For Hercílio Luz, both the history of the district formerly known as Canjicas and its cultural and landscape features help visitors find their way. The access road from BR 101 and the Balsa do Rio Araranguá provide two specific points of reference for getting there. Crafts, Azorean identity in Balneário Ilhas and designated natural areas are clearly distinct topics.
Getting There by Road and River
If you are traveling south to north on BR 101, you can reach the district of Hercílio Luz via an exit at kilometer 404. The exit is on the right, 500 meters past the Trevo de Maracajá. From there, a 13 km unpaved road continues onward and is considered suitable for driving. Check the current road conditions before you set out.
The access road passes tobacco and corn fields, and the Rio Araranguá runs alongside it for part of the way. The Balsa do Rio Araranguá crosses the Rio Araranguá to the district of Hercílio Luz. If you plan to take the ferry, check the schedule in advance. The road route is overland, while the Balsa crosses the Rio Araranguá to the district of Hercílio Luz.
History and Crafts
The district was formerly known as Canjicas. In 1815, Canjicas received permission to build a small chapel, considered the region’s first religious temple. The name Canjicas is also associated with local myths and religious traditions. Stories, legends and myths passed down orally are part of this cultural heritage.
Crafts are found in all the district’s communities. Practical and decorative handicrafts are part of Canjicas’ cultural heritage. In Balneário Ilhas, straw hats, beach mats made from rushes and decorative items are made by hand.
Balneário Ilhas preserves an Azorean cultural identity reflected in its customs, artistic skills, distinctive cuisine, folklore and religious traditions. These topics offer a glimpse of different aspects of the local cultural heritage, from craftsmanship to oral and religious traditions.
Fishing is also part of life today: most fishers in Balneário Ilhas still practice artisanal fishing. In the district, a small square and a church are considered the first gathering places for visitors.
Landscape and Natural Heritage
Under the municipal Organic Law consolidated through 2017, the dunes and natural vegetation within the district are protected as landscape heritage. If you need to refer to precise protection boundaries, check the current demarcation. The same law also designates the mangroves and wetlands in Ilhas as a Biological Reserve. The reserve’s geographic boundaries are defined separately.
Discover more destinations: Vargem Bonita, Orleans, Grão Pará, Penha, Ituporanga, Corupá, Araquari, São Bonifácio.
Return to the main travel overview: Santa Catarina.
