A Natural Paradise in the Heart of Curitiba, Brazil
HAVANA TIMES – Although Curitiba seems much larger than Havana, it is actually about half the size of the Cuban capital. However, it gives the impression of being much bigger, thanks to its greater degree of urbanization and modernity.
In one of the areas relatively close to the city center—dominated by tall buildings and busy streets—Barigui Park emerges as a combination of a paradisiacal landscape and a space for healthy activities. Its natural beauty contrasts with the surrounding urban hustle and bustle.
In a large lagoon, capybaras (known in other parts of the Americas as carpinchos) bathe alongside herons and other smaller bird species. We heard there are jacarés (alligators), though they are not visible at first glance.
On the other side of the water, there is an amusement park that only opens after 5 PM. Throughout the park, there are trails for walking and biking, as well as many exercise stations for healthy physical activities.
There are also wooded areas where families and groups of friends enjoy picnics under the shade. And when hunger strikes, you’ll find restaurants and numerous stands offering coconut water, caldo de cana (sugarcane juice), or açaí pulp (a fruit from the country’s north, very popular across all states).
The site also features a museum, which we left for a future visit, as we were already exhausted by mid-afternoon.
Barigui is one of 48 parks and forest areas in this city, representing nearly five percent of Curitiba’s total area. These green spaces fulfill a vital regulatory and preservation role.
Unlike Havana, where extensive green areas are a result of underdevelopment rather than a carefully planned sustainability agenda, Curitiba’s green spaces demonstrate why it is considered an ecological city.