Santa Maria and Mata Tour

On this tour of Santa Maria and Mata, we will explore the history, culture, and palaeontology of these towns, as well as visit a major university and a fossil site.

Description

At the designated time, we will pick you up from your hotel in Santa Maria to commence the tour of this significant university city in Rio Grande do Sul, one of Brazil's largest higher education hubs.

This tour includes a visit to the Federal University, founded in 1960, among the largest in Brazil. The itinerary also features various religious sites, such as the Basilica Shrine of Our Lady Mediatrix of All Graces and the Cathedral of Our Lady of Conception, known for its neo-baroque and neoclassical architecture.

We will explore the Belgian Village, a historic neighborhood that grew rapidly in the 19th century due to its railway station. Here, we will learn about its history before enjoying a lunch of chicken and pasta.

After lunch, we will travel by minibus to Mata, recognized for its picturesque old town and significant fossil finds. We will visit the Paleobotanical Garden and the Padre Daniel Cargnin Museum, where fossils of animals and plants over 200 million years old can be observed.

Finally, we will board the minibus for the return trip to Santa Maria, concluding the activity after a total of 8 hours.