Ironman Brazil – Florianopolis

Check out this video of the Ironman Brazil in Florianopolis that happened back in May! The monstrous race, consisting of nearly 4 KM of swimming, 42 KM of swimming and an unbelievable 180KM of cycling, sets up for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii on October 8, 2011.

Video credits to Marcelo Penna.

Florianopolis Beaches – Continued!

Last week we covered some of the beaches you can find in Florianopolis. We discussed the best places to surf, a couple spots with thriving nightlife, and of course the spots you want to be at to get that perfect tan.

This week we’re talking about the beaches beyond surfing. Snorkeling, romantic getaways and more!

If surfing isn’t you’re thing, do not worry. Florianopolis’ many beaches have something for everyone – seriously, there are over 40 of them! Aside from the world class surf, you will also be able to find some amazing snorkeling, swimming and diving spots. If the fish are what you want to see, then Campeche Island is where you want to be, a national heritage spot that happens to have some archeological rock art and drawings! A short boat ride from Florianopolis will land you on a tropical paradise complete with white sand and calm and clear water. Snorkeling along the rocky coasts are the best spots to find some beautiful tropical fish. Remember – this is a place that is protected by the Brazilian government, don’t ruin the beauty and make sure you keep a hold of any garbage you produce!

Now that you’ve done some amazing snorkeling and diving, it’s time to get out of the water and enjoy the sun and the sand. Sandboarding at Joaquina Beach, located on the east side of Florianopolis, will be one of the cheapest activities to do to get the adrenaline pumping! At a cost of just a few dollars for a couple of hours of riding time, Sandboarding these beautiful natural sand dunes is a nice getaway from the typical beach activities! Typically, sandboarding is a great activity to do in the colder months from May to October when the sand isn’t as hot! Be sure to remember to keep the clothes on though, falling could result in some unwanted scratches and cuts!

Now that you’ve tired yourself out from the activities on some of the beautiful beaches in Florianopolis, you might want to escape the crowds and head out to a more secluded and quite beach to wrap up the day. Lagoinha, situated between Praia dos Ingleses and Canasvieiras is a beautiful spot at the very northern tip of Florianopolis. Lagoinha is backed by a small fishing village and is the best spot to be if you want to see a gorgeous sunset in Florianopolis. So why not grab somefresh seafood and enjoy the sunset!

Florianopolis Beaches

Whether you’re looking for some surf, a nice place to get rid of those tan lines or some upscale beaches full of high-end estates and shops – Florianopolis has it all.

When planning your trip to Florianopolis, you should plan what beaches you want to hang out at – after all there are over 40 of them! Among the most known beaches include Jurere Internacional and Praia dos Ingleses in the North, Mole Beach, a surfers favourite in the East and secluded remote beaches only found through trails such as Naufragados in the South.

Surfers have many choices when it comes to finding some great waves. Mole Beach should be your starting point if you’re looking to surf. Afterwards you can take a short drive for some more surfable beaches. Barra da Lagoa is ideal for the beginners, the aspiring surfers hoping to learn how to catch a wave and ride. Joaquina is more advanced; this beach is known to hold international events. Finally, Moçambique is a huge open front beach stretching over 4 km for your enjoyment.

Jurere Internacional is a very vibrant area consisting of a lively nightlife full of clubs, lounges and bars surrounded by beautiful white sand and clear water. Finally, if you’re looking to catch some sun, tanning at Praia da Galheta, a nudist beach where nudity is option will ensure you get a nice even tan without the lines!

Extreme Florianopolis

With over 42 kilometers of beach, Florianopolis is home to some great surf – whether you’re looking to learn or a seasoned expert – Floripa has surf for you!  Thinking you may be too skilled for Florianopolis’ 8-foot waves? Well you will be riding waves where some of the best come every year —  in fact, the ASP World Tour makes an annual stop in Florianopolis for some of its international championships!

Once you’re done surfing you can seek out more adventure through some paragliding over Mole Beach on the east side of the island. Seriously, you won’t find a better view of the island – be sure to keep the camera on you, strapped on tight!

At this point it could be mid-afternoon; you’ve experienced some great surfing and seen the island up high on a paragliding trip. What else is there to do? So much! You had your fun on a board in the water, riding the waves, now how about taking those skills to the sand? Sandboarding can get the adrenaline pumping while you enjoy the thrill of snowboarding without the cold weather! You’ll be venturing near the community of Rio Vermelho by the Vermelho River to reach the immense dunes. It’s a great experience you’ll be sure to enjoy if you like board sports!

By now you may be a bit tired of keeping up your balance on these different board sports and are feeling the rush from the heights of paragliding. Up next, why not do some rock climbing and rappelling? For beginners you can venture out to the rocky coast of Ingleses Beach towards the Pedra Rachada. Rappelling will involve some scaling of huge rocks and a visit to the Chua Cave!

We’ve only touched on four activities that you can fill your time with in Florianopolis. These are just the beginning – Florianopolis has plenty more if you’re seeking some excitement and adventure. The water seekers can enjoy snorkeling, white-water rafting and kite surfing.  If you still want more, why not do some waterfall rappelling, scuba diving or tree climbing? Believe us, you’ll find something that gets the heart beating!

Florianopolis Knows How to Party

Check this out. Florianopolis has an annual electronic festival called Winter Play. The event is held on one of the nicest beaches, Jurere Internacional. It’s said to be the largest electronic festival in southern Brazil. Brazilians pour in from all over the country and stay and party with our friends at Jurere Beach Village and Il Campanario Resort for the three-day festival.

You know what; there is no point in really explaining this. Check this awesome video from Trey Estudio Criativo on last year’s Winter Play – it should answer any questions or doubts you may have. Enjoy!

