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Florianopolis - Canasvieiras Beach
This place was visited by tourists already 100 years ago, and has since then developed into a nice little town with its own history and character. This is not a cultural historical place but the mixture of old and new, tourists and locals, Brazilians and foreigners, creates an atmosphere that is not to be found in many new and modern tourist resorts. But it is still the beach that is in focus in Canasvieiras. The almost 2 mile long beach with crystal clear and warm water, white fins sand, and a beautiful view of the surrounding green mountains, islands and the ocean do not leave anything more to wish.
Most shops and restaurants are located along the main entry road that leads right down to the sea. In this part, Canasvieiras reminds about a smaller city. But the tight environment gets more open the more distant you are from the entry road. The ambient becomes calmer and there are more trees and flowers along the streets.
There are various leisure options in Canasvieiras and Florianopolis, and you may travel by boat to nearby smaller islands, by bus to other beaches in northern Florianopolis, or simply by renting a car to drive around on the island to enjoy the richness of nature and culture that Florianopolis offers. If this is not enough, it takes 30 minutes to drive to the continent of Santa Catarina, which is full of tourist destinations of all kinds.
Bombinhas - Bombinhas and Bombas Beach
Bombinhas is a small municipality, with 10 000 inhabitants, that is situated on an oddly formed peninsula with an interesting coast line that is base for many activities related to the sea. It is above all the beaches Bombas and Bombinhas that stand out with their Caribbean blue and crystal clear water, relaxed village style ambient, and all leisure options related to the sea. The beaches are surrounded by hills that are covered by the native forest Mata Atlantica, which brings a touch of nature to the environment.
The life around the beaches Bombas and Bombinhas is relaxed and practically everybody have walking distance to the beach. There is no road between the beaches and the first block, and the absence of traffic reinforces the peacefulness of this place. The main road through the village runs 1 block from the sea and it is here that all shops and grocery stores are located. The supply is large and everything you need on daily basis is accessible within walking distance.
There are many leisure options available, particularly at the sea. There is a small port for yachts and sailing boats in the region, where it is possible to rent boats and make some deep water fishing. There are several diving clubs, the large cruiser from Miami to Buenos Aires stops by in Porto Belo, and all other kinds of water sports are readily available. The peninsula that Bombinhas is located on has an interesting coast line with many smaller beaches that can be discovered on daily trips, for example by kayak or by foot. And there are a number of smaller islands with conditions similar to a paradise, like Ilha de Porto Belo.
Florianopolis - Ingleses Beach
The village at the southern end of the beach Praia dos Ingleses had existed for more than 200 years when tourists started to come here in the 1970ths. But the real explosion took place towards the end of the 1980ths, and then mainly in the northern part of the beach where a completely new area with more luxurious communities were built. The Ingleses Beach is almost 3 miles long with white fine sand and a sea that mostly is calm but sometimes delivers high waves, although not enough to attract surfers in greater numbers. It is a broad beach that leaves room for plenty of activities. All together, Praia dos Ingleses has become one of the most visited beaches in Florianopolis.
The center of the old village has been modernized and comprises a nice and well developed infrastructure with new and refurbished shopping centers, banks, grocery stores and restaurants. It is located in direct connection to the sea, and restaurants do normally have one inlet from the street and one from the beach.
Besides sun, bath and restaurants, Praia dos Ingleses is known for its sand dunes that cut through the southern area of the beach. The dunes also separates Ingleses Beach from Praia do Santinho, a neighbor beach south of Ingleses that is a popular destination for tourists that stay in Ingleses. This beach is home to the only golf course in Florianopolis.
Balneario Camboriu - Central Beach
Balneario Camboriu is the largest tourist attraction in Santa Catarina, but with more than 80 000 inhabitants the city lives its own life even when the tourist season is over. It is walking distance to the 4 mile long beach wherever you live in the city, and everything you need is available within a comfortable distance. There is an ambient of smaller non-chain shops and stores that since a long time ago is gone in many countries in the western world. Such an ambient stimulates daily contacts with other people. The city is also beautiful and reminds about the more famous Rio de Janeiro.
If you like an early walk along the beach in a comfortable temperature of 75 °F (25 °C), stopping by at one of many cafes to have a juice or an espresso coffee, to bring fresh roles home to your wife or husband, to pass by the kiosk and buy a newspaper and have a chat with the personnel, and maybe also to buy some fresh fish or a cut of file mignon for the days lunch, then Balneario Camboriu may be the place for you.
And then you may want to work on your suntan and have a swim in the sea in the late morning, and prepare your lunch on the balcony, and maybe get some sleep in the afternoon. In the late afternoon you may want to stroll along the walkway close to the beach, play some Boule, and have a cold beer or coconut milk and get some snack to it. The evening may be the right time to have a walk in the city center and enjoy the all the activities and do some shopping in the numerous boutiques that all are open until 11 PM, and round it all up with a nice dinner at a restaurant along the beach. Afterwards you can walk back to your home in the late night without fear of being assaulted.
This is how a typical day could look like in Balneario Camboriu. You take the day as it comes end everything you need is within walking distance, to the extent that you do not need a car. And if you would like to experience other parts of Santa Catarina, you can rent a car and make some tours to one of the numerous touristdestinations available.
