Urubici deserves a spot on your Brazil itinerary. Don’t expect beaches, palm trees, or coconut water. Instead, expect mountains, Paraná pines, waterfalls, and even wine. Brazil has many faces, and this is one of its most surprising landscapes. Urubici is located in the Santa Catarina mountain range (Serra Catarinense), about 170 km from Florianópolis. The region is known for dramatic viewpoints, impressive waterfalls, natural attractions, outdoor adventures, and even the chance to see snow in winter, making it one of the most unique destinations in southern Brazil.

Keep reading to discover the top things to do in Urubici, the best time to visit, how to spend your 3 days and why this mountain town might surprise you.

Note: 

Prices and opening hours are included in this post, but they may change at any time. Always double-check official websites so you don’t miss out on your dream Urubici attraction.

Last update: February 2026 – Links and prices updates, more travel tips added

The blog post contains affiliate links, so I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for the support!

Best things to do in Urubici, Brazil

On the following map (My Maps by Google Maps), you can see the top places to visit in Urubici, including viewpoints, waterfalls and restaurants. 

By clicking on the tab next to “Things to do in Urubici – Santa Catarina, Brazil”, you can see the actual points, and it’s also possible to turn off and on layers. Furthermore, you can also save this map (if you have My Maps account) by pressing the star next to the map title. 

To create your map, check out my blog post and video about How to plan your next travel itinerary with Google My Maps?. 

Watch my travel video on YouTube for a sneak peek of Urubici!

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How to get to Urubici

Urubici is located in the Santa Catarina mountain range (Serra Catarinense) in southern Brazil, set in a valley at an altitude of 915 metres.

From Florianópolis, the 170 km drive takes about 3 hours. There are also buses from Floripa, with a travel time of around 3.5 hours. However, I highly recommend renting a car, as most of the top attractions in Urubici are spread out across the region.

The main roads are in good condition, while some smaller roads leading to viewpoints and waterfalls are unpaved dirt roads. That said, you don’t need a 4×4 vehicle, a regular car is perfectly fine.

If you prefer not to drive, you can also join guided tours to explore the main highlights of Urubici and Serra Catarinense.

Where to stay in Urubici: Colina do Sol

The area around Urubici offers many beautiful chalets and cabins, most with stunning mountain views and private hot tubs. Colina do Sol is one of them. 

The chalets are spread across a large piece of land, positioned far enough from each other to guarantee privacy. You can park right next to your chalet, which makes everything easier. On the property, you’ll also find a picnic area and a swing overlooking the valley. Pretty magical.

Our chalet was around 25 sqm and included a balcony with views over the green valley and surrounding mountains. The interior felt cosy and warm, thanks to the light wooden finishes and romantic details.

The real reason we chose this accommodation, though, was the hot tub. Yes, there’s a beautiful jacuzzi in the corner of the chalet, with windows on two sides and panoramic mountain views. Soaking there at sunset felt unreal.

If you’d like more details about this stay, you can read my full review: Colina do Sol – The best chalet to stay in Urubici – Santa Catarina, Brazil.

5 reasons you should add Urubici to your Brazilian itinerary

1. Enjoy the panorama and watch the sunset from the best viewpoints of Urubici

Serra Catarinense is full of viewpoints thanks to its mountains and higher altitude. You won’t even have to hike for picturesque panoramas because many are easily accessible by car. 

Most of the lookouts wait for you with swings and other Instagrammable spots. So if you want THE PHOTO, expect some waiting time. I collected the top 5 viewpoints to explore in Urubici below. 

For more travel tips, entrance fees and opening times, read my other blog post dedicated to these viewpoints: Best viewpoints to visit in Urubici, Brazil.

Morro do Campestre

Morro do Campestre is famous for its natural sandstone formations, located at 1380 m above sea level. The most popular photo spot is the arch, and you can also go to the top. You’ll have a view of the Canoas River valley and the surrounding mountains. 

Mirante de Urubici

This viewpoint is located 5 km from the centre of Urubici. It’s basically a small parking area along the road to Avencal waterfall. Though I’d suggest stopping on the way back to Urubici because it’s located on the other side of the road at the sharp curve. 

