SC · Brazil
Heritage of immigration, maritime collections and landscapes between the plateau and the northern coast of Santa Catarina.
In the photo: Praia de Ubatuba, in São Francisco do Sul, on the northern coast of Santa Catarina.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
The Caminho dos Príncipes is a tourist region in the north of Santa Catarina, with plateau, mountain and coastal towns. The memory of immigration appears in museums and built heritage, while the Baía da Babitonga shows the relationship between navigation, fishing and urban formation.
In the guide, the trip can combine historic centers, science and art collections, temples and stretches of waterfront. Tours have different types of access: a museum visit does not require the same preparation as a rural transfer or an activity at sea.
The Rota Imperial uses municipalities from this destination and also from another tourist region. Its map organizes the chosen road itinerary, without altering the territorial composition of the Caminho dos Príncipes.
This destination brings together 7 cities: Rio Negrinho, São Bento do Sul, Campo Alegre, Joinville, Araquari, São Francisco do Sul, Balneário Barra do Sul.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Mapa: @svg-maps/brazil, CC BY 4.0
BR-101 serves the coastal corridor and BR-280 connects the island to the interior. SC-418 crosses the Serra Dona Francisca, with local access to each city. Joinville airport is an option for air arrival.
Rio Negrinho preserves its railway memory at the Estação Ferroviária, home to a collection of equipment and the Maria Fumaça train rides. The Museu Municipal Carlos Lampe occupies the Casarão Zipperer and presents another part of the local history. Among cultural visits, the Parque Paul Harris offers a tree-lined space in the town center.
São Bento do Sul has a history of immigration that appears in the former house of the physician Dr. Felippe Maria Wolff, now the Museu Municipal. The Igreja Puríssimo Coração de Maria, atop a staircase, marks the urban center. In Oxford, the butterfly collection at the Museu Natural Entomológico Ornith Bollmann broadens the visit to the city's heritage.
Campo Alegre brings together plateau landscapes, sheep farming and the memory of immigration. In the center, the Calçadão da Cascatinha follows a drop of the Ribeirão Farias, while the Cascata Paraíso features a taller rock face. In Bateias de Baixo, the Museu Sto Lat preserves objects of Polish culture; the Festa Estadual da Ovelha highlights local production.
Joinville is an urban and industrial center with museums that showcase different periods of its history. The Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização preserves objects related to the colony’s formation, and the Museu Arqueológico de Sambaqui de Joinville studies the indigenous occupation of the coast. Art appears at the Museu de Arte de Joinville and in the former residence of the sculptor Fritz Alt.
Araquari brings together devotion to the Senhor Bom Jesus, at the sanctuary with the Sala dos Milagres, and the landscapes of the Rio Parati. The Parque Municipal Refúgio dos Pássaros adds a natural reference to the city. In the Caminho dos Príncipes, the municipality is part of the link between the BR-101 corridor and coastal accesses, with local visits that can be scheduled before continuing by car.
São Francisco do Sul preserves a Historic Center facing the Baía da Babitonga, with streets and buildings from different periods. The Museu Nacional do Mar displays traditional Brazilian vessels, and the Igreja Nossa Senhora da Graça occupies the central square. Outside the old core, the Forte Marechal Luz recalls the defense of the island's maritime entrance.
Balneário Barra do Sul has artisanal fishing linked to the Canal do Linguado and the Boca da Barra, where the lagoon landscape meets the sea. Praia do Bispo and Praia de Salinas show other stretches of its shoreline. The Festa da Tainha celebrates the fishing activity with local cuisine and performances, while the everyday work of the boats helps to understand the municipality's identity.
The local experience
Water landscape linked to artisanal fishing and to the connection with the coast.
Preserved railway building, with equipment from train operations and a reference point for the Maria Fumaça rides.
Discover Estação Ferroviária de Rio Negrinho
Museum of local history installed in the former residence of the colony's physician.
Discover Museu Municipal Dr. Felippe Maria Wolff
Immigration collection and colonial formation within a historic complex in Joinville.
Discover Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização
Traditional vessels and models that document Brazilian navigation and shipbuilding.
Discover Museu Nacional do Mar
Meeting of the Canal do Linguado with the sea, tied to the daily life of the fishing boats.
Two waterfalls on rocky cliffs near Campo Alegre's central core.
Streets, squares and historic buildings related to the landscape of the Baía da Babitonga.
Discover Centro Histórico de São Francisco do Sul
Matriz atop a central hill, with a staircase and a design by Simão Gramlich.
Discover Igreja Puríssimo Coração de Maria
Institution dedicated to indigenous occupation and the remains of coastal sambaquis.
Discover Museu Arqueológico de Sambaqui de Joinville
Collection of Rio Negrinho’s history at the Casarão Zipperer, originating in a geological collection.
Discover Museu Municipal Carlos Lampe
Matriz at Praça Getúlio Vargas, integrated into the heritage of the historic core.
Discover Igreja Nossa Senhora da Graça
Art institution in the former residence of the Doerffel family.
Discover Museu de Arte de Joinville
Natural history collection in Oxford, with emphasis on the butterflies studied by Ornith Bollmann.
Discover Museu Natural Entomológico Ornith Bollmann
Memory of Bateias de Baixo's Polish culture, with objects, tools and photographs.
Urban space close to the railway line, revitalized in an area linked to the former Radar Esporte Clube.
A stretch of open sea along the coast of Balneário Barra do Sul.
Fortification at the island's northern entrance, with references to maritime defense.
Catholic parish church whose construction began in 1887, before the emancipation of Campo Alegre.
Discover Igreja Matriz Santíssima Trindade
Main Catholic church linked to the growth of the Rio Negrinho community and the replacement of its former chapel.
Discover Igreja Matriz Santo Antônio de Pádua
Former home and workspace of the sculptor, with works and personal objects.
Urban green area with a renovated viewpoint and shared spaces.
