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South Region
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Explore South Brazil for Iguaçu Falls, island beaches, Atlantic forests, vineyards, cooler highlands and distinctive Paraná, Santa Catarina and gaúcho cultures.

Brazil’s South Region comprises Paraná, Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul, a broad and varied area extending from the subtropical Atlantic coast to the highlands and grasslands near the borders with Argentina and Uruguay. It is geographically distinct from much of tropical Brazil: winters can bring frost and occasional snow to the highest elevations, while the coast remains humid, green and often warm. The region combines major cities, agricultural landscapes, dramatic waterfalls, araucaria forests, island beaches and a strong legacy of immigration from Europe and neighbouring South American countries.
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Paraná is shaped by the highlands around Curitiba, the Paraná River basin and the great cataracts of Iguaçu in the far west. Curitiba is known for its parks, cultural institutions and carefully planned urban transport, while historic Morretes lies below the Serra do Mar, a forested mountain escarpment crossed by a celebrated railway route. On the coast, Ilha do Mel offers sandy beaches and protected natural landscapes, and Foz do Iguaçu provides access to Iguaçu Falls, one of the region’s defining natural sights.
Santa Catarina offers perhaps the greatest contrast over short distances. Florianópolis occupies a large island and part of the mainland, with beaches, lagoons, dunes and fishing communities. Further north, the coast includes the bays around Balneário Camboriú and the beaches of Bombinhas, while the Serra Catarinense rises into cooler uplands around São Joaquim and Urubici. The Itajaí Valley and towns such as Blumenau and Pomerode retain visible German-Brazilian architectural and culinary influences, although contemporary Santa Catarina is more culturally diverse than its immigrant heritage alone suggests.
Rio Grande do Sul has a strong southern identity. Porto Alegre stands on the Guaíba, a vast water system connected to the Patos Lagoon, while the Serra Gaúcha around Gramado, Canela, Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi is known for vineyards, mountain scenery and immigrant-influenced foodways. To the west and south, open campos and the culture of the gaúcho extend towards the Uruguayan frontier; in the far south, the coastal plain, lagoons and dunes create a different landscape again. Historic missions, ranches, wineries and small towns reveal the region’s layered past.
Food is an important way to read South Brazil’s history. Paraná is associated with barreado on the coast and the pinhão, or araucaria seed, collected in the cooler interior. Santa Catarina is noted for seafood, smoked meats, breads and German- and Italian-influenced specialities, while Rio Grande do Sul is strongly associated with churrasco, chimarrão, wine and cuca-style baking. Visitors should plan around distances: the three states cover a large territory, and coast, mountains, wine country and waterfalls are best explored through separate itineraries rather than treated as short excursions from one base.

When is the best time to visit South Region?

Best: April–May, September · 23–25°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January28150
February29130
March27120
April (best)25110
May (best)23100
June2190
July2180
August2290
September (best)24100
October27110
November28130
December28140

Getting to and around South Region

How to get there

The region is served by major airports in Curitiba and Foz do Iguaçu in Paraná, Florianópolis, Navegantes and Joinville in Santa Catarina, and Porto Alegre, Caxias do Sul and other cities in Rio Grande do Sul, although routes and operating arrangements change. Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Florianópolis are the principal international and domestic gateways, with additional connections through São Paulo, which lies outside the region. Long-distance coaches link the state capitals and many larger towns, while road travel is practical for reaching coastal communities, wine country, mountain resorts and rural areas. Check current airport and road conditions before travelling, especially during severe weather or periods of flooding.

Transportation

Buses are important for travel between the three state capitals and larger regional centres, and urban bus networks operate in Curitiba, Florianópolis, Porto Alegre and other cities. Trains are limited for ordinary intercity travel, although the Serra Verde Express is a scenic railway experience between Curitiba and Morretes rather than a general-purpose network. A car offers the greatest flexibility in Serra Gaúcha, the Serra Catarinense, Paraná’s coast and rural wine districts, but mountain roads can be winding and summer coastal traffic can be heavy. Domestic flights are useful across the region’s long distances, while walking and local buses are often sufficient within central urban areas.

Top city travel guides in South Region

The cities of South Region, and the easiest places to base yourself.

