Things to Do in Telemaco Borba

The main Catholic church in central Telemarco Borba, with a simple modernist design and a tall bell tower. The interior has stained glass windows depicting local saints. Services are held daily.

🕐 Daily 07:00–12:00, 14:00–18:00

💡 Visit during a Sunday morning mass (10am) to hear the small choir. The church is cool and peaceful, a good break from the heat.

The central square, paved with tiles and shaded by large fig trees. Has a bandstand, a small fountain, and benches. Locals gather here in the evenings for conversation and kids play football.

🕐 Always open

💡 Come at sunset when the square comes alive with food stalls selling pastel and caldo de cana. The best spot is by the fountain.

A hilltop lookout on the road to the Klabin factory. Offers a panoramic view over the city and the surrounding valleys, especially striking at sunset.

🕐 Open 24 hours

💡 The access road is unpaved and gets muddy after rain — take a car with good clearance or walk the last 200 metres. No railings at the top, so watch your step with kids.

A small but pretty waterfall about 12 km out of town. A short, easy trail through secondary forest leads to a natural pool suitable for wading. No lifeguard.

🕐 Always open

💡 Bring insect repellent and your own water. The pool is shallow — about waist-deep at most — so it's fine for a splash but not for swimming laps. Best after a few days of rain.

A local history museum housed in a former railway station. Exhibits cover the town's industrial origins, indigenous artefacts, and the role of the Klabin paper company.

🕐 Mon-Fri 08:00-12:00, 13:30-17:00; Sat 08:00-12:00

💡 Ask the attendant to show you the short film about the founding of the city — it's in Portuguese but the visuals are self-explanatory. Allow about 40 minutes.

A quirky private museum dedicated to Father Christmas, with over 3,000 Santa Claus figures from around the world. Housed in a small house run by a local collector. Entry costs about R$5.

🕐 Mon–Fri 09:00–17:00, by appointment only

💡 It's only open by appointment, so call ahead (42 3222-1234). The owner gives a fun 20-minute talk in Portuguese.

A weekly farmers' market held under a large shed, with dozens of stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, honey, and homemade preserves. Also has crafts and baked goods.

🕐 Sat 06:00–12:00

💡 Go early on Saturday mornings before 9am for the best selection of organic produce. The doce de leite from stall 14 is outstanding.

A weekly farmers' market held in the open-air pavilion near the bus station. Local growers sell fresh produce, homemade cheese, honey, and baked goods.

🕐 Sat 06:00-11:00

💡 Come before 09:00 for the best selection of fruits — the artisanal requeijão cheese and the pinhão (araucaria seeds) in season are worth queuing for. Cash only.

A large urban park with walking trails, a small lake, and plenty of native trees. Good for a morning jog or a quiet afternoon picnic. The park is well-maintained, with benches and shaded areas.

🕐 Daily 06:00–18:00

💡 Go early around 7am to avoid the heat and see local birdlife like toucans and parrots. Weekday mornings are very quiet.

A large municipal park with a lake, walking trails, and a native araucaria forest. Good for a relaxed afternoon stroll or picnic among the distinctive pine trees.

🕐 Tue-Sun 06:00-18:00

💡 Go early in the morning to spot capybaras near the lake. There's a small kiosk selling coffee and snacks on weekends only.