Florianopolis Local Secrets

As an organization that sends thousands of students abroad each year, CEA has captured a list of local secrets - a collection of discoveries from our students, resident staff, as well as other locals - that make this city unique. We hope you will find the information helpful and, at the very least, an interesting read.

Activities to do and places to visit:

Hercílio Luz Bridge:
Built over 70 years ago, the Hercílio Luz Bridge stands as the longest suspension bridge in Brazil. Originally, this bridge acted as the first structure of its kind, connecting the Island of Santa Catarina to the Brazilian mainland. Regardless of its closing in 1991, the Hercílio Luz Bridge still catches the eye of many visitors.

Cruz e Sousa Palace:
The pink-hued Cruz e Sousa Palace once existed as a palace for the various governors of Brazil’s Santa Catarina state. Built in the 17th century, this eye-catching edifice claimed its name after the famous Brazilian poet Cruz e Sousa and now entertains visitors as a large museum.

Santo Amaro da Imperatriz:
A small city near Florianopolis, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz holds world-renowned thermal and mineral waters that are said to possess medicinal properties.

Fonte Caldas da Imperatriz – Municipal Balneary:
The Fonte Caldas da Imperatriz is an energy emitting water source that reaches up to 102˚F. Visitors enjoy the luxury of indulging in hot spring bats or hydro massages when trekking to this locale. Find the Fonte Caldas da Imperatriz on Estrada Geral Highway in the Caldas Imperatriz district.

Beaches

Praia dos Ingleses:
Ingleses Beach maintains the cultural flavor of the city’s Azorean colonizers, making this sandy destination a must-visit not only in the summer, but also in the winter due to the season’s mullet fishing, religious celebrations and local cultural demonstrations. Looking for a beach with a little more than just the usual swim and sunbathe? Ingleses Beach boasts rolling sand dunes of which provide adventurous activities like sand boarding or hiking.

Praia do Campeche:
The high-quality waves that frequent daily the shores of Campeche make this beach a surfer’s dream. Additionally, Campeche-goers can find fantastic fishing opportunities during the day and a vibrant nightlife as the sun goes down.

Praia da Armação:
Fully-clad with living structures of fisherman history, Armação Beach serves as a destination of both education and intrigue. Whale harpooners and crewmen once confessed and attended mass at the beach’s Sant’Anna Church before departing on their fishing journeys.  

Praia do Santinho:
Santinho Beach, although known as another great surf spot to visit, offers its visitors something a bit more mysterious and eye-catching. Primitive inscriptions etched in the rocks by hunters and fisherman thousands of years ago still exist visibly today on the shores of Santinho.

Outdoor Sports:
Florianópolis has a privileged geography that favors the practice of multitudes of outdoor sports, including surfing, diving, hang-gliding, paragliding, rafting, mountain biking and more.