After five months of living in this new country we were on our first
road trip. Something prompted us to set off on this journey. Looking
back it was the urge to have a true Brazilian experience. After almost
10 hours of driving we reached the island of Santa Catarina and arrived
in the heart of the city. 
I was surprised to discover that downtown Florianópolis, or Floripa as it is known to the locals, was much like any other Brazilian town, filled with high rises and chain restaurants. I guess when one pictures a tropical paradise they tend to forget that some people actually live and work there.
We were headed to the north and we soon realized it is what lies on the outskirts of this island that make it truly unique. As we drove further north, we began to enter what seemed an untouched land. There are 42 beaches on the island, each catering to a different desire.
Surfers set their sites on Joaquina or Praia Mole with the large crashing waves of the Atlantic. Families with children enjoy the calmer waters at Ponta das Canas or the shops and restaurants near Praia do Inglês.
After much research, we settled on Praia Brava, Angry Beach. We pulled into the small parking lot of the Pousada Villabella Villagio, a peaceful bed and breakfast that was a cross between a log cabin and a quaint beach house. We were greeted by the owners and the family dog, a very old German Shepherd. The view from our room took my breath away. The pousada was situated at the top of a hill and overlooked the deep blue ocean. It only got better the next morning when we awoke to a view of shrimp boats on the water collecting what was later to be our dinner.
One of the most unique things about the beaches of Floripa is that there are no coast lines that go on for miles. Each beach on the island is separated by picturesque rock formations and vibrant vegetation. Having a car to get around is a necessity, but the views are outstanding.
While our first day was full of sunshine, it was too windy to lie on the beach. We settled by having an incredible meal at a restaurant near our pousada. Seafood was high on our priority list and there was no shortage of it on the island. To this day, the best meal I have had in Brazil, I had on this trip.
Camarão na Moranga was not on the menu, but when asked we were told they did have it. This dish consists of shrimp and cheese baked in a pumpkin. Once it arrives at your table, you are to scoop out spoonfuls of this rich stew with pieces of sweet pumpkin and eat it over white rice. Seqüência de Camarão is another delicious meal and a true delight for seafood lovers. It can be found all over the island and includes numerous courses of shrimp, calamari, crab and fish. Each is expertly prepared in various ways including sautéed with garlic and deep fried.
The rest of our trip was a cloudy and often rainy experience. However, there was too much to explore on the island for it to get us down. We spent one afternoon at the Kioske do Pirata on Praia Brava. While the crowd was light on that November afternoon, I’m sure the location sees a lot of action during the summer months with many Brazilians visiting during Carnaval. It is the ideal place to grab a snack, a beer and get a break from the intense South American sun.
Our last afternoon was spent enjoying the sites around Praia Mole, Easy Beach. This seaside retreat provides the perfect mix of action and relaxation. Rolling hills extend behind the beach and each end is dotted with smooth rock formations fit for a little climbing. It rained the entire time so we stayed undercover at one of several bars on the beach. We enjoyed açaí juice, Brazilian beer and seafood appetizers as we watched those brave enough to venture into the cool rain for futebol and surfing.
While the first thing to come to mind when thinking of Brazil is beaches, few venture as far south as Floripa. Its beautiful coastline and lush vegetation make you feel as though you are entering a special land unknown to many outsiders. A visit to Florianópolis is a true Brazilian beach experience.
I was surprised to discover that downtown Florianópolis, or Floripa as it is known to the locals, was much like any other Brazilian town, filled with high rises and chain restaurants. I guess when one pictures a tropical paradise they tend to forget that some people actually live and work there.
We were headed to the north and we soon realized it is what lies on the outskirts of this island that make it truly unique. As we drove further north, we began to enter what seemed an untouched land. There are 42 beaches on the island, each catering to a different desire.
Surfers set their sites on Joaquina or Praia Mole with the large crashing waves of the Atlantic. Families with children enjoy the calmer waters at Ponta das Canas or the shops and restaurants near Praia do Inglês.
After much research, we settled on Praia Brava, Angry Beach. We pulled into the small parking lot of the Pousada Villabella Villagio, a peaceful bed and breakfast that was a cross between a log cabin and a quaint beach house. We were greeted by the owners and the family dog, a very old German Shepherd. The view from our room took my breath away. The pousada was situated at the top of a hill and overlooked the deep blue ocean. It only got better the next morning when we awoke to a view of shrimp boats on the water collecting what was later to be our dinner.
One of the most unique things about the beaches of Floripa is that there are no coast lines that go on for miles. Each beach on the island is separated by picturesque rock formations and vibrant vegetation. Having a car to get around is a necessity, but the views are outstanding.
While our first day was full of sunshine, it was too windy to lie on the beach. We settled by having an incredible meal at a restaurant near our pousada. Seafood was high on our priority list and there was no shortage of it on the island. To this day, the best meal I have had in Brazil, I had on this trip.
Camarão na Moranga was not on the menu, but when asked we were told they did have it. This dish consists of shrimp and cheese baked in a pumpkin. Once it arrives at your table, you are to scoop out spoonfuls of this rich stew with pieces of sweet pumpkin and eat it over white rice. Seqüência de Camarão is another delicious meal and a true delight for seafood lovers. It can be found all over the island and includes numerous courses of shrimp, calamari, crab and fish. Each is expertly prepared in various ways including sautéed with garlic and deep fried.
The rest of our trip was a cloudy and often rainy experience. However, there was too much to explore on the island for it to get us down. We spent one afternoon at the Kioske do Pirata on Praia Brava. While the crowd was light on that November afternoon, I’m sure the location sees a lot of action during the summer months with many Brazilians visiting during Carnaval. It is the ideal place to grab a snack, a beer and get a break from the intense South American sun.
Our last afternoon was spent enjoying the sites around Praia Mole, Easy Beach. This seaside retreat provides the perfect mix of action and relaxation. Rolling hills extend behind the beach and each end is dotted with smooth rock formations fit for a little climbing. It rained the entire time so we stayed undercover at one of several bars on the beach. We enjoyed açaí juice, Brazilian beer and seafood appetizers as we watched those brave enough to venture into the cool rain for futebol and surfing.
While the first thing to come to mind when thinking of Brazil is beaches, few venture as far south as Floripa. Its beautiful coastline and lush vegetation make you feel as though you are entering a special land unknown to many outsiders. A visit to Florianópolis is a true Brazilian beach experience.
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