Things to see and do Santa Catarina

Located at the top of the Escadaria do Rosario, it is considered the most beautiful church on the island. The brotherhood of Nossa Senhora do Rosario e São Benedito dos homens pretos was founded in 1750 and it was slaves who built the church in just over 40 years between 1787 and 1830. This unusually long construction time for this type of church can be explained by the origin of the inhabitants of the neighbourhood at that time. They were poor whites and descendants of slaves.

This agency specializes in tours of Santa Catarina Island and Balneario Camboriù. Itaguasul offers a variety of island tours (3-hour or all-day), car rental with driver and transfers. City tour and Eastern and Northern beaches (R$120), Oyster trail and Southern beaches (private transport, R$400), City tour and Eastern beaches (private, R$350). Bilingual guides can accompany organized groups. Itaguasul organizes tours for groups of all sizes on the island during conventions.

This serious agency offers excellent routes in Santa Catarina and Southern Brazil. Lawyers can also guide you in your search for apartments or land.

A serious address and very interesting prices.

Built in 1891 by the French with stones and whale oil, this lighthouse is a popular attraction for the view it offers from its heights. Today it is managed by the Brazilian Navy and the nautical signalling and repair association almirante Rego. Built on a promontory 45 metres above sea level, it is 30 metres high. It has a quadrangular tower. Situated on the easternmost point of the region, it has been signalling a reef, the "do campo bom" stone, to boats since the 19th century.

The Hercilio Luz bridge, made of steel, is reminiscent of the one in San Francisco by its architectural style, and by its success on the city's postcards. It was built in the same period, the 1920s, in the middle of the industrial revolution. It symbolizes the development of the city in full expansion at that time. From this bridge you can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of Floripa. At the foot of the bridge is the historical fort of Santana, built by the Portuguese in 1761.

La praça XV, is the heart of the city for the inhabitants of Floripa. This is where the bandeirante Francisco Dias Velho founded the city in 1662. It is the most beautiful square in the city, no doubt thanks to its central park where there is a majestic hundred-year-old mango tree that is unmistakable. The square is paved, pleasant and shady, at the entrance to the network of pedestrian streets that make up the historic centre of the city. There is the catedral metropolitana, built in the 1920s in place of the city's original chapel, all yellow and white

A must-see in Floripa, this pretty and colourful colonial building built in 1899 is centred on an open patio in the heart of the historic centre. It is an excellent spot to have lunch during a visit to the center of Floriianopolis. The pleasant terrace tables of the botecos, the colours and smells of fish, meat and spices from the market stalls are entertaining and show an image of an authentic Brazil, because it is here that artists and intellectuals meet to discuss over a drink. There's also a bit of craftsmanship

The Dunas dos Ingleses are sand mountains formed by the action of the wind, being one of the main elements that make up the landscape of Praia dos Ingleses. Smaller than the Duna de Joaquina, they are nonetheless beautiful and suitable for walking. Moreover, they offer a totally different view of Santinho Inglese and the Conceçao lagoon, and of the whole north of the island. On the Dunas dos Ingleses, the sport is sandboarding, a kind of skiing on the sand. On sunny days, you can rent a board and try it!

In the extension of the Praia de Galhetas, the beach of Praia de Mole is superb. It takes its name from the sand that is particularly soft there. Advised for a lazy idleness in all tranquility! There are bars and restaurants and, as in Rio or Salvador, you will be offered deckchairs for a well-deserved rest. Praia de Mole brings together the youth of Floripa and surfers like its neighbour to the south, Joaquina, although here the waves are a little smaller. Paragliders use the nearby dunes to take off and initiate their flight.

Pretty well-preserved naturist beach behind a hill. From Barra, you can make a nice hike to the top of it. Cross the pedestrian bridge over the canal, go along the canal on the right and follow the path upwards. You will discover a 360° view that embraces the whole island, particularly the Praia do Moçambique in the extension of Barra to the north, the dune of Joaquina and the Praia de Campeche to the south, and the city of Conceçao de Lagoa to the west. You can then go down to the beach. Count an hour and a half walk

Praia do Moçambique is a huge beach, it is the largest on the island, stretching from Barra de Lagoa to Cabo da Aranha. Some 12.5 kilometres of pristine white sandy beach, protected by a forest park and therefore not built. Unlike other beaches, there is no infrastructure. A windy paradise that makes the surfers of Barra happy. For a short walk, we recommend you take the bus that goes to Canasveiras (n° 840 and 842) and get off at the end of the beach to return to Barra

This is the visit not to be missed! You can walk up the dune to take in the view of the sand falling into the forest and the ocean. It's almost like being at the big Pila Dune. The more athletic and daring can go sandboarding (R$ 12 per hour), trying to preserve their fragile balance on the rather unstable boards. Beware of some very steep slopes! Sensations guaranteed. The beach of the same name is downwind, and known as a good surf spot. It is frequented by the sporty and trendy youth