Why Florianopolis? It’s Simple, Really!

If you haven’t realized it yet, Florianopolis, Brazil is a pretty cool place. For starters, the safe environment, steadily growing economy and tourist-friendly atmosphere make for a great vacation spot. While these are great indicators of an excellent travel destination, what makes Florianopolis so appealing and cool just downright awesome, are the people and the land.

Florianopolis is absolutely gorgeous. Seriously, where else can you find over 40km of white beaches, beautiful people and a never-ending good time?

Need a little more convincing? Check out this article by the New York Times with the most appropriate title we’ve ever read. “The Place to Be: Florianopolis, Brazil”.

“Florianópolis night life blows away night life in L.A. or New York or anywhere else I’ve been,” said the founder of Nexus Surf, Hans Keeling, a transplanted Californian. Formerly a corporate lawyer, he visited a few years ago and was instantly won over.

“Here you have the combination of Sunset Strip-style and Ibiza-style night life mixed in with the Brazilian proclivity for relaxing and having fun,” he said. “I looked around, and I saw better beaches, better night life, more beautiful people and cheaper prices. It was a pretty easy decision.”

Check out the whole article by Seth Sherwood of the New York Times here!

So, are your bags packed?

The History of Florianopolis

Florianopolis is a popular tourist destination — a natural result of its beautiful 40-km stretch of beaches, its strong economic infrastructure, and the overall friendly environment that seems to surround the whole city. “Floripa” (as it is called) is an excellent destination for travelers seeking business, leisure, extreme sports, or even a relaxing family vacation! To understand the development of Florianopolis, it helps to take a step back and dive into the history books that describe its economic prosperity, European migration and exponential population growth!

Originally inhabited by the indigenous people of Tupi-Guarani, Florianopolis was not colonized until the early 1500s. It was the Portuguese who landed in 1514, and labeled the region as Ilha dos Patos, later to be renamed in 1526 as Ilha de Santa Catarina or Santa Catarina Island. During this time Florianopolis was a port area, serving vessels on their way to Bracia do Prata or the River Plate Basin en route to Uruguay and Argentina.

Hercilio Luz Bridge, Florianopolis in 1935

Throughout the latter half of the 1600s, companies brought development to Santa Catarina Island and a village began to form. The early 1700s saw the Portuguese Crown officially designate Santa Catarina Island as a distinguishable village, and officially changed its name to Vila do Dosterro (later Florianopolis).

As Vila do Dosterro continued to grow, so too did the surrounding regions. The success of Vila Do Dosterro resulted from its geographic location roughly halfway between the ever-expanding cities of Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro – two of the largest in the continent at the time. Due to the increase of economic activity, the state of Santa Catarina was formed in 1739, with Vila do Dosterro as its capital.

A large number of European settlers poured into Dosterro as the agricultural, cotton, and linen industries continued to grow. Commerce was thriving as the port city and it became a key player in whale hunting and the whale oil trade. The economic structure continued to grow as the development of urban centers emerged. In the late 1800s Dosterro was renamed Florianopolis in honor of the Brazilian President, Floriano Peixto.

Brazilian Travel 101: General Tips and Advice

Continuing with our feature, Brazilian Travel 101, we are going to reveal some general hints, tips, and advice that will help you out when you’re ready to experience Brazil!

Important tips for travelers planning on going to Brazil are health related. For some parts of Brazil, you’ll need to make some preparations in advance of your trip. As outlined on the Brazilian travel ministry’s website, certain areas in Brazil may require a Yellow Fever vaccination. Note: because popular destinations such as Rio de Janeiro, Florianopolis, and other coastal areas are free of Yellow Fever, you don’t need a vaccination to go there.

Yellow Fever is a viral infection that is typically transmitted through the bites of mosquitoes in forested areas. The majority of Yellow Fever cases are mild and usually produce symptoms consisting of a fever, headache, chills, back pain, nausea and vomiting.

Another important tip that should be looked into when you’re traveling to any country is the clarity and drinkability of common tap water. In Brazil it’s best not to drink water straight from the tap. Bringing tap water to a strong boil for a few minutes will provides the necessary purification needed for consumption. Other purification methods are iodine pills or water filtration devices.

Unfortunately, Brazil has obtained some poor media coverage that depicts it as a country with a high crime rate and unsafe traveling conditions. The truth is that these types of occurrences are typically concentrated in the northern major cities such as: Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. If you head south to Florianopolis in Santa Catarina, you will find yourself in one of the safest cities in the country.

Brazil has about the same rate of mugging, robbery and scamming that a traveler would find in most tourist-filled countries. As a helpful tip, it is important to be aware of your surroundings, try not to look so much like a tourist or target, and keep the bare minimums on you at all times. The less you look like someone who is lost and vulnerable, the better off you will be. Take normal precautions when walking alone at night and avoid areas that are known to be unsafe.

It is important to check with your own country’s health agency to obtain the latest information on vaccinations, travel conditions and warnings about any country you want to travel to. Also, be sure to check with your destination’s consulate or embassy to obtain the latest information on travel needs and requirements!

Ref: http://www.braziltour.com/dicaturista/dicasVacina.html

Brazilian Travel 101: Money

Last week we covered the critical information you should know about visas and entering Brazil. This week let’s look at the currency Brazil calls its own — the Brazilian Real — and some great tips on managing money during your travels!

Brazilian Travel 101: Visas

• Allow adequate time for visa processing. Obtaining a visa in person is often a lot quicker than mailing in the documents.

• Gather the documents you will need for your trip prior to making your application and ensure that they are up to date.

• Visa rules, requirements, and prices may change. Confirm with the Brazilian Embassy or Consulate in your country.