Florianópolis is proud to have its own micareta, the Portuguese word for a carnival taking place outside the traditional dates for the carnival. Folianópolis is its name and this year it will take place between 12 and 14 November. Check out the line-up at the party’s website. The presence of usual suspects such as Ivete Sangalo, Chiclete con Banana or Banda Eva is confirmed. The venue for Folianópolis is the Passarela do Samba in the city of Florianópolis.

Destination: Florianópolis is our main blog post on this popular destination in Southern Brazil.

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The latest update to the satellite images used by Google in Google Earth and Google Maps brought maximum resolution to existing coverage for at least three important tourist destinations in Brazil: Florianópolis, Salvador and São Paulo. As well as the cities of Brasilia and Goiania.

These ultra high-resolution images show an spectacular level of detail.

1. Florianópolis

The area with maximum resolution is quite smallish and basically encompasses the urban centre of the island. The Mercado Público and the Puente Hercílio Luz are two structures than can be seen in detail.

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2. Salvador

All the tourist sights of Salvador are in maximum resolution, a guarantee of endless hours of fun.

The Forte de São Marcelo

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The Farol da Barra

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The façade of the Convento de São Francisco in the Pelourinho

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The orixás at the Dique do Tororó

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The igreja do Bonfim

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3. São Paulo

Only part of the city has been upgraded, but most tourist sights are within the area of the upgrade.

The MASP

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The Catedral da Sé

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The Copan building

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Because the Christmas Tree at the Parque do Ibirapuera can be spotted we estimate the images are quite recent.

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Nearly two years after the publication of my first list of favourite places in Brazil (Top 10: favourite places in Brazil) a revamped version of that list makes the blog’s frontpage – gaining a catchier title in the process. So here is the 2009 ranking of my 10 must-see places in Brazil. Click on the names of the places to go to their full destination cards here at the blog, and find out more about them. Some of the destinations are really well-known. Others fall within the hidden jewel description. Bear in mind I have only included places I have been to (places I’ve read/heard about but I haven’t visited didn’t make it into the ranking).

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1. Fernando de Noronha (Pernambuco)

Noronha is where you will find the most beautiful beaches in the whole of Brazil, and crystal-clear waters of unparalleled beauty. If that wasn’t enough, locals do care about the environment, no mean fate in the Brazilian context. A unique place. Not even its dear price tag will remove it from the number 1.

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2. Paraty (Rio de Janeiro)

Atlantic rainforest, desert beaches and the best preserved colonial architecture in the country come together to make of Paraty a very special destination.

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3. Lençóis Maranhenses (Maranhão)

While it’s not easy to reach the Lençóis Maranhenses, the reward more than makes up for the long journey. A unique landscape of dunes and lagoons where mass tourism hasn’t left its mark yet.

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4. Ilha Grande (Rio de Janeiro)

In spite of the numerous threats looming, Ilha Grande is a fantastic and incredibly beautiful nature destination.

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5. Boipeba (Bahia)

Wild beaches and crystal-clear waters the way you won’t find anywhere else in Brazil – bar Noronha. On top of that, a charming quiet village where civilization has yet to leave its imprint.

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6. Iguaçu falls (Paraná and Argentina)

The breathtaking beauty of the falls will captive you the moment you set your eyes on them.

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7. Bonito (Mato Grosso do Sul)

In the southernmost tip of the Pantanal lies Bonito, a mecca for ecotourism and fun in close contact with nature.

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8. Morro de São Paulo (Bahia)

A unique combination of sublime beaches with a great atmosphere at the end of the day.

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9. Arraial d’Ajuda (Bahia)

Great variety of beaches and a lovely village. Rest and relax during the day, have fun when the night begins.

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10. Jericoacoara (Ceará)

Another destination with a nearly-mythical status among travellers. Captivating sand dunes in a remote setting.

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HONOURABLE MENTION. Florianópolis (Santa Catarina)

The only reason for Florianópolis not making the top 10 is that rather than a single destination, the island of Florianópolis contains an exciting collection of villages and beaches.

Ready to make that trip and looking for accommodation in Brazil? Choose from a wide range of cheap to luxury hotels in Rio de Janeiro and many other cities from beautiful Brazil!

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One night in Florianópolis we went out for a pizza. We had driven by the Nave Mãe pizza parlour a few days earlier and decided we would give it a go. Only later we discovered it is one of the Florianópolis haunts of local celeb and national heroe Gustavo Kuerten (tennis player). The pizzaria is on the southern shore of the Lagoa da Conceição, where there is a considerable amount of restaurants. Access without a car is not easy.