Discover Parque 23 de Setembro
Section of coastal strip for observing the ocean and walking on the sand.
To choose before you go
Where each tour starts, how long it takes, how it is done, what is included and the price range.
The Barco Príncipe de Joinville III embarks at the pier in the Espinheiros neighborhood, in Joinville, and sails through Baía da Babitonga among the 14 islands of the archipelago. It passes the port area of São Francisco do Sul and docks at the historic center, where it stays for about 1h30. There is time for a short walk along the waterfront, by the Igreja Matriz and the Mercado Público. Afterwards the boat returns to Joinville. The route does not stop at the islands: they are seen from the vessel. On board there are three decks, air conditioning, a bar and restaurant, live music and entertainment. Lunch is served during the navigation. Capacity is 417 people. Departures are on weekends and holidays; on weekdays there are departures only on dates confirmed by the company.
Stops: Píer do bairro Espinheiros, Baía da Babitonga, Arquipélago das 14 ilhas, Porto de São Francisco do Sul, Centro Histórico de São Francisco do Sul.
Includes: Boat tour and lunch on board. Drinks, desserts, snacks and other purchases are paid separately. Small children travel free and there is a reduced fare for children aged 6 to 12, with proof of age. Check the current rates.
Tip: Book in advance through the boat's reservation center or an agency: sales may be limited. At the stops in São Francisco do Sul, choose only one or two points in the historic center. Bring a light jacket for the air-conditioned interior and sunscreen for the deck.
Best time: Throughout the year. Check whether there is a departure that day, especially on weekdays. Fair weather favors the open deck.
Agencies that run it: Fui Nessa Viagem.
The historic center is on the shore of the Baía da Babitonga and is listed by IPHAN, with about 400 properties. The walk usually starts at Praça Getúlio Vargas, where the Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça stands, dating from the 17th century. Attached to the church is the Museu Diocesano de Arte Sacra. From there you descend Rua Dr. Luís Gualberto, a stone slope lined with colonial houses, to the Mercado Público Municipal, inaugurated in 1900, with craft shops, a restaurant and a fish market. The market's deck overlooks the bay. The route follows the waterfront to Praia do Mota, where the Museu Histórico is housed in a building that was once a public jail. The route is flat for the most part and fits into a morning or an afternoon. Those arriving by the Barco Príncipe take a shorter version of the route.
Stops: Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora da Graça, Museu Diocesano de Arte Sacra Padre Antônio Manuel da Nóbrega, Mercado Público Municipal, Museu Histórico Prefeito José Schmidt, Rua Dr. Luís Gualberto, Praia do Mota.
Includes: Walk without a mandatory guide. Museums may charge admission, with reduced rates or exemptions for some age groups; check each museum's current fee schedule. Meals and coffees are paid separately.
Tip: Wear closed, comfortable shoes: there are stone pavements. Check museum opening days before you go, as not all are open daily. Those who prefer accompaniment can hire a local tour operator.
Best time: Throughout the year. In summer there is more activity in the center and along the waterfront.
Agencies that run it: Fui Nessa Viagem.
The museum occupies the 1870 house known as Maison de Joinville, the former administrative headquarters of Colônia Dona Francisca. The visit is self-guided and each room has explanatory texts, with furniture, utensils, tools, clothing, photographs and documents from the early immigrants. On the grounds there is a casa enxaimel and sheds with machinery and means of transport from the period. Groups can request guided supervision with prior booking. In front of the museum begins Alameda Brüstlein, Rua das Palmeiras, lined with imperial palms and part of the Trilha do Patrimônio, a walking route past historic mansions in the city center. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday during daytime hours. It is often the first stop for those on the city's cultural tour.
Stops: Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização, Casa Enxaimel, Galpão de Tecnologia, Galpão dos Transportes, Rua das Palmeiras (Alameda Brüstlein).
Includes: Self-guided visit. Entry is usually free, according to the city hall; check current information. Guided supervision for groups requires prior booking.
Tip: Combine the visit with a walk along Rua das Palmeiras and with the Catedral São Francisco Xavier in the city center. Check opening days and hours before you go, because the museum is closed on Mondays.
Best time: All year round, since the visit is indoors and the outdoor area is small.
Local agencies sell city tours that pick up visitors at the hotel and visit the main downtown sites. The routes vary. One starts at the Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização, continues to the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi, passes along Rua das Palmeiras and ends at the Instituto Internacional Juarez Machado. Another departs from the Catedral São Francisco Xavier, follows the Trilha do Patrimônio Histórico, with mansions and eclectic buildings, and climbs to the Mirante via the Zoobotânico. There are also longer versions including Parque Expoville, Parque dos Hemerocallis and the city's gateway portal. Operating days change according to the route: some run only Tuesday to Friday, others on weekends. The visit to the ballet school only takes place on weekdays.
Stops: Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização, Escola do Teatro Bolshoi no Brasil, Rua das Palmeiras, Instituto Internacional Juarez Machado, Catedral São Francisco Xavier, Parque Zoobotânico, Mirante de Joinville, Parque Expoville.
Includes: In general, transportation and guide. Entrance fees to attractions, such as the ballet school and the Mirante bus, may be excluded and paid separately on some itineraries. Check what each agency includes and the current table.
Tip: Ask the agency which attractions are on the day's itinerary and whether there are separate tickets. If you're interested in ballet, choose a tour on a weekday. Book in advance during festival periods.
Best time: Throughout the year. In July, during the Dance Festival, the city receives more visitors; book ahead.
Agencies that run it: Vipmar Turismo & Receptivo.
Morro do Boa Vista is a forested area in the city center. The entrance is through the Zoobotânico on Rua Pastor Guilherme Rau, which has a lake, lawn, an ecological trail and animals such as macaws, monkeys, tortoises and caimans. From there the climb to the Mirante is about 4.6 km round trip on foot, with directional signs. Along the way there are viewpoints, such as the Janela do Mirante. At the top, the structure has stairs and a panoramic view of Joinville, with Serra Dona Francisca on one side and Baía da Babitonga on the other. Regular vehicles do not go up. On weekends, the ônibus Zarco do Mirante departs from the central terminal, passes the Zoobotânico and goes up to the top. The area is open Tuesday through Sunday during daytime hours.
