Lagoa da Conceição
First visits, nightlife, centralAround the lagoon, with bars, restaurants and most hostels, and easy access to beaches north and south.
City guide
Things to do in Florianópolis
An island city in the south with more than 40 beaches, a lagoon, sand dunes and surf. Floripa is where Brazil goes to play in summer, and where travellers stay longer than they meant to.
48
Hostels in the city
8.9
Average, from 6,882 reviews
40+
Beaches on the island
4–5
Days to do it properly
The island of magic
Florianópolis, Floripa to everyone, is the capital of Santa Catarina state, and most of it sits on Ilha de Santa Catarina, an island around 50km long joined to the mainland by bridges. Locals call it the Ilha da Magia, the island of magic, and once you see the mix of beaches, forested hills, lagoons and fishing villages, the name makes sense.
The island has a different character in each direction. The north has calm, warm-water beaches and the busy resorts of Jurerê and Canasvieiras. The east faces the Atlantic, with surf beaches like Joaquina and Moçambique. The centre is Lagoa da Conceição, a lagoon surrounded by bars, restaurants and hostels, and the heart of island life for travellers. The south is the wildest, with fishing villages, trails and empty beaches.
Summer, from December to March, is peak season, with packed beaches and parties. Outside summer, the island is quieter, cheaper and still beautiful. Give it four or five days, and stay around Lagoa or Barra da Lagoa to be central to it all.
Where to base yourself
Lagoa da Conceição is the travellers' hub, central to beaches north and south. Barra da Lagoa and Campeche are beach-village alternatives.
Barra da Lagoa
Beach village, surfA fishing village where the lagoon meets the sea, with a calm beach and a relaxed vibe.
Campeche
Surf, quieter staysA long beach in the south-east, with boats to Ilha do Campeche.
Centro
Transport, city lifeThe historic centre on the island's western side, with the bus terminals and the Mercado Público.
Canasvieiras
Calm water, familiesA resort beach in the north with warm, calm water. Busy in summer.
Orange labels are neighbourhoods, dots are the 11 top-rated hostels. Map data from OpenStreetMap contributors.
Things to do
Things to do in Florianópolis
Beaches are the point. Joaquina is famous for surf and has huge sand dunes next to it where you can try sandboarding. Praia Mole is a surfers' and young crowd's favourite, Barra da Lagoa has calm water and a fishing village, and Lagoinha do Leste in the south is reached only by a trail through the forest, which keeps it beautifully quiet.
Lagoa da Conceição is the island's centre of gravity, good for kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding and kitesurfing on the water, and for long evenings in its bars. Boats from Barra da Lagoa reach the small village of Costa da Lagoa, with seafood restaurants and waterfalls.
Further out, Ilha do Campeche, off the east coast, has crystal-clear water and is reached by boat in summer, with daily visitor limits. In the historic centre, the Mercado Público and the old Hercílio Luz bridge are worth an afternoon. From July to November, southern right whales come close to the coast south of the island.
Free things
And what it costs nothing to do
Every beach is free, and with more than 40 to choose from you will not run out. Trails across the island are free too: the hike to Lagoinha do Leste, the coastal path from Barra da Lagoa to the natural pools, and the walk to the Galheta beach all cost nothing.
The dunes at Joaquina are free to climb, and the sunset from the viewpoint above Lagoa, the Mirante da Lagoa, is one of the best on the island.
In the historic centre, the Mercado Público and the old squares are free to wander, and the Hercílio Luz bridge is lit up at night.
Food and drink
Eating and drinking
Floripa is Brazil's oyster capital, with farms around the bays of Ribeirão da Ilha and Santo Antônio de Lisboa serving them raw, grilled or gratinated, fresh from the water and cheap by European standards.
Seafood is the rest of the menu: sequência de camarão, a feast of prawns cooked in many ways, fish of the day grilled on the beach, and the Azorean-influenced dishes of the island's old fishing communities.
Lagoa da Conceição has the widest choice of restaurants and bars, from açaí shops to pizza. In the centre, the Mercado Público's bars are a classic spot for a cold beer and a plate of seafood.
Nightlife
Going out
In summer, Floripa is one of Brazil's party capitals. Lagoa da Conceição's bars are busy every night, with live music, and the beach clubs of Jurerê Internacional host big-name DJs and an expensive, glamorous crowd.
Hostels around Lagoa and Barra da Lagoa run parties and bar crawls, and many nights end with sunrise on the beach.
Outside summer, the scene is quieter but Lagoa still has a good choice of bars, especially at weekends. Use apps to get around at night, as distances between beaches are long.
