Why does Santo Amaro da Imperatriz become even better for children in winter?
There's a common misconception: "beach destinations only work in the summer." And there's another, even stronger one, which is that traveling with young children requires only "safe" activities—theme parks, hotels with pre-packaged tours, itineraries without any surprises. Those of us who live here in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz know that these two ideas don't apply to our city. And that's precisely why, every winter, we welcome entire families who come to spend their school holidays here.
While the coast cools down, our spring water continues to emerge from the earth at almost 40°C. The air gets cooler, the desire to dive into something really warm increases — and that's exactly what we have in abundance. Here, the cold arrives and the temperature of fun rises.
If you're planning a July vacation with the little ones, the teenagers, or the whole family together, we wrote this guide precisely for that: to help you organize an itinerary that works for all ages, without anyone getting bored — including you, who also deserves to enjoy the trip, not just chase after the kids all day.
Why winter is actually our best season.
To help you understand why we insist on this so much, it's worth telling you a little about what makes this place different. Santo Amaro da Imperatriz has thermal springs that naturally emerge from the earth, breathtaking mountain scenery, and a heritage that dates back to the times of the Brazilian Empire. Our thermal waters are known for their proven therapeutic properties, which even help in the treatment of some diseases, in addition to an anti-stress effect that we guarantee works.
And this relief isn't just for adults tired of their daily routine—it also works very well for energetic children who, after a long day running around, need a relaxing bath to sleep well at night. We also have it next door. a Serra do Tabuleiro, with one of the largest state parks in Brazil, full of trails, waterfalls, and biodiversity that makes it worth a visit.
In short: you'll find more than just hot water here. We have nature, adventure, history, and good food all within a very small radius — which makes life much easier for those traveling with children and who don't want to spend the whole day in the car going from one place to another.
The program we recommend without hesitation: Caldas da Imperatriz Water Park
If you can only do one activity with the kids here, do this one. Alongside our traditional [program/activity/etc.]. Hotel Caldas da Imperatriz, O Caldas da Imperatriz Water Park It's pure family leisure, surrounded by nature.
The structure was designed to accommodate everyone: a thermal pool for adults and a separate thermal pool just for children, natural pools, barbecue grills and a party room for rent, restrooms, changing rooms, a mini playground, parking, and a kiosk selling drinks and snacks. It's open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 am to 6 pm, and admission starts at R$12.50 — honestly, one of the best value-for-money outings in the whole city.
The children's thermal pool solves, instantly, that classic challenge for those traveling with young children in winter: how to get them out of the warm water without tears. The answer here is simple: don't take them out. Let them enjoy the thermal water designed especially for them, while you can alternate between the adult pool and the rest areas.
Thermal baths: that relaxation that also delights the little ones.
Besides the water park, we have another unmissable experience for those who truly want to feel what a "winter dip" is like: the thermal baths. In Bathhouse of the Caldas da Imperatriz Hotel, 14 bathtubs receive warm water directly from the source, at 39.8°C. The bath lasts 20 minutes, the perfect amount of time to feel the full revitalizing effect of the water. It's an attraction that welcomes families with children, with tickets starting at R$25.00, open every day from 8 am to 7 pm.
Our advice is always this: after a chilly day of sightseeing, there's nothing better than ending the afternoon with 20 minutes in thermal water. For adults, it's a spa experience. For children, it's pure fun.
Tree climbing for kids: just the right amount of adrenaline for children of all sizes.
This one, without a doubt, is the biggest surprise for those who think Santo Amaro da Imperatriz is just about hot springs and relaxation. We also have a complete outdoor adventure circuit, in the middle of the lush Atlantic Forest — with tree climbing, zip lines, rappelling, a climbing wall and, most interesting for those with young children, an exclusive children's circuit.
O Kids Tree Climbing It was designed for children aged 3 to 7, with a 50-meter course, seven appropriately sized obstacles, a children's zip line, and all safety equipment included. It lasts approximately 30 minutes, always with a specialized guide closely supervising. The price is R$60.00 per child.
For the teenagers in the family — or for parents who also want their dose of adrenaline — the main treetop adventure course with zip lines has a 500-meter course and 14 obstacles suspended between the trees, ending with two zip lines that cross the valley: the first is 70 meters long, reaching speeds of 30 km/h and a height of 15 meters, and the second is 120 meters long, reaching speeds of up to 35 km/h and a height of 17 meters. It lasts about an hour and requires a minimum height of 1.30 m and a weight of up to 110 kg — perfect for those who no longer fit on the kids' course but love a challenge.
Those who enjoy vertical challenges will also find a Climbing Wall and Rappelling, each lasting 20 minutes, available for children aged 8 and up. Just a heads-up: on days with heavy rain, strong winds, or thunderstorms, activities may be suspended for safety reasons—so it's always worth checking the forecast before leaving home.
