Brazil🇧🇷 | citiesFlorianópolisIsland beaches, lagoon sandboarding, Azorean villages, oyster farms | things to do and best time to go

From the Rodoviária Rita Maria, a local bus or a taxi of about 10 minutes takes you to the center. Buses to Centro run frequently for about US$1 to 1.50, and a taxi is roughly US$5 to 8. Most backpackers combine buses with the occasional ride-hailing trip, because the island is long, hilly and clogged on the single main roads in summer.

• Walking: Fine within Centro, Lagoa and Campeche. Distances between beaches are long, and trails connect only a few of them, so do not try to walk between regions.
• City buses: The cheapest option at about US$1 to 1.50 per ride, running roughly from 5 am to around midnight on main lines. Routes are confusing and frequencies drop on weekends, so use a transit app and allow extra time. Pay in reais with cash or a rechargeable card.
• Uber and 99: Usually cheaper than

… read more 👉

From the Rodoviária Rita Maria, a local bus or a taxi of about 10 minutes takes you to the center. Buses to Centro run frequently for about US$1 to 1.50, and a taxi is roughly US$5 to 8. Most backpackers combine buses with the occasional ride-hailing trip, because the island is long, hilly and clogged on the single main roads in summer.

• Walking: Fine within Centro, Lagoa and Campeche. Distances between beaches are long, and trails connect only a few of them, so do not try to walk between regions.
• City buses: The cheapest option at about US$1 to 1.50 per ride, running roughly from 5 am to around midnight on main lines. Routes are confusing and frequencies drop on weekends, so use a transit app and allow extra time. Pay in reais with cash or a rechargeable card.
• Uber and 99: Usually cheaper than taxis and reliable between Centro, Lagoa and the airport, at about US$4 to 15 depending on distance. At night it is the sensible choice, since buses thin out. Prices surge on summer evenings and after big events.
• Scooter or car rental: A scooter runs about US$20 to 35 a day, and a car US$30 to 55. Rent only if you are confident, because parking at popular beaches is scarce and traffic over the bridges is slow in January. A car is not needed if you stay in one area.
• Boats: Small boats to Ilha do Campeche cost about US$20 to 30 return from Armação, and are worth it only in good weather. Lagoa has short canal boats to Costa da Lagoa for roughly US$5 to 8, a good way to reach a village with no road.

Florianópolis works well as a base for day trips, because the island’s bus terminal and a few mainland towns put four solid options within 1 to 2.5 hours, and none needs an overnight stay.Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha: These two old Azorean fishing villages sit on opposite sides of the island, and you can see them in one lazy day. Santo Antônio has stone-front houses, a small church square and waterfront bars; Ribeirão da Ilha is known for oysters pulled from nearby farms. City buses reach both in 30 to 60 minutes, so a round trip costs about US$3 to 4, and a plate of a dozen oysters runs US$8 to 14. Go at lunch, since many kitchens close in the late afternoon outside summer.

Praia do Rosa: This surf beach on the mainland south has cliffs, a lagoon and a laid-back village behind … read more 👉

Florianópolis works well as a base for day trips, because the island’s bus terminal and a few mainland towns put four solid options within 1 to 2.5 hours, and none needs an overnight stay.Santo Antônio de Lisboa and Ribeirão da Ilha: These two old Azorean fishing villages sit on opposite sides of the island, and you can see them in one lazy day. Santo Antônio has stone-front houses, a small church square and waterfront bars; Ribeirão da Ilha is known for oysters pulled from nearby farms. City buses reach both in 30 to 60 minutes, so a round trip costs about US$3 to 4, and a plate of a dozen oysters runs US$8 to 14. Go at lunch, since many kitchens close in the late afternoon outside summer.

Praia do Rosa: This surf beach on the mainland south has cliffs, a lagoon and a laid-back village behind the sand. Expect roughly 1.5 to 2 hours each way by bus to Garopaba or Imbituba, then a short local bus or shared taxi, for about US$15 to 25 return. Whales pass offshore from roughly July to November, which makes winter a bonus. First-timers often plan the last bus too tightly, so check the return time before swimming.👉 Explore Praia do RosaBalneário Camboriú and Beto Carrero: Balneário Camboriú, about 80 km north, is a high-rise beach city with a cable car running over the bay. Buses from Florianópolis take about 1.5 hours and cost US$8 to 12 each way. The cable car adds US$15 to 25, depending on the route. Skip weekends in January, when the beach is packed and prices climb.👉 Explore Balneário CamboriúSerra do Rio do Rastro: This mountain road to Bom Jardim da Serra climbs through dramatic switchbacks to a cloud-level lookout, and it suits those wanting a break from beaches. It is a long day, about 3 hours each way, and public transport is awkward, so a shared tour or rental car at US$25 to 40 per person is smarter. Clear winter mornings give the best views.

Florianópolis is one of Brazil’s calmer cities for travelers, and most trouble is petty theft rather than violence. Phones and cameras left on the sand while you swim are the usual loss, so leave valuables in a hostel locker and take only cash for the day. Beaches in the north and around Lagoa get crowded in summer, which is when pickpocketing is most likely. After dark, use ride-hailing between bars and your bed instead of walking dark stretches, especially around Centro and between beaches. Solo travelers, including women, generally do fine in the main hostel areas, though drinks should stay in sight. Currents can be strong at some surf beaches, so swim where lifeguards are posted and read the flag warnings. Rental scooters are a common cause of injuries, so wear a helmet. Scams are limited, … read more 👉

Florianópolis is one of Brazil’s calmer cities for travelers, and most trouble is petty theft rather than violence. Phones and cameras left on the sand while you swim are the usual loss, so leave valuables in a hostel locker and take only cash for the day. Beaches in the north and around Lagoa get crowded in summer, which is when pickpocketing is most likely. After dark, use ride-hailing between bars and your bed instead of walking dark stretches, especially around Centro and between beaches. Solo travelers, including women, generally do fine in the main hostel areas, though drinks should stay in sight. Currents can be strong at some surf beaches, so swim where lifeguards are posted and read the flag warnings. Rental scooters are a common cause of injuries, so wear a helmet. Scams are limited, but agree on prices before taking an unmetered taxi.