Outdoor & Road Trip

The Best Things To Do In Florianopolis

If you’re looking for the weightier things to do while visiting Florianopolis, Brazil, then you’ve come to the right place! This trappy Brazilian municipality is a paradise of beaches and outdoor activities, with plenty of culture and history, are thrown in as well. From exploring the vibrant nightlife scene to lounging on some of Brazil‘s most stunning beaches, there are myriad ways to enjoy this wondrous destination. In this Florianopolis guide, we’ll share our favourite things well-nigh this magical place so that you can make the most out of your stay. Whether it’s your first or tenth time in town, these tips will help ensure an unforgettable experience!

Florianopolis is in Santa Catarina, on an island off the Southern Atlantic Coast of Brazil. It’s known as Ilha da Magia, which translates to Island of Magic. This unique location ways that Florianopolis beaches are some of the weightier beaches in all of Brazil, which is one of its top attractions for tourists. There are 42 beaches to explore here, with something for everyone from surfers and sunbathers to nature lovers and sightseers.

See all Brazil travel guides here.

As well as its beaches, Florianopolis moreover offers plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you’re looking to explore the lush untried mountain hikes or take a wend out onto the sea, there are plenty of options here to alimony you busy. For those looking for culture and history, there are moreover many museums and galleries to explore in the city.

Of course, no one can visit Florianopolis without experiencing its famous nightlife. There are plenty of live music venues, bars, clubs and restaurants to segregate from throughout the municipality – something you won’t want to miss out on!

Overall, Florianopolis is a trappy destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re a waterfront bum or an venture seeker, this magical island has it all and more. Hopefully, this Florianopolis guide will help you plan the perfect trip to the island of magic – have a unconfined time!

The weightier time to visit Florianopolis

As the lagoons are made up of rainfall water, the weightier time to visit Lençóis Maranheses in Brazil is when they are at their fullest, which is right without the rain stops, making July, August and the start of September the weightier time to visit Lençóis Maranheses.

Even though it’s technically Winter in the Southern Hemisphere, you should expect hot and dry conditions in the North East (around 28C-34C degrees!).

How to get to Florianopolis

Florianopolis is in the state of Santa Catarina and has its own airport. The airport has some international flights, but all are from South America (Argentina, Uruguay, Chile). If flying from Europe or America, you’ll need to connect through worthier airports like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro or Recife.

If you’re in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro and are looking for a increasingly affordable (but not time-efficient) option, there are buses that run from both cities to Florianopolis.

National flights from São Paulo forfeit between £120 – £200 (depending on how far in whop booked!), and flights take 1hr. Buses forfeit £40 – £60 round trip, and travel time is 11-12hrs each way.

Getting virtually in Florianopolis

Florianopolis is 54km long, so taxis, Uber and car rentals are all unconfined options if you plan to visit multiple locations.

For self-rule and flexibility, car rental is unchangingly the weightier way to go, but it is the most expensive option. Car rental prices start at R$ 80 – 100 per day (better prices are offered the longer you book!). Most car rental companies offer to pick up and waif off at the airport. Car rental companies I’d recommend are:

  • Movida
  • Localiza
  • Unidas

The next weightier way to get virtually the island is by Uber. As cities and popular locations are dotted over the island, Ubers sometimes can take a little longer to reach you but rest assured, there are misogynist all virtually the island; you might just need to be a little patient. Top safety tip: enable the passcode verification in your Uber app to ensure you get into the right one. This isn’t specific to Florianopolis, as it’s one of the safest cities in Brazil, but something I started to do while travelling in Brazil, and now I have this enabled everywhere I go!

Where to stay in Florianopolis

There are various walk-up options misogynist in Florianopolis, depending on your upkeep and preferences.

Where you stay depends on what activities you’re looking to do. If your focus is surfing and waterfront activities, stay in Campeche, or Praia do Mole. Most of the hotels in these areas are eco-hostels or small shop resorts. We stayed at Pousada Aldeia da Praia, and we can only sing their praises! This is a small family-run bed and breakfast with just five rooms, right next to Campeche beach.

Other walk-up options at Campeche in Florianopolis:

  • Casa Mar Campeche
  • Casa na Zone Campeche
  • Pousada Vila Tamarindo
  • Pousada Lagoa da Chica Campeche

If you want something increasingly upmarket in Florianopolis and closer to the buzz, stay in Jurerê or Lagoa da Conceição. There are plenty of resorts, pousadas and hostels here, and it’s just a short momentum to the beaches.

Hostels in Florianopolis:

  • Mama Africa Hostel
  • Lagoa Nomade Hostel
  • Selina Florianopolis
  • Tucano House

Pousadas in Florianopolis:

  • Pousada Ilha Faceira
  • Pousada Pedra Rosa
  • Studio Formana
  • Haute Haus

Without remoter ado, here are The weightier things to do in Florianopolis

The weightier things to do in Florianopolis, Brazil

1. Go surfing

Florianopolis beaches are known as a surfing destination and are a unconfined place for beginners and experienced surfers alike.

Praia do Mole is one of the most popular beaches in Florianopolis, and it’s moreover a unconfined spot to learn how to surf. There are several beginner-friendly breaks here, making it the perfect place for first-timers. Mole Surf School and Selina hostel both offer classes, equipment rental and workbench hire.

Campeche Waterfront has wilt increasingly popular amongst travellers and experienced surfers. It has a resulting swell, and the waves here are unconfined for all levels of surfers. It’s wilt a bit of a hub, and there are plenty of surf schools in this area, like:

  • Campeche Surf School
  • Gals At the Sea
  • Marco Polo Surf

If surfing is upper on your agenda, this is one of the weightier things to do in Florianopolis.

