In 1947, a group of urban planners envisioned a city where nature and progress would not just coexist but thrive together. Maringá, Paraná, was born from that vision — a city designed to blend lush green spaces with modern urban planning, creating a harmonious environment where every street corner tells a story of balance and growth. Today, that vision is not just a distant memory; it is a living reality, seen in every tree-lined avenue, every bustling market, and every park bench shaded by the sprawling branches of ipê trees.
FUN FACTS
- In Maringá, trees are more than just part of the scenery — with one for every four residents, it’s no wonder the city was named a Tree City of the World by the UN in 2022
- The Nossa Senhora da Glória Cathedral, with 124 meters high, is the tallest cathedral in Latin America.
- Maringá has been named Brazil’s best city to live in four times, celebrated for its safety, green spaces, and quality of life.
- Since 1972, Maringá has maintained a sister-city relationship with Kakogawa, Japan.
- Maringá’s ipê trees are a seasonal attraction, blooming in vibrant hues from June to October.
Despite its exceptional quality of life and well-earned reputation as one of Brazil’s best cities to live, Maringá remains a hidden gem in the tourism narrative. This is a city where nature is not just part of the scenery — it is the city’s defining identity.
Where greenery is not just a landscape, it is an identity
Maringá is a city where nature and daily life blend seamlessly. At its heart is the iconic Parque do Ingá, a 47-hectare Atlantic forest reserve where the pace of life slows down and nature takes centre stage.
- Winding trails lead through dense Atlantic Forest, offering spots for quiet reflection.
- Paddle boats glide across the lake, inviting visitors to take in the city’s natural beauty from the water.
- Capybaras rest by the lake, while the sound of birdsong creates a natural soundtrack to city life.
A 15-minute drive away, the Japan Park offers a calming contrast. Inspired by Maringá’s sister-city bond with Kakogawa, Japan, the park features carp ponds, pavilions, and cherry blossoms that bloom every winter, painting the landscape in soft hues of pink and white.
In 2022, Maringá was recognised by the UN as a Tree City of the World, a recognition of its commitment to preserving green spaces in the heart of a thriving urban landscape. In Maringá, nature isn’t just part of the scenery — it’s a central character in the city’s story.
Maringá: Where Cultures Meet and Belong
Maringá’s story isn’t just told through its parks — it’s written in its streets, its markets, and its festivals. Since its foundation, Maringá has maintained a sister-city relationship with Kakogawa, Japan, a connection celebrated each year at the Japan Festival, a vibrant event filled with taiko drumming, tea ceremonies, and traditional Japanese cuisine.
Maringá’s cultural mosaic extends far beyond its Japanese heritage. Home to more than 30 nationalities, it’s a city where diverse cultures thrive while maintaining their unique identities, creating a community that is both multicultural and distinctly Maringaense.
Culture for everyone
In Maringá, art is a living, breathing presence woven into the city’s architecture and public spaces. The Nossa Senhora da Glória Cathedral, the tallest in Latin America, stands as a striking example of modernist architecture, its soaring spire reaching toward the sky.
Not so far, the Calil Haddad Theatre is a hub for theatre, dance, and live music, with a lineup of performances that celebrate both local and global artistry. It’s also the base for the Invitation to the Arts project, a city-wide initiative that transforms public parks and plazas into stages for free performances, making art a shared experience accessible to everyone.
Maringá is a city where art and culture aren’t confined to museums or theatres — they’re part of the everyday experience, creating a sense of vibrancy and connection that is felt in every corner.
A Culinary Journey Through Maringá
Maringá’s food scene is a reflection of its cultural diversity, where Japanese sushi, Italian cuisine, and Brazilian feijoada share space in the city’s Mercadão Municipal.
For a true taste of Maringá, try the ‘cachorrão prensado’ — a grilled hot dog topped with creamy green mayonnaise, a quirky, comforting creation that has become a local classic. On Sundays, the Feira do Produtor is a bustling scene where local farmers sell fresh produce and handmade food.
A City Designed for Living, Not Just Visiting
Maringá may not have Brazil’s famous beaches, but it offers something equally compelling — a sense of belonging.
Ranked as one of Brazil’s safest cities, Maringá is designed for walking, biking, and connecting.
