On the island’s Northwest coast, Jureré International is a high-end beach community with modern homes lining a protected crescent of shoreline. Its beach is great for swimming, water sports, and people watching, and has four beach clubs which host parties which throb from afternoon until dark in high-season. The town features an open shopping mall with several outdoor cafés and restaurants. Most of the island's top nightlife options are within a 15-minute ...

Located on the eastern coast of the island, Praia Mole is the most famous surfers' beach in Florianópolis, and as such exudes a laid-back vibe and low-key charm. It lives up to its name of “soft beach” due to its amazingly, well, soft white sand, and also features some fascinating rock formations. There is no town at Praia Mole, just some houses and condos across the road from the beach, but the rest of the island is easily accessible (the northern and southern beaches ...

This beach town is named for Dorvino Manoel da Rosa, a local fisherman who offered his friendly hospitality to the surfers that discovered this beach in the 1970s. At a time when the absence of a road meant that the only access was on foot and houses were lit by oil lamps, nobody imagined that it would become what it is today: a world-renowned beach, simple but elegant houses and pousadas, and thriving nightlife. While it is becoming an international destination, it stays true to ...

Immediately adjacent to Praia Mole is Lagoa da Conceição (don’t even worry about trying to pronounce that correctly), a lovely lake surrounded by a vibrant community consisting of shops, restaurants, bars and boutiques that blend irresistible Brazilian energy with a healthy dose of international flavor. Typically referred to simply as “Lagoa,” this area is the best place to be during the off-season as it's more local. ...