Stops: Parque Zoobotânico de Joinville, Trilha do Morro do Boa Vista, Janela do Mirante, Mirante de Joinville.
Includes: Access to the park and to the trail on foot. The Zarco do Mirante fare is paid separately, at a price close to urban transport; check the current rates. Tourist vans require prior registration on weekdays.
Tip: Bring water, sneakers and lightweight clothing. If you go by car you can park near Restaurante Casa do Capitão and continue by bus or on foot. Check the weather forecast: a clear day allows views of the bay and the sea in the distance.
Best time: Throughout the year, on clear-sky days. Avoid rainy periods because of the trail.
The school has operated adjoining the Centreventos Cau Hansen since 2000 and is the only branch of Teatro Bolshoi outside Russia. The visit is supervised. The guide tells the history of the institution, the selection process and the auditions of new students. The route goes past exhibitions at the entrance, classrooms, music rooms, the health center and the atelier where the performance costumes are made. At the end an institutional video is shown. Generally there are two time slots per day, one in the morning and another in the afternoon, Monday to Friday, during the school term. There are no visits at the end of December and the beginning of January. During the Joinville Dance Festival the schedule is expanded, with more groups per day.
Stops: Escola do Teatro Bolshoi no Brasil, Centreventos Cau Hansen, Classrooms, Costume workshop.
Includes: Guided visit. Admission is paid, with reduced-price tickets for students, seniors aged 60 and over, and public school teachers in Santa Catarina, and there is an administrative fee on purchase. Young children and licensed tour guides enter free, with proof. Check the current price table.
Tip: Schedule and purchase the ticket in advance on the platform indicated by the school, and choose a weekday. The school has a shop with official items. Visits do not take place on weekends or holidays outside the festival period.
Best time: During the school term, on weekdays. At the Festival de Dança in July there are more time slots.
Estrada Bonita is about 5 km long, in the rural district of Pirabeiraba. The gateway is on BR-101 and the last two kilometers reach Garuva. The stretch is flat, with half-timbered houses, covered wooden bridges, riverside bathing spots, small farms selling colonial products, German food restaurants and colonial cafés. At Propriedade Ango Kersten there is a melado (sugarcane syrup) factory, a rural museum and tractor rides. Recanto Gehrmann combines a restaurant and the Museu 2 Rodas. Nearby, along SC-418, are the Caminhos de Dona Francisca, with Casa Krüger, Quinta da Mildau, a cachaçaria, an apiary and Vale das Pitayas. Local agencies arrange tours that combine a city tour in town with Estrada Bonita, melado, tractor and rural coffee. You can also go by car on your own or cycle.
Stops: Estrada Bonita, Propriedade Ango Kersten, Museu 2 Rodas (Recanto Gehrmann), Casa Krüger, Quinta da Mildau, Apiário Pfau, Vale das Pitayas, Estrada Dona Francisca (SC-418).
Includes: On agency tours, generally transportation, local guide, tractor ride and rural coffee. Meals, colonial products and entrance fees to some sites may be paid separately; check what each itinerary includes and the current table.
Tip: Check the opening days of the sites and restaurants: many operate only Wednesday to Sunday and on holidays, and the colonial cafés usually open on weekends. Bring cash or card to buy local products.
Best time: Throughout the year. Weekends and holidays have more establishments open. On rainy days, the dirt road requires caution.
The trip is operated by the Associação Brasileira de Preservação Ferroviária (ABPF) over a 60 km section. The train descends the Serra do Mar from Rio Negrinho, at 790 m altitude, to Corupá, at 75 m, pulled by a steam locomotive. Along the way it passes through five tunnels, bridges and viaducts, follows the rapids of the Rio Hansa Humboldt and offers views of Morro da Igreja. According to operators, there is a stop for lunch in the community of Rio Natal, in São Bento do Sul. The descent departs Rio Negrinho on Saturdays; the ascent, from Corupá to Rio Negrinho, on Sundays. Departures are on scheduled dates, and frequency changes throughout the year. There is the option to return by bus and to include lunch and café colonial.
Stops: Estação Ferroviária de Rio Negrinho, Serra do Mar, Rio Hansa Humboldt, Comunidade de Rio Natal (São Bento do Sul), Estação de Corupá.
Includes: Train ticket. Road return, regional lunch and café colonial are optional and paid separately. Small children without a seat travel free and there is a reduced fare for older children. Check the operator's current price table.
Tip: Check the departure schedule and buy in advance through the operator's official channels: dates are limited. Agencies in Curitiba, Blumenau and on the coast sell packages that include bus transport. Decide beforehand how you will return to the starting point.
Best time: On the dates listed in the operator's calendar. There are more departures near the summer high season.
Hemero is a park of flowers and themed gardens, open year-round. It covers about 50,000 square meters, with ten gardens, trails, carp ponds, children's recreation areas, a chapel and contemplation areas. The flowering species change with the seasons. In July there is the Festival dos Girassóis, and in November the spring festival with the bloom of the hemerocallis, at the time of the city's Festa das Flores. The park is about 15 minutes from downtown and close to the airport. The visit lasts around one and a half hours. The park has a reduced-price admission policy (meia-entrada), rules for pets and accessibility throughout the site, with wheelchairs available.
Stops: Parque Hemero Gardens as Art, Themed gardens, Carp ponds, Open-air butterfly house, Park chapel.
Includes: Access to the entire park. Admission is paid, with reduced-price tickets for certain age groups, students and teachers, and young children enter free. Coffee and snacks on site are paid separately. Check the current price table.
