Why this place
Urubici & Serra Catarinense
Urubici is one of the best bases for exploring the Serra Catarinense. Morro da Igreja, Pedra Furada, Avencal, highland roads, rock inscriptions and rural food create a landscape-driven stay very different from the coast. More importantly for the Brasilll network, Urubici turns Florianópolis and Aparados da Serra into a coherent mountain road trip rather than separate destinations.
The big surprise is how much the mountain weather changes the day. A clear departure from Urubici can become fog, wind or cold rain on the high plateau, while some winding roads take much longer than their map distance suggests. Bring a warm layer and rain protection even outside winter, and check conditions before committing to exposed viewpoints. The national park is not one open-access attraction: visiting the Morro da Igreja viewpoint and walking the Pedra Furada trail involve different permissions.
Put the practical reservation first. ICMBio publishes Morro da Igreja vehicle slots roughly a week in advance; the viewpoint itself is free, but confirmation alone is not an entry permit. You need to collect the physical ticket at park headquarters in Urubici before your reserved drive. On another day, explore the Avencal or Papuã waterfall areas and their separate admission rules. Rock inscriptions near Morro do Avencal add a cultural pause, provided the current property access is open and the carvings are left untouched.
