Garuva between river, forest, and parish history

Discover Garuva through its water, outdoor activities, and history. The Rio São João runs through the center and is considered the city’s main tourist attraction. One route begins in dense forest, a cycling route runs from the center to the Rio Três Barras, and there is also the history of the Paróquia São João Batista. This gives you a choice when planning your trip: would you rather focus your stay on the river, a route, or local history?

The Rio São João as a focal point

The Rio São João runs through the center of Garuva and has clear, crystal-clear water. As the city’s main tourist attraction, it is a prominent local landmark and offers a specific activity: bóia-crossing is practiced on the river. The Rio São João therefore features in trip planning both as a river in the center and as a place for a water activity.

If you are interested in bóia-crossing, check the current conditions before your outing. When choosing accommodation, you can also consider whether to make the river your main focus or to explore Garuva through one of its routes and its history. This helps you tailor your vacation rental search to your own travel plans, rather than deciding based only on the type of accommodation.

Distinguishing the forest trail from the cycling route

The Trilha do Rio do Braço, also known as Rio do Cleber, begins at the end of Rua Nereu Ramos in Jardim Margarida, in central Garuva, in dense forest. Its specific starting point at the end of the street and its forest setting make this route different from the Ciclorrota Rio Três Barras. When choosing a route for your plans, you can first decide based on its starting point and the subject that interests you.

The Ciclorrota Rio Três Barras begins in the center of Garuva and runs to the Rio Três Barras in the locality of the same name. Both its starting point and its destination are therefore specified. Compared with the trail, which begins in the forest at the end of Rua Nereu Ramos, the key difference here is the connection from the center to the river.

For families, this distinction can make planning a day together easier: should the focus be more on the river, the forest, or the cycling route? First decide which experience interests you, then factor in the relevant starting point when making your plans. That way, Garuva’s different themes remain distinct, rather than combining the routes into a single activity.

The parish’s history in three dates

The history of the Paróquia São João Batista can also be traced through specific construction dates. Its first church was built in 1919. The cornerstone for a second chapel was laid in 1934; it still stands beside the current parish church. The Igreja Matriz of the parish was built in 1997. The three dates mark different milestones: the first church, the second chapel, and the Igreja Matriz.

Those interested in history will find a different focus in Garuva here than at the Rio São João or on one of the routes. These points of reference can help you sort out your group’s interests and then check the specific location of the accommodation.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Quebra Dentes, Lajeado Grande, Joaçaba, Balneário Arroio do Silva, Piratuba, Quilombo, Vidal Ramos, Joinvile.

Go to the main travel overview: Santa Catarina.