Florianopolis Tours are popular, especially during the high season (December-February), with those who want to enjoy the beach, sun, surfing, water sports like windsurfing and jet skiing, and trendy techno nightclubs that the city of Florianopolis has on tap.

Florianopolis: beach hotspot by day, music clubs by night

Florianopolis, or just Floripa, is a tropical island surrounded by 42 beaches, but it is also a major metropolis. The capital of Santa Catarina state, the island is connected to the mainland by two major suspension bridges, Ponte Hercilio Luz (currently closed for repairs), and Colombo Machado Salles.

The downtown northern part of the Island, nicknamed Brazil’s Silicon Valley is lined with skyscrapers. After work, businesspeople rush to the beaches, especially Jurerê Internacional beach, joined by surfers and other locals to enjoy a relaxing caipirinha and catch a live music show in one of the many nightclubs.

During the off-season (March-November), the Lagoa da Conceição, the lagoon in the center of the island, is the most popular night hotspot due to the warmer climate inland.

Only a short walk from the bus station that connects you will the island in the Lagoa area, there is a main club strip that is lined with bar and clubs open till the early hours playing Brazilian samba as well as modern hits. Its trendy nightclubs are also popular year-round.

Check in surf shops and ask the locals about theme music nights, special events, and house parties. There’s always something happening in Florianopolis.

Best Florianopolis nightclubs on Jurerê Internacional

El Divino Beach: covered patios with lounge chairs and couches with an extensive menu at this upscale beach club, the sister of the sophisticated El Divino Lounge

Posh: located in Music Park, a huge concert arena, Posh is the place where celebrity DJs comes to spin

Pacha: megaclub also located in Music Park

Cafe de la Musique:  Japanese, Italian, and contemporary cuisine is on the menu at this hip dining club

Best Florianopolis nightclubs on Lagoa da Conceição

Confraria das Artes: trendy villa with a view over the Lagoon. Live music and dancing.

Circuit: extremely popular electronic music club

Latitude 27: popular with the younger crowd, a large club with live music and good drinks.

Vecchio Giorgio: a bar with live music and good food, including a oven-baked pizzas

Taiko: beachfront grill, restaurant, and club

Best Florianopolis nightclubs downtown

El Divino Lounge: it doesn´t get more sophisticated than chandeliers, purple laser lighting, retro-mod couches, and top-spinning DJs. This renovated shipyard has a lounge, restaurant, and sushi bar.

Café Cancun: three bars, a restaurant with covered patio, and dancing

One of the defining Brazil travel experiences... but get your visa first!

Fortunately for most, many countries are exempt from any visa requirements. This includes citizens of the United Kingdom, most European nations, some Asian and African countries, and most of South America.

For visitors from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Japan however, it is important to apply for the correct visa before setting off on your Brazil vacation.

Travelers must apply for their visas at the Brazilian consulate in their own country and as with all visa applications, timing is crucial. This is especially the case with recent changes to the application process in the United States.

Walk-in applications are no longer accepted, neither are mailed applications. Instead, US visitors are required to send an e-application form and then make an appointment for a face-to-face meeting to collect their visa and passport.

Also, to avoid a backlog, Brazilian consulate officials have asked applicants to submit their forms with plenty of time as processing time is between seven and ten days. But don’t submit your application too far in advance, as your visa is only valid for 90 days from the date of issue.

The online application form is available at: https://scedv.serpro.gov.br/. After completing this form you will be given a reference number (officially known as your Individual Protocol Number). Once you have your reference, you must arrange an appointment with the consulate using the online booking system at your consulate’s website.

When attending your appointment, take the following items: your passport (which must be valid for at least six months from the date of entry), a recent passport style photograph, a copy of your vacation or flight booking slip including arrival and departure dates, and the processing fee of $130.

And once you’ve got your visa application out of the way, you can get back to planning your Brazil vacation! For some inspiration, check out the free Brazil Travel Guide.