Hi guys!
Usually when people desire to visit Brazil they start to look for trips to Rio de Janeiro or São Paulo, but we want to show you one more awesome destination to spend vacations; each season is becoming more and more famous, and we suggest you to stop by when you come to Brazil. It is the capital o Santa Catarina state, Florianópolis.
 |
| Source: RVSCI |
Florianópolis or Floripa (nick name given by the natives) is a city that has the continent part connected with an island with one of the biggest suspension bridge’s in the world – just like Golden Gate bridge in San Francisco - Hercílio Luz bridge. Floripa is situated in the South of Brazil, close to big cities as São Paulo (695 km), Rio de Janeiro (1135 km), Montivideo (1390 km), and Buenos Aires (1280 km).
 |
| Photo by: Avai Futebar Clube |
Since the first Gay Pride Parade in 2008, Floripa is one of the places in the country most visited by gays from all over the world. Nowadays, the range of places to go out makes Floripa the 2nd most popular destination in Brazil.
Beaches
The island is surrounded by 42 beaches, so you can choose which one fits better, from calm and remoted places to crowded with developed customer service.
 |
| Photo by: G Travel Online |
East: Praia Mole (Mole Beach) – in Portuguese, it's a meeting point among GLS people, especially at Deca's Bar in the left side of the beach, that becomes crowded during summer seasons (obs: it opens only during summer season).
 |
| Photo: Blog Viajar é Preciso |
A few minutes walk from there, after a small track through the coast, you have an option to sunbath naked (if you desire, of course!) on Galheta Beach; is the only one where it is permitted. After the sun set, you can have stop for a snack in any of Lagoa’s coffee shop while you wait to join and enjoy Lagoa’s night life.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Mais Perto |
Another famous beach among tourists is called Joaquina, which usually hosts the WCT Surfing Championships from time to time because of its wild waves. If you never try surfing but you want, we suggest you to start in Barra da Lagoa Beach, the waves are for beginners.
Although, if you don’t know how to swim your surfing experience is not over yet, you can try sand boarding in Joaquina Dunes. It also has an awesome view from Joaquina Beach and Campeche Beach. It worth’s to take your camera!
Although, if you don’t know how to swim your surfing experience is not over yet, you can try sand boarding in Joaquina Dunes. It also has an awesome view from Joaquina Beach and Campeche Beach. It worth’s to take your camera!
North: Canasvieiras Beach is one of the most animated at summer because of its developed structure with hotels, restaurants and bars that stay open all night long during the season.
 |
| Photo by: Praias em Floripa |
If you are from a spanish language speaking country you’ll find yourself at home. This is the favorite beach in the island for all Brazil neighbor countries tourists, so during the whole season Canasvieiras receives thousands of Argentinians, Chileans, Paraguayans and Uruguayans.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Jurerê Internacional |
To stare on hot and fitness bodies you must spend at least one day in Jurerê Internacional Beach; this is a place, where glamour and money are settled in Floripa. There is the most expensive real state together with high quality hotels, bars, restaurants and also one of the most famous day club’s in Brazil. Flirting in Jurerê you’ll feel a kind of night live taste, but during the day and while you get tan. Awesome!
South: The south of the island preserved intensely Azorean customs that arrived there from the 18th century, you can notice it mostly in architecture.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Shanon |
This is the part of the island where you can most find Florianópolis natives, where they still maintain their traditional way of speaking, their craftwork activities and parties. It's very interesting to understand better a piece of local history. Moreover, south part also has awesome surfing beaches – Armação and Campeche - because of Atlantic Ocean waves, and great tracks for the ones that have the nature spirit – Lagoinha do Leste, Lagoa do Peri and Naufragados.
If you come from big cities as London and New York looking for getting rid of people and noise, the nature and the simplicity of this place will make you feel relax.
Sightseeings
As soon as you arrive in Florianópolis you will see the city post card, Hercílio Luz Bridge. It’s very nice to stop by the island side to take some pictures especially during sunset.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Viagens e Caminhos |
About 10 minutes walk from the bridge, in downtown, you can take a look in one of the most famous and oldest building of the capital, the Public Market. Since XVIII century works as the main seafood market of the island.
 |
| Photo by: Atlantique Residence |
Heading to the main center square, XV Square (Praça XV), you will find the old Figueira Tree that has over 100 years.
On the north of this square there is the Metropolitan Cathedral that was recently restored and it is few meters from Cruz e Souza Palace that was the old government residence and works as the city museum nowadays. Entrance cost U$ 1,00.
Food
As far we are talking about an island, the main cuisine you will find is seafood. If you like it, enjoy! Lagoa da Conceição has specialized seafood restaurants, where you can try Shrimp’s Sequence (4-5 different ways to make shrimps, served with salad and fries). It’s very tasty! Prices ranges from U$ 30 – 50,00 per couple.