Destinations in South Region

Resorts, valleys and scenic spots worth a trip of their own.

Best attractions in South Region

South Brazil’s attractions range from one of the continent’s great natural spectacles to quieter landscapes of forest, vineyards, grassland and coast. Iguaçu Falls, within Iguaçu National Park in Paraná, is the region’s most internationally recognised sight, with organised trails and viewpoints on the Brazilian side; nearby Foz do Iguaçu is also a practical base for the wider border area. Paraná offers the Serra do Mar, the railway journey from Curitiba to Morretes, the beaches and forest of Ilha do Mel, and the historic streets of Lapa. Santa Catarina combines Florianópolis’s lagoons, dunes and beaches with the protected landscapes of Serra do Tabuleiro, the highland scenery around Urubici and São Joaquim, and the cultural attractions of the Itajaí Valley. Rio Grande do Sul brings vineyard routes and cellar visits around Bento Gonçalves and Garibaldi, the mountain parks and waterfalls of Serra Gaúcha, and the mission heritage of São Miguel das Missões. Across the region, activities include hiking, birdwatching, surfing, whale observation in season, cycling, rafting and visits to museums, craft workshops and historic settlements.

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Best landmarks in South Region

Iguaçu Falls is South Brazil’s defining natural landmark, a vast series of cataracts on the Iguaçu River whose Brazilian viewpoints lie within a protected national-park landscape. In Paraná, the Serra do Mar forms a dramatic mountain wall between the plateau and coast, while the historic railway descending towards Morretes is an emblematic feat of nineteenth-century engineering. The state’s old town of Lapa preserves churches, civic buildings and streets connected with the tropeiro era. Santa Catarina’s Hercílio Luz Bridge is a prominent symbol of Florianópolis, spanning the channel between the island and mainland, and the island’s lagoons, dunes and granite hills form a recognisable natural setting. In Rio Grande do Sul, the cathedral and civic architecture of Porto Alegre, the vineyards and stone cellar buildings of the Serra Gaúcha, and the mission church ruins at São Miguel das Missões carry different kinds of historical importance. The open campos and low wooded ridges of the southern and western state provide a contrasting landscape landmark, expressing the region’s frontier and ranching geography rather than monumental architecture.

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Explore South Region on the map

Plan your trip on one map. See where the top cities, national parks and sights are, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Best restaurants in South Region

Dining in South Brazil reflects its climates, agricultural zones and migration histories rather than one uniform regional cuisine. Paraná’s coast is associated with barreado, a slow-cooked beef dish traditionally served with cassava flour and bananas, while pinhão appears in seasonal dishes in the araucaria highlands. Santa Catarina’s coast offers oysters, prawns, fish and other seafood, especially around island and fishing communities, while inland towns bring Italian- and German-influenced breads, cakes, sausages and preserved foods. Rio Grande do Sul is strongly identified with churrasco, served in specialised steakhouses and family restaurants, as well as chimarrão, local cheeses, cuca-style cakes and wines from Serra Gaúcha. Porto Alegre, Curitiba and Florianópolis have the broadest contemporary dining scenes, including restaurants drawing from Japanese, Middle Eastern, Indigenous and other Brazilian traditions. Markets, rural inns, vineyards, breweries and cafés often provide a more direct connection to local produce than formal dining alone.

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Best bars in South Region

Evening life varies considerably across the South Region. Curitiba, Florianópolis and Porto Alegre have the broadest range of bars, live-music venues, cultural centres and clubs, with nightlife concentrated in particular neighbourhoods rather than spread evenly across each city. Florianópolis adds a seasonal beach and late-night scene, especially in areas popular with visitors, although traffic and venue demand rise sharply in summer. Curitiba and Porto Alegre offer more consistent year-round choices, from craft-beer bars and cocktail rooms to concert venues and traditional botequins. In Serra Gaúcha and smaller towns, evenings generally centre on restaurants, wine bars, breweries, hotel lounges and local pubs rather than large clubs. Historic inns and contemporary bars can be found in many towns, but opening arrangements change, so check locally. Alcohol is not essential to exploring the region’s evening culture; theatre, music, food and waterfront walks are also important parts of urban life.