The dining room has individual lamps on the tables that help it recreate an atmosphere of intimacy. It is quite dark inside.

Nave Mãe prepares its pizzas with wholemeal dough. Its menu is quite, shall we say, ‘lunatic’. The names of the pizzas relate to galaxies and the space race (Saturno, Terra, Soyuz, Sputnik, Cruzeiro do Sul, Siryus, and so on). We ordered a pizza with three different parts. Asteróide (tomato sauce, mozzarella, pepperoni and oregano), Lua (tomato sauce, mozzarella, bacon and oregano) and Soyuz (tomato sauce, mozzarella, ham, ‘catupiry’ cheese and pineapple). R$34 for a large pizza for two.

For dessert, we shared a conventional petit gateau, chocolate cake with ice cream.

What with one thing and the other we spent R$57. For someone who lives in São Paulo it is always difficult to judge pizzas prepared anywhere else – the risk of being unfair in our assessment is noticeable. The pizza was delicious. The base was slightly thickier than we are used to, but prepared with top quality ingredients.

The pizzaria Nave Mãe is on the rua Laurindo Januário da Silveira, 1296.

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For most visitors, Florianópolis encapsulates the perfect beach destination, and satisfaction comes in the simplest of ways: a beach recliner [sun-lounger] a sunshade and a beach. But even the most sedentary of tourists will at one stage or another want to leave the comfort of the beach where they are staying to visit other parts of the island. This entry is part of a trilogy (that also includes entries on the North and the Centre) with tips and basic guidance on the most interesting points on the island.

As it is the case with the centre of the island, in the south of Florianópolis there are two well-defined parts. To the west, the coastline facing the continent, where there are a pocket of villages showing trails of the Portuguese colonization. It is here where oysters are cultivated. There are no beaches on this part of the island. To the east, some of the most beautiful beaches on the islands and places where most tourists hardly ever go.

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On the continental side of the southern part of the island, the most interesting point is Ribeirão da Ilha, a village founded by Portuguese emigrants from the Azores islands, where some traditions are still maintained, like bobbin lace or basket making. The district of Ribeirão is the largest producer of oysters in Brazil. In the centre of the village there is an interesting sample of Portuguese colonial architecture.

Following the road southwards, pass Ribeirão, you will reach Caieira da Barra do Sul, where there is a tiny beach of calm waters.

On the eastern side of the island, from north to south, we find the following points of interest:

Leave your general queries on Florianópolis at the entry Destination: Florianópolis.

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Accommodation in Brazil has five new blog posts, with full listings of accommodation in Campeche and Praia dos Ingleses, both in Florianópolis, and Porto Seguro, Praia do Rosa and Trancoso.

The state of Santa Catarina’s Fundação do Meio Ambiente mantains a useful webpage where net users can check out the quality indexes for the beaches of the state. At Relatório de Balneabilidade you are presented with two choices:

a) you can check out the beaches of Florianópolis (playas de Florianópolis)

b) or you can check out the beaches of the entire state, including Florianópolis (playas del estado de Santa Catarina).

There are two different tags applied to each beach. Impróprio (unsuitable, in red) and Próprio (suitable, in black). Unsuitable beaches are those where a high concentration of toxic bacteria has been found. Do not forget that in a big part of Brazil sewage is not treated at all.

See also on this blog: Beaches of Rio de Janeiro: quality index

For most visitors, Florianópolis encapsulates the perfect beach destination, and satisfaction comes in the simplest of ways: a beach recliner [sun-lounger] a sunshade and a beach. But even the most sedentary of tourists will at one stage or another want to leave the comfort of the beach where they are staying to visit other parts of the island. This entry is part of a trilogy (that also includes entries on the North and the Centre-Lagoa and the South) with tips and basic guidance on the most interesting points on the island.

The centre of the island of Florianópolis is divided in two well defined areas. To the west, the urban sprawl of the city of Florianópolis. To the east, the region around the Lagoa da Conceição. There is a road linking both locations, usually collapsed with traffic during the high season.

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The capital is on the westernmost point of the island. Two bridges are its link to the continent. The Hercílio Luz bridge, part of the historical heritage and now closed to traffic, is one of the best-known images of the island.

