Arroio do Sal offers several ways to shape a trip: short trails, birdwatching, activities on the beach and promenade, and traces of local history. Which of these matters most to you depends on whether you want to focus on nature, exercise or culture. The differences below can help you choose without turning individual offerings into a fixed excursion itinerary.
Trails and birdwatching in Tupancy
In the municipality of Arroio do Sal, Parque Ecológico Tupancy has two main trails: one leads to Lagoa de Banho, while the other is called the Coronilha Trail. Each is said to take about 30 minutes. The estimated times are therefore the same; your choice depends mainly on which of the two destinations interests you. You can make these trails your main focus rather than combining them with other activities into a set route.
Parque Natural Municipal Tupancy is open Tuesday through Saturday. It also has a bird observatory. With patience and quiet, you can watch waterhens and jacanas from there. If you plan to visit specifically for this, check both the opening days and the condition of the observatory before you go.
Coast, promenade and water
At Arroio do Sal beach, there are courts for footvolley, beach volleyball, beach tennis, beach soccer and beach Câmbio. The latter is a form of volleyball adapted for people over 50. The options therefore include several types of ball games; beach Câmbio is specifically described as having an age-related adaptation.
In January 2023, holidaymakers used Avenida Beira-Mar for cycling and inline skating, as well as walking or running. The promenade thus complemented the beach activities with options for a more leisurely walk and physical exercise.
In the municipality of Arroio do Sal, Lagoa Itapeva has calm waters. Visitors can access the lake through private properties to launch boats, jet skis or inflatable boats. This access is tied to private properties, so do not assume there is unrestricted public access for launching watercraft.
Local history and cultural traces
The name Arroio do Sal is associated with fishermen who boiled seawater beside a stream running through the dunes. In this way, they obtained salt to preserve fish and shellfish. The town’s first wooden hut is another historical detail passed down through local accounts: it was built around 1944 on the bank of a stream, made of wood and topped with a Santa Fé-style roof.
Festa do Pescador reflects the importance of fishing. Its first edition took place in 1995 to celebrate the rich catches of the “Marisqueiros”—the name given to the people of Arroio do Sal.
The municipality’s archaeological history includes several sambaqui sites. The site at Balneário Marambaia is considered the most significant. Visitors interested in these sites can find a different cultural perspective here from that offered by fishing and its local history. In August 2025, Farol de Arroio do Sal was also described as one of the city’s most important landmarks and tourist destinations.
Putting it in context for your trip
Arroio do Sal is also one of the cities listed on the Caminho dos Vales e das Águas tourist route. Its inclusion provides a regional context, but it is not a specific excursion route. A cycling event, by contrast, had a clearly dated plan: for Pedal da Emancipação 2025, the start was scheduled at Praça do Mar, with the route set to follow Avenida Assis Brasil to the town entrance portal.
Discover more destinations: Quebracho, Santana Do Livramento, São Borja, Canguçu, Coronel Bicaco, São Leopoldo, Getúlio Vargas, Três Coroas.
For the broader travel overview: Rio Grande Do Sul.
