Obrigado (male) / Obrigada (female)" - Thank you
- "Quanto custa?" - How much does it cost?
- "Onde fica o banheiro?" - Where is the bathroom?
- "Você fala inglês?" - Do you speak English?
- "Pode me ajudar?" - Can you help me?
Places to Visit in Maringá
Visit one of these nice places.
The dramatic conical cathedral is Maringá’s most recognizable landmark—best photographed at sunrise or sunset from the surrounding park for framed skyline shots.
A scenic urban lake with walking paths, fountains and reflections of city greenery—excellent for golden-hour landscape and bird photography.
Green reserve with trails, interesting rock formations and native flora; good for nature macro, birds and tranquil forest compositions.
Smaller wooded park with tree-lined paths and seasonal colors—pleasant for close-up nature shots and candid photos of locals enjoying outdoor life.
Tree-lined avenues, modernist buildings and street life create opportunities for urban and street photography capturing everyday scenes.
Food in Maringá
Maringá Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
Brazilian barbecue with various cuts of grilled beef, pork and sausages; best experienced at a local churrascaria where waiters bring skewers to the table.
Must-Try!
Artisanal sausages reflecting Italian and Polish traditions; try them at local delis or at the Mercado Municipal.
Popular Brazilian snacks—cheese buns (pão de queijo) and savory fried dough (coxinha) — widely available at bakeries and cafés.
Polenta and homemade pastas appear in many family-run restaurants due to Italian immigrant influence; look for daily specials in neighborhood bodegas.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Central market offering fresh produce, cheeses, sausages, snack stalls and a chance to try regional specialties and buy local products.
Weekend food fairs and food-truck gatherings serve varied options from grilled meats to vegan bowls and craft desserts—great for sampling many flavors in one place.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Handshakes are common in formal situations; friends and acquaintances often exchange one or two cheek kisses (right cheek first). Use 'senhor/senhora' for older people or formal address until invited to use first names.
Brazilians are generally warm and tactile—close conversation distance and friendly physical contact are normal; smiling and being expressive are appreciated.
Dress neatly in urban settings; remove hats when entering churches. Avoid loud political debates with strangers and be respectful when photographing people—ask permission when in doubt.
Social events can start slightly later than scheduled, but business meetings expect reasonable punctuality—confirm times and be communicative if delayed.
Safety
Tipping in Maringá
Ensure a smooth experience
A 10% service charge is common in restaurants and is often included on the bill; if service is not included, a 10% tip is customary. For taxis and casual services, rounding up or leaving small change is normal. Tip hotel porters and cleaning staff a small amount for good service.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, MasterCard) are widely accepted in shops, restaurants and hotels; contactless payments and digital wallets are increasingly common. Cash (Brazilian real) is useful for small vendor stalls, markets and buses—ATMs are widely available but carry modest withdrawal fees.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
Hot and humid with frequent afternoon thunderstorms; dress light, carry rain protection and schedule outdoor activities in the morning or late afternoon to avoid heavy rain and heat.
Milder temperatures and decreasing rain—pleasant for walking and outdoor sightseeing; early autumn can still be warm while later weeks cool down.
Cooler, drier weather with chilly mornings and comfortable afternoons; nights can be brisk so bring a light jacket, especially for early morning and evening outings.
Warming temperatures and blooming parks—beautiful for botanical photography and outdoor festivals, but showers can increase toward late spring.
Maringá at Night
Hiking in Maringá
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
Local trails through native vegetation with short hikes suitable for families and birdwatchers; it's within the city and good for half-day outings.
A forested area with several marked paths for easy to moderate walks, picnic spots and nature observation close to the city.
Mostly flat walking and running circuit with lakeside views—ideal for long, easy hikes and sunrise/sunset walks.
Longer drives (1–3 hours) reach larger conservation areas and state parks in northern Paraná for more challenging trails and scenic landscapes—best arranged as guided day trips.
Airports
How to reach Maringá by plane.
The city’s main airport with domestic flights to major Brazilian hubs; convenient taxi and shuttle connections to the city center (roughly 10–20 minutes by car).
About a 1.5–2 hour drive northeast of Maringá; offers additional domestic flight options and is reachable by car or regional bus services.
The largest international airport in Paraná, around a 3.5–4 hour drive from Maringá; useful if connecting to international flights or larger national routes.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
Large communities with Italian, Polish and German ancestry influence local cuisine, festivals and family-run businesses.
A notable Japanese-Brazilian presence contributes to cultural diversity, cuisine and agriculture in the region.
A sizable student population from the Universidade Estadual de Maringá energizes the cultural scene and local services.
Afro-Brazilian and indigenous communities are present and contribute to the broader cultural tapestry of the region.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
By far the most popular sport—local clubs like Maringá FC draw community support and matches are an important social event.
Futsal is widely played indoors, and volleyball is common in schools and community centers across the city.
Lakeside paths and park trails attract runners and cyclists, with a growing recreational and competitive amateur scene.
Traffic
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Maringá.
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are increasingly common in Maringá’s cafés and contemporary restaurants, but traditional eateries focus on meat. Look for vegetarian menus in the city center, health-food cafes and weekend fairs; it helps to ask for 'sem carne' or 'prato vegetariano'.
Vegan and gluten-free choices exist but are less widespread—specialty cafes and some bakeries cater to these diets; communicate restrictions clearly and use apps to find dedicated places.
Staff in tourist-facing restaurants usually understand common allergies, but always state the allergy in Portuguese (e.g., 'Tenho alergia a amendoim') and double-check ingredients.