Ibicaré: Rodeo Tradition, Cycling Routes and the Rio do Peixe

Ibicaré combines a strong rodeo tradition with cycling routes through rural landscapes and experiences along the Rio do Peixe. On 1 May 2002, the town received the title “Capital Catarinense do Rodeio”. A monument at Praça do Rodeio commemorates the local rodeo tradition. There is also a town museum, signposted cycling routes and a viewpoint overlooking the river—different ways to shape your trip around culture, activity and nature.

Rodeo Tradition and Town History

Praça do Rodeio is a visitor destination in Ibicaré. Its striking monument honours the local rodeo tradition and gives the town’s title a visible presence. If you are interested in Ibicaré’s history, the Museu Municipal de Ibicaré offers another perspective: it preserves the town’s history through old objects, machines, everyday items and records. The collection brings together everyday history and objects from various areas of town life. A visit lets you explore not only the rodeo tradition but also gain insight into the town’s history.

Five Cycling Routes Through Landscape and History

The Rotas do Cicloturismo de Ibicaré comprise five signposted routes: Rota do Vale, Rota da Pedreira Velha, Rota do Pico da Antena, Rota dos Rios and Rota da Siriema. They connect rural landscapes, rivers, native forest and historic sections. The routes therefore offer more than simply travelling by bike: they pass through areas with different landscape and history themes. If you would like to focus an outing on a particular theme, you can use the names and descriptions of the individual routes as a guide.

A specific route is described for the Rota Pedreira Velha cycling trail: it leads from the centre of Ibicaré through the upper part of town into the surrounding countryside and on to Gruta da Nossa Senhora de Lourdes. If you enjoy cycling from the town centre into a rural setting towards a named destination, this route offers a clear itinerary. The description gives both the starting point in the centre and the continuation through the upper part of town, distinguishing it from a general tour through the countryside.

The Rio do Peixe and Nature Experiences

Rafting Aventura takes place on the rapids of the Rio do Peixe in Ibicaré. Departure times are listed as 9 am and 2 pm, by appointment. If rafting is part of your travel plans, take these times and the appointment requirement into account when planning your day. Mirante Recanto do Vale offers a different experience: from there, you can enjoy panoramic views of the Rio do Peixe; the viewpoint is surrounded by mountains and preserved nature. A river activity and a viewpoint overlooking the same river thus offer two different ways to experience nature in Ibicaré.

Cachoeira da Linha Estreito, also known as Cachoeira do Estreito, is another destination in the surrounding area. It is 11 km from the centre of Ibicaré and has calm waters amid the forest. You can drive close to its base. The route includes a paved section followed by a gravel road described as being in good condition. The distance from the centre and the described road conditions are both useful points of reference when planning your trip.

Which Location Suits Your Outings?

When choosing a holiday rental, consider which experiences you would most like to shape your trip. The cycling route described starts in the centre; the waterfall is 11 km from the centre. If you are travelling with children, the rodeo tradition, town history, cycling routes and nature can each bring different interests to your trip. Whether you focus more on culture, cycling tours or the Rio do Peixe depends on your personal travel plans.

If you would like to explore destinations beyond Ibicaré: Biguaçu, Joinvile, Itapema, Curitibanos, Hercílio Luz, Quilombo, São Francisco Do Sul and Itá.

For the broader travel overview: Santa Catarina.