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Best nightclubs in South Region

Evening life varies considerably across the South Region. Curitiba, Florianópolis and Porto Alegre have the broadest range of bars, live-music venues, cultural centres and clubs, with nightlife concentrated in particular neighbourhoods rather than spread evenly across each city. Florianópolis adds a seasonal beach and late-night scene, especially in areas popular with visitors, although traffic and venue demand rise sharply in summer. Curitiba and Porto Alegre offer more consistent year-round choices, from craft-beer bars and cocktail rooms to concert venues and traditional botequins. In Serra Gaúcha and smaller towns, evenings generally centre on restaurants, wine bars, breweries, hotel lounges and local pubs rather than large clubs. Historic inns and contemporary bars can be found in many towns, but opening arrangements change, so check locally. Alcohol is not essential to exploring the region’s evening culture; theatre, music, food and waterfront walks are also important parts of urban life.

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Best shops in South Region

Shopping in South Brazil is strongest when approached through its cities, market towns and producing districts. Curitiba and Porto Alegre have established central shopping streets, department stores, independent design shops, bookshops and modern centres, while Florianópolis combines urban retail with beach-market stalls and craft outlets. Smaller towns in Paraná’s coast, Santa Catarina’s valleys and Rio Grande do Sul’s wine country offer ceramics, textiles, leather goods, woodwork, regional foods and locally made preserves. Serra Gaúcha is a useful place to look for wines, grape products, cheeses and bakery specialities, although visitors should check how products may be transported internationally. Markets and farm shops sell pinhão in season, fruit, honey, colonial-style food products and artisanal goods; the term colonial often refers to small-scale foods produced in immigrant-settlement areas rather than to a single regulated style. In Indigenous craft contexts, buy respectfully from recognised community or ethical sellers and avoid purchasing archaeological objects or wildlife products.

