Bocaina do Sul: Rock Formations, Religious Sites and Traditions

A mouth-shaped rock, a historic route and sites of religious remembrance offer different ways to explore the landscape and local history of Bocaina do Sul. Pedra da Boca is a rare rock formation shaped like a mouth; its form gave the municipality its name. Mini Pantanal is also one of the municipality’s natural attractions. If you are weighing up nature, culture and local traditions while planning your trip, you will find a range of themes to explore during your stay.

Pedra da Boca is accessible via the old Estrada dos Tropeiros. Until several decades ago, this road was the main connection between Lages and Florianópolis. The rock formation therefore represents both a distinctive natural feature and a former regional transport route. If you are interested in the history of roads, you can consider these two aspects together without equating the road’s present-day character with its former significance.

The Trilha da Santa Cruz also has a story reflected in its name: missionaries erected a historic cross along the trail. Gruta Nossa Senhora de Lourdes is located in Alto Canoas and is considered one of the most important religious tourism sites in Bocaina do Sul. Padre Theodoro Baschulte designed the grotto, and local residents built it. For travellers interested in religious sites and their origins, the trail, grotto and people involved offer different ways to explore local remembrance.

Another landmark is Paróquia Nossa Senhora da Boa Viagem. Dom Daniel Hostin founded it on 3 May 1953. A traditional festival in honour of the patron saint takes place there in February. Other traditions mentioned include Mostra do Campo: its 40th edition took place from 18 to 20 July at Parque de Exposições Isaac Miranda in Bocaina do Sul. It included a traditional cavalcade and the 15th Rodeio Crioulo da Integração. These examples illustrate different forms of religious and rural tradition; the Mostra dates refer to that specific edition.

If you would like to focus on nature and fishing, you can consider including Mini Pantanal in your plans. It is located in Santa Rosa, in the municipality’s interior, 23 kilometres from the centre of Bocaina do Sul. Several lagoons there are used for fishing. The distance and the availability of lagoons are practical considerations when deciding which excursions you would like to shape your stay. This allows you to treat a nature outing as a focus in its own right, alongside the religious sites and local traditions.

For a glimpse of local crafts, visit Centro de Comercialização União do Vime in Areião, on BR-282 at kilometre 174. It offers handicrafts made by the Vime group and available as souvenirs. This visit offers a different focus from rock formations, lagoons or religious sites: here, the emphasis is on locally made items. When choosing a holiday rental, you can first consider which of these interests matter most to your trip, then plan your excursions accordingly.

Discover more destinations

If you would also like to explore other destinations in this selection: Palhoça, Imaruí, Arroio Trinta, Florianópolis, Guaraciaba, Turvo, Rancho Queimado and Urupema.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Catarina.