It offers a panoramic view of the whole city, with the mountains in the background. 

Morro do Parapente, the famous sunset watching spot

Morro do Parapente provides a stunning panorama of Urubici with mountains in the background. It’s a perfect place to watch the sunset and have a picnic. 

The viewpoint waits for you with many infinity swings overlooking Urubici. So if you want a swinging Instagram photo, arrive before sunset and expect a waiting time. 

Don’t forget some extra layers! After the sun went down, it got cold. 

Morro da Igreja, the Pedra Furada viewpoint

Morro da Igreja is one of the highest points around Urubici, with 1822 meters. It’s part of Parque Nacional São Joaquim. The panorama from the cliffside was breathtaking. You can see so far, far away. On a brighter day, the ocean is also visible from here. Although Pedra Furada makes this point so unique. As the name says, Pedra Furada (Hollow Stone in English) is a stone with a hole in the middle.

Due to its elevation, the park is windy and cold, even during the summer. So make sure to bring an extra pullover or jacket.

It’s obligatory to schedule your visit to Morro da Igreja

YOU MUST REGISTER BEFORE VISITING MORRO DA IGREJA. On the ICMBio website, you can select your visit’s date and time (morning or afternoon). The booking window is 6 days. You can pick up your ticket at ICMBio office in Urubici from 2 days before your visit (opening time on weekdays: 8 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 6 pm, opening time on weekends: 8 am – 12 pm and 1 pm – 4 pm). 

Altos do Corvo Branco

Altos do Corvo Branco is more than a viewpoint. It’s 5 viewpoints, including 2 with glass surfaces, infinity swings overlooking the mountains, and a café. After buying the ticket at Serra do Corvo Branco (don’t miss the view from there!), you can drive up to the parking area. I’d recommend visiting all the lookouts because they offer different panoramas. Depending on the crowd and photo time, count min. 2 hours!

Mirante 1 and 2, the glass viewpoints, overlooked the surrounding mountains, the Canoas River valley, and Serra do Corvo Branco. They were the busiest because of their Instagrammable glass surface and the panorama. 

Mirante 3, 4, and 5 can be reached by bus, which leaves every 15-20 minutes. They all offer a panorama of Morro da Igreja and Morro da Pirâmide, the pyramid-shaped mountain. I can’t even describe the beauty… On clear days, even the coast is visible from here.

For more information and photos about the viewpoint, check out my other blog post dedicated to these 5 viewpoints: Best viewpoints to visit in Urubici, Brazil.

2. Adore the gorgeous waterfalls

This area is home to many waterfalls. However, we visited only the “must-visit” waterfalls in Urubici. The wet season (December-March) is ideal for visiting because more water flows down the cascades. However, we had luck in July, so it’s also worth visiting in the dry season. Just don’t have high expectations.

Cachoeira do Avencal

The 100 m high Avencal waterfall is located in a scenic canyon. You can discover its beauty from many viewpoints. The glass viewpoints on its right offer a great perspective of the waterfall and the other “attractions” like SkyBike, Pendulum jumping and Zipline stations (more on these later…). If you aren’t so adventurous, walk to the other panorama terraces for a better view of the canyon and the waterfall. 

There’s also a tail leading to the waterfall’s bottom, though from a different location. After leaving Urubici, you’ll see a road with a sign towards Pousadas do Avencal and Valle do Avencal (see it on the map above). Take that right and enjoy the hike. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to walk through this path. 

Cachoeira do Avencal visitor information

• Price: 60 BRL/person, price includes visiting Avencal, Novo Mundo waterfalls and the trail to the bottom of Avencal waterfall (ONLY DEBIT CARDS AND CASH ARE ACCEPTED.)
• Opening time: 9 am – 5:30 pm
• Large parking area
• Restaurant with food options and a restroom 

Cachoeira do Papuã – Eco Park

Just next to the entrance of Parque Mundo Novo and Avencal, continue your ride to Cachoeira do Papuã. Its direction was well signed. The drive was super scenic with rich vegetation, though the dirt road was shaky. 

