IWNA

de Santa Catarina is worth a visit, and archeology buffs might want

to block out a couple of days to take in the approximately 5,000

items on display at the Homem do Sambaqui Museum.

Field Trip

Book a boat trip to Campeche Island, off the southeast coast of Ilha

de Santa Catarina. The hiking is fantastic, but the unique prize here

is discovering the multitude of petroglyphs peppered throughout

numerous archeological sites.

Santo Amaro da Imperatriz: Recreate, Rejuvenate,

Repeat

Just a bit more than 20 miles west of Florianópolis is the rural

community of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz. The geographic distance

between the two is almost negligible; it’s easy to visit one from the

other for lunch, a spontaneous afternoon drive or an evening

out. In atmosphere, however, these two places are worlds apart.

Whereas Florianópolis embraces its metropolitan trappings, Santo

Amaro da Imperatriz provides a welcome escape from the urban

jungle — and convenient access to a natural one.

Must Do

Relieve stress, ease back pain, soothe sore joints, detoxify your

dermis, and generally rejuvenate both your physiological and

psychological states of being. This region is world-famous for its

mineral-rich hot springs, and Santo Amaro da Imperatriz is at the

epicenter of liquid thermal activity. If you want to combine your thera-

peutic dip with more formal treatments, make an appointment at

Plaza Caldas da Imperatriz’s spa. Their menu is extensive and ranges

from traditional massages to exfoliating scrubs to reiki sessions.

Should Do

Santo Amaro da Imperatriz’s location, nestled amongst rolling hills

and surrounded by a healthy track of the Atlantic Forest, makes for

a perfect jump-off point to adventures aplenty. One of the most out-

standing — and exciting — is waterfall rappelling, which is exactly

what it sounds like. Tartarugas outfitters will lead you to one of the

area’s stunning cascades and help you buckle into a harness.

Taking the backwards leap of faith over the rocky edge, however, is

all up to you.

Field Trip

Witness Brazil’s mountainous backcountry in São Joaquim National

Park, southwest of Santo Amaro da Imperatriz. It’s truly an ecological

wonder. At times, the volcanic-rock hillsides layered with emerald-

green foliage are reminiscent of Hawaii, while other sections seem

Pull on a wetsuit and try one of Brazil’s

favorite pastimes — surfing!