Florianopolis (Portuguese: Florianópolis) is the capital of the Brazilian state of [wiki=4ce294c347aa50ef2bdc99d388ce36d3]Santa Catarina[/wiki]. Half of the city is on the mainland of [wiki=42537f0fb56e31e20ab9c2305752087d]Brazil[/wiki] while the other half is on the [wiki=6c9d8bdca181362ea3e6f349d0348b0d]Santa Catarina Island[/wiki]. It has some of Brazil's most beautiful beaches.
Hercílio Luz International Airport - Av. Diomício Freitas, 3393. +55 48 3331-4000 (fax:( +55 48) 3331-4111). 12 km from the city center. Connected to the city by local bus lines or taxi.
* The Brazilian airline "TAM" [url=http://www.tamairlines.com]]provides international and domestic services to Florianopolis. Flights are available from JFK International(NY), Miami, Madrid, London, Frankfurt, Milan and main cities in South America. Most of the flights require a connection in Sao Paulo.
* Airlines Gol [url=http://www.voegol.com.br[/url],]Azul [url=http://www.voeazul.com.br[/url]]and Avianca (formerly Oceanair) [http://www.avianca.com.br[/url] operates domestic flights to the city. Gol also operates destinations in South America, like Buenos Aires, Montevideo and Santiago.
* in the summer months (December thru March) several daily charter flights arrive from Argentina & Chile. Aerolineas Argentinas usually adds seasonal daily regular flights non-stop to Buenos Aires.
Terminal Rita Maria, the name of the Central Bus Station, is located at 1104 Paulo Fontes Ave., in the city center +55 48 3222.2260. It links Florianopolis City to the main Brazilian cities and to most of the cities in Santa Catarina state. The main bus companies operating in Florianopolis are Catarinense [url=http://www.catarinense.net],]Reunidas [url=http://www.reunidas.com.br[/url],]Santo Anjo [url=http://www.santoanjo.com.br[/url]]and Eucatur [http://www.eucatur.com.br/[/url].
You can get to Florianopolis from [wiki=79c4721c68b671088716878532d69ed9]Foz do Iguaçu[/wiki] for R$115 to R$150. The night trip takes around 16h.
You should use the Route BR-101 (cross Brazil from north to south), the entrance to Florianopolis will be at kilometer 206, from there read the signs and get the express route BR-282 which leads to Florianopolis
There are a total of 42 beaches in Florianopolis. The best known are:
* North
** Canasvieiras
** Praia Brava
** Jurerê (and Jurerê Internacional)
** Praia dos Ingleses
** Ponta das Canas
* East
** Praia Mole
** Praia da Galheta (nudist beach)
** Barra da Lagoa
** Praia da Joaquina
** Praia Brava
* South
** Campeche
** Armação
** Matadeiro
** Pântano do Sul
** Solidão
** Saquinho
good inexpensive vegetarian all you can eat buffet. Place is crowded, but you will find a table.
*Bar do Arante, Praia do Pântano, in the south of the island. Tel: +55 48 3237-7022. Interesting restaurant where the custom is for customers to hang slips of paper on the wall to mark their passage. The custom comes from pre-electricity days when people would use the slips to let friends know what part of the beach to find them in. Specializing in seafood at moderate prices. Try the Tainha Grelhada.
*Mein Haus Churrascaria, Rua Papa Joao XXII, 25 - Campinas - São José, tel. +55 48 3241-4739. It is further across the bridge but worth the effort. The restaurant offers a nice cheap a la carte barbecue with free garlic bread and salad [http://www.churrascariameinhaus.com.br].
Pier 54, Av. Beira mar Norte, (under the Hercílio Luz bridge) - Centro, tel. +55 48 3225-3138 / +55 48 3225-2419. This restaurant serves local cuisine from 7 PM. Pier 54's cellar contains over 250 labels of different wines and champagnes. The restaurant offers a wide range of healthy dishes, made from ingredients local to the region.
*Toca da Garoupa, Rua Alves Brito, 178 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3223-1220. This restaurant offers its guests the regional cuisine of Floianopolis. While the seafood menu may be exceptional, the restaurant's decor and history are sure to please customers as well.
