While it may lack some of the charm of jetset destinations like St. Tropez or St. Barth’s, Florianopolis, in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Caterina, is through-and-through one raucous party full of beautiful people and the surf capital of South America.
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Perfect forAdventurers | Romantics | Ultimate Indulgers
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When to goDecember-February | March-May | June-August
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Ideal length of stay1-2 Nights
Designing Your Journey
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
Essential Florianopolis
Explore the magic of bubbly Florianopolis with a customized Indagare itinerary that features special access. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Day 1: Beach Time
A large lagoon known as the Lagoa de Conceição takes up the majority of the island’s center and is made up of a lower-key bohemian community. This area offers a more local-flair with casual restaurants and bars along a main strip. Cross the lake heading east for the Atlantic Ocean and two of the most famous surfing beaches in the world, Praia Mole and Juaquina. Praia Mole put Florianopolis on the map when it held South America’s only World Championship Tour surfing in 2003. Don’t miss Barraco da Mole, a surfer-chic day club and restaurant.
Day 2: Glitzy Exploration
The Northern tip of Florianopolis Island is known as Jurerê Internacional, a 1970’s-built community that resembles a less-developed version of “Miami” Beach. The uber-elite have homes in Jurerê and real estate ranges between two and twenty million dollars. Day- and night- clubs dot the coast, surrounded by yachts moored in the bay and Ferraris and Lamborghinis parked in the lots. Don’t miss Praia Café de la Mustique, Taiko, Parador 12 (“P12”) and Donna. Pacha & Posh are located just south of Jurerê and host international concerts and raves throughout the year.
Day 3: Seaside Adventure
After a morning of surfing, swimming or walking along the beach, find two of the oldest Portuguese fishing communities on the Western and Southern coasts of the Island: Santo Antonio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da I’lha. These original settlements date back to the 1770s and are famous for oyster farming. Don’t miss fresh seafood at Arantes and Ostradamus in Ribeirão da I’lha. Indagare can also arrange a special experience like a cooking class or an outdoor cookout with fresh grilled fish, tasty Brazilian cocktails and a fire pit with local samba music to set the mood.
Where To Stay
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
What To Read
Everything we recommend is sourced first-hand by our well-traveled team and incredible network of insiders and resources around the world. Here are some the latest articles, interviews, and book and film recommendations not to be missed.
Read MoreStrategies
Florianopolis 101
Florianopolis is the capital of Santa Caterina, Brazil’s second southern-most state with the highest levels of income, education and public health and lowest in illiteracy and crime in the country. Famous for its beaches (forty-two in count) and drop-dead gorgeous...
Read MoreStrategies
Brazil’s Last Secret: Instituto Inhotim
When I was in college studying Art History, I found myself consumed with wanderlust. I dreamed of seeing the masterpieces I viewed on slides in person instead: works at the Uffizi, the Prado, the Hermitage, the Met and hidden in...
Olafur Eliasson, Viewing Machine, 2001. Located at Inhotim.Read MoreSlideshows
Art and Adventure in Brazil
Indagare’s Sarah Hardin-White recently traveled to Brazil. Here are some of her photographs. For help planning your trip, contact our Bookings Team.
Courtesy VamiziRead MoreMelissa's Travels
Lesser-known Beach Retreats
In my years of traveling, I have seen a lot of beaches, yet my love for them has not waned. Beaches evoke escape and serenity and romance and childhood’s happiest moments—so many things of beauty but they can also disappoint...
Great Combinations
A trip here can easily be combined with these amazing destinations and more. Contact our team to craft the perfect itinerary.
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