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South Region essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is Brazil’s real, written as BRL and commonly shown with the symbol R$. Credit and debit cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in cities, hotels, established restaurants and larger attractions, and Brazilian instant payments through Pix are common for residents. International visitors should not assume that every small rural business accepts foreign cards or that mobile data will always work in remote areas. Carry modest cash for markets, small cafés, local transport, rural attractions and places where card terminals may be unavailable, while using sensible precautions in busy public areas.
Safety
Use ordinary urban precautions throughout the region, particularly around transport terminals, crowded beaches, nightlife areas and busy viewpoints, and keep phones and valuables out of sight when not needed. Coastal currents, sudden weather changes, slippery trails and steep terrain deserve attention; swim at established beaches and follow local warnings. In the highlands, fog and frost can affect driving, while heavy rain can cause landslides or flooding and may interrupt roads. In national parks and protected areas, stay on marked paths and use authorised guides where required. Conditions vary widely, so local weather and park advice are more useful than general assumptions about the region.
Emergency Situations
Brazil’s national emergency numbers apply throughout the South Region: call 190 for the Military Police, 192 for SAMU medical assistance and 193 for the Fire Brigade. Civil Defence can be reached on 199, and 191 is used for the Federal Highway Police on federal roads. In a serious coastal, trail or mountain incident, contact the relevant emergency service and give a precise location, landmark or road reference; mobile coverage can be intermittent in forests, canyons and rural areas. Hotels, park entrances and transport terminals can help visitors communicate if language or connectivity is a problem.
Do's and Don'ts
Dress respectfully at churches, missions and religious festivals, and ask before photographing people, ceremonies or private property. At beaches and natural areas, follow swimming flags, carry rubbish out where facilities are absent and do not remove shells, plants or archaeological material. Brazilian Portuguese is the practical language for daily travel, especially outside tourist centres, so learning basic greetings and courtesy phrases is useful. Queueing, punctuality and service customs vary by context, while tipping is generally discretionary rather than a universal legal obligation; check whether a service charge is already included. Avoid presenting European immigrant traditions as the region’s only identity, since Indigenous, African-descended and other histories are equally part of South Brazil.
Local Tips
Choose an itinerary by landscape: Curitiba and Paraná’s coast, Iguaçu, the beaches and highlands of Santa Catarina, and Porto Alegre, Serra Gaúcha and the southern plains each warrant focused time. In Rio Grande do Sul, ask whether a food or cultural reference is specifically gaúcho, Italian-Brazilian, German-Brazilian or broader Brazilian rather than treating these traditions as interchangeable. Wine visits in the Serra Gaúcha usually work best when arranged as a route with designated transport. On the coast, weekends and summer holidays can transform journey times, while winter is especially rewarding for the highlands, vineyards and cooler inland towns.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloOlá[oh-LAH]
GoodbyeAdeus[ah-DEH-oos]
YesSim[seem]
NoNão[now]
Please/You're welcomePor favor/De nada[por fah-VOR/jee NAH-dah]
Thank youObrigado/Obrigada[oh-bree-GAH-do/oh-bree-GAH-dah]
Excuse me/SorryDesculpe[des-KOOL-pee]
How are you?Como você está?[KOH-moo voh-SEH eh-STAH?]
Fine. And you?Estou bem. E você?[es-TOH eng. ee voh-SEH?]
Do you speak English?Você fala inglês?[voh-SEH FAH-lah een-GLEZ?]
I don't understandEu não entendo[ay-oo now en-TEN-doh]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseGostaria de ver o cardápio, por favor[goh-stah-REE-ah jee VEHR oo kar-DAH-pyoo, por fah-VOR]
I don't eat meatEu não como carne[ay-oo now KOH-moo KAR-nee]
Cheers!Saúde![sah-OO-jee]
I would like to pay, pleaseGostaria de pagar, por favor[goh-stah-REE-ah jee pah-GAR, por fah-VOR]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Ajuda![ah-ZHOO-dah]
Go away!Vá embora![vah em-BOH-rah]
Call the Police!Chame a polícia![SHAH-mee ah poh-LEE-see-ah]
Call a doctor!Chame um médico![SHAH-mee oong MEH-dee-koh]
I'm lostEstou perdido[es-TOH per-JEE-doh]
I'm illEstou doente[es-TOH do-EHN-chee]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Gostaria de comprar...[goh-stah-REE-ah jee kom-PRAHR...]
I'm just lookingEstou apenas olhando[es-TOH ah-PEN-as oh-LYAHN-do]
How much is it?Quanto custa?[KWAN-toh KOOS-tah?]
That's too expensiveIsso é muito caro[EE-so eh MOY-toh KAH-roh]
Can you lower the price?Você pode baixar o preço?[voh-SEH POH-jee bye-SHAHR oo PREY-so?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Que horas são?[kee OH-ras sah-OHN?]
It's one o'clockÉ uma hora[eh OO-mah OH-rah]
Half past (10)Dez e meia[dez ee MAY-ah]
MorningManhã[mahn-YAH]
AfternoonTarde[TAHR-jee]
EveningNoite[NOY-chee]
YesterdayOntem[ON-tay]
TodayHoje[OH-zhee]
TomorrowAmanhã[ah-mahn-YAH]
1Um[oom]
2Dois[doyz]
3Três[trays]
4Quatro[KWAH-troh]
5Cinco[SEEN-koh]
6Seis[says]
7Sete[SEH-chee]
8Oito[OY-toh]
9Nove[NOH-vee]
10Dez[dez]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Onde fica...?[ON-jee FEE-kah...?]
What's the address?Qual é o endereço?[kwal eh oo en-deh-REH-so?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Você pode me mostrar (no mapa)?[voh-SEH POH-jee mee mohs-TRAR (no MAH-pah)?]
When's the next (bus)?Quando é o próximo (ônibus)?[KWAN-doo eh oo PROH-see-mo (OH-nee-boos)?]
A ticket (to ....)Um bilhete (para ...)[oom bee-LYEH-chee (PAH-rah ...)]

History of South Region

Indigenous societies and pre-colonial landscapes

The South Region was inhabited long before Portuguese settlement by Indigenous peoples including Guarani, Kaingang and Laklãnõ-Xokleng communities, among others. Their territories encompassed the Atlantic forests, river valleys, grasslands and coastal plains now divided among the three states. Archaeological evidence includes shell middens, known in Brazil as sambaquis, along parts of the southern coast, as well as traces of long-standing cultivation, trade and movement through the interior. Indigenous knowledge continues to shape debates about land, language, environmental stewardship and cultural rights, and should not be reduced to a merely pre-colonial chapter.