Getting around
Getting around
The island is big, and buses connect the beaches through terminals in each region, with a main terminal in the centre. Journeys can be slow, especially in summer traffic. Uber and 99 work across the island, and many travellers rent a car or scooter for a few days.
Hercílio Luz International Airport is in the south of the island, around 30 minutes from Lagoa by car. Long-distance buses arrive at the Rita Maria terminal in the centre, with services to São Paulo, Curitiba, Porto Alegre and Foz do Iguaçu.
In summer, roads to the beaches get very busy, so leave early.
Costs
What Florianópolis costs
Floripa is one of Brazil's pricier destinations in summer, when hostel prices rise and beds sell out around New Year and Carnival. Dorm beds run from around €12 out of season to €25 or more in January and February.
Food is reasonable: a por quilo lunch costs €5 to €10, and a dozen oysters is cheap by European standards. The main extras are boat trips, surf lessons and car hire.
Cards and Pix are accepted almost everywhere. Out of season, from April to November, prices drop and the island is calm.
Safety
Safety and scams
Florianópolis is one of the safer cities in Brazil, with a relaxed atmosphere. Petty theft happens on busy beaches and at parties, so do not leave things unattended on the sand and keep an eye on your phone.
The sea is the main risk. The east coast beaches have strong currents and big waves; swim near lifeguard posts and follow the flags. On trails, take water and tell someone where you are going.
In an emergency, call 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance or 193 for the fire brigade and lifeguards.
Worth leaving the island for
The coast of Santa Catarina is full of beach towns.
Bombinhas
Clear water and some of the best snorkelling in the south.
What's on
What is on while you are there
Summer parties, whale season and a lively Carnival.
December to March
Summer season
Beaches across the island
Beach parties, festivals and the busiest months.
February or March
Carnival
Centro and beaches
Street parties and a lively LGBTQ+ friendly carnival.
July to November
Whale season
South coast
Southern right whales come close to shore to calve.
Hostels
Where to stay
The highest-rated hostels in Florianópolis, straight from Hostelworld. Prices and availability are live on each property page.
The Search House Beachfront Hostel
Dorms from €19 a night
See dates and book
Nômades Vibe da Ilha - Adventure Hostels
Dorms from €6 a night
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Floripa Surf Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
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Sea Wolf Surf Hostel - Barra da Lagoa
Dorms from €7 a night
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Sea Wolf Social Hostel - Lagoa da Conceição
Dorms from €11 a night
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Nômades Riverside | Adventure Hostels & Coworking
Dorms from €12 a night
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Tucano House Summer Hostel
Dorms from €15 a night
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Geckos Hostel
Dorms from €12 a night
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Nômades Beach House - Adventure Hostels
Dorms from €12 a night
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Pup Hostel SC
Dorms from €12 a night
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Barra Surf Hostel
Dorms from €36 a night
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When to go
December to March is summer: hot, busy and the party season. April, May and September to November are quieter and still warm. June to August is cool.
Jan
Peak summer, busy and expensive
Feb
Carnival. Book ahead
Mar
Warm, crowds thinning
Apr
Lovely and quieter
May
Mild, empty beaches
Jun
Cool, cold sea
Jul
Coolest month. Whale season begins
Aug
Whales off the south coast
Sep
Spring, still quiet
Oct
Warming up
Nov
A great month before summer
Dec
Summer begins, New Year crowds
Bar height is temperature. Colour is how busy it gets:
quiet
busy
peak
Average highs, rounded. Winter brings cool, sometimes rainy days, and the sea gets cold.
What your trip will cost
Per night, for one person, in the shoulder season.
Treat these as a guide. Summer, New Year and Carnival cost much more.
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- Beds—
- Food and drink—
- Getting around—
- Doing things—
Florianópolis questions
The ones we get asked most.
Where should I stay in Florianópolis?
Lagoa da Conceição for nightlife and a central base, Barra da Lagoa for a beach village, and Campeche for surf and quiet.
How many days do you need in Florianópolis?
Four or five, to see beaches in the north, east and south, try the dunes and the lagoon, and hike to Lagoinha do Leste.
When is the best time to visit Florianópolis?
December to March for summer and parties, or April, May and November for warm, quieter days and lower prices.
How do I get around the island?
By bus through the regional terminals, by Uber or 99, or by renting a car or scooter. Summer traffic can be heavy.
Is Florianópolis safe?
It is one of the safer cities in Brazil. Watch your belongings on busy beaches, and be careful with currents on the east coast.
Can you see whales in Florianópolis?
Yes, from around July to November, southern right whales come close to the coast south of the island.
Is Florianópolis expensive?
In summer, yes, by Brazilian standards. Out of season, prices drop considerably.
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