Florianópolis holds down southern Brazil as the region’s official beach getaway and party capital. Situated on both the Brazilian mainland and an island ringed by glorious sand-swept beaches, the city is known globally for its high standard of living, attracting a cosmopolitan mix of residents from around the country and abroad. Floripa, as it is affectionately called, combines walkable urban districts with secluded strands of beaches and fishing villages all within a few miles of each other. The population swells during Brazilian summer, but so does the chance for one-of-a-kind experiences and maybe even a bit of romance.
Nickname: Floripa | Population: 470,000 florianopolitanos/1.1 million in metro | Area: 260.8 sq mi | Airport: Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN) | Time Zone: -3h from UTC/-2h DST | Famous for: beaches, nightlife, beaches, quality-of-life, beaches, and beaches.
On arrival: Use the free airport wifi to order a ride via Uber, or take a cab from one of the prepaid taxi offices closest to the terminal exit; insist that the driver uses GPS. The best and least-expensive way to get reais (Brazilian currency) is to withdraw money from the ATM; many Brazilian ATMs do not operate using the U.S. bank card network, but at least one or two will.
Best ‘hoods: It can’t be stated enough that Florianópolis is known for its beaches. They ring the entire Ilha de Santa Catarina, with the most popular being Praia Mole, Praia dos Ingleses, Ilha do Campeche, and Praia de Canasvieiras for the type of oceanside lifestyle rivaled only by Rio. Surfers catch waves at Praia do Santinho and Praia Brava, while the beaches of Jurerê Internacional and Praia da Daniela are the perfect spot for travelers with young children. The center of town, connected across the strait by the iconic Ponte Hercílio Luz, offers a bit of history and charm for culture vultures. Be street-smart everywhere.
Best beaches: Ilha do Campeche, Praia Mole, and Praia dos Ingleses for swimming, sunbathing, and flirting; Jurerê Internacional and Praia da Daniela for families; Praia do Santinho and Praia Brava for surfing; Ponta das Canas for calm and quiet.
Best sights: The beach at Santo Antônio de Lisboa, Ilha do Campeche, hiking at Lagoinha do Leste and Costa da Lagoa, Jurerê Fort, Florianópolis Cathedral, Cruz e Sousa Palace, Mercado Municipal, Joaquina sand dunes, view from Morro da Lagoa.
Best eats: Churrasco (Brazilian barbecue) at Ponta d’Agulha, feijoada (the national dish) at Botequim Floripa, porkilo (Brazilian buffet) at Central, comida mineira (rustic Brazilian food) at Trem de Minas, açaí na tigela (frozen açaí) at Só Açaí, pork sandwiches at Sanduicheria da Ilha, pizza at Artesano Pizza Bar, sushi at Nipô, burgers at Gourmet Burger Market, Brazilian vegan/veg at Aldeia Indigo.
Best dranks: Juices at Filho da Fruta, beers at Gato Mamado or Books & Beers, happy hour at Kibelandia, views and friends at Bar do Boni or Bar Sambaqui.
Best hypes: Live samba at Casa de Noca, Brazilian country music at Fields, rock at John Bull, upscale partying at Pacha, LGBT club nights at Concorde Club and 1007, any of the beaches for New Years (Reveillon), the streets of Centro during Carnival.
Best advice: Remember to be street-smart at all times; leave unnecessary valuables at home. Try to speak a little bit of Portuguese; you’ll make new friends that way. Service in restaurants and other establishments can be slow; try not to let that ruin your trip to one of the world’s most beautiful cities. Use condoms. Have fun!
Image source: Arcadius via Flickr
Have you been to Floripa?