Tip: Buy your ticket in advance through the park's channels to avoid lines during festivals. Bring a camera or cellphone, a hat and sunscreen. Check the opening days, as the park usually does not operate on Mondays.
Best time: July (sunflowers) and November (spring and hemerocallis). In the other months the park remains in bloom.
The local tour departs from the dock in the historic center, in front of the Mercado Público, and heads toward the port of São Francisco do Sul, where you can see moored ships and sometimes dolphins. It then sails among 14 islands in the bay. According to the operator of the boat Jataí II, the route goes around Ilha da Rita, which has ruins of a former water and coal base, and lands at Vila da Glória, a fishing community on the other side of the bay. There is a long pier there, a century-old church, time for swimming and lunch at the village restaurants. The return is in the afternoon. Departure frequency changes: outside summer it is usually concentrated on weekends, and in high season there are more departures.
Stops: Cais do centro histórico de São Francisco do Sul, Porto de São Francisco do Sul, Ilha da Rita, Vila da Glória, Archipelago of 14 islands.
Includes: Boat tour. Lunch in Vila da Glória is paid separately and can be buffet, by weight (per kilo), à la carte or rodízio. Small children often have special conditions; check the current table of each operator.
Tip: Tickets are usually sold at the pier, but confirm beforehand which operator is departing that day, the time and whether there is a departure on that date. Bring sunscreen, swimwear and a towel if you want to enter the water.
Best time: Summer, when there are more departures. Check wind and sea conditions on the day.
The Rota do Patrimônio brings together three routes covering more than 60 listed properties. The shortest is the Roteiro Histórico Central, about 4.5 km, done on foot in 1 to 1.5 hours. It starts at the Museu Municipal Dr. Felippe Maria Wolff, with around two thousand items about the history of the city and the region, where printed maps are available. It passes 41 listed properties, including the former Câmara de Vereadores, which was the first Prefeitura, and the current Shopping Zipperer, formerly Salão Independência, and ends at the Casa do Artista. Each property has a QR Code with information. Most can only be seen from the outside, because they are private properties. Near the center are the Praça Jardim dos Imigrantes, in front of the Igreja Matriz, and the Museu da Música, in the old railway station.
Stops: Museu Municipal Dr. Felippe Maria Wolff, Praça Jardim dos Imigrantes, Igreja Matriz Puríssimo Coração de Maria, Antiga Câmara de Vereadores, Shopping Zipperer (antigo Salão Independência), Casa do Artista.
Includes: Self-guided route, done on your own. If the museum charges admission, it has its own rates; check the current table. Meals and purchases are paid separately.
Tip: Pick up the printed map at the museum or download the route to your phone before you set out. Since most properties are viewed from the outside, check the museum's opening days. Cyclists can choose the Roteiro Dona Francisca, about 34 km, with steep sections.
Best time: Throughout the year. On the plateau, bring a warm jacket in cold months and a raincoat.
Cascata Paraíso is about 600 meters from the Campo Alegre city hall. There are two successive drops that total more than 60 meters. Access is public and open every day. From the lower section you reach the pool at the base of the waterfall, surrounded by forest and rock cliffs. From the top, a trail leads to a natural viewpoint. The cliffs are also used for rappelling and climbing, with operators. Other waterfalls in the town are on private properties, such as Salto do Imigrante, with two drops of 15 and 20 meters, which can be seen from the road or visited for an entrance fee. Sítio das Cachoeiras offers tours of the falls by tractor, picnics and hikes. Campo Alegre is on the SC-418, about 58 km from Joinville.
Stops: Cascata Paraíso, Salto do Engenho, Salto do Imigrante, Sítio das Cachoeiras.
Includes: Access to Cascata Paraíso is public. Private properties may charge an entrance fee or a fee for visits; check current rates with each. Rappelling and climbing are paid separately, through operators.
Tip: Wear shoes with good grip, as wet rocks and trails are slippery. Check the weather forecast and river levels beforehand. Contact the sites before going to confirm opening hours and tours.
Best time: All year round. On the plateau, bring warm clothing. Heavy rain requires postponing visits to the falls.
The park is located in the Serra do Mar, in an Atlantic Forest area, on the border between São Bento do Sul and Corupá, in the locality of Rio Natal, about 45 km from downtown São Bento do Sul. It is on private property, within an environmental protection area. There are guided ecological trails of varying difficulty. Attractions include Cachoeira do Braço Esquerdo, over 90 meters high, Caverna da Fuga and Trilha do Vale Perdido, which passes by streams and rock formations. The park is also used for rappelling, rock climbing, and canyoning (waterfall descent), with supervision. It operates on days and periods defined by the park, and admission is paid.
Stops: Parque Natural Braço Esquerdo, Cachoeira do Braço Esquerdo, Caverna da Fuga, Trilha do Vale Perdido.
Includes: Park entry and guided trails, with reduced rates for children of certain ages. Activities such as rappelling and canyoning are paid separately. Check the current price table and opening days.
Tip: Confirm opening days and hours before going, because the park is not open every day. Choose the trail according to the group's fitness level. Bring water, closed-toe shoes and a jacket; access is via a local road and travel from the center takes time.
Best time: Dry days are recommended for the trail and the waterfall. Check the forecast before you go.
The flight is carried out at sunrise on weekends by a local operator. The meeting point is fixed in the center of São Bento do Sul, and the company takes the group to the takeoff area. The location changes depending on the wind: it can be in the Campo Alegre region, São Bento do Sul, Rio Negrinho and even Piên, in Paraná. Passengers receive ballooning instructions and watch the balloon being inflated before boarding. The free flight lasts about 50 minutes and passes over fields, valleys, rivers, farms, Mata Atlântica and araucarias. After landing there is a toast, and the company brings the group back to the meeting point. Each flight has a limit of six or ten people. The minimum age is 6 years.
Stops: Center of São Bento do Sul, Campo Alegre, Rio Negrinho, Planalto Norte Catarinense.
