Florianópolis

Southern Brazil's “Magic Island,” with over 40 beaches, lagoons and dunes, famous for surfing and nightlife — one of Brazilians' and Argentines' favorite vacation islands.

Florianópolis is the capital of the Brazilian state of Santa Catarina. Most of the city sits on Santa Catarina Island in the Atlantic (about 54 km long), connected to the mainland by bridges such as the Hercílio Luz, and it's known as the “Magic Island.” The island has more than 40 beaches: on the north shore, Jurerê and Canasvieiras have gentle waves suited to families and parties; on the east coast, Joaquina, Mole and Campeche are surf hotspots; in the center, Lagoa da Conceição is the hub for dining and nightlife, with nearby dunes for sandboarding; the south — Pântano do Sul, Lagoinha do Leste and Naufragados — is wilder and good for hiking; and on the west coast, Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha preserve Azorean colonial villages and are famous for farmed oysters. The climate is subtropical: December–March is summer beach season, with crowds, high prices and frequent traffic jams on the island's roads; June–October is cooler and good for hiking and exploring the old town, and southern right whales often appear in the waters from the south of the island to Garopaba. Getting there: the airport is in the south of the island, about a 1-hour flight from São Paulo, with direct flights from Buenos Aires too; renting a car is the easiest way to get around the island, though buses and taxis are also available. Plan on 4–6 days, exploring the north, east, south and lagoon areas in turn.

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Where to eat

Itineraries