Santa Catarina

seven timesVoted the best tourist

destination in Brazil

Silveira Beach, in Garopaba

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The state of Santa Catarina has 5.9 million inhabitants in 293 municipalities spread over an area of 95,400 square kilometres, div ided into ten tourist regions

Map of the tourist regions

TEN TOURIST REGIONS OF SANTA CATARINA

REGIONS MAIN CITIES OTHER CITIES OF INTEREST

Caminho dos Príncipes Joinville, Jaraguá do Sul, São Bento do Sul, São Francisco do Sul

Rio Negrinho, Campo Alegre, Corupá, Balneário Barra do Sul, Barra Velha, Itaiópolis, Mafra, Itapoá

Costa Verde e Mar Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, Itapema, Porto Belo, Navegantes, Balneário Piçarras, Bombinhas e Penha

Camboriú, Ilhota e Luiz Alves

Vale Europeu Blumenau, Pomerode, Brusque, Nova Trento, Rio do Sul

Gaspar, Indaial, Timbó, Botuverá, Ibirama, Apiúna, Rodeio, Rio dos Cedros, Presidente Getúlio, Doutor Pedrinho, Benedito Novo

Grande Florianópolis Florianópolis, Governador Celso Ramos, São José, Palhoça e Santo Amaro da Imperatriz

Biguaçu, Águas Mornas, Rancho Queimado, São Pedro de Alcântara, Angelina, Antonio Carlos, Anitápolis e São Bonifácio

Encantos do Sul Laguna, Imbituba, Garopaba, Criciúma, Tubarão, Nova Veneza e Gravatal

Urussanga, Orleans, Jaguaruna, Içara e Balneário Rincão

Caminho dos Cânions Araranguá, Sombrio e Praia Grande Passo de Torres, Balneário Gaivota, Santa Rosa do Sul, Jacinto Machado, Turvo, Timbé do Sul, Meleiro, Morro Grande, Maracajá e Balneário Arroio do Silva

Serra Catarinense Lages, São Joaquim, Urubici, Urupema, Bom Jardim da Serra, Bom Retiro

Bocaina do Sul, Correia Pinto, Anita Garibaldi, Campo Belo do Sul, Cerro Negro, Capão Alto, Otacílio Costa, Rio Rufi no, São José do Cerrito, Painel, Palmeira

Vale do Contestado Videira, Treze Tílias, Fraiburgo, Tangará, Pinheiro Preto, Piratuba, Irani, Itá e Caçador

Curitibanos, Porto União, Canoinhas, Frei Rogério, Seara, Rio das Antas, Campos Novos, Capinzal, Concórdia, Joaçaba e Herval d’Oeste

Grande Oeste Catarinense Chapecó, Xanxerê e Aberlado Luz Xaxim, São Domingos, Vargeão, Mondaí, São Lourenço do Oeste, Saudades, Maravilha e Guatambu

Caminhos da Fronteira São Miguel do Oeste, Dionísio Cerqueira e Itapiranga Guaraciaba e São José do Cedro

>> Th e capital of Santa Catarina is one of the most important tourist destinations in Brazil. Th e city is situated

on an island (Santa Catarina Island) and over a small part of a mainland peninsula. Here you will fi nd a hundred

beaches, mountains, preservation areas, Atlantic Forest, dunes and two large lagoons. Peri is the largest fresh water

reservoir on the island and has shallow and clear waters, whilst Conceição has calm, greenish, transparent and

shallow waters. Florianópolis has 100 beaches of all kinds, from sheltered coves to those facing the open sea with

big waves, which are obviously good for surfi ng. Some are famous and very popular, like Jurerê Internacional,

Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Ponta das Canas, Lagoinha, Brava, Ingleses and Santinho (North of the island); Moçambique,

Barra da Lagoa, Mole and Joaquina (East); Campeche, Armação and Pântano do Sul (South).

and Florianópolis is ready and waiting

Summer is coming...

Hercílio Luz Bridge

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>> Leaving Floripa and heading towards the

Serra Verde e Mar (Green Mountains and Sea),

you will fi nd more natural beauty. Th e coast

of Santa Catarina is one of the most beautiful

in Brazil and there are dozens of beaches with

white sand and clear blue water. Verdant hills,

bustling resorts and bucolic crevices surround

many of them. Th ere are vast diff erences as

some are almost wild, some have sheltered

coves and others are open sea beaches.

The smallest city of Santa Catarina is

located on a peninsula with an abundance

of bays, coves and beaches. In Bombinhas, the

transparent waters and marine biodiversity

attract scuba divers, who will find ideal

conditions for snorkelling and well-equipped

scuba diving agencies. Graced with beautiful

beaches, Bombinhas off ers good conditions

for surfi ng, sailing and water skiing. 75% of

its expanse consists of protected areas and

exuberant nature. Ecological trails will take

Beaches and waterfalls help you enjoy the summer in the best possible way

tourists through the richness of the Atlantic

Forest, past waterfalls and it is possible to see

several species of animals and plants.

