Brazil's South-East Region
Florianopolis Travel Guide
This island city has 42 beaches, numerous hiking trails, and fantastic nightlife
Florianópolis, the capital of Santa Catarina, is an island city with over 42 stunning beaches, as well as lagoons and sand dunes. It is a major tourist destination and one of the safest cities in Brazil, attracting visitors to its world-class surfing beaches and international surf competitions. Other popular watersports in Florianopolis include kitesurfing, and paddle-boarding and kayaking in Lagoa da Conceição. Aside from watersports, it is famous for its seafood cuisine, and vibrant nightlife. The island also has a rich history, with colonial-era forts and a historic downtown area.
Top 5 Things to See & Do in Florianópolis
Surf, swim, or relax at Praia Mole
Try stand up paddle-boarding (SUP) at Lagoa da Conceição
Take boat to Campeche Island
Hike to Lagoinha do Leste
Sandboard on the Praia Joaquina sand dunes
Closest airport
Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN)
Main bus terminal
Terminal Rodoviário de Florianópolis (Terminal Rita Maria)
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Main ports
How to get to Florianopolis
Florianopolis is well connected with international flights from Lisbon, Buenos Aires, Santiago, and Panama. There are regular domestic flights from Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Iguacu Falls (Foz do Iguazu), and other major cities.
By land, there are frequent bus connections available, including overnight busses, from Sao Paulo, Curitiba, Porto Alegre, and other cities.
How to get to Florianopolis from Sao Paulo
The bus from Sao Paulo (Terminal Rodoviário do Tietê) to Florianopolis takes around 12 hours. There is an option to take the bus overnight, ideal if you are short on time.
How to get to Florianopolis from Rio de Janeiro
The bus from Rio de Janeiro to Florianopolis is long, taking around 20-22 hours. Flights are an inexpensive alternative, and are cheapest if you are able to book in advance.
How to get to Florianopolis from Iguacu Falls (Foz do Iguazu)
The bus from Iguacu Falls to Florianopolis takes around 15-16 hours, and the busses typically run overnight. Flights are also available, and are cheapest if you are able to book in advance.
How to get around Florianopolis
Is there Uber in Florianopolis?
Uber is readily available in Florianopolis and offers a convenient way to get around, and can be quite cost effective if you can split the fare between a few people.
Hitchhiking is also common among locals, but may be difficult to negotiate without a basic level of Portuguese.
How to take the bus in Florianopolis:
Unfortunately Floripa isn't the easiest place to get around by public transport. It is possible to travel by bus, however the connections can be slow and distances are longer than you'd expect on an island. You can find the bus routes easily using Google Maps directions.
The busses pass through terminals, where you can change to another bus without paying second fare. The terminals each have a code which you will see on the front of the busses: TCEN (Centro), TLAG (Lagoa), TIRIO (Campeche), and TITRI (Trinidade). For example, if travelling from Campeche to Lagoa, you would need to first take a bus from Campeche to the TRIO terminal, then change to a bus to Lagoa. If travelling from Barra da Lagoa to Centro, you would need to first take a bus to the TLAG terminal, then change to a bus to Centro.
Things to know before you go
Where to go in Florianopolis
Florianopolis, or Floripa as it is affectionately known, is a large island city off the coast of southern Brazil. With more than 42 beaches, Floripa is diverse, and each of the main areas of interest have something different to offer:
Lagoa da Conceição: Usually shortened to Lagoa, this is a popular area for nightlife, with plenty of bars, restaurants, and shops
Barra da Lagoa: While Barra da Lagoa itself is a small town, it is the gateway to a pristine beaches including Praia do Mozambique, and a number of beautiful hikes.
Praia Mole and Praia da Joaquina: Situated on the east side of the Island, these are some of the most popular surf beaches. Praia da Joaquina is know for hosting international surf competitions, and for its sand dunes where you can try sandboarding.
Campeche: A more relaxed surf beach, and a good area to stay in for a more chilled vibe or for those wanting to visit attractions on the southern part of the island. Less crowded than other popular surf beaches such as Mole and Joaquina, however there are also fewer options in terms of food and nightlife.
Centro: The historic center is home to the island's museums and cultural activities. The bars in Centro regularly have live samba music and dancing in the streets in the evenings.
Northern End: The northern end of the island tends to be more affluent, with higher prices and more crowded beaches.
Southern End: There is little here in terms of accommodation, however there are many beautiful beaches and hiking trails to explore. If taking an Uber here you may struggle to find a ride back, so it is worth taking the phone number of your driver to call for the return trip.
Is Florianopolis safe?
Yes! Floripa is famously one of the safest places in Brazil. However, it is still important to pay attention to your belongings when out at night, and especially in the Centro area. It is always a good idea to keep an eye on your belongings at the beach.
Want more tips? See my guide for How to Spend 5 Days in Florianopolis