Includes: Instructions, flight, transfer between the meeting point, the takeoff site and the return, and a toast after landing. The flight is paid per person, and there are private flights; check the current price list. Breakfast can be paid separately, depending on the package.
Tip: Book in advance on scheduled dates. If the wind or weather do not permit the flight, the date can be rescheduled. Arrive at the meeting point dressed in layers, as the dawn on the plateau is cold. Confirm the minimum age for children.
Best time: Throughout the year, with mornings of calm wind and stable weather. The final decision is made by the operator on the day.
Forte Marechal Luz is located on the tip of Ilha de São Francisco, about 15 km from the historic center. It was founded in 1909 on the ruins of an older fort and today is administered by the Army. The visit climbs Morro João Dias via a dirt road of about 1.5 km up to the artillery battery, which has four cannons. There are the old powder magazine and the casemates, which have become a small museum. From the top there are views of the bay entrance and of the Arquipélago das Graças. On Saturday mornings there is a flag-changing ceremony with the garrison in period uniforms and a cannon firing; visits must be scheduled in advance. Praia do Forte lies at the foot of the hill, separated from the military area by a low wall.
Stops: Forte Marechal Luz, Morro João Dias, Museu do Forte, Praia do Forte.
Includes: A visitation fee is charged at the fort entrance. Visits to the facilities require prior consultation with the garrison because of specific times and locations. Check the current fee table and accepted payment methods at the entrance. Meals at the fort's restaurant and snacks on the beach are paid separately.
Tip: Call ahead or check with the garrison to confirm visiting hours and rules for accessing the hill. Bring water and sunscreen. To see the flag ceremony, arrange in advance.
Best time: On clear-weather days. In summer there is more activity at Praia do Forte.
The boats depart from a small dock at Boca da Barra, in Balneário Barra do Sul, and sail to the islands near the coast. During the tour, which lasts about an hour, the captain usually shares curiosities about the islands. You can see the vegetation, the rock formations and the color of the water. The boats use inflatable life jackets and also offer charters: they take the group to the islands in the morning and return to pick them up in the afternoon. There are local tour and fishing companies in the town that operate in the bay and offshore. Schedules, operators and routes change with the season, and the tour depends on tide, wind and sea conditions.
Stops: Boca da Barra, Islands near the coast, Baía da Babitonga.
Includes: Boat tour with life jackets. Chartering is arranged separately with the operator. Small children often have special conditions. Check the current rates.
Tip: Check with the operator in advance for the schedule, boarding point and rules for disembarking on the islands. If chartering, arrange the return time and bring water, sunscreen and a snack. The beach and the Boca da Barra make for a good walk before or after the boat.
Best time: Summer, when there are more boats, and days with calm seas and little wind.
Day by day
Suggestions to plan the trip. Change the order of the days according to the weather and tour availability.
Start in the morning at the Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização and walk along Rua das Palmeiras in the city center. In the afternoon, go up to the Mirante de Joinville and the Parque Zoobotânico on Morro do Boa Vista. The hill section is a short drive by car or ride‑hail app from the center. Check each attraction for opening days and the current ticket prices.
In the morning, take the guided visit to the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi no Brasil. Check in advance the days and visiting hours and whether you need to book. In the afternoon, go to Parque Hemero (Parque dos Hemerocallis), a garden walk suited to a slower pace. If the day is rainy, swap the order and save the park for the drier period. Admission is paid separately; check the current pricing.
São Francisco do Sul is about 44 km from Joinville via BR-101 and BR-280. Leave early and do the Caminhada pelo Centro Histórico along the bay. Afterwards, head to Forte Marechal Luz and Praia do Forte. Bring sunscreen and windproof clothing. Schedule your return with plenty of time: BR-280 has heavy truck traffic.
In the morning, visit the Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização and walk along Rua das Palmeiras. In the afternoon, take the cultural city tour in Joinville, which helps orient you to the city's main points before planning the next days. Check with the operator for the meeting point and the current pricing for the tour.
In the morning, go up to the Mirante de Joinville and the Parque Zoobotânico on Morro do Boa Vista. In the afternoon, take the guided visit to the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi no Brasil. Confirm the visiting days and hours and whether booking is required. Leave the viewpoint for the morning: in overcast weather the view is limited.
São Francisco do Sul is about 44 km from Joinville. In the morning, do the Caminhada pelo Centro Histórico. In the afternoon, choose between Forte Marechal Luz and Praia do Forte or a boat trip to the islands of Baía da Babitonga departing from the town. Boat trips depend on tide, wind and forecast: book with the operator and check the current pricing.
In the morning, do Estrada Bonita and the Caminhos de Dona Francisca, a rural tourism outing in Joinville. Book in advance and confirm the meeting point. In the afternoon, head to São Bento do Sul, about 79 km from Joinville, roughly a 1h15 drive. On the plateau, bring a jacket even in summer.
If the forecast allows, start with a hot-air balloon flight on the northern plateau, which departs early in the morning and depends on wind and visibility. Book with the operator and have a reservation date. Afterwards, walk the Rota do Patrimônio de São Bento do Sul (Roteiro Histórico Central) through the town center. In the afternoon, return to Joinville or the airport with time to spare.
In the morning, visit the Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização and Rua das Palmeiras. In the afternoon, take the cultural city tour in Joinville. It's a day without long transfers, good for arriving, arranging transfers and confirming reservations for upcoming tours.
Morning at the Mirante de Joinville and Parque Zoobotânico (Morro do Boa Vista). In the afternoon, choose between the guided visit to the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi no Brasil, which requires checking visit days and booking, and Parque Hemero. If time allows, do both on light‑rain days, since some visits take place in covered areas.
São Francisco do Sul is about 44 km from Joinville. Do the Historic Center Walk in the morning and then visit Forte Marechal Luz and Praia do Forte. Bring water and sunscreen and check with Forte Marechal Luz for visiting rules and the current ticket table.