*Bistrô Isadora Duncan, Rodovia Jornalista Manuel de Menezes, 2658 - Barra da Lagoa, tel. +55 48 3232-7210, 9980-4428, [url=http://www.bistroisadoraduncan.com.br].]Named after a famous ballerina, this bistro is a great romantic spot for two. It only has 5 tables and some veranda space. The bistro offers a wide variety of cuisine, ranging from leafy green salads to filet mignon. Alchohol is also served on this cozy, beach front bistro.
*Ponta das Caranhas, Estrada da Barra da Lagoa, 2377 - Barra da Lagoa, tel. +55 48 3232-3076, [http://www.pontadascaranhas.com.br[/url]. Restaurant in the margins of Lagoa da Conceição offering traditional dishes. Try the "Congrio Chileno à Moda do Chef".
Delicious breakfast and internet wifi. Private rooms are with TV, frigobar and air-conditioner.
*Brand new hostel, includes breakfast and fast wi-fi.
* Albergue da Juventude, Rua Duarte Schutel 227, +55 48 225-3781. Hostelling International hostel is located 10 minutes away from the bus terminal and close to the beach. Prices vary according to season.
* Backpackers Sharehouse, Servidão da Prainha,29 Barra da Lagoa (cross the footbridge). Tel. +55 48 3232-7606 [url=http://backpackersfloripa.com/2008/].]This is a popular backpackers spot. It serves an excellent breakfast and has budget meals. Guest can use the surfboards for free. Dorm beds R$35, includes breakfast and wi fi internet. Portuguese lessons are also available for those interested.
*Hotel Bruggemann, R. Santos Saraiva, 416 - Estreito, tel. +55 48 3224-2344. One of the oldest hotels in Florianopolis, Hotel Bruggeman comes with modernized amenities. Rooms are fully refurbished. Hotel Bruggeman is comprised of 84 apartments and suites, each equipped with a tv and refrigerator.
*Veleiros Hotel, R. Silva Jardim, 234 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3224-6622. This hotel is located close to the city center and the Convention center. Reservations must be received 15 days prior to arrival.
*Pousada Colinas da Lagoa, tel. +55 48 3232-5747. [url=http://www.florianopolis-hotels.travel/Pousada_Colinas_da_Lagoa[/url]]It is situated in the privileged area of Lagoa da Conceição, with a view of its Hill and close to the best beaches of Florianópolis.
*Pousada Bangalos da Mole, tel. +55 48 3232-0723. [http://www.bangalosdamole.com[/url] Beachfront to the beautiful Praia Mole, which is centrally located, since it is the closest beach to the Lagoa da Conceição town.
*Situated in the north of the island, Floriparadise is the ultimate hostel for those wishing to be emersed in local culture and art. The hostel is directly across from the local beach while close by is the vibrant area of Ponta das Canas which turns into a tourist mecca in the summer. The hostel offers a variety of local activities and linen is included in the price as well as WiFi through out the whole hostel. Your hosts can also speak english which will help your travels immensely if you cannot speak portuguese.
Dorms start at R$25 Apartments start at R$35
* To enjoy youth and movement of the city, Che Lagarto Hostel Florianópolis is the ideal choice: it is located between the Joquina beach and the zippy Mole beach.
Ibis Hotel, Av. Rio Branco, 37 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3216-0000 / fax +55 48 3216-0001, [url=http://www.ibis.com.br].]Located 5 minutes from the bus station, Ibis Hotel has a 198 rooms with air-conditioning. There is a 24-hour bar, and a restaurant serving traditional cuisine on the premises.
*Parthenon Lindacap, R. Felipe Schmidt, 1.102 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3225-4500 / fax +55 48 3225-3645, [url=http://www.accorhotels.com.br/guiahoteis/parthenon/hotel_main.asp?cd_hotel=45[/url].]This 67-room hotel is located downtown, with easy access to shopping and restaurants. Each room includes air-conditioning, a mini bar, and in room safe. The hotel itself has a bar, restaurant, and fitness facilities. It also offers its guests spa services. Rates from R$110.
