Imbaú: Religious Traditions and Cycling

Imbaú combines religious heritage with recurring customs and active exploration. Santa Cruz da Charqueada dos Betins represents an old route story and a ritual on May 3; the Festa de São José adds a three-day festive highlight. This cultural focus is complemented by places of faith on the religious tourism route and the Amigos do Pedal de Imbaú cycling day, whose 2026 edition covered a 25-kilometer route.

The Santa Cruz and its story

The wooden artifact Santa Cruz da Charqueada dos Betins is estimated to be more than 150 years old. According to local tradition, believers carried the Santa Cruz from an unspecified place near Tibagi to Charqueada dos Betins in Imbaú; the route was approximately 50 kilometers long. The story links an unspecified origin near Tibagi with a named destination in Imbaú. At the same time, the approximate distance gives a sense of the scale of the route as told in the tradition. On May 3, the day of the Reza da Santa Cruz, prayers and songs are traditionally recited at the Santa Cruz. A chaplain leads the approximately one-hour ritual, which is open to all age groups. For families, this age information is a practical point of reference.

Festa de São José: three days with Sunday as the main day

The Festa de São José lasts three days; its annual date is related to the fact that the saint’s feast day falls during Lent. Sunday is the main day of the festival: there is a barbecue in the church hall and traditional bingo in the late afternoon. People from neighboring towns also take part. In terms of travel, a multi-day festival is therefore set against a roughly one-hour ritual on a fixed date.

Places of faith and the religious tourism route

Olho d'Água de São João de Maria is included on Imbaú’s religious tourism route and is considered a mystical place of faith and popular devotion. At the Oratório de São José, initial steps toward its construction were taken in mid-2019; the project brought Imbaú onto the religious tourism route of the state of Paraná.

Cycling as a different travel highlight

The Amigos do Pedal de Imbaú cycling day offers a different perspective. The edition on May 1, 2026, covered a 25-kilometer route through beautiful landscapes, with technical support and a hydration stop. This makes a sporting event day an alternative to the religious customs and places of faith.

Which pace suits your trip?

For planning your trip, the different time frames are what matter most: a roughly one-hour ritual on May 3, a three-day festival with Sunday as its main day, or a cycling day with a specifically dated edition. If you’re looking for a vacation rental in Imbaú, you can first decide whether religious traditions or active cycling should shape your stay. Check the dates of festivals and events if you’re planning a visit. Families can also note that the Reza is open to all age groups.

Discover more destinations

Rio Branco Do Sul, Foz Do Iguaçu, São Miguel do Iguaçu, Ponta Grossa, Jaguariaíva, Irati, General Carneiro, Açungui

For the main travel overview: Paraná.