Jesuit missions and frontier settlements

From the seventeenth century, Jesuit missionaries and Guarani communities established mission settlements across parts of the southern frontier, within a contested zone influenced by Portuguese and Spanish colonial ambitions. The best-known surviving remains in Brazil are the ruins of São Miguel das Missões in Rio Grande do Sul, part of the UNESCO-listed Jesuit Missions of La Santísima Trinidad de Paraná and Jesús de Tavარangue. Bandeirante expeditions, military outposts and shifting imperial boundaries later reshaped the region. The missions left an important architectural and cultural legacy, but their history also involves coercion, displacement and the disruption of Indigenous political life.

Colonial expansion and the tropeiro routes

Portuguese colonial expansion advanced inland through cattle raising, mining-related commerce and long-distance routes used by tropeiros, travelling livestock drovers. These routes connected the southern plateaus with markets farther north and helped form settlements in Paraná and Santa Catarina. Curitiba, Lapa and other historic centres developed within this wider network, while ranching became central to the economy and social identity of Rio Grande do Sul. The movement of cattle, mules, salt, food and manufactured goods linked the region’s highlands to the coast and created enduring patterns of town formation.

Immigration and agricultural colonisation in the nineteenth century

During the nineteenth century, imperial and later republican governments encouraged immigration and settlement, bringing large numbers of German, Italian, Polish, Ukrainian and other European migrants to parts of the South. Colonies in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul developed distinctive agricultural systems, town plans, religious buildings and food traditions, while Paraná received varied immigrant communities around Curitiba and in other settlement areas. This heritage remains visible in vineyards, timber-framed or masonry architecture, festivals and family farming, although the region’s population has always also included Indigenous, African-descended, Portuguese and other communities.

The Ragamuffin War and southern regional identity

The Farroupilha or Ragamuffin War lasted from 1835 to 1845 in Rio Grande do Sul, where provincial elites and allied forces rebelled against the Brazilian imperial government. The conflict grew from political grievances and disputes involving taxation, trade and provincial autonomy, and briefly produced the separatist Republic of Piratini. Its memory remains prominent in gaúcho symbolism, commemorations and the state’s cultural vocabulary. The rebellion should not be read as a simple expression of popular unity: social groups participated differently, and the period also reflected the interests of ranching elites and the complex realities of slavery and frontier warfare.

Railways, ports and industrial development

From the late nineteenth century onwards, railways and improved ports connected agricultural and livestock-producing districts with Curitiba, Paranaguá, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande and other commercial centres. Coffee and timber were especially important in Paraná, while rice, livestock, meat processing, wine and manufacturing shaped different parts of Rio Grande do Sul and Santa Catarina. Industrialisation later expanded around Curitiba, Joinville, Blumenau, Porto Alegre and other urban areas. The railway through the Serra do Mar in Paraná, opened in stages during the 1880s, remains a powerful reminder of the engineering and economic projects that tied the interior to the Atlantic coast.

Twentieth-century urbanisation and contemporary South Brazil

The twentieth century brought rapid urban growth, industrial expansion, agricultural mechanisation and large-scale internal migration. Curitiba became known for influential urban-planning experiments, while Porto Alegre developed as a major political, cultural and commercial centre. Santa Catarina combined manufacturing, tourism and port activity with intensive agriculture, and the Serra Gaúcha built a significant wine and hospitality economy. At the same time, deforestation, pressure on Indigenous territories, flooding and the transformation of Atlantic Forest and araucaria ecosystems became major environmental concerns. Contemporary South Brazil is therefore both economically diverse and marked by debates about conservation, inequality, heritage and regional identity.

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Imagine exploring the stunning South Region of Brazil with ease and confidence. Evendo is your perfect travel companion, offering detailed information on the best attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences. From the iconic Iguazu Falls to the vibrant city of Curitiba, the app provides rich descriptions, images, local tips, maps, and contact details, making it effortless to plan and organize your trip.

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Booking hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences is a breeze with Evendo. No need to search multiple platforms; everything you need is in one place. Plus, features like the history of South Region, travel essentials, and curated local tips help you experience the destination like a local. The 'Near me' feature lets you easily find what's around you, no matter where you are.

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