You can see more Paraná pines (araucária in Portuguese) and other gorgeous plants in the Eco park, where long wooden walkways lead to the viewpoints. The round glass viewpoint offered a nice panorama of Cachoeira do Papuã and another waterfall, though they seemed distant. 

At the other end of the path, you can enjoy a panorama of the valley and try activities like SkyBike and the Infinity swing (more on these later…). 

Cachoeira do Papuã visitor information

• Price: 30 BRL/person
• Opening time: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm
• Large parking area
• Small restaurant and souvenir shop with food options and a restroom 

Cascata Véu de Noiva, Cachoeira dos Namorados and Três Irmãs

All three waterfalls are located in Parque Nacional São Joaquim and can be visited with a single ticket. 

The 1st waterfall in the park is Cascata Véu de Noiva, translated as the Bride’s Veil, because the flowing water resembles a veil. This 65-meter-high waterfall is the most picturesque in the park and the closest to the entrance. 

The other two can be reached through a wooden pathway in the forest. The palm trees and other characteristic plants were magical and mesmerising. Definitely another highlight of the park! After 10 minutes of walking, you’ll arrive at a meadow with a zipline station. From there, descend the staircase, and within a minute, you’ll hear the rumbling water of Cachoeira dos Namorados (Lovers’ waterfall). The waterfall is not as tall as Cascata Véu de Noiva, but still beautiful. The beginning of Cachoeira Três Irmãs is visible from there (a 40-minute trail also offers views of the waterfall). 

If you want to see more from the 3rd waterfall and the 3 waterfalls together, you must try out the zipline (more on that in the next point…). Spoiler alert! Seeing them together was a spectacular experience!

Cascata Véu de Noiva visitor information

• Price: 30 BRL/person (ONLY DEBIT CARDS AND CASH ARE ACCEPTED.)
• Opening time: 8 am – 6 pm
• Large parking area
• Restaurant and shop with food options and a restroom 
• Don’t be scared if you see a long queue at the park. The cars are waiting at the entrance to Morro da Igreja. Just pass by and turn right. 

3. Try out memorable adventures like SkyBike and Zipline

SkyBike, Pendulum jumping, and Zipline at Cachoeira do Avencal 

Cachoeira do Avencal is impressive from every angle. To discover it from more perspectives, you must engage in some extreme activities…

To take a look from a higher point, try out the SkyBike. The 290 m-long wires run above the valley, close to the waterfall. You can cycle alone or with your friend or partner on a parallel path next to you. 

I’ve never experienced something like this. Cycling 120 m above the ground, close to a waterfall, with a fantastic panorama of the valley, was unbelievable. The ride was a bit shaky to create some emotions, though I felt super safe with the helmet, belt and carabiner set. 

You can go for the pendulum jump for a closer view. I wasn’t brave enough for the pendulum jump. Even looking at the flying people, my legs were shaking. Would you have enough courage? 😛 

For both experiences, you can buy tickets at the white tent next to the pendulum jump station. Everyone was friendly and helpful there. Just answer a few questions and sign the paper. I was the 1st Hungarian, and with that, the 37th country. 

Zipline is provided by a different company. 

Cachoeira do Avencal activities visitor information:

• SkyBike price: 230 BRL/person
• Pendulum jump price: 550 BRL/person
• Opening time: Friday-Sunday: 9 am – 5 pm
• Website: Tirolesa de Bike em Urubici and Salto de Pêndulo by Natural Extremo
• Instagram: @tirolesadebike and @saltodependulo

SkyBike, SkyTable and Infinity Swing at EcoParque Papuã

One SkyBike per day was enough for me, and I was happy that I tried it out at Avencal waterfall. That looked more scenic, and the waterfall was much closer to the wires than at Papuã waterfall. Although this is the highest SkyBike in Brazil, at 150 m. 

It’s possible to cycle solo or with someone else on the 460 m long circuit, just like at Avencal waterfall.

Another unusual activity is the Infinity Swing, a C-shaped swing on the edge of the 150 m high cliff. I’m sure it’s more about the adrenaline than the panorama because the swing is pushed up to 7 meters. 

