Porto Belo, Camboriú, Itajaí and Penha in Brazil
Porto Belo and around
Camboriú
Itajaí and around
The coast north of Florianópolis is dotted with resorts. They include
Porto Belo
, a fishing village on the north side of a peninsula settled in 1750 by Azores islanders, with a calm beach and a number of hotels and restaurants. Around the peninsula are wilder beaches reached by rough roads:
Bombas
,
Bombinhas
(both with the same sort of accommodation as Porto Belo),
Quatro Ilhas
(quieter, good surfing, 15 minutes' walk from Bombinhas),
Mariscal
and, on the southern side,
Zimbros
(or Cantinho). Many of the stunning beaches around Bombinhas are untouched, accessible only on foot or by boat. Its clear waters are marvellous for diving.
Southwest of Porto Belo, reached by turning off the BR-101 at Tijucas and going west for 30 km, is Nova Trento, a small town in a valley first colonized by Italians and still showing heavy Italian influence. The local cuisine includes cheese, salami and wine such as you might find in Italy; there are several Italian restaurants and wine producers where you can buy vinho artesanal. There is a good view of the Tijucas valley and as far as the sea (on a clear day) from the Morro da Cruz, at 525 m. West of Porto Belo is Praia de Perequê, with a handful of hotels on the long beautiful beach.
Itapema, 60 km from Florianópolis, is another former fishing village on a wide sweep of sandy beach now dominated by tourism. In high season the town accommodates around 300,000 visitors. The Plaza Itapema Resort e Spa, T047-3368 2222, is all-inclusive and the best such establishment on this part of the coast. Around the headland there are several smaller and quieter beaches, Praia Grossa being one of the best, with good surf.
Southwest of Porto Belo, reached by turning off the BR-101 at Tijucas and going west for 30 km, is Nova Trento, a small town in a valley first colonized by Italians and still showing heavy Italian influence. The local cuisine includes cheese, salami and wine such as you might find in Italy; there are several Italian restaurants and wine producers where you can buy vinho artesanal. There is a good view of the Tijucas valley and as far as the sea (on a clear day) from the Morro da Cruz, at 525 m. West of Porto Belo is Praia de Perequê, with a handful of hotels on the long beautiful beach.
Itapema, 60 km from Florianópolis, is another former fishing village on a wide sweep of sandy beach now dominated by tourism. In high season the town accommodates around 300,000 visitors. The Plaza Itapema Resort e Spa, T047-3368 2222, is all-inclusive and the best such establishment on this part of the coast. Around the headland there are several smaller and quieter beaches, Praia Grossa being one of the best, with good surf.
Some 80 km north of Florianópolis is Camboriú, once beautiful, but now the most concentrated urban development on Brazil's southern coast. From 15 December to late February it is very crowded and expensive, and in low season it is popular with retired people. A few kilometres south, at
Lojas Apple
, there is
Parque Cyro Gevaerd
, a museum (archaeology, oceanography, fishing, local arts and crafts), zoo and aquarium; and
Meia Praia
, which is quieter and cleaner than Camboriú. A
teleférico
(cable car) has been built to
Praia Laranjeiras
, previously deserted (US$13 return from Barra Sul shopping centre
to Laranjeiras via
Mata Atlântica
station). Between Itajaí and Camboriú is the beautiful, deserted and rough beach of
Praia Brava
. Note that from mid-July to mid-August it can be chilly.
At the mouth of the Rio Itajaí-Açu, some 94 km up the coast from Florianópolis, is the most important port in Santa Catarina. It has thriving fishing and ship-building industries and is the centre of a district largely colonized by Germans and Italians, although the town itself was founded by immigrants from the Azores.
Despite the port, tourism is heavily promoted and in summer the population triples. Itajaí celebrates a Marejada Festival in October in honour of Portugal and the sea.
The local beaches are Atalaia, Geremias and Cabeçudas (within walking distance, quiet and small), but within the municipality there is also Praia do Morcego, which is considered a health resort because of the high mineral content of the water. There is also a cave here, the Caverna do Morcego, about which there are many myths and legends.
About 50 km southwest of Itajaí is the Caverna de Botuverá, which you enter through a dripping tunnel that can flood in the wet season. The first gallery is like a cathedral, with stalactites and rock formations including 'the organ', and the guide will play a sort of tune for you. Not all the galleries are fully explored. Pillars of 20 m have been found; each metre of rock taking 10,000 years to form. To get to Botuverá, take the road to Brusque off the BR-101, where there is a tourist office that can give you directions and other details.
PenhaDespite the port, tourism is heavily promoted and in summer the population triples. Itajaí celebrates a Marejada Festival in October in honour of Portugal and the sea.
The local beaches are Atalaia, Geremias and Cabeçudas (within walking distance, quiet and small), but within the municipality there is also Praia do Morcego, which is considered a health resort because of the high mineral content of the water. There is also a cave here, the Caverna do Morcego, about which there are many myths and legends.
About 50 km southwest of Itajaí is the Caverna de Botuverá, which you enter through a dripping tunnel that can flood in the wet season. The first gallery is like a cathedral, with stalactites and rock formations including 'the organ', and the guide will play a sort of tune for you. Not all the galleries are fully explored. Pillars of 20 m have been found; each metre of rock taking 10,000 years to form. To get to Botuverá, take the road to Brusque off the BR-101, where there is a tourist office that can give you directions and other details.
About 20 km north of Itajaí is Penha, another resort along the BR-101, with a broad, curved sandy beach with rocky headlands at either end, offering smaller coves for swimming, surfing
and fishing. The town was founded by Portuguese fishermen in the 18th century and fishing is still important as anywhere else along the coast. Tourism took off in the 1970s and during the high season the population rises to 100,000. Its major claim to fame is the
Beto Carrero World
, one of the largest theme parks in the world, on Praia de Armação. Penha even offers themed shopping. At
Shopping Temático
, on Avenida Eugênio Krause, you can visit different countries in different ages. There are several festivals and events in Penha as well as hotels,
pousadas
and camping.
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This is edited copy from Footprint Handbooks. For comprehensive details (incl address, tel no, directions, opening times and prices) please refer to book or individual chapter PDF
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