Florianopolis Travel Guide

Introduction

The Ilha de Santa Catarina, aka Florianópolis, is known throughout Brazil for its miles and miles of gorgeous beaches, excellent seafood, and traditional Azorean fishing villages. Figuring out the names may be the only complicated part of a visit to this most laid-back of Brazilian beach destinations. Florianópolis, the city, is the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. Florianópolis is also located on the island of Santa Catarina. Island and city together are usually just referred to as Florianópolis, which people often then shorten to Floripa. Confused? Don't worry, it's the beaches that matter.

The city of Florianópolis is small and pleasant but of no real interest except as a jumping-off point to the island's countless beaches. Brazilians are infatuated with Floripa and flock here en masse in summer. Perhaps Brazilians see in Floripa a model of what their country could be, or perhaps in a land with so much tropical exuberance, the opposite becomes exotic. In any case,...