Set aside the day for the bay. Choose between the Passeio de Barco Príncipe on the Baía da Babitonga and the island tour departing from São Francisco do Sul, depending on the embarkation point and available date. Boats depend on tide, wind and weather forecast. Check the current schedule with the operator and leave the following day free to reschedule.
Balneário Barra do Sul is about 42 km from Joinville. Do the boat trip to the islands and reserve the rest of the day for the waterfront. Access is via BR-101, BR-280 and SC-495. Arrange boarding with the operator before leaving Joinville.
In the morning, do Estrada Bonita and the Caminhos de Dona Francisca in Joinville, with prior reservation. Then go up the mountain towards Campo Alegre and visit Cascata Paraíso and other waterfalls. Finish in São Bento do Sul, about 79 km from Joinville. Rural stretches and waterfalls require closed-toe shoes and checking the forecast.
Early in the morning, do the balloon flight on the northern plateau if weather permits. Then follow the Rota do Patrimônio de São Bento do Sul. If the trip falls on a weekend with the Trem da Serra do Mar (Maria Fumaça) running, swap the route for the ride: the train departs from Rio Negrinho on Saturdays and from Corupá on Sundays. Check the schedule and the bus return before booking.
Best time to go
Museums and urban heritage can be part of trips year-round. On the plateau, bring warm clothing; on the coast, consider wind, rain and heavier traffic in summer. Nature activities require checking forecasts and access in advance.
Hot summer · Frequent rain
Humid heat in Joinville, with highs near 28 °C and lows near 22 °C. It’s the month with the highest rainfall, in showers and storms. The coast and waterfronts get busier in high season. Boat trips and waterfalls depend on the forecast; museums and cultural centers serve as a plan B. On the plateau, nights are milder, but it’s wise to bring a jacket.
Humid heat · Rain showers
The heat continues, with heavy rain on many days. In Joinville, highs are around 28 °C. The coast has summer activity and, when Carnival falls in February, holidays increase demand. Check the forecast before boat trips and hikes and book tours in advance.
End of summer · Rainfall decreasing
Still warm, with highs around 27 °C in Joinville, and rainfall still above 200 mm in the month on average. The trend is a gradual decrease. Coastal activity eases after summer. A good time to combine the historic center and museums with boat trips, always checking the forecast.
Mild weather · Less crowds
Temperatures become milder: highs near 25 °C and lows around 19 °C in Joinville. Rain decreases but remains present. Historic centers and walking tours are more comfortable. On the plateau, nights already cool down. Check the forecast for waterfalls and balloon flights, which depend on wind.
Cooler · More stable days
Joinville has highs near 23 °C and lows around 16 °C. On the plateau, in São Bento do Sul, nights are near 11 °C. Moderate rain. Good period for museums, urban heritage and rural tourism. Bring a light jacket and a raincoat. Boat trips remain dependent on wind and forecast.
Cold on the plateau · Dress warmly
Start of winter: in Joinville, highs near 21 °C and lows near 14 °C. On the plateau of São Bento do Sul, lows are around 10 °C, and on cold-front days the early morning is very cold. Bring warm clothing, especially for balloon rides and the train. On the waterfront, the wind can be bothersome. Check the train schedule.
Dance Festival · Cold plateau
Month of least rain, with highs near 21 °C in Joinville and lows around 13 °C. On the plateau, lows are near 9 °C. The Festival de Dança de Joinville takes place in July, in the last two weeks, with stages in Joinville and São Francisco do Sul, and activity increases. Book transfers, tickets and tours in advance.
Less rain · Cold early mornings
It's among the months with the least rain of the year in Joinville, with highs near 22 °C. On the plateau, early mornings remain cold, with lows around 10 °C. A good time for short hikes, waterfalls and balloon flights, provided the forecast confirms light winds. At the start of the month there may still be carryover from July's crowds. Bring warm clothing.
Spring · Rain returns
Start of spring, with highs near 22 °C and lows around 16 °C in Joinville. Rainfall increases again and cold fronts bring changing weather. Gardens and parks gain color. Bring a raincoat and warm clothing for the plateau. Check the forecast before boat trips, balloon flights and waterfall visits.
Spring · Intermittent rain
Pleasant temperatures: highs around 24 °C and lows around 17 °C in Joinville. Rain is frequent and can be heavy in showers. A good month to combine museums, parks and rural outings. At the end of the year, the Trem da Serra do Mar schedule usually has more dates, but check the current program.
Festa das Flores · Spring
In Joinville, highs around 25 °C and lows around 19 °C. The Festa das Flores takes place in November at Expoville, and in the second half of the month the Christmas program starts in the central squares. Rain continues in showers. Book in advance for event dates and check the forecast for boats and trails.
Start of summer · Season
Increasing heat and humidity, with highs near 27 °C in Joinville and lows around 21 °C. Rainfall rises again. The coast gets more visitors during the holidays and year-end public holidays, and Christmas programming livens up downtown Joinville. Plan transfers and boat trips in advance and have a covered plan for rainy days.
Plan the journey
The airport serving the destination is Joinville (Lauro Carneiro de Loyola, code JOI), in the Aventureiro neighborhood, about 13 km from downtown Joinville. Azul, Gol and LATAM operate there, with direct flights to the São Paulo region: Congonhas, Guarulhos and Viracopos (Campinas). Travelers from other regions will usually need a connection, as direct flights depart from that region. Routes and frequencies change by season, so check with the airlines before buying. There are land alternatives: Navegantes airport is about a 1h30 drive from Joinville. Curitiba airport (around 130 km via BR-101) and Florianópolis airport (around 180 km) are other options. From Joinville airport to the other towns in the area, travel is by car, taxi or bus. If you plan to use a transfer, book before you arrive.