On the other hand, Balneário Camboriú

is a modern and cosmopolitan city and it

has attractions that guarantee fun 24 hours a

day and even in low season. During the high

season, approximately 1.5 million tourists visit

the city - of which at least 100,000 come from

abroad. In December and January, both during

the day and at night, life pulsates along Atlantic

Avenue that stretches around the Central Beach

and plays host to many busy bars, nightclubs,

hotels, cafeterias and restaurants that specialise

in seafood and international cuisine.

Th ere are cities like Bom Jardim da Serra,

Urubici, Urupema, São Joaquim and Lages that

make up part of a route that has some of the

most beautiful panoramic views in southern

Brazil. Along the route are various forms of

accommodation. You can stay in farm hotels

Mole Beach

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or cosy cottages and tourists that arrive in Serra

Catarinense (Santa Catarina Mountains Region)

can combine the pleasures of rusticity with the

delights of an abundant and rich gastronomy.

Th e quiet city of São Joaquim is one of the

highlights of the region. In late September, the

beautiful blossom of the apple and cherry trees fi ll

the air with their sweet scent. Lages and Urubici

are two other cities that are worth visiting.

Th e fi rst is considered the national capital of

Rural Tourism, where visitors can do activities

related to farm life, such as fi shing, horse riding,

milking cows and enjoying a nice barbecue.

Urubici also houses numerous waterfalls, rivers,

springs, caves, trails, hills and mountains. A good

tip is to go to Morro da Igreja (Church Hill),

which is the highest point in the state which

stands at 1828 metres. Th e hill also has a huge

rock with a 30 metre wide hole in the middle

that is known as Pedra Furada (Holed Stone).

In Aparados da Serra, you will fi nd some

breath taking landscapes. Th e region is located

between the states of Santa Catarina and Rio

Grande do Sul and has the largest number of

water springs and the largest area of preserved

Atlantic Forest in Brazil. Th ere are cliff s here

that look like they were carved out of the rock

and stretch up to more than 1,200 metres

and at the base, there is a crystal clear river,

some natural pools, rapids and waterfalls.

Serra do Rio do Rastro; yachts and boats in Araçá Beach; Lagoinha do Leste Beach; and diving, in Bombinhas

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>> In Santa Catarina there are at least 14

hydrothermal resorts as the water is said to

have healing and relaxation properties with

temperatures ranging between 33º C and 40º

C. Th ese resorts are found in fi ve regions of

the state and attract, during the high season,

a large number of tourists. Th e cities have

excellent tourist infrastructure with hotels,

guesthouses, restaurants and shops.

Thermal water is more than a type of

treatment; it can be pleasurable for the whole

family as the high temperature allows children

to stay longer in the water. There are also

other tourist attractions in these cities and

they range from the beautiful landscapes to

the many adventure sport options.

Th e prestige of the town of Águas Mornas (Warm

Waters), for example, has warmed the enthusiasm

of thousands of people who have come to discover

this hot spring paradise, which incredibly, spring

up from the ground at a temperature of 39°

C. Joined together with human warmth, the

history of German immigration and the cozy

atmosphere, the town welcomes all comers.

In Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, the hidro-

mineral park of Caldas da Imperatriz was

the fi rst to be discovered in Brazil back in

1813. The city’s name is due to the visit

of the imperial couple, Dom Pedro II and

Empress Teresa Cristina, in 1845. Th e city

has many hotels with a total capacity of 740

beds. Gravatal, Tubarão, Santa Rosa de Lima,

Itá, Treze Tílias, Piratuba, Videira, Águas de

Chapecó, São Carlos, Palmitos, Quilombo

and São João do Oeste complete a tourist

route full of discoveries.

Swim in special waters

Santa Catarina is the perfect destination for those who enjoy the country life. Rural Tourism in Brazil started here in the state and there are a variety of attractions and tours in all the regions. There are more than 60 lodges and farm hotels, spread over some 30 regions, mostly situated in idyllic locations, with diverse sceneries such as beaches, fi elds, snow, sea and mountains, which offer tourists the very best in lodgings, relaxation, leisure and fun. The activities in the farm hotels vary by region. Some sites have water parks, hydrothermal resorts, retreats, extreme sports and traditional parties with Italian, German and Polish dances. In all of them, there is always space at the tables which enable you to enjoy barbecues to colonial breakfasts. The different seasons of the year also provide changing sceneries. In the summer, you can see the grape and apple harvest. In winter, enjoy the spectacle of snow covering trees, the ground and roof tops with a carpet of white powder, which is something very rare in Brazil.

