Presidente Nereu: Rainforest and rural tourism

For a stay in Presidente Nereu, the Atlantic Rainforest and rural agrotourism are two clearly distinct themes. Parque Nacional da Serra do Itajaí is a 57,528.97-hectare protected area in the Atlantic Rainforest that also includes the municipality of Presidente Nereu. This makes the national park an important natural attraction for the area; which activities are possible depends on the individual public-use areas.

The national park and possible activities

Depending on the characteristics of the individual public-use areas, possible activities include recreation, picnics, hiking, cycling tourism, swimming, nature observation, environmental education and interpretation, wildlife watching, and low-impact sporting events. These activities are not available across the board in every area, but depend on its characteristics. Facilities for visitors are currently unavailable. Plan around the specific public-use area and do not expect visitor infrastructure in the park.

Rural local points of interest

The area’s rural character can also be tied to specific places. Sítio Vida Nova is located in the rural area of Presidente Nereu, along Estrada Barrinha. Sítio Colina is in the locality of Rio Bandeira, within the municipality of Presidente Nereu. A municipal tourism listing from 2011, which is still featured on the tourism portal, associates Sítio Colina with the Acolhida na Colônia project. Its main goal is ecological agrotourism. Since the listing dates from 2011, confirm operating details before your trip. These two specific places can help you orient yourself: the rural area along Estrada Barrinha and Rio Bandeira, with its connection to ecological agrotourism.

Other travel highlights in Santa Catarina

Other travel ideas in the wider destination of Santa Catarina offer quite different highlights. In Florianópolis, the Sistema de Fortificações da Ilha de Santa Catarina is one of the most important tourist and cultural attractions. Built in the 18th century, the fortification system was intended to consolidate Portuguese rule in the south of the continent. Cultural history takes center stage here, setting it apart from the national park’s natural appeal in Presidente Nereu.

Also in the wider destination of Santa Catarina is Parque Estadual da Serra Furada, which stretches across Grão-Pará and Orleans. There, visitors can enjoy views of pointed mountain peaks and the geological monument Serra Furada. Visits are possible daily from 08:00 to 17:00; registration at least 48 hours in advance is required.

Another travel idea in the wider destination of Santa Catarina is Caminhos da Baleia Franca, a 172-kilometer regional hiking trail along the coast. The five-day hike passes through dunes, hills, lagoons, islands, and rocky coastal stretches. In APA da Baleia Franca, land-based whale watching is preferred; viewing points are located in Imbituba and Garopaba. The protected area is a breeding ground for southern right whales and is also home to sea turtles, migratory birds, otters, and botos-da-tainha.

Choose the right focus

These destinations offer different options for your vacation planning: the Atlantic Rainforest and rural agrotourism in Presidente Nereu, cultural history in Florianópolis, or a multi-day coastal hike elsewhere in Santa Catarina. First, consider what kind of days you want your trip to be centered around. Then you can focus your search for a holiday rental on the destination that suits you. If you are primarily looking for nature observation and possible activities in a protected area, take the characteristics of the relevant public-use area into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Blinha, Urupema, Canelinha, Meleiro, Arroio Trinta, Florianópolis, Palhoça, Turvo.

Back to the wider travel overview: Santa Catarina.