The two main points of interest on the capital – as well as the Rodoviária (bus station), are the Mercado Municipal (Municipal Market) and the Casa da Alfândega (Custom House), sitting one next to the other. There is a parking lot next to the Market, but finding an empty space is not always easy. Ideally, you would reach the centre by bus. Both the Rodoviária (for buses coming from the continent) and the local bus terminal are near the market.

The Mercado Municipal is divided in two different wings. On one of them you will find footwear and accesories shops. On the other, a few fishmonger’s and bars. This wing makes for a very interesting walk, contemplating the different catches freshly arrived from the sea. You will see plenty of oysters around, they are one of Florianópolis most succesful exports.

The famous Box 32 bar is found on this wing of the market. A classic place for a quick pit-stop.

The Custom House is next to the market. It is a neoclassic building from the XIX century, these days home to the gallery of the Asociación de Artistas Plásticos de Santa Catarina (craftsmen association). Worth popping in to see the wide selection of crafts for sale.

The eastern part of the centre of Florianópolis is dominated by the Lagoa da Conceição. If you are arriving from the capital, there is a viewpoint just before the descent to the lake. If you are arriving from the north, there is another viewpoint right after the Barra da Lagoa. It’s worth stopping at both places as they allow for two completely different panoramas of the region. Organized trips around the island tend to stop at both viewpoints.

The Lagoon is separated in two by the Avenida das Rendeiras. Rendeiras are craftswomen specializing in amazing bobbin lace work. Along the avenue you will find a few huts where the rendeiras work and sell their crafts.

The Avenida das Rendeiras is a very pleasant place for a walk around the Lagoa. You will find quite a few restaurants along the waterfront. There are even more restaurants along the rua Laurindo Januário da Silveira, the street that borders the southern half of the Lagoa. A car is a must if you want to reach this part of Florianópolis.

On the eastern side of the middle of Florianópolis there are five beaches. North to south, they are:

Right before the Joaquina beach you will find the Joaquina dunes, famous for being the birthplace of sandboarding. The dunes are quite a lot of fun and an excellent place to spend the afternoon.

Leave your general queries on Florianópolis at the entry Destination: Florianópolis.

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For most visitors, Florianópolis encapsulates the perfect beach destination, and satisfaction comes in the simplest of ways: a beach recliner [sun-lounger] a sunshade and a beach. But even the most sedentary of tourists will at one stage or another want to leave the comfort of the beach where they are staying to visit other parts of the island. This entry is part of a trilogy (that includes forthcoming entries on Centre-Lagoa and the South) with tips and basic guidance on the most interesting points on the island.

On the north of Florianópolis we find the two beaches best loved by the Argentinians that crowd them: Canasvieiras and Ingleses. It is here that we find the biggest concentration of tourists on the entire island. Distances between beaches are not that big, although roads can become irritantingly slow during the high season, when bottlenecks are a permanent feature on an island with precarious road infrastructure.

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From west to east, the following are the main beaches on the north of the island:

On the west coast of the island, half way between the centre of Florianópolis and the northern beaches, you will find the Portuguese villages of Sambaqui and Santo Antônio de Lisboa. Two interesting places for a walk with the family, although the beaches are not good for bathing. Both villages have a handful of seafood restaurants as well as crafts shops.

Leave your general queries on Florianópolis at the entry Destination: Florianópolis.

As Florianópolis is a larguish island with scores of towns and villages, there are considerable price differences between one place and another, even when there are quite near each other.

The supermarket chain Imperatriz has a website where you can check out its weekly promotions. For as long as the page stays online, it is the most up-to-date resource to get an idea of what the prices for basic items in Florianópolis are like.

I’m leaving here a handful of prices from our trip to the island in February 2008:

Prices at the Ilha do Campeche: bottle of mineral water, R$2; Coke, R$3; beer, R$5; caipirinha, R$5; single-course meal with fish, rice, fries and a salad, R$15; fried squid, R$25.

Prices at the playa de Campeche: basic meal, R$15; Coke, R$2,50; canga (sarong) from R$10.

Prices at a bar at the playa Brava : fries, R$10; fried squid, R$20; breaded fish for two (with rice, fries and vegetables), R$33; burger, R$7; bottle of mineral water, R$2,20; Coke, R$2,90; caipirinha, R$7.

Car rental for a day (basic model): R$65 per day

Prices in Canasvieiras: meal at a popular restaurant from R$12 (not including drinks; Coke from R$2,50); large pizza, from R$15; a sandwich and a fruit juice, R$10.

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