Country Life: beautiful landscapes and nature

Norberto Cidade

Hydrothermal Tourism in Piratuba, Santo Amaro da Imperatriz and Rural Tourism in Lages

Go riding!Cycle Tourism attracts visitors to many areas of the State

>> Various groups around the world are

coming together more and more to visit and

explore diverse destinations and to exercise

at the same time, through Cycle Tourism. In

this case, the bike is not only used as a means

of transport but as a travel companion.

Santa Catarina was the fi rst Brazilian state

to create tours to be enjoyed on short trips

by bicycle. The cyclists remain in close

contact with nature and local cultures with

the help of guides and specialist companies.

Cycle tourists take their time to amble

along as they seek to understand more

about the places where they are going

by making the most of culture, cuisine,

nature and especially contact with other

people. Virtually all the cities here have

rural roads, which are predominantly

dirt tracks, which pass through forests,

streams, waterfalls, fi elds and plantations.

By the side of these roads live people of

simple habits, rural workers, farmers

and peasants, who always have a good

story to tell. Th ese roads provide access

to architectural elements such as houses,

huts, mills, churches and monuments,

many of which are identifi ed with the

local culture and colonization. During the

many possible journeys, the cycle tourist

will come across traditional festivals,

local folklore, customs, the language, the

cuisine and the diff erent beliefs.

In Santa Catarina, the fi rst tourist circuit

was the Vale Europeu (European Valley).

Created in 2006, it passes through the cities of

Timbó, Pomerode, Indaial, Rio dos Cedros,

Benedito Novo, Doutor Pedrinho, Rodeio,

Apiúna and Ascurra. Th ese cities have over the

years helped preserve many characteristics

of German and Italian colonization.

Nowadays, there are organized tours

in the Greater Florianópolis area, the

Costa Verde & Mar, Serra Catarinense

and Caminho dos Cânions. Th e Whale

Route is a bicycle tour that goes along the

beach from Laguna until Palhoça and is

scheduled between June and November,

which is the right whale season. In

Aparados da Serra, the cycle tourists follow

the tracks along the edges of the canyons

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Santa Catarina - sport and adventure>> Sport cannot be left out of the list of

attractions in Santa Catarina. Many hills and

woods surround the capital Florianópolis

whilst Lagoa da Conceição is a benchmark

for sports for both men and women. As

well as water activities such as windsurfi ng

and stand up paddling, there are also trails

around the area. One of the most famous is

the Canto dos Araçás which passes through

the middle of the Atlantic Forest and leads

up to the small community of Canto da Ilha,

which was declared a Cultural Preservation

Area for preserving the Azorean fi sherman

and lace making culture. It is possible to take

a boat here but the four hours it takes to

walk here add the word “adventure” to the

tour, which is aft er all why people are here!

A shorter trail is Gurita, which passes

through the Parque Municipal da Lagoa

do Peri, There you will see some historic

houses from the 19th century. The trail

Beside, the Lagoon of Peri. Above, sports in Lagoon of Conceição

leads to a waterfall with natural pools. Th e

park offers guides by appointment only

and the walk lasts about an hour. Also by

Peri Lagoon you can trek to Ribeirão da

Ilha, which is a more diffi cult walk, due to

the two hours it takes walking next to large

holes. In the small community in the south

of the island, you can see a traditional mill,

fruit from the Azorean colonization, and

sample the famous oysters of Florianópolis.

Not only is the land and water good for

sports, but the city’s air is good too, as

paragliding is very popular here. You can

fly from Lagoa Hills, Mole Hills or Santo

Amaro da Imperatriz Hills, in Florianópolis.

Th e tours do depend on good weather though.

Th e fl ights, which are tandem with a guide,

take place over the beautiful landscapes of

beaches of Mole, Joaquina and Galheta,

Lagoa da Conceição or a valley shrouded

in mountains and waterfalls.

The ethnic mix that occurred in the South has resulted in culinary mix that is completely dif-ferent to the rest of the country. Being next to the sea, the cuisine is generally based on seafood. In Caminho dos Príncipes and Vale Europeu, which have German infl uences, the delicacies are pork and they are cooked with spicy seasonings that create strong fl avours. It is obviously washed down with beer. The German infl uence is present in dishes such as

sauerkraut with vina, kassler (pork chop), eisben (pork knuckle) and bockwurst (sausage). The mit rotkohl (duck with red cabbage) is already an adaptation with native ingredients from Brazi-lian agriculture. The German bakeries here are defi nitely worth visiting as they have an array of sweet and savoury delights and one of the most famous is the Appfelstrudel, (apple strudel), but apple coffee cake (cucas) and the various pies are also popular. There are many other colonial

foods and the best of the rest are probably the jams and the homemade sausages. The Italians have the largest immigrant population and they have spread out right across the state. Their typical warm cafeterias are present in all regions with pasta dishes, polenta and chicken. It is worth embarking down a colonial path that will lead to traditional communities in the rural interior, where the etiquettes of these forerunners are still part of everyday life and thus fl avours are more authentic.

Gastronomic Route follows the story of Brazil’s colonisation

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