Trip highlights
- 1Joaquina Beach sand dunes and surfing
- 2Praia Mole surf lessons
- 3Lagoa da Conceição lagoon
- 4Fresh oyster farms at Ribeirão da Ilha
- 5Santo Antônio de Lisboa sunset
Daily spend
Where you're going
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In pictures
Photos: Unsplash
Language preparation
15 min/day for 8 weeks ≈ 672 useful words and phrases
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Day-by-day plan
Arrival & Lagoa da Conceição
Tuesday, January 26
Est. spend
$98
per person
🌅 Morning
Arrival and transfer to Lagoa da Conceição
Florianópolis Airport to Lagoa da Conceição
Land at Hercílio Luz International Airport and transfer to a pousada near the lagoon, the island's social hub.
Renting a car is worth considering on this trip since the island's beaches are spread out and public transport is limited.
☀️ Afternoon
Lagoa da Conceição stand-up paddleboarding
Lagoa da Conceição, Florianópolis
Paddle across the calm lagoon waters framed by green hills and the famous sand dunes in the distance.
Afternoons can get breezy on the lagoon — morning sessions are usually calmer for beginners.
🌙 Evening
Lagoa da Conceição village dinner
Centrinho da Lagoa, Florianópolis
Dine at one of the lakeside restaurants in the bohemian village, known for its laid-back surfer atmosphere.
This area gets lively at night with live music — a good first-night introduction to island life.
🍽️ Meals
Pousada breakfast
Brazilian · $7
Box 32 Lagoa
Brazilian seafood · $14
Ataliba
Brazilian · $22
Joaquina Beach & Sand Dunes
Wednesday, January 27
Est. spend
$88
per person
🌅 Morning
Surf lesson at Joaquina Beach
Praia da Joaquina, Florianópolis
Take a beginner surf lesson at one of Brazil's most famous surf breaks, host to national championships.
Book lessons for the morning when the wind is typically calmer and waves more consistent for beginners.
☀️ Afternoon
Joaquina Dunes sandboarding
Dunas da Joaquina, Florianópolis
Climb the massive sand dunes behind the beach and try sandboarding down the slopes.
Go barefoot or wear sandals you don't mind filling with sand — shoes are impractical here.
🌙 Evening
Praia Mole sunset drinks
Praia Mole, Florianópolis
Watch the sunset from one of the beach bars at Praia Mole, known for its bohemian crowd and ocean views.
Caipirinhas here are a beach-bar staple — order one with fresh lime as the sun goes down.
🍽️ Meals
Pousada breakfast
Brazilian · $7
Joaquina beach kiosk
Brazilian seafood · $12
Praia Mole beach bar
Brazilian · $18
Oyster Farms & Historic Fishing Villages
Thursday, January 28
Est. spend
$114
per person
🌅 Morning
Ribeirão da Ilha oyster farm tour
Ribeirão da Ilha, Florianópolis
Visit a working oyster farm in the calm southern bay, learning how Florianópolis became one of Brazil's top oyster-producing regions.
Most farms offer fresh oyster tastings right on the dock as part of the tour.
☀️ Afternoon
Ribeirão da Ilha colonial village walk
Ribeirão da Ilha village, Florianópolis
Wander the Azorean-colonial fishing village, one of the island's oldest settlements, with whitewashed chapels and quiet lanes.
This area is far quieter than the northern beaches — a good contrast to the surf towns.
🌙 Evening
Santo Antônio de Lisboa sunset and seafood
Santo Antônio de Lisboa, Florianópolis
Watch the sunset over the bay at this Azorean fishing village before a seafood dinner at a waterfront restaurant.
This village faces west across the bay, making it one of the best sunset spots on the island.
🍽️ Meals
Pousada breakfast
Brazilian · $7
Ostradamus
Brazilian seafood · $20
Box 21 Santo Antônio
Brazilian seafood · $26
North Island Beaches & Departure
Friday, January 29
Est. spend
$96
per person
🌅 Morning
Jurerê Internacional beach morning
Jurerê Internacional, Florianópolis
Spend the morning at the island's most upscale beach club district, known for its calm waters and beach clubs.
Beach club day passes often include a lounge chair and umbrella — worth it for a relaxed last beach day.
☀️ Afternoon
Fortaleza de São José da Ponta Grossa
Ponta Grossa, Florianópolis
Visit the restored 18th-century fort on the island's northern tip with sweeping ocean views.
The drive up to the fort is scenic in itself, winding along the island's northern coast.
🌙 Evening
Farewell dinner and airport transfer
Florianópolis Airport area
Enjoy a final Brazilian seafood dinner near the airport before departure.
Allow extra time in summer as traffic toward the airport can back up on weekend evenings.
🍽️ Meals
Pousada breakfast
Brazilian · $7
Jurerê beach club
Brazilian · $18
Marisqueira Pereira
Brazilian seafood · $22
Before you go
📅 Best time to visit
December to March is peak summer with the warmest waters and liveliest beach scene; April–June and September–November offer fewer crowds with still-pleasant weather for surfing.
🛂 Visas
US, Canadian, and Australian citizens require an e-visa obtained online before travel; UK and most EU citizens can enter visa-free for up to 90 days as tourists — requirements change periodically so verify before booking.
💱 Currency
The Brazilian real (BRL) is the local currency; cards are widely accepted at restaurants and beach clubs, but small amounts of cash are useful for beach kiosks and parking.
🆘 Emergency numbers
police: 190
ambulance: 192
💬 Things you won't find in a guidebook
- Florianópolis is a large island — renting a car makes it far easier to reach the more remote southern beaches and villages
- Praia Mole and Joaquina have strong currents at times — swim only in areas with lifeguards (salva-vidas) present
- Oysters from Ribeirão da Ilha are considered some of the best in Brazil — try them fresh straight from the farm
- Sun protection is essential even on overcast days due to the strong UV exposure on open beaches
- Traffic between the northern and southern parts of the island can be heavy in peak summer (December–February) — plan extra travel time
One thing worth not skipping
A 4-day trip to Florianópolis, Brazil without insurance is a gamble. Medical emergencies, cancelled flights, lost luggage — cover yourself before you leave.
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