Florianopolis - Barra da Lagoa
This old village is situated along the 1 mile channel that connects the lake Lagoa de Conceiçao with the sea at the east coast of Florianopolis. Houses are spread out on the hills along the channel all the way down to the sea, where the old village center is located. The southern side of the channel, opposite to the village center, is isolated from motor traffic and the only ways to access this area are by foot or, which seems to be quite common, by boat. The main beach at the old village center is located at the very south of the 6 mile long Moçambique beach, in a place partly protected by some rocks. The waves can go high at this place but there are also many calm days that offer excellent conditions for a swim.
Prainha is a small but very nice beach that is located on the isolated side of the channel, only a few hundred yards from those who live at this side of Barra da Lagoa. This small beach is embedded by rocks and the sea is clean and calm.
The village center in Barra da Lagoa is full of older but well kept houses and buildings, which together with the small and irregularly drawn streets creates a special atmosphere that attracts many tourists. Many shops and restaurants have been established in the center, and the older buildings have been carefully refurbished in an old and appealing style that matches the ambient.
Barra da Lagoa is relatively well located for longer journeys to other regions on the island. Lagoa e Conceiçao, just a few miles to the west and on the way to the center of Florianopolis, has a lot of restaurants and shops. The northern coast of Florianopolis is just some 15 miles away, and it is just a few miles more to the south of Florianopolis.
Garopaba - Central Beach
This old village survived on whale hunting for more than 200 years, and is still full of character with a well kept historical center where buildings has been classified and protected. At the same time, a new and modern city with fresh and nicely designed buildings has grown up to serve the many tourists that visit Garopaba every year.
There are some 10 beaches within the municipality of Garopaba and the Central Beach located right at the center is considered the best one for a swim. People frequenting the Central Beach have close to everything, their homes, modern shopping facilities, restaurants, and the historical center.
The infrastructure in Garopaba has greatly improved the last years and everything that is needed can be found, from merchandise to capital goods. The social service is also of high quality and there are several medical centers in the community and a helicopter service in case of urgency.
Garopaba covers an area of 45 square miles (110 km2) and the nature is a second post card of the municipality. There are many places and beaches to visit, all surrounded by beautiful ocean and mountain views. Radical sports as surfing, horse riding, free flight and paragliding are popular activities. But in parallel with all sport activists, many people that come here do it for the closeness to nature and the calm and peaceful environment.
Balneario Camboriu - Estaleiro Beach
The Estaleiro Beach is located along the 8 mile long Interpraias Road that runs along 7 beaches south of the city Balneario Camboriu. The life at this place is peaceful and the environment is beautiful with all the surrounding mountains, the beaches, the blue sea, and all trees and flowers along the roads. At the same time, it is only a few minutes by car, or by bus, to the city of Balneario Camboriu.
Like most other beaches along Interpraias, the sand at Estaleiro Beach is gold colored and the sea is dark blue. The waves can get very rough when the wind is on from the sea and theses days people may go to the neighbor beach Praia Laranjeiras, a paradise like place that is often visited by tourists.
The small village at Estaleiro Beach was a little fishing community several years ago, but the number of non-locals that have moved in is so large today that it is difficult to recognize the heritage of the locals. There is only a small corner shop in the nearby area but there are several restaurants at the beach front. The closest grocery store is 1 mile away, and to go to Itapema or Balneario Camboriu takes 5 to 10 minutes by car.
Those who like to make daily journeys have several beaches to visit along Interpraias, of which Pinho Beach is exclusively for nudists. There are also some trails to walk more to the inland, crossing through the native forest on the surrounding hills. The beaches are good places for fishing, and sun and swim of course.
Imbituba - Rosa Beach
This is one of the most famous beaches in Santa Catarina and is considered as one of the most beautiful ones in Brazil. It is not easy to get here and it is necessary to drive for several miles on roads that are not of the best quality. But the road runs through a beautiful region with a large lake system, an open and flat landscape, and green hills where houses are spread out along the hillsides.
The Rosa Beach was first visited by young hippies almost 40 years ago, and has since then developed into a famous surf beach. But today the beach is frequented by all kinds of people, children, teenagers and elderly. It is above all the spirit at this broad and almost 2 mile long beach that makes it so unique, and few are those visitors who leave this beach with untouched sentiments.
The fact that Rosa Beach is famous amongst surfers does not mean that others can not swim and have fun at this beach. In fact, it is almost impossible to resist the temptation to try some surfing yourself, maybe laying flat on a simpler surf board and maybe more close to the beach. But it is truly fun, for kids as well as seniors. The beach is also very shallow and the risk for under currents is minimal if you just follow the instructions given by the flags.
A stroll along the Rose Beach is an interesting experience and you never know what is going to happen. And if you feel for a longer walk it is possible to follow a track along the northern hill to reach Praia Vermelho, a desert beach without infrastructure.
There are some shops and several restaurants at the village along the beach, but it is difficult to get there by car and it may be a better solution to walk. Those who want some change from the life at Rosa Beach can visit one of the 20 something beaches in the area of the municipalities Garopaba and Imbituba. |