IWNA

Marcelo Fernandes/Brasilimagens.com; Tartarugas lazer & sustentabilidade

IntervalWorld.com INTERVAL WORLD Spring 2015

Florianópolis: Water Sports and City Delights

Florianópolis is the capital city of Santa Catarina. Technically — and

interestingly — it is split in two by bay waters from the Atlantic Ocean.

Part of town is built up on Brazil’s mainland, while across a couple of

bridges, the other half resides on Ilha de Santa Catarina, the state’s

namesake island. Most visitors spend the majority of their time on the

trendier atoll, which, in recent years, has quietly become a hip hangout

for jet setters searching for the next seaside hotspot. They found it:

Ilha de Santa Catarina is fringed by more than 40 beaches and when

the sun goes down, the revelry shifts to local party places —Confraria

Hall and the Concorde Club are two favorites — where famed DJs

keep fashionable crowds dancing all night long.

Must Do

Any activity that mixes water with waves or wind. In fact, the surfing

is thought to be some of the best Brazil has to offer. Novice and more

skilled wave riders alike will be delighted with the swells and curls at

Mole and Joaquina beaches, but when you’re ready to shred for a

big crowd, head to Brava. It’s probably the most popular stretch of

sand on the island and the break is consistent — and consistently

awesome. However don’t forget your wetsuit, as the water can be a

bit chilly during the Brazilian fall season. Conceição Lagoon is great

for windsurfing and kiteboarding, as well as hang gliding if you’d

prefer your adrenaline rush sans

água

. If, on the other hand, you’re

thinking more água less adrenaline, the calm water and cool vibe

(beachside bars, shopping, and more) at Jurerê is the place for you.

Should Do

Even as far removed from Brazil’s renowned metropolises as it is —

approximately 430 miles south of São Paulo — Florianópolis itself

is hardly some sleepy island backwater, and that’s exactly part of its

appeal. The city is home to a plenitude of quality restaurants, from

seafood at Box 32 to Casarão’s traditional Brazilian menu, and myriad

cultural attractions. The architecture alone of the Museu Histórico

Brazil

is a big country. Probably bigger than you think. Sure, we all have some vague notion about how vast the Amazon

rain forest is. (It encompasses more than 2 million square miles — most of which is within Brazil’s borders.) Perhaps you’ve heard

tales of São Paulo, a true megalopolis with a metro area that’s home to some 19 million people. And watching over Rio de Janeiro

is the iconic 100-foot-tall Christ the Redeemer, a massive statue that can be seen from nearly any spot in town.

But Brazil is the fifth-largest country in the world, so even with all these monumental attractions, there’s still plenty of room for

smaller-scale places of interest. Places such as Florianópolis, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, Itapema, and Blumenau, all in the southern

state of Santa Catarina. These municipalities aren’t nearly as prominent (or as crowded) as some of Brazil’s other destinations, but

they still deliver big when it comes to leisure activities and vacation experiences — and locally crafted German-style beer.

A walk through the treetops offers

spectacular views of the lush natural beauty

found in Santo Amaro da Imperatriz.