- Wide sidewalks and bike lanes invite you to explore at your own pace
- Local cafés and coworking spaces for remote workers and digital nomads
- The city’s regional airport connects Maringá to São Paulo, Brasília and other big cities
Maringá’s charm lies not in the expected but in the overlooked — a city where nature, culture, and community converge to create a uniquely Brazilian experience. Beyond the beaches and big capitals, Maringá invites travellers to discover a different side of Brazil — one defined by tranquil parks, multicultural roots, and a rhythm of life that feels both welcoming and refreshing.
It’s not just a destination; it’s an invitation to experience Brazil in a new way.
This text started as a Strategic Communication Masters assignment at the University of Liverpool but became something I genuinely wanted to share beyond the classroom. Writing about Maringá, my birth city, reminded me one of the things I love about strategic communication, giving deserving places and stories the visibility they’ve earned but haven’t always received.
Maringá doesn’t have the international online presence of Rio or São Paulo, but it has something equally valuable: authenticity, balance, and a quality of life that makes it one of Brazil’s best kept secrets. This city raised me, shaped me, and gave me a foundation of multicultural appreciation and respect for urban nature that I carry everywhere.
So here’s my academic project, yes, but more importantly, here’s my invitation. Come discover the Brazil that exists beyond the beaches, where tree lined streets tell stories of careful planning, where cultures blend without losing their identity, and where a simple pressed hot dog somehow becomes unforgettable.
Sometimes the best assignments are the ones that feel less like work and more like coming home.
With Love,
Amanda
Images References
Image 1: Embraed (n.d.). Conheça as 7 maravilhas de Maringá – a Cidade Verde.
Available at: https://www.embraed.com.br/pt-BR/blog/Conheça-as-7-maravilhas-de-
Maringá-a-Cidade-Verde [Accessed 28 April 2025].
Image 2: Maringá Com (2024). Instagram Post – May 30, 2024, 10:28 PM. Available
at: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7m5KH5vPCH/ [Accessed 1 May 2025].
Image 3: Riviera Santa Maria (2024). Parque do Ingá. Available at:
https://rivierasantamaria.com.br/2024/08/20/parque-do-inga/ [Accessed 1 May 2025].
Image 4: CBN Maringá (n.d.). Conheça a Amora – Mascote que Protege o Parque do
Japão do Ataque de Lontras Assassinas. Available at:
https://www.cbnmaringa.com.br/noticia/conheca-a-amora-mascote-que-protege-o-
parque-do-japao-do-ataque-de-lontras-assassinas [Accessed 3 May 2025].
Image 5: Festival Nipo Brasileiro (n.d.). Festival Nipo Brasileiro Website. Available at:
https://festivalnipobrasileiro.com.br/ [Accessed 1 May 2025].
Image 6: AZ Magazine (n.d.). Prefeitura Inscreve Maringá na Hora do Planeta: Luzes
da Catedral Serão Apagadas. Available at: https://azmagazine.com.br/prefeitura-
inscreve-maringa-na-hora-do-planeta-luzes-da-catedral-serao-apagadas/ [Accessed
2 May 2025].
Image 7: ICI Maringá (n.d.). Mostra de Cinema ao Ar Livre – Apintando Estrelas.
Available at: https://icimaringa.com.br/noticia/680/mostra-de-cinema-ao-ar-livre-
apintando-estrelasa-vai-a-cinco-cidades-da-regiao [Accessed 1 May 2025].
Text References
Britannica (n.d.). Maringá. Available at: https://www.britannica.com/place/Maringa
[Accessed 2 May 2025].
Viaje Paraná (n.d.). Maringá – Turismo no Paraná. Available at:
https://www.viajeparana.com/Maringa [Accessed 21 April 2025].
Maringá.com (n.d.). Maringá – Guia da Cidade. Available at:
https://maringa.maringa.com [Accessed 21 April 2025].
O Maringá (2025). Agenda Semanal do Convite às Artes em Maringá. Available at:
https://omaringa.com.br/noticias/maringa/confira-a-agenda-semanal-do-convite-as-
artes-em-maringa-de-7-a-10-maio/ [Accessed 8 May 2025].
Festival Nipo Brasileiro (n.d.). Festival Nipo Brasileiro Website. Available at:
https://festivalnipobrasileiro.com.br [Accessed 8 May 2025].
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