Florianopolis

-

 **The following is written by my friend Adriana Twitchell, who has lived in Florianopolis for the past 13 years.**

Florianopolis is a unique state capital with large areas of land set apart in nature preserve.  Large dense forest covered areas, beaches and lakes are all present within the city limits and allow fantastic nature experiences while being close to urban necessities.  Most of the city is spread over the island of Santa Catarina, which has dozens of fine-sand beaches, some only accessible by hiking trail or boat.  Many of the beaches are famous for surfing, others are quiet and waveless.  The water is clear and constantly changing in color from bright turquoise to a deeper blue-green.  Penguins, dolphins, and whales can be seen by the lucky at various times throughout the year.  Other wild life on the island includes monkeys, toucans, and capybaras.  There is a large fresh water lake in the south of the island surrounded by green, undeveloped hills, perfect for canoing, paddleboarding and swimming.  Another lake farther north is salt-water, also popular for windsurfing and other sports.  There are numerous hikes through these forested lakesides, some to waterfalls, others up and over the hills.  Hikes from beach to beach are also stunning.  The leeward side of the island is famous for its cultivation of first-class oysters and other shellfish, and there is active shrimp cultivation in the inland salt water lake.  The area provides numerous fish and farmer's markets with explosively flavorful delights, as well as fantastic seafood and other restaurants.  For hiking, water play, gorgeous nature views and delicious food, it's hard to beat Florianopolis as a vacation destination.




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Itinerary for trip

-
Image
This is a working itinerary and dates and activities are subject to change. Tuesday May 2  Leave Wednesday May 3 Arrive in Brazil.   Stay at Morro das Pedras Clube and Hotel.  https://morrodaspedras.com/ Thursday May 4   Orphanage/health clinic half day.  Other half of day go to the lake (Lagoa do Peri)/ play on the beach/ hike Ribeirao da Ilha.  The Lago do Peri is a freshwater lake which is a 10 minute walk from the hotel.  The beach is right behind the hotel.  The Ribeirao da Ilha hike is a strenuous hike that starts at the lake.  It goes a mile and a half up the mountain to the viewpoint that looks over Floripa, then a half mile down to the Ribeirao da Ilha neighborhood.  Can catch the bus back to the hotel.       Morro das Pedras beach Lagoa do Peri lake (on the right) Viewpoint above Ribeirao da Isla Friday May 5 Observe dental surgeries in hospitals. Saturday May 6 Hike Lagoinha do Leste.  This is a gorgeous secluded beach that is only accessible by hiking, no roads
Read more

Floripa Bus System - Suzie

-
Image
  Getting around Floripa is pretty easy because they have such a great public transportation system.  They have a well-developed bus system that goes pretty much over the whole island.   Tickets A bus fare costs $4.50R (about 90 cents) and can be paid in cash (Reais) at the front of the bus to the driver.  Alternatively, you can buy a passe rapido. .  The pass is available at all bus stations, of which there are six on the island and can be charged with as much money as you would like.  Then you don’t have to pay separately for each ride.  One ride with the pass costs $4.38R.  We will be buying enough passes so that each room can share one.  When you get on the bus, you hold the pass up to the screen and it turns green, which allows you to pass through the turnstile. You can use the pass to get as many people through the turnstile as are in your current group.  The buses are free to ride on Sundays. Bus Routes All the buses are connected to each other via central terminals.  This means
Read more