São Bento do Sul: what to do there?

São Bento do Sul is a very beautiful place and not as well known as it deserves. In addition to its tours and cultural festivals that talk about the past and present, there is a lot of nature that deserves to be visited and understood.

Therefore, to learn more about this beautiful place, continue reading until the end.

What is São Bento do Sul

Firstly, it is very important to define what São Bento do Sul is for those who have never heard of it. Therefore, São Bento do Sul is a Brazilian municipality located in the southern region of Brazil.

It was founded in the 19th century, when German immigrants began to settle in the region. Since then, the region has developed and its economy has become diversified, while maintaining a strong German cultural influence.

The local climate is subtropical, with average annual temperatures ranging from 15 to 22 degrees, which can get a little hotter in the summer and a little colder in the winter.

Furthermore, the region is well known for its ecotourism. This is due to nature being well preserved and used for natural observation along with its original wonders. There are hills, rivers, waterfalls and other wonderful places to visit.

Where is São Bento do Sul

São Bento do Sul is a municipality located in the northern region of the state of Santa Catarina, in southern Brazil. Furthermore, the city is located at an average altitude of 760 meters above sea level, amidst a backdrop of mountains, valleys and rivers.

The São Bento do Sul region is known for its exuberant nature, with a large number of green areas and ecological tourism options. 

The city is located in the middle of the Atlantic Forest – in fact, 60% of the biome is protected in the region – a biome rich in biodiversity, home to rare species of fauna and flora.

Therefore, among the main environmental preservation areas in the region are the Braço Esquerdo Natural Park and the Aves Natural Park. You can also find Parque 23 de Setembro, smaller, “more urban” but no less beautiful and captivating.

However, São Bento do Sul also has a series of waterfalls, trails and viewpoints that provide incredible views of the region. The Braço Esquerdo waterfall, from which the park is named, and Cachoeira da Usina, are great examples of the others found there.

Furthermore, the region is known for its strong German cultural influence, which can be seen in the local architecture, gastronomy and popular festivals when you visit it. 

In São Bento do Sul you will find half-timbered houses, built during the colonization of the region and which are considered historical heritage there. Furthermore, the traditional Schlachtfest festival is another very popular cultural attraction here.

In short, São Bento do Sul is a charming place, which combines a rich history, exuberant nature and a vibrant culture. The region is a great option for those looking for a traditional destination with leisure and adventure options in contact with nature.

How to get to São Bento do Sul

To get to the beautiful São Bento do Sul you have different transport options, either via land routes or via air routes. Therefore, as an example, routes from São Paulo, Curitiba and Porto Alegre to the municipality will be listed below.

However, it is important to say that the air route will be limited to going there from Curitiba (CWB) or Joinville (JOI), which are the cheapest route – Curitiba, as it has more flights – and the shortest – Joinville, being approximately 82 km from São Bento do Sul.

Now, starting from São Paulo by land route, the ideal is to follow the BR-116 to Curitiba, and from there take the regional highways; PR-419 and PR-420, while still in the state of Paraná, and finally SC-301, which will take you to the municipality in around 10 hours.

In Curitiba It's even easier to follow the land route – in fact, that's the one you'll follow once you choose to use the cheapest air route, landing in the city. 

Therefore, as said in the previous paragraph, follow BR-116, until PR-419 and 420, entering Santa Catarina, take SC-301 until São Bento do Sul. The trip takes around 2 hours.

However, from Porto Alegre, capital of Rio Grande do Sul, you will find two very accessible routes. The fastest and best illustrates the information in this topic is the route via BR-101.

This way, going up from the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, take the BR-290 until Osório, where it becomes BR-101 and go up until you reach Joinville. From there, take the SC-418 to São Bento do Sul. It will take approximately 9 hours to travel this route.

What to do in São Bento do Sul

After talking a little about what São Bento do Sul is, saying what you find there, where it is and how to get to its beautiful and culturally rich lands, your question should be “Okay, but what do I am I going to do it when I’m there?”

Therefore, to answer your questions about what to do in the lands of São Bento do Sul, this short list provides some options that you will find.

• Visit to the São Bento Mother Church
• Dr. Felippe Maria Wolf Municipal Historical Museum
• Braço Esquerdo Natural Park
• Bird Natural Park

However, as previously stated, this list is a small summary of the time and options you have to enjoy in the city. It may change over time, but be sure to explore other options after you've visited these.

Visit to the São Bento Mother Church

The Igreja Matriz de São Bento is located on top of a small local hill and stands out in the landscape of São Bento do Sul.

However, what really draws attention, given the privileged position where it is located, is the staircase with 'via sacra' that forms a unique setting in front of the city's central square.

Furthermore, inside the church you will find a beautiful stained glass window above the altar with the image of Saint Benedict that was hand painted.

Dr. Felippe Maria Wolf Municipal Historical Museum

The museum is located in the central region of São Bento do Sul, on Avenida Argolo, on an elevated plot of land that promotes observation from afar, generating great local attention.

However, it's not just its facade that attracts attention. Its collection brings together varied pieces that tell the history of the region along with colonization and the development of what the city is today.

Therefore, you will find musical instruments, machines, tools, military equipment, religious articles and many other pieces that tell the story of São Bento do Sul.

Braço Esquerdo Natural Park

The Braço Esquerdo Natural Park is located right in the middle of Serra do Mar, on a private property that is part of the Rio Vermelho/Humboldt Environmental Protection area, right on the border between São Bento do Sul and Corupá.

Therefore, in addition to being able to visit it from two different places, you will find different routes to explore places such as the Braço Esquerdo waterfall and its more than 90 meters high, the Caverna da Fuga or the Trilha do Vale Perdido, as well as other attractions .

There, you will find a good structure of necessary services, such as bathrooms, camping area and kitchens.

Bird Natural Park

The Birds Natural Park is located on Estrada Floresta in Rio Natal. There you will find an incredible diversity of local bird species from Serra do Mar.

In addition, the park also has a special area where you can interact with butterflies, called the 'butterfly garden', ecological trails and several shops selling colonial products and local crafts.

Another cool detail is that it has a camping area, an inn, snack bars and an auditorium for environmental education.

Conclusion

In short, visiting São Bento do Sul is a multipurpose trip that combines culture and nature, giving you very pleasant experiences and memories that you won't forget.