Before you go
Your trip to Cambará do Sul.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Cambará do Sul – RS Destination Serra Gaúcha about 180 km from Porto Alegre
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional Salgado Filho (POA) Porto Alegre
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Cambará do Sul is 180 km from Porto Alegre, about three hours by car, through São Francisco de Paula. Citral and Unesul run buses from the Porto Alegre Bus Station, with few departures. The nearest airport is Salgado Filho, in Porto Alegre.
How many days
Two days: one for Itaimbezinho and another for Fortaleza, which are on different roads from town. Add a third if you can: fog can hide the canyons for hours.
When to go
From May to September the sky is usually clearer and you have a better chance of seeing the canyons without fog, but it gets very cold. October and November are the rainiest months. Fog can roll in suddenly at any time of year. Snow is rare, in winter.
Do you need a car?
Yes. Itaimbezinho is about 18 km from the center and Fortaleza a little over 20 km, with stretches of rocky dirt road that a regular car can handle with care. If you don't drive, you can book a tour with transportation in town. The Cachoeira do Tio França (waterfall) is about 3 km from the center.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Cambará do Sul
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Morning
Itaimbezinho Canyon
Leave early. The Vértice trail takes about an hour and a half; if the weather cooperates, do the Cotovelo trail too.
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Afternoon
Índios Coroados Canyon
A viewpoint at the end of a short, flat trail, near the Itaimbezinho road.
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Late afternoon
Cachoeira do Tio França
Near the center, to end the day without more driving.
2 days in Cambará do Sul
Day 1
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Morning
Itaimbezinho Canyon
Start with the best known: the Vértice and, if you have time, the Cotovelo.
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Afternoon
Índios Coroados Canyon
In the same area, with a short trail to the viewpoint.
Day 2
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Morning
Fortaleza Canyon
The longest cliff walls in the region. Go early and set aside the morning.
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Afternoon
Cachoeira do Tio França
Near the center, on the way back from the canyon.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a guide for the canyons?
Not on the rim trails of Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza: a guide is suggested, but not required. The Rio do Boi trail, which runs along the bottom of Itaimbezinho, requires a licensed guide and starts in Praia Grande, in Santa Catarina.
What if it's foggy?
Fog can cover the canyons completely and roll in suddenly. Keep a spare day in your itinerary and follow the weather forecast.
Are the parks open every day?
The visitor areas of Itaimbezinho and Fortaleza are open daily. The Rio do Boi trail is also open every day and can only be done with a guide.
Does it snow in Cambará do Sul?
It can snow on rare days between June and August, but you can't plan your trip around it. Bitter cold and frost are guaranteed in winter.