* Joaquina Beach Hotel,Estrada Geral da Joaquina, 2323 - Lagoa da Conceição, [url=http://www.joaquinabeachhotel.com.br[/url]]This hotel offers no-frills rooms with AC, TV and telephones with a nice cafe for breakfast, lunch or coffee on the ground floor. Includes parking, and is 100m from the beach, which as close to "on the beach" as you can get at this beach. Perfect for surfers, and Mole Beach is a 5 min drive away.
* Maratea Mare Hotel [url=http://www.hotelmaratea.com[/url]]+55 48 3284-5495 sea front hotel. Located in a marvelous area on the Cachoeira do Bom Jesus sea front, Maratea Mare Hotel offers its visitors an unforgettable view. All the apartments are composed of a dormitory, a bathroom, a living room, a complete kitchen, air conditioning, telephone, TV and safe. Brasilian "colonial" breakfast and beach service included. Free internet WIFI Service for guests in lobby area. Rates from R$99,00 in low season.
* Pousada da Lagoinha [http://www.florianopolis-hotels.travel/Pousada_da_Lagoinha[/url] +55 48 3232-4757. It is a very cozy guesthouse, located in front of the Lagoinha beach in northern Florianopolis, with a local colonial design, for those who like a calm and peaceful place, surrounded by the Atlantic Rain Forest vegetation.
* Beautiful cabins, with a view to to Lagoa da Conceição, located between the Mole beach and Joaquina beach. Some of the features of the Hostel are Breakfast, Tv, Fridge, Internet, Parking Space, Pool adult and child and Ofurô.
A portfolio of 45+ handpicked homes and apartments that include concierge service and full guest support. Recently awarded Top Villa Provider by Condé Nast Traveler.
*Costão do Santinho, tel. 0800-48-1000. +55 48 3261 1000, [url=http://www.costao.com.br].]Very nice all-inclusive resort and spa. Very kid-friendly. It's a bit out of the way though, but it is serviced by the yellow bus lines, and it does provide rental car facilities. The beach (Santinho) is extremely clean and beautiful, but has zero nightlife.
* Nexus Surf, Tel. +1 (310) 256-4339 (from outside of Brazil) / +55 48 9626-9029 (from within Brazil), [url=http://www.nexussurf.com[/url]]located directly in front of Praia Mole beach, just minutes outside of the charming Lagoa downtown area. Offers unique vacation packages that include accommodations (wireless internet, international phoneline and air conditioning standard), rental car, surf lessons, adventure sports activities, guided nightlife access, local cell phone, and breakfast service.
*Majestic Palace, Av. Beira mar Norte, 2.746 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3231-8000 / +55 48 3224-6746, [url=http://www.majesticpalace.com.br[/url].]Located on the main street of the city next to Shopping Beiramar, the Majestic Palace offers various services such as air-con with remote control, a coffee shop, fitness center, piano bar, restaurant, spa, breakfast service, concierge, heliport, swimming pool, 24h room service, business center, convention center, minibar, and broadband internet.
*Sofitel Florianópolis, Av. Rubens de Arruda Ramos, 2034 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3202-6100, fax +55 48 3202-6101, [url=http://www.accorhotels.com.br/guiahoteis/sofitel/hotel_main.asp?cd_hotel=152[/url].]Planned as a boutique hotel, there are 120 rooms, 2 suites, and one presidential suite. Pool, sauna, convention accommodations.
*Florianópolis Palace Hotel, R. Artista Bittencout, 14 - Centro, tel. +55 48 3224-9633 / fax +55 48 3223-0300, [url=http://www.floph.com.br[/url].] In a good location near Praça XV and the Cathedral, this hotel has 21 presidential suites, 8 luxury suites, and 89 luxury apartments.
*Il Campanario Villagio Resort, Avenida Dos Buzios, 1760 - Jurerê, tel. +55 48 3202-6100, [http://www.ilcampanario.com.br[/url]. The hotel is 60 ft. away from the beach.