The Region
Everything you need to know about the area: where to stay, how to get here, and what to do while you're in town.
We recommend friends and guests from outside Brazil stay in Balneário Camboriú (BC). It's also where Gabi and Felipe will be staying during the week of the wedding.
We have recommended hotels with great locations, trusted quality, and discounted rates for our guests listed in the Where to Stay tab.
Interactive map coming soon
Distances at a Glance
Nearest airport
Navegantes (NVT)
~30 min
Where most guests will stay
Balneário Camboriú
~20 min
Wedding venue
Itapema — Indaiá Rest.
Alternative airport
Florianópolis (FLN)
Airports
Recommended
Navegantes (NVT)
- ›~30 min drive to Balneário Camboriú
- ›Connect via São Paulo (GRU) for international
- ›Small airport, fast in and out
Alternative
Florianópolis (FLN)
- ›~2 hours to BC (varies a lot depending on traffic)
- ›Might have more flight options
- ›Larger airport
- ›Only worth it if NVT prices are significantly higher, but requires a long Uber
Coming from the US
São Paulo Guarulhos (GRU) is the most likely connection. It's Brazil's biggest hub with direct flights from many US cities (Miami, New York, Dallas, Orlando, etc.) on LATAM, American, United, and Delta. From GRU there are tons of options with short flights to NVT or FLN.
Good to know
- ›US citizens need a visa to enter Brazil. Apply at least 2 months in advance. Without a valid visa you will not be allowed to board.
- ›Book flights early. Dec 25 - Jan 1 is peak travel and holiday season, so prices can spike significantly.
- ›Check for award flights on Delta (includes LATAM), American, and United. International flights like these can sometimes offer great deals with points.
Once you're there, just use Uber. It works great and it's super cheap.
Walking in BC is super easy, and public transportation is abundant and free.
Balneário Camboriú (BC)
We recommend all guests from outside Brazil stay here. It's where Gabi and Felipe will be staying during the week of the wedding, it's where the churrasco will be, and it's about 20 minutes from the wedding venue.
If you're coming from the US and wondering what to expect: BC is one of the most popular tourist destinations in southern Brazil. It's a modern, well-developed beach city that is very safe and easy to navigate. The city is essentially one long strip arching along the beach, just a block or two wide, so you always know where you are.
Why you'll love it
- ›Very safe. Well-lit, well-patrolled tourist areas. You can walk the boardwalk at night without a second thought.
- ›Beautiful beach, incredible restaurants, and lively nightlife.
- ›Tons of attractions: cable car, eco-parks, Cristo Luz, Beto Carrero World nearby. See the What to Do in BC tab for details.
- ›Easy to get around. Uber is cheap, walking is easy, public transit is free.
- ›~20 min Uber to the wedding venue. The pre-wedding churrasco is also in BC.
Where to book
January is peak summer in SC, so book as early as you can. Prices go up significantly closer to the date. You're free to find your own hotel or Airbnb depending on what works best for you. Booking.com and Airbnb both have great apartment-style options if you prefer more space.
That said, we've partnered with a few trusted hotels to offer discounted rates for wedding guests. These are places we know, with great locations and quality.
Most Recommended
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Day to Day
The Beach
Praia Central is the main beach. Rent a chair and umbrella, order a coconut water or a cold beer from the vendors walking by. Fresh grilled shrimp, acai, corn on the cob, caipirinhas — all brought right to you on the sand.
The Boardwalk
The boardwalk stretches along the entire beach. Walk it during the day for the views, or at night when the whole strip lights up. Street vendors, ice cream, people watching.
Restaurants & Bars
Fresh seafood everywhere. Tons of restaurants with outdoor seating, live music, and beachfront views. From casual to upscale, there's a lot to choose from.
Nightlife
Bars and clubs along the boardwalk and side streets. BC is known for its nightlife. Start with dinner, walk the boardwalk, and go from there.
Main Attractions
Take the cable car from the south end of the beach up the mountain, offering amazing panoramic views of the ocean and skyline on the way up. At the top is Parque Unipraias with zip lines, an alpine coaster, glass lookout platforms, and access to Laranjeiras beach (a secluded beach you can only reach by cable car or boat). One of the most worth-it things to do in BC. Plan a half-day.
Open in Google MapsAt the opposite end of the beach from the cable car. The Pontal Norte deck has great views of the full coastline and the city skyline. Right next to it is the FG Big Wheel (Roda Gigante), one of the tallest Ferris wheels in South America. Especially nice at sunset.
Open in Google MapsLocated in the neighboring town of Penha. Massive park with roller coasters, live stunt car shows, and a ton of other performances and attractions. Worth a full day.
Open in Google MapsA hop-on hop-off bus that loops through the city's main points of interest. A nice way to get oriented and see everything without planning too much.
Open in Google MapsA BC landmark, lit up after dark and visible from across the city. Beautiful to see from the boardwalk at night.
Open in Google Maps