Joinville is the road arrival point for the destination. The Harold Nielson Bus Station is located at Rua Paraíba, 769, Anita Garibaldi neighborhood, a few kilometers from downtown, and is served by urban bus lines. The terminal receives long-distance buses from several cities in Santa Catarina and from capitals in the South, Southeast and Center-West. Companies with lines to Joinville include Catarinense, Eucatur, Reunidas, Expresso Nordeste and Pluma. From Curitiba the trip takes about 2 hours. From Florianópolis it takes between 3h30 and 4 hours, depending on the company and schedule. Ticket prices vary by company, type of seat and how far in advance you buy. Check the current fare table with the company or with a ticket vendor.
On the coast, Viação Verdes Mares connects Joinville, Araquari, Balneário Barra do Sul and São Francisco do Sul. In Joinville, boarding for this intercity service is in the central area, near the Prefeitura. Confirm the stop for each line with the company. Between Barra do Sul and São Francisco do Sul, available data does not show a direct bus. The trip requires a transfer and takes over 2 hours, compared with about 30 minutes by car. In the highlands, Reunidas links Joinville's bus station with Campo Alegre (about 1 hour), São Bento do Sul (from 1h30 to 2h10, depending on departure) and Rio Negrinho (about 2 hours). Departures are several throughout the day, but schedules change, especially on holidays and in summer. Check with the company before finalizing your itinerary.
BR-101 is the coastal axis and is dual carriageway within Santa Catarina. It links Joinville to Curitiba (about 130 km) and to Florianópolis (about 180 km). Between Florianópolis and Joinville there are toll plazas, including the Araquari plaza. Check the current toll. Holidays, summer season, Fridays and rain increase travel time. BR-280 starts in São Francisco do Sul, passes through Araquari and Joinville and continues inland via São Bento do Sul and Rio Negrinho. SC-418 crosses the Serra Dona Francisca, with local access roads to each town. The beaches of Ilha de São Francisco are less than 30 km from Joinville. From Balneário Barra do Sul to São Francisco do Sul it is about 30 km by road, roughly 30 minutes. There is also a ferry crossing across the Baía da Babitonga, connecting Joinville to Vila da Glória in São Francisco do Sul. The prefeitura of São Francisco do Sul publishes the ferry schedules. Check the current fare and conditions with the operator.
Within the cities, public transport covers short trips. Joinville has urban bus lines that pass near the bus station. São Francisco do Sul and Araquari have urban systems operated by Verdes Mares. Between the cities, the destination is spread out: the coast lies around the Baía da Babitonga and the plateau towns are inland along the BR-280. For an itinerary focused only on the historic center and museums in Joinville or São Francisco do Sul, you can get around without a car by combining buses, taxis and walking. To combine coast and plateau on the same trip, a car gives more freedom. Sections between cities take 1 to 2 hours, and bus schedules require planning. Activities in the bay and in rural areas need confirmed access and weather forecast checked beforehand.
On your own, you can build the route using the options above: fly to Joinville, take intercity buses or drive. The advantage is choosing the towns and your own pace. You need to check bus schedules and access routes before you set out. With a package or a transfer, a local agency or operator arranges the transport. This format is common for boat tours of the Baía da Babitonga that depart from São Francisco do Sul, and it makes visiting more than one town in a day easier. Before booking, check what is included (transfer, tickets, guide, insurance), the meeting point and the cancellation policy. Museum and attraction tickets are usually paid separately. If you choose a transfer, book before arriving and confirm the boarding point. The Secretaria Municipal de Turismo de São Francisco do Sul selects businesses and professionals to integrate official itineraries. Check with the secretaria to find out which operators participate.
Who takes you
Only agencies with an active registration in Cadastur, the official registry of Brazil's Ministry of Tourism, are listed. The order is not a ranking: compare the tours and book directly with the agency.
Agency that sells an excursion to the Barco Príncipe de Joinville departing from Curitiba, with transportation, boarding in Joinville, lunch on board and a stop in the historic center of São Francisco do Sul. Contact by WhatsApp.
Tours: Barco Príncipe boat tour through Baía da Babitonga, Walk through the Centro Histórico of São Francisco do Sul.
Cadastur checked in 10/2026
Receptive operator that sells a cultural and rural city tour in Joinville, a half-day option, and transfers from Joinville airport to city hotels. Tours depart from hotels in Joinville. There are also combos/packages that include transfer.
Tours: Cultural city tour in Joinville.
Cadastur checked in 10/2026
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Museums and urban heritage can be part of trips year-round. On the plateau, bring warm clothing; on the coast, consider wind, rain and heavier traffic in summer. Nature activities require checking forecasts and access in advance.
A trip of five to eight days allows selecting outings in the plateau, urban centers and the coast. Duration increases when beaches, authorized trails or events are included; traveling the entire Rota Imperial requires its own planning.
Choose accommodation close to the main area of your trip: urban center for museums, plateau for mountain outings or waterfront for a coastal stay. Splitting your base between sectors reduces long daily returns.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
Get your questions answered
The federal Rota Imperial also includes municipalities from the Vale dos Encantos. The Caminho dos Príncipes tourist region and the federal route have different compositions.
Distribute your bases and set aside time for the mountains. Cultural outings inland and maritime activities have their own access and services.
Urban centers allow walking tours and local transport, but linking plateau, mountains and coast requires organizing buses, transfers or a vehicle.
The drawing shows general connections. Addresses, authorized access and road navigation should be checked before traveling.
The city hall reports visitation from Tuesday to Sunday and free admission. The museum operates in morning and afternoon hours. Check the city hall's official channel before you go. Groups schedule visits via the museum's education department e-mail. The main manor house was built in the 1870s to serve as the administrative headquarters of the Colônia Dona Francisca. On the grounds there is also a half-timbered house, machinery and period means of transport. <cite index="23-8,23-9">Em frente fica a alameda Brüstlein, a Rua das Palmeiras, parte da Trilha do Patrimônio.</cite> A visit to the museum and the street fits into a morning or an afternoon.
