Things to Do in Florianopolis

With its thrilling zip-lines, cable cars and amusement rides soaring over the coast of Camboriú, Unipraias Park is one of Brazil’s most celebrated amusement parks and a prime destination for visitors to the southeast. Part adventure park, part wildlife reserve, the 6-hectare park is best known for its spectacular hilltop location looking out over the beaches of the Atlantic coast and surrounded by thick forest.

Along with 500m of walking trails, the park is split into four adventure areas: Bondinho, Fantastic Forest, Zip-rider and Yoohooo!  Head to the Bondinho for a 3.2km, 30-minute cable 

car ride over the Atlantic rainforest; meet with fairies, goblins and elves in the Fantastic Forest; ride the 240m high zip-line or zoom down the Yoohooo! mountain sled at speeds of up to 60 km/h.

One of Florianopolis’ coolest towns is located just over the hill from the downtown area. Conceicao Lagoon (Lagoa da Conceição) is the Island of Magic’s hip district, and boasts a collection of trendy bars and restaurants nestled around the large lagoon. The area is also known for its jungle trekking, sand dunes, and many nearby beaches.

Lagoa da Conceição is centered right in the middle of the island of Florianopolis, making it a strategic area for locals and travelers to gather. There are also a number of outdoor activities in the lagoon and nearby beaches. Drive along Avenida das Rendeiras, on the edge of the lagoon, to find stand-up paddleboard and kayak rentals as well as windsurfing and kitesurfing schools. Head toward Praia da Joaquina and Praia Mole for some of the best surfing on the island as well as surfing schools and rental shops.

Many tours to explore the island’s beaches—Mozambique, Canasvieiras, Jurerê, and Ingleses in the north, or Campeche, Pântano do Sul, Armação, and Matadeiro in the south—leave from the lagoon. Day tours of the island typically pass through Conceicao Lagoon to highlight one of the city’s most popular areas.

 

Public transportation is quite limited on the island, but you can take the Trans-Sol bus from the downtown area of Florianopolis to the TILAG bus terminal in Lagoa da Conceição. If you have a rental car, drive over Lagoon Hill to reach the neighborhood’s center. For a convenient, hassle-free way to reach the lagoon, taxis are also readily available on the island.

Lagoa da Conceição is one of the island’s best places to catch a sunset, either on the lagoon or one of the nearby beaches, such as Joaquina. Try to arrive at the lagoon outside of rush hour (8am to 10am and 5pm to 8pm) to avoid getting stuck in traffic. The island triples in population during the summer, so skip December, January, and February, if possible. 

For those looking for a relaxing night out, Lagoa da Conceição is the place to be. Grab a bite to eat at one of the numerous restaurants in the area dishing up everything from sushi to Brazilian barbecue to food-truck meals. Quench your thirst at any number of bars or botecos while listening to music ranging from sarantejo (Brazilian country music) to international hits.