Introducing Ilha de Santa Catarina
Ilha de Santa Catarina has a vibrant and varied coastline, from the calm, crowded bays of the north, to the wild, cliff-hugging beaches of the south. But it’s not just the beaches that make this island so enchanting. A forest of protected pines protect the east coast, while the dunes near Praia da Joaquina create a lunar landscape. The spine of mountains, luxuriant with the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic rain forest), drops precipitously down to the lovely Lagoa da Conceição. The gateway to the island is Florianópolis, political capital of Santa Catarina and cultural capital of southern Brazil.
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The north of the island borders on being overdeveloped, and the shores of Lagoa da Conceição are crowded with restaurants, hotels and pubs. The best beaches lie along the east coast, especially for surfers. In general, further south means less developed.
Plan on big crowds and high prices (listed here) between Christmas and early March. Prices can fall 20% to 40% outside peak times.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