Yes, the visit is supervised and by scheduled time. <cite index="10-3">There are two time slots per day, morning and afternoon, Monday to Friday, except weekends and holidays.</cite> <cite index="15-12">Booking is done through the ticket sales website indicated by the school.</cite> <cite index="13-6">Students and seniors over 60 pay half-price with ID. Tourist guides with proof have free admission.</cite> Check the school's current fee and concession table. <cite index="15-13,15-14">Visits follow the school calendar and do not take place at the end of December and the beginning of January.</cite> Visitor reports indicate <cite index="14-5,18-7">a duration of about 30 to 40 minutes.</cite> <cite index="15-15">The school is located at Quadra da Dança, in the América neighborhood, next to Centreventos Cau Hansen and the Museu da Dança.</cite>
The train does not run every day. <cite index="3-7,3-8">It usually runs one or two weekends per month. On Saturdays it goes down from Rio Negrinho to Corupá and on Sundays it runs in the opposite direction.</cite> <cite index="2-9">Dates are announced by season, in a calendar of Saturdays and Sundays.</cite> Check the current calendar and ticket sales before booking accommodation or transport. <cite index="3-6">The ride is operated by the Santa Catarina regional branch of the Associação Brasileira de Preservação Ferroviária (ABPF).</cite> <cite index="2-4">The route is about 60 kilometers long.</cite> Duration varies by source, approximately 4 to 6 hours, including stops. <cite index="7-7">Lunch is served in the community of Rio Natal.</cite> The cost is paid separately. Check the operator's current price table.
The train ends in another town, so the return is by road. <cite index="4-9">After the journey, passengers return to the boarding point by bus.</cite> <cite index="7-8">This road return is optional.</cite> <cite index="3-3">By road, the trip between Rio Negrinho and Corupá takes less than an hour.</cite> If you want to return by car, confirm beforehand whether the return bus is included in the ticket you choose. <cite index="3-10,3-11">Departure is in the morning, and it is recommended to arrive early to collect tickets.</cite> A family that left from Curitiba and returned the same day reported that <cite index="6-6,6-7">it worked out, but they left very early and returned at night, which was a bit tiring.</cite> With small children, consider staying overnight in the area.
The park is open year-round, but the flowers change with the seasons. <cite index="36-8,36-11">Hemerocallis appear in greater numbers in November, with the peak bloom in November and December.</cite> <cite index="36-8">Even in October it is possible to see many flowers throughout the park.</cite> <cite index="36-9">The hemerocallis festival runs until February.</cite> <cite index="31-7">In the last two weeks of July, the park holds the Festival dos Girassóis (Sunflower Festival).</cite> <cite index="30-3,30-4">Each hemerocallis flower lasts only a few hours. Petals open in the morning and wilt by nightfall.</cite> Therefore, prefer visiting in the morning or early afternoon. <cite index="31-11">A visit lasts around 1 hour and 30 minutes.</cite> Opening days and festival dates change, so check the park's channels before going. Admission is paid separately. Check the current price table.
The park has facilities for families. <cite index="31-3,31-17">There are six flower gardens, a chapel, a children's pedal boat, an ecological trail, koi ponds and children's play areas.</cite> Regarding accessibility, a guide reports that <cite index="33-10">the Jardim das Águas was renovated and is accessible to all visitors.</cite> <cite index="33-13">To reach the cultivation fields you need to do a short ecological trail through the Atlantic Forest.</cite> Wheelchair users or those with strollers should ask the park which sections are suitable. Bring sunscreen and light clothing in the summer months, which are also the flowering season. Is there a half-price ticket or reduced fare? Check the park's current price table.
Aeroporto de Joinville handles domestic flights. <cite index="46-4">It is about 12 to 13 km from downtown, in the Aventureiro neighborhood. The drive takes around 20 to 30 minutes.</cite> <cite index="44-6,44-7">Taxis and ride-hailing apps are available at the terminal, and municipal bus lines link the airport to the city center.</cite> <cite index="46-10">By urban bus, allow 30 to 40 minutes, sometimes close to 1 hour with stops.</cite> <cite index="46-6,46-7">The airport operates 24 hours, but not all transportation runs at all hours.</cite> For overnight flights, book transfer in advance. <cite index="43-4">Florianópolis is about 190 km to the south.</cite> Travelers arriving there continue by car or intercity bus via BR-101.
Opening days change from one attraction to another, so plan your itinerary with that in mind. <cite index="10-3">The visit to the Escola do Teatro Bolshoi is Monday to Friday, except holidays.</cite> <cite index="20-10">The Museu Nacional de Imigração e Colonização is open Tuesday to Sunday.</cite> <cite index="3-8">The Maria Fumaça departs on Saturdays in one direction and on Sundays in the other.</cite> It only runs on selected weekends. <cite index="30-10">At year-end and in January, Parque Hemero reported opening Tuesday to Sunday.</cite> One suggested plan: leave the Escola Bolshoi for a weekday, the museum and Rua das Palmeiras for any Tuesday–Sunday, and the train for a weekend with a confirmed date. Check current days with each site.
Both events are annual and occur in different months. <cite index="17-3">The Festival de Dança de Joinville takes place in late July, and the Escola Bolshoi expands programming for visitors during that period.</cite> <cite index="31-13">The Festa das Flores de Joinville has been held for over 80 years, always in November.</cite> <cite index="37-6">It is held at Expoville.</cite> <cite index="31-9">In November, Parque Hemero also holds its Spring Festival.</cite> <cite index="31-7">The Festival dos Girassóis at the same park is in the last two weeks of July.</cite> Exact dates change each year. Check the official city and organizer calendars before booking. In those weeks, plan tickets and transport in advance, as the city receives more visitors.
Brazilian routes
Ten cities in northern Santa Catarina on a driving circuit that links railway memory, museums, the mountains and maritime heritage.