In Fortaleza da Barra – 5 km from Lagoa da Conceição - there are nice family restaurants, where you can order the famous Shrimp in the Pumpkin on a deck over the channel that connects Lagoa da Conceição with Barra da Lagoa Beach. Can’t describe, it’s just awesome! Prices ranges from U$ 40 – 60,00 per couple.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Doce Salgado e Cia |
Ever year in July, Florianópolis has Festa da Tainha (Mullet Festival), where you can try different kind of dishes with this tasty fish. The most popular one is the Baked Mullet. Entrance to the festival costs approximately U$ 3,00 per person. If you can’t come in July, don’t worry. You can find this option everywhere in the island all year around.
Moreover, for those who like oysters Floripa is a paradise. The city is the biggest oyster producer in the country, also known as Oyster Capital, because it represents around 90% of Brazilian consummation. Just like the Mullet, Floripa also has Fenaostra (Oyster Festival), in October, where we suggest you to try Escondidinho de Ostra (Oyster hidden in melted manioc). Perfect! Entrance to the festival costs approximately U$ 5,00 per person.
 |
| Photo by: Hagah |
Although this festival is only in October, if you come in any other time of the year, you should take a day to visit Ribeirão da Ilha village, where besides all Azorean architecture, you can seat in any of restaurants and order the fabulous Oyster Sequence (4-5 different ways to make oysters) that comes straight from the oyster farms that are settled in the village bay. You won’t regret! Prices ranges from U$ 40 – 60,00 per couple.
Curiosity: South of Brazil has big Italian communities that influenced on quality of food. We highly recommend you to try famous “Rodízio de Pizza” an open buffet of different types of pizza and pasta, including typical Brazilian sweet pizzas with strawberries, white chocolate, bananas and etc. Prices ranges from U$ 12 – 15,00 per person.
Nightlife
Just like Hans Keeling, owner of Nexus Surf, said in New York Times article (Jan/2009) – “Here you have the combination of Sunset Strip-style and Ibiza-style night life mixed in with the Brazilian proclivity for relaxing and having fun”. This is exactly what Floripa represents as one of the most famous destinations for parties in South America nowadays.
 |
| Photo by: Clic RBS |
Generally night live in florianópolis is focused in 2 neighborhoods; if you didn’t decide which party to choose or can’t find suitable option, we recommend you to take a taxi to Beiramar Norte or Lagoa, areas where bars, restaurants and clubs are mostly located.
Besides brazilian food, night live in Lagoa offers you wide range of international cuisine; there you can find typical Irish pub “Black Swan”, cool Mexican bar “El Mexicano” with live music, diverse cocktails (around R$ 5,00 per glass), Indian, Thai restaurants and etc.
If you see “Chopp do Gus” bar in your way to Lagoa, don’t pass by; this place has exceptionally good draught beer which perfectly combines with fries (is famous with its fries, which are served under layers of melted cheddar cheese). This is a famous rock bar among locals and it’s established in a residential neighborhood called Córrego Grande, just before Lagoa.
As soon as you arrive on Beiramar Norte your attention will be attracted with huge Australian flag on the entrance of fashionable "Didge Bar" with typical food and entertaining programs, depending on day.
 |
| Photo by: Blog Jurerê Internacional |
Besides this 2 directions, where you can find parties all year round, during summer season in Floripa take place a lot of open air parties close to beaches, so keep an eye on calendar and outdoor banners not to skip it. Plus to all Florianopolis recently became a host for different international shows. Only in 2011-12 such stars as David Guetta, Fergie, Paul Mccartney, Pitbull, Snoop Dog, and others included Floripa in their world tour list.
Nowadays big clubs and promoters of Brazil are more and more often making GLS parties, like South Beats and E-joy by The Week. You can also join a party on the Casablanca Yacht, which the most famous one is called Sunrise Party.
 |
| Photo by: G Travel Online |
If you are looking for electro music Concorde Club in downtown is one of the best GLS clubs in the south of Brazil. On Saturdays they shake the night with a famous party called Dance Floor. Monthly they also promote a spicy female party known as Perversion Party. Few steps from this place, there is another good option called Jivago Lounge, that is not so big but also very popular because of great music.
Heading to the other side of center you will find one of the most famous GLS clubs in town; Mix Café is open since 1997 and offers a various types of entertainment; Djs and Shows from national and international GLS scene, with Gogo dancers performance.
However, if you are tiered of parties and want to relax, Florianopolis has high quality gay saunas, for example Thermas Hangar sauna, which is open till 11 pm and has 2 types of saunas, dark room, massage, bar and etc. Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment