Santa Cruz do Sul (literally "southern holy cross", pronounced SAHN-tah CRUISE DOO SOOL) is known as the "Tobacco Capital of Brazil", but besides unhealthy habits, the city and its German population have much to offer. The city is host to the largest Oktoberfest in Rio Grande do Sul.

The International Racecar Track in Santa Cruz do Sul was inaugurated on June 12, 2005. On this date, the city hosted the Renault Speed Show. The track is located in the southern section of the city and it attracts thousands of fans of high-octane speed each year.

The central cathedral is adjacent to the beautiful fountains on Getúlio Vargas Square. The St. John the Baptist Cathedral is one of the largest late neo-gothic cathedrals in Latin America.

Besides Gramado and Canela, you won't find a city that's more German than Santa Cruz do Sul in Rio Grande do Sul . Some of the inhabitants of the city still speak German, a certain dialect native to Rio Grande do Sul called Riograndenser Hunsrückisch.

Because of common ethnicity, Europeans and North Americans can travel incognito in this city.