Florianópolis - Santa Catarina

Florianópolis is an island which has a special tropical glamour.

Tourists from Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile visit, every year, this coast. The city is located 298 kilometres to the south of Curitiba, it is connected to the continent thanks to two natural bridges.

Florianópolis is part of an island and a continent. It contains a privileged nature and a detached colonial architecture placed on its forts, fortresses, churches and bridges.

This land was disputed by Dutch, Spanish and Belgian people. In The XVIII Century, it was conquered by Azoreans who printed their culture in a colourful architecture, folkloric celebrations, museums and churches. A popular folkloric celebration is "The Party of Tainha" that takes place in Barra da Lagoa.V As it was pointed before, Florianópolis is famous thanks to its beautiful beaches where shrimp and lobster are appreciated in the traditional gastronomy.

The central and north zones of Florianópolis are the most popular because of its excellent tourist infrastructure. In the south zone, some neighbourhoods present a country side aspect which can be perceived on traditional celebrations and, even, on its resident's accent.

It is recommendable to visit both sides of the island, because it is divided in two big sectors:

The north sector, which is very well known by tourists, is a very exiting place and it possesses an excellent tourist infrastructure.

The south sector presents the traditional Azorean side of the island that comes from The XVIII Century.

It is interesting to visit the internal part of Florianópolis, specifically, The Valley of Itajaí, where the German style cities of Joinville, Blumenau and Brusque are situated.

General information:
International Airport "Hercílio Luz". Telephone number: (55 48) 331-4000
Bus Station "Rita Maria". Telephone number: (55 48) 212 - 3000


BEACHES OF THE NORTH ZONE

This zone counts with an excellent tourist infrastructure. It has urban beaches plenty of bars, restaurants and lodgings.

Daniela. A beach which is ideal for families thanks to its calm waters and soft sand.

Forte. A small beach that has many kiosks distributed along the sand.

Jurere. This is an urban beach that has calm water and fine sand. It is ideal for bathing and nautical sports.

Canasvieiras. Another urban beach with calm waters. It is visited by tourists from Argentina and Uruguay. It has an agitated nocturnal life.

Cachoeira do Bom Jesus. This beach is perfect for nautical sports thanks to its calm waters.

Ponta das Canas. This beach contains a fishermen community and it is also good for nautical sports.

Brava. This beach has big waves, which are ideal for surfing.

Mocambique (Grande). The biggest beach of the island. It is 7.5 kilometres long.

Barra da Lagoa. It is the prolongation of Mocambique. This is an urban beach that has several bars and restaurants.

Galheta. An isolated beach which is surrounded by little mounts. It contains an area for nudists.


BEACHES OF THE SOUTH ZONE

This zone possesses a regular tourist infrastructure. It has lonely beaches and locations for ecotourism.

Morro das Pedras. A beach whose big waves are ideal for surfing.

Armacao. This is a small fishermen community. From this sector, many ships depart to The Island of Campeche.

Do Matadeiro. This beach presents big waves, a reason why it is very popular for surfing practice.

Pantano do Sul. A long beach that contains villas and a fishermen population.

Dos Naufragos. This is a lonely beach with abundant vegetation. It has some rustic bars and lodgings.

Ribeirao da Ilha. A fishermen community where the oyster farming is developed.


Finally, some other very important beaches of Florianópolis are:

Ingleses.
This is one of the main beaches of the zone. It has regular waves and a large band of sand. It is regularly visited during summer time by tourists from Argentina. In this époque, this beach is the second most popular; being the most popular The Beach of Canasvieiras.

The Beach of Ingleses keeps many traditions from the ancient Azorean habitants. Its natural main attractions are the sand dunes, which are perfect for sand board practice.

Campeche.
This beach has a large brand of soft sand plenty of small dunes. It is a perfect place for surfing. It is a paradisiacal 5 kilometre island with white sand and big waves. Many ships depart to Campeche from The Beach of Armacao.

Joaquina.
It is a long beach with big waves. A popular place for surfing and body-board competitions since 1970. This beach counts with a very well organized tourist infrastructure to receive visitors, every year, during surfing competitions.

Do Santinho.
This is a recommended location for surfing and body-board practice. It is considered the best beach of the north region. This location holds virgin nature where tranquillity is its main characteristic.