Florianopolis The Best Place In Brazil To Live, Adventure, And Travel Guide

Oct 2, 2022 • By Leonidas K. • 6 min read

Brazil Travel

The Allure of Florianópolis: A Digital Nomad’s Paradise

As a location-independent worker, I’m always on the hunt for places that balance adventure and stability. After living in major cities like São Paulo and Medellín, I yearned for something more peaceful. I remembered visiting the island of Florianópolis years ago and decided it was time to return.

I’ve now been living in Florianópolis for nearly three months, mostly in the small beach village of Campeche. Overall, it has proven to be my favorite base in Brazil so far. In this blog post, I’ll share why I originally came here, recommendations across four key areas, top places to visit, and tips for fellow nomads or travelers.

Why I Chose Florianópolis

Five years ago, I was living an eight-hour drive away in Curitiba when I took a short trip to Florianópolis. At the time, I pictured it as a resort island focused on beaches and tourism.

Cut to 2022 and I found myself seeking something different than the hustle of Medellín. I wanted more nature and adventures paired with stability. That desire brought me back to Florianópolis and its laidback vibes.

I settled into Campeche with plans to train extensively in Muay Thai. My goal was to immerse myself in training while enjoying the slower pace of island living. Little did I know then how special this place would become over the next three months.

Health, Wealth, Relationships and Happiness

Florianópolis offers plenty in the core areas we all seek. Let’s break it down:

Healthy Living on Floripa

The beach body culture here is real. Between surfing, CrossFit, gyms, jogging and biking, staying fit is a way of life. Head to the beach on any sunny day and you’ll be surrounded by chiseled bodies. Clearly, looking good for the beach is important!

As for my own fitness, I’ve achieved my goal of near-daily Muay Thai training. I increased both endurance and technique through 2–3-hour sessions. It feels great to be back in fighting shape after months without intense exercise.

Vegans will also find plant-based options, though not an overwhelming amount. I frequented Cafe Caapora in Campeche 2-3 times a week for their tasty daily specials.

Is Florianopolis Expensive?

The cost-of-living trends a little higher than other Brazilian spots. Safety and tourism boost the standard of living here. I paid around $860 USD monthly for a large, beach-close apartment after negotiating the price down. With Groceries, taxis, entertainment and so on, my total monthly spends landed around $1,860.

Uber remains crazy cheap for getting around. I explored all over the island by rideshare and spent only about $200 total. Even a long late night Carnival ride was only $30.

As for my beloved Muay Thai training, it cost me just $30 per month. Private lessons run higher but are worthwhile for technical development. Overall, Florianópolis offers plenty of value across the board.

Making Friends on Florianopolis

Between fellow nomads, travelers and fun-loving locals, making friends is easy. I joined various Facebook and WhatsApp groups and met people through dating apps too. We’d often gather at Garden Family Bar in Campeche for live music and socializing.

The Lagoa da Conceição area also overflows with backpackers, couch-surfers and partygoers. I even got invited to an upscale nightclub in the northern town of Jurere one night. The most beautiful people of Brazil were out in full force dancing to electronic music.

Centro has a small bar district as well, though it’s not my typical party spot. Nonetheless, Florianópolis has options across the spectrum for meeting new people.

Is Florianopolis a Happy Place

With pristine beaches, towering sand dunes, thick forests and bountiful adventure, this island is a playground. Surfing, hiking, biking, yoga, you name it. Happiness flows easily when surrounded by that much natural beauty. Add in the high level of safety and you’ve got a perfect storm.

Top 5 Places to Visit

Now that you understand why I love it here so much, let’s talk about must-see places around Florianópolis:

1. Mirante do Morro da Cruz

This viewpoint sits beside Centro overlooking the city skyline. Grab an Uber there for the quick ride up and easy walk to the lookout. Gaze across Florianópolis in one direction and inland across the continent in the other.

2. Lagoa do Peri

Calm, cool waters with tiny fish that nibble your skin. Or find the secret path for a secluded section of the lagoon all to yourself.

3. Praia Mole

Epic beach dominated by surfers but with impressive rock formations for climbing. Snap iconic pics and take in the ocean breeze.

4. Trilha da Boa Vista

Amazing hike accessible from Praia Mole into sand dunes and thick forests. Climb to the top viewpoint for stunning vistas of island beaches and inland lagoons.

5. Parque Ecológico Rio Vermelho

Pre-colonized nature at its finest. Dense forest with no signals on your device. A real step back in time and escape from modern life.

Tips for Digital Nomads and Travelers

Florianópolis caters well to both short-term visitors and longer-stay digital nomads. Here is my advice:

Visit between September and mid-April to avoid rain and cold weather
Safety is not a major concern here like in other major Brazilian cities (but still be mindful)
Rent or buy a bicycle to better access the spread out attractions
Pack hiking boots, sunscreen and an umbrella
Brush up on Portuguese since English is not widely spoken

As you can see, I absolutely loved Florianópolis. The endless adventures, jaw-dropping nature and relaxed vibes make it my favorite spot in Brazil so far. Whether you’re passing through or planning to stay indefinitely, I hope this guide gave you a helpful overview. Leave me any other questions below!

And as always

Saude, Ate Logo e Boa Viagem (Cheers, Until next time, and Good Travels)

Leonidas

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AI Disclaimer

In the hopes of efficiency, I used Claude.AI to write a blog post based on my Video Review of Florianopolis, Brazil, which you can check out above.

The AI was used to write the blog post, but Leonidas still had to edit it for truthfulness, relevance to my personal adventure (the AI likes to invent a lot of things I didn’t do) and ensuring it all made sense 😉