2. Take a wend ride to Ilha do Campeche

Ilha do Campeche is one of the most trappy islands in Florianopolis, and it’s just a short wend ride away. There are no cars or buildings here, so it’s perfect for nature lovers and beach-goers alike.

The island has secluded beaches, crystal well-spoken waters and well-healed wildlife, making it a unconfined spot for snorkelling, kayaking or simply just soaking up the sun with a unprepossessed drink in hand.

Getting to the island is easy per se, but as it’s a popular destination, it’s ‘competitive’ as there is a limit on how many boats can leave daily. So it’s recommended to typesetting an early tour (leaving between 7-8 am) to guarantee wangle to the island. You can “prebook” onto a tour with your hotel or tour operator or momentum to Praia da Armação and queue to hop on to a wend that has spaces left.

The wend ride wideness takes virtually 40 minutes each way, and you’ll spend virtually 3-3.5 hours on the island.

Visiting Ilha do Campeche is one of the weightier things to do in Florianopolis, so include this in your Florianopolis Brazil itinerary.

The weightier things to do in Florianopolis

3. Go sandboarding at Dunas de Joaquina

If you’re looking for a fun activity, then sandboarding at Dunas de Joaquina is one of the weightier things to do in Florianopolis. The dunes here are perfect for those wanting to try sandboarding or plane just take a scenic walk virtually the area.

To get to the dunes, either park on the road that leads lanugo to Praia da Joaquina or ask your Uber to waif you off at Via Praia Hotel so you can walk up the dunes. There’s one little wooden hut where the guys who rent the sandboards just waddle up, and ask for a board, and that’s your worriedness for the afternoon.

4. Hike to a remote waterfront and have it all to yourself

Florianopolis has 42 beaches, so you’re never too far yonder from the sand and sea. There are plenty of trappy beaches to segregate from, but the weightier ones are those slightly off the tamed path.

There are quite a few Florianopolis beaches that are only wieldy through hiking trails:

  • Lagoinha do Leste – moderate hike, 1.5hrs each way
  • Praia dos Naufragados – easy hike, 25mins each way
  • Praia do Matadeiro – easy hike, 1hour each way
  • Praia do Gravatá – easy hike, 35mins each way

All but one of the hikes whilom can be washed-up without a guide. The hike to Lagoinha do Leste can get tricky and isn’t as easy to navigate as the others, so it’s weightier to go with a guide.

These hikes are unconfined for those wanting to escape crowds and get yonder from it all. Plus, you’ll be rewarded with a trappy waterfront all to yourself! 

The weightier things to do in Florianopolis

5. Go Paragliding

Paragliding is one of the weightier things to do in Florianopolis if you’re looking for a thrilling experience. There are several spots virtually the municipality where you can go paragliding, but the most popular ones are Praia Mole and Lagoa da Conçeição. The views here are incredible, and it’s an wondrous way to soak up the scenery.

A flight financing virtually R$ 300 – 350. Just make sure you typesetting your trip in advance.

Below are some schools/tour operators that offer paragliding:

  • Parapente Sul
  • OVNI Parapente
  • Parapente Floripa

6. Relax at the beach

Florianopolis is surrounded by stunning beaches, so it’s no wonder this is the main reason tourists from all over the world segregate to come here to get a taste of the sun, sand and sea.

The most popular waterfront in Florianopolis is Praia Mole, well-known for its laid-back vibes and unconfined surfing waves. It’s a unconfined spot for beginner surfers, with its long stretches of waterfront and gentle waves. It’s moreover perfect for swimming and soaking up the sun.

Other popular beaches include Joaquina Waterfront (great for surfing as well as relaxing), Praia dos Ingleses (good for relaxing), Praia Brava (great for bodyboarding ) and Praia da Armação (good for swimming and relaxing).

For those wanting to try out some kite surfing, the weightier spot is Praia do Campeche. It’s one of the windiest beaches on the island, making it perfect for kite surfing.

No matter what type of waterfront worriedness you’re looking for, Florianopolis has a waterfront to suit your needs. So make sure you add this to your list of things to do in Florianopolis!

7. Make the most of the nightlife

If you’re looking for a night out with friends in Florianopolis, then there are plenty of bars, pubs and clubs to segregate from. The municipality has a vibrant nightlife scene that caters to every type of music or vibe.

Lagoa da Conceicao has many lake-side bars and pubs that serve up succulent cocktails and often have live music playing. Some of the most popular bars are The Black Swan and Santa Club Lisboa

For those wanting to hit up some clubs, Jurere Internacional is where you wanna be. Parador 12, Acqua Plage, and Cafe de La Musique are the most popular and frequented clubs in the area.

8. Watch the sunset in Antonio de Lisboa

Santo Antonio de Lisboa is a small coastal village in the northwestern part of the island. its unique location makes it one of the weightier places to watch the sunset in Florianopolis.

It’s weightier to visit in the evening, just surpassing sunset, as this is when it gets really rented with locals and tourists unwrinkled who have all gathered here to have a peaceful evening by the water. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes here, so it’s a unconfined spot for dinner or drinks with friends.

The village itself is moreover worth exploring, as it’s full of colourful buildings, narrow cobblestone streets, and picturesque views over the ocean. It’s definitely one of the most trappy places to visit in Florianopolis, Brazil.

9. Hike virtually Lagoa do Peri

Lagoa do Peri is a freshwater lagoon located in the southeastern part of Florianopolis. It’s surrounded by lush vegetation, making it one of the weightier places to go hiking and explore nature.

There are several trails virtually the lagoon, ranging from easy to increasingly challenging. The views here are breathtaking, expressly at sunset when the sky turns all shades of pink, orange and purple.