If you want more adrenaline rush and a romantic picnic hanging above the 150 m deep canyon, you can also book the SkyTable ticket combination. More info on the website…

We didn’t try out any adventures here. The activities can be booked on the website or at the park.

EcoParque Papuã adventures visitor information:

• Infinity Swing (Balanço ao Infinito) price: 77 BRL/person
• SkyBike price: 212 BRL/person
• All Adventure Combo (Infinity Swing and SkyBike with drone footage for 2 people) price: 680 BRL
• SkyTable Combo (SkyTable with picnic and drone footage for 2 people) price: 797 BRL
• Opening time: Every day: 8:30 am – 5:30 pm 
• Website: Cachoeira Papuã
• Instagram: @cachoeirapapua

Zipline at Cachoeira dos Namorados and Cachoeira das Três Irmãs

As I mentioned before, 3 waterfalls can be visited in the Cascata Véu de Noiva park. 

If you want to see all the waterfalls (and fly a bit…), try out the zipline because it provides a gorgeous view of all 3 waterfalls. They are stacked on top of each other, and seeing them together was a spectacular experience. 

The zipline starting point is after the forest path. The 1st wire is 280 m long. Just fly and enjoy the lush forest and waterfalls. After arriving on the other side of the 130 m deep valley, you’ll have to walk a bit to the 2nd line, which is 320 m long. Then another sssssh back and more time to adore the view. 

You won’t need to put any effort into the zipline. The staff will handle everything and keep you secure. 

Zipline (Morro da Igreja Tirolesa) visitor information:

• Price: 70 BRL/person (PAYMENT BY CASH OR PIX, or buy your ticket online) 
• Opening time: only on weekends 
• Website: Tirolesarrodaigreja

4. Foodie experiences in Urubici

Breakfast wasn’t provided at our accommodation, Colina do Sol. We brought some ingredients and prepared our breakfast there, though, for coffee, we drove to Urubici. Unfortunately, the coffee wasn’t tasty, neither at Guardião do Avencal Bar Café, nor at Império Café e Bistrô.

For lunch, we always grabbed pastries and bites near the tourist attractions.

For dinner, we indulged in delicious dishes in the best restaurants of Urubici… 

Where to eat in Urubici?

Many restaurants open only for dinner, so make sure to check their opening times! For example, both of the following restaurants opened after 6:30 pm.

Lá Morena – Carnes Nobres

Lá Morena – Carnes Nobres is located on the main street of Urubici. They specialised in steaks. And even have their signature dish, wagyu, from their raised cows. Unfortunately, it wasn’t available during our visit. Though the steaks with homemade cheese sauce totally amazed us. On our last night, we returned to try a different meat. 

The meat is freshly grilled in the open kitchen. In the chef’s eyes, you can see the pure love for meat. After serving, he explained the orientation of the fiber and how to cut it. We chose a salad with tomato and cheese, farofa and rice for a side dish. 

The waiters were super friendly, and one even spoke English. I just ordered a “dry red wine”, and it looked like the waiter knew what I needed. 

The interior looked super cool with its wooden furniture, fur on the chairs, trunks on the shelves and leather covers, just to mention a few fantastic details.

Château du Valle Restaurante

Château du Valle Restaurante is nearby Cachoeira do Avencal. So it’s not the closest restaurant to Urubici. However, it’s worth driving a bit more to try out their wide selection of fondue and pasta. 

The restaurant is popular, so make a reservation because it is fully booked every day. We arrived a bit before 7 pm without a reservation. They keep the reserved tables for 15 minutes, and luckily Brazilians are always late… So we got a table after 15 minutes of waiting 🙂 A friendly couple joined us from the waiting area, so we had more fun together and even shared some food. 

Our meat fondue featured a selection of meats, many sauces, and a hot grill. We could roast the meat on it, then dip it into the tasty sauces. The bests were the onion, tomato, garlic and strawberry. It was an experience in itself. 

We asked for a small portion of doce de leite fondue for dessert. It was served with fruits and sweets such as bananas, apples, melons, marshmallows, and cheese. 