The advantage of doing this program in winter is the weather: the mild warmth makes the trail through the trees much more enjoyable than in the middle of summer, when the strong sun and humidity are tiring more quickly. Just the right amount of chill, adrenaline at the perfect level.
A rainy afternoon? We have the perfect plan: Ateliê Sebastião da Cruz
For rainy days — because winter travel always has that unpredictability — it's worth setting aside some time for a free activity that will surprise even the children: the Atelier Sebastião da Cruz.
The space brings together the paintings of our Santo Amaro native, Sebastião da Cruz, which depict significant moments in our history since 1845, when Emperor Dom Pedro II and Empress Teresa Cristina landed here — and it is from there, in fact, that the "Imperatriz" in the name of our city comes. The visit is like a journey through time: from when the place was called Arraial de Sant'Ana do Cubatão until it became the Santo Amaro da Imperatriz of today.
The tip is to turn this visit into a game with the children — “let’s find out what the city was called before?” — and they usually get really into it. Admission is free, service is continuous, and the studio is in the center, making it easy to fit in between other daytime activities.
Governor Ivo Silveira Square: the free break every family needs.
Anyone who travels with children knows a golden rule: nobody can endure a guided tour all day without getting out of breath. It's necessary to alternate with that free time, without a set itinerary, without tickets, without any rush.
For that, our Governor Ivo Silveira Square, Located in the center, it's perfect. It's one of the city's most beloved meeting points, right in the heart of the administrative center. But what matters most is the atmosphere: it's common to see residents chatting on benches or enjoying the shade of the trees — a true reflection of our peaceful and welcoming way of life.
On holidays, the square gets a special decoration, making it even prettier for family photos. It's the perfect stop between sightseeing trips: sit down, rest your legs, let the kids run around freely, and soak up our local rhythm—without spending a penny, since it's all free and the space is always open.
Where to eat with the family around here
After a day of sightseeing, hunger strikes differently — especially in the cold weather. And we have great options for every palate, including children and adults.
For a quick and easy lunch with the little ones, take a look at... B Di Bah Burger, a snack bar highly rated by visitors. And for that afternoon coffee break — essential on a cold day — we recommend the Coffee Flavors & Knowledge and the Beirão Bakery & Cafe, great for recharging between outings. For those who want a more complete lunch in a restaurant setting, the Du Ponto Restaurant. And if the adults want to end the day with something more special while the children are already happy and relaxed, it's worth considering... Le Bon Gourmet.
Our tip is simple: prioritize places close to the tourist attractions you're already planning to visit that day, to avoid extra travel with a tired child — and always call ahead to confirm the hours, as they can vary throughout the year.
Where to stay with the family
Choosing the right accommodation makes all the difference when traveling with children, especially in winter, when time spent in the accommodation is also very important. We've concentrated a good portion of our options very close to the hot springs, which greatly simplifies logistics.
O Hotel Caldas da Imperatriz and the Plaza Caldas da Imperatriz Resort & Spa These are the most popular options around here, and it's no coincidence: both have direct access to our thermal facilities — including baths and a water park — eliminating the need for guests to travel further. It's the perfect choice to let the kids enjoy the thermal pool in the morning, calmly, before heading out for the rest of the day's itinerary.
A winter itinerary for the family that we suggest.
To wrap things up with something practical, here's a suggested 2-day itinerary designed to balance adrenaline, relaxation, and rest—without anyone getting bored along the way:
Day 1 — Morning of thermal waters, afternoon of discovery: enjoy the day at Caldas da Imperatriz Water Park, enjoying the children's thermal pool in peace.
Day 2 — Morning of adrenaline, afternoon of total relaxation: Reserve the morning for tree climbing, with the Kids circuit for the little ones and the complete zip line circuit for teenagers and adults. After lunch, end the trip with an individual thermal bath at the Bathhouse — 20 minutes of pure relaxation to close your stay with your body and mind renewed.
Because now is the perfect time to come and meet us with the children.
Ultimately, our proposition is simple: while many people associate winter vacations with extremely cold destinations or expensive international travel, we offer an experience that combines the best of both worlds — outdoor adventure to burn off the kids' energy and thermal waters to help everyone recover their energy afterward.
We understand that traveling with children doesn't mean giving up on great experiences, neither for you nor for the little ones. On the contrary: each of our attractions has been designed, in some way, to accommodate different ages within the same family — from the children's pool to the kids' treetop adventure course, from the plaza to the workshop that transforms history into curiosity.
So, before you fall into the trap of thinking that winter is for staying home, remember this: here it's quite the opposite. The cold is just the perfect excuse for you to discover one of the most complete — and most surprising — destinations to enjoy with your family.
