Balneário Camboriú seen from Unipraias Park

Central Beach.

Balneário Camboriú is a resort city in the state of Santa Catarina.

Understand

The Tupí–Guaraní Indians were the first ones to enjoy this land. The historical story registers that, in 1826, the Portuguese farmer Baltazar Pinto Correa received, from the government of the Province of Santa Catarina, this area to be populated. He had come from the colony of Porto Bello, searching fertile lands. He and his family had fixed residence in the left edge of the River, now known as neighborhood of Barra, which is still conserving the Azorian traditions.

In 1849 the village got an upgrade, the construction of the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, made by slaves, in mortar of rude rocks and whale oil. The temple is known by Church of Santo Amaro. The Village, at the same time was the beginning of the cities of Camboriú and Balneário Camboriú, belonging to Itajaí, and to these two cities, before it became a forgotten neighborhood, after some politician pressures that transformed Camboriú, at that time in 1884, known as Vila dos Garcias, into the new headquarters of the town.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is Ministro Victor Konder in Navegantes city (NVT) which is about 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Balneario Camboriu. This airport has direct flights to and from São Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Florianópolis. LATAM, GOL, and Azul do these routes. From the airport to Balneario Camboriu you can go by bus but a taxi will not cost that much.

Also you can rent a car. The biggest Brazilian rent a car company is Localiza. Consider adding a GPS to the rented car so you don't waste your time getting lost. Driving in Brazil is not that easy as the signage is not that good.

As an option you can use the Florianopolis Intl Airport (FLN) which is located about 80 kilometres (50 mi) south to Balneário Camboriú but has more route options such as Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.

By car

Driving to Balneario Camboriu is pretty easy. Just get yourself into the BR-101. Just pay attention to the signs, but you usually will have to drive to the south. Distance from other cities:

• Florianopolis: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
• Blumenau: 80 kilometres (50 mi)
• Curitiba: 220 kilometres (140 mi)
• Porto Alegre: 550 kilometres (340 mi)
• São Paulo: 600 kilometres (370 mi)

By bus

You can find plenty of option to get into the city by bus.

See

The Cristo Luz

Cableway of the Unipraias park

• Praia dos Amores - Here the Atlantic forest shelters many species of fauna and flora native to Santa Catarina. It is possible to observe birds, animals and plants. The Atlantic Ocean bathes the well-kept rural beach where the regional fisherman culture is maintained and where locals and tourists alike come to surf. The Azorean heritage here is evident in the construction of the fishermens' huts.
• Cristo Luz, Rua Indonésia, 880 - Bairro das Nações. 10:00 to 01:00. In similar fashion to Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro, Light Christ (Cristo Luz in Portuguese) was built at one of the highest points of the city at 150 m. The statue is 33 m high, 22 m wide and weights 528 tons. The main feature of this attraction is that it is illuminated alternatively during the night with 7 colors (each one with a meaning) and it holds on his left shoulder a broad-brimmed hat, which irradiates a beam that illuminates the city. You will get charged depending whether you arrive during daytime (8 Reais) or after the sunset (R$16). Its complex contains a restaurant, a photo gallery and some shows. There are free shuttles that make the way up the hill. From R$6. 

Do

• Downhill at Laranjeiras
• Kart at Balneario Camburiú
• Many sports at Parque Unipraias

Buy

• Casa Hall Shopping, Avenida do Estado, 4770 (in front of the Rótula das Bandeiras), ☏ +55 47 3264-8054. M-Sa 08:00-21:00, Su 13:00-19:00. 

Eat

Mid-range

• Sapore Speciale, Av. Brasil, 2680, ☏ +55 47 3361-6671. Italian restaurant chain. Three other units nearby. Visa, Mastercard and Amex accepted. 
• Mangiare Felice, Av. Atlântica, 570, ☏ +55 47 3360-1943. Pizzeria chain. 

Splurge

• O Pharol, Av. Atlântica, nº 5740 Barra- Sul, ☏ +55 47 3367-3800. Very good seafood buffet, free Wi-Fi and indoors playground. 

Sleep

• Pousada Villa Atlântica, Rua 3.300, 415 (2 blocks away from the sea), ☏ +55 47 3367-3821. Check-in: 13:99, check-out: 11:00. Small hotel 2 blocks away from the main beach - Balneário Camboriú. Near you can find stores, supermarkets and restaurants. 

Stay healthy

As elsewhere in Brazil, some beaches in Balneário Camboriú are not suitable for bathing, and conditions can change from day to day. On the day of your visit, check the map of the bathing report (in Portuguese, relatório de balneabilidade) of the state's Environment Department (IMA).

Go next

Routes through Balneário Camboriú

São José ← Itapema ←

S  N

→ Itajaí → Joinville