The couple ordered the fondue selection and invited us to try their fondue. The cheese fondue was super tasty but very intense and heavy. On the other hand, the Belgian chocolate fondue was more flavorful. 

All the waiters were super friendly. The owner, Marcelo, was walking around and talking to the guests. The live music made the night even better. 

When we left around 10 pm, people were still waiting to get in. 

More restaurants around Urubici:

• Casa Negra Trutaria – Specialises in trout.
• Emporium Serra do Sol – It’s located at a hostel, and we didn’t like its interior, though the food might be good…

5. Chance to see snow during winter (& best time to visit Urubici)

Urubici is a popular year-round tourist destination, especially in winter. Due to its altitude of almost 1000 m, the weather can be snowy, and that’s a rare thing in Brazil! Urubici is known for its snow and winter tourism. 

We weren’t keen to see snow… Surprisingly, our winter weather was warm at the beginning of July. During the day, we wore T-shirts, though we sometimes needed sweaters in the shade. Higher points, like Morro da Igreja, are colder and windier. It’s chilly after the sun goes down, so don’t forget to bring an extra jacket. 

And needless to say, if you definitely don’t want to experience snow, don’t go from June to August. Outside of that period, the temperature changes from 15ºC to 25ºC. Although expect some rainy days from December to February. January is the wettest month, and April is the driest.

How many days to spend in Urubici: Our 3-day travel itinerary

We spent a long weekend in Urubici and discovered the main sights, although a few more days would have been nice, just to have a more relaxed pace and to spend more time in the jacuzzi. Luckily, the attractions around Urubici are close to each other, so you don’t have to spend that much time in the car. We planned our Uribici itinerary strategically, and on the 1st day, we explored the area west of Urubici, then the south and east areas.  

This is how we spend 3 days in Uribici: 

Day 1 – Arriving in Urubici and exploring Morro do Campestre

• Driving to Urubici
• Checking into Pousada Colina do Sol
• Adoring Morro do Campestre and the views
• Dinner at Lá Morena – Carnes Nobres

Day 2 – Waterfalls, viewpoints and sunset (South from Urubici)

• Enjoying the jacuzzi and the view 
• Coffee at Guardião do Avencal Bar Café
• SkyBike experience at Cachoeira do Avencal
• Visiting EcoParque Papuã and Cachoeira do Papuã
• Stopping at Mirante de Urubici
• Sunset watching at Morro do Parapente
• Dinner at Château du Valle Restaurante

Day 3 – Waterfalls and more amazing panoramas (East from Urubici)

• Visiting ICMBio office for our authorisation for São Joaquim National Park
• Discovering Cascata Véu de Noiva, Cachoeira dos Namorados, Três Irmãs and Zipline
• Adoring Parque Nacional São Joaquim and Pedra Furada viewpoint
• Stopping at Serra do Corvo Branco
• Enjoying the panoramas at Serra do Corvo Branco
• Checking into the new accommodation, Pousada Sítio Do Trevo
• Dinner at Lá Morena – Carnes Nobres

Day 4 – Leaving Urubici

• Souvenir shopping at Art&Mel
• Driving back to Floripa

As you can see, these “top 5 things to do in Urubici” are far more than just five activities. From waterfalls and panoramic viewpoints to scenic mountain drives and cosy chalets, this region offers a full nature-focused travel experience.

Urubici and the wider Serra Catarinense region truly exceeded our expectations. It’s one of those places in Brazil that feels completely different from the classic beach destinations. Surprisingly diverse.

If you’re planning a trip to southern Brazil and love mountains, road trips, and outdoor adventures, Urubici is absolutely worth visiting. It’s a destination that proves Brazil isn’t just about the coast, it’s also about highlands, dramatic landscapes, and unexpected beauty. 

Which would be your favourite activity to do in Urubici? 

Leave a comment below. 

For more travel tips about Urubici and Brazil, read the following posts:

• Colina do Sol – The best chalet to stay in Urubici – Santa Catarina, Brazil
• Brazil Travel Tricks: What to Know When Going to Brazil in 2026
• 7 things to know before visiting Lagoinha do Leste in Florianópolis
• Ilhabela Travel Guide Brazil: Best Things to Do

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