The nightlife in Florianopolis is second to none. The issue travellers have when visiting the island is they know little of where to go. On top of this they normally have minimally Portuguese to do efficient research. The island is not so straightforward and can be a little inconvenient at times, too. It’s one of those places you need a car to explore. Although, taxis are not over the top expensive if you’re travelling in pairs.
There are many parties to the north of the island, the city’s centre, Lagoa da conceicao, the occasional party in the south of the island’s Riozinho. In the north the parties are straightforward. They’re in high-end nightclubs such as P12, Pacha, Café de la Musique and more. In Lagoa da conceicao you will find parties in the nightclub ‘Confraria.’ While in Riozonho there is the occasional party at Riozonho’s ‘ponte.’ Be sure to check in advance when parties are playing at the different locations. If you rock up on a night while nothing is playing you’ll be left thinking like many tourists who come to Florianopolis, with minimal Portuguese to investigate the issue, thinking: what’s all the hype about? The hype is definitely in Florianopolis – you just need to know where it is.
Another issue to point out is often locals visit the continent – get off the island – for parties, too. There are massive parties on the continent to the north – around 90 kilometres from Florianopolis. The city with those parties is known as Balneario Camboriu. Another great addition to your travel plans in South America. There you will find hardcore Warung Beach Club and Green Valley for the diehard party fans.
If you leave Florianopolis wondering what the hype’s about, it’s simple, you didn’t learn your Portuguese well enough to get to the bottom of the nightlife scene. I hope I’ve set you up a little for your travel in South America.
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Hi Gaston, my name is joe – I’m a Brit that is going to travel to South America for 7 months starting in January. I fly in to São Paulo late on a Thursday night (really late). I was thinking of going to Florianopolis the on Saturday. That will give me Saturday night to party, but I don’t know what to expect after that. Does it get busy during the week in the bars? In England, the clubs tend to be quiet during the week. Also, if I arrive in Florianopolis on a Saturday, is it unrealistic that I could get up to the Green Valley for Saturday night? I’m travelling on my own, so it’s a long shot that I’d find someone within a day of arriving that would want to go, but I am tempted.
Hi Joe,
You sound like you’re on the right track. Green Valley should look after you upon arrival. The issue I have is with you attempting to fly into Floripa then leave the same day for a 90 km (approx.) ride to the north of Floripa – that’s where Green Valley is – in Camboriu. It really depends on what time you arrive in Floripa?
I think Green Valley is a must for people who are solid party people – it’s not for those who don’t want a solid party. I have to ask you this: why are you so keen to rush straight out of Floripa? You mentioned you have “7 months” and you arrive in January so there’ll be plenty of nice parties happening in Floripa during this time. I think that answers “Does it get busy?” – yes it definitely does. I do understand Green Valley is a top party. I understand the urgency to get there. I don’t think you need to rush through Floripa and miss it’s potential, though. Having said that, here’s what you could do: You could hire a car or you could get public transport to the north (Green Valley). I have to say it’d be a bloody mission if don’t speak Portuguese. I’m happy to help. I’m just not sure what you need to know at this stage. You’ve asked me is it possible to get to Green Valley and I’ll tell you anything is possible and Green Vally is worth the effort.
Give more specific questions and I’ll see if I can knock them over for you.
Cheers,
Gaston.
Thanks for the response. I’m not in a massive rush, but I’m starting in brazil, travelling around for six months, then coming back for the World Cup. I’ll be in brazil for over month when the World Cup is on, so I want to leave some of the things until later. Plus, England play in São Paulo, so I’ll be going back to São Paulo for that and for my flights back. I’ve heard that the weather will be pretty bad during the World Cup that far down, so I’d prefer to do it earlier in my trip.
I guess my question would be – is there a busy party atmosphere during the week in Florianopolis? Have you stayed in the hostels in Camboriu? I’m wondering if I could meet people that will want to go to green valley in a hostel.
There are many people who travel to Camboriu from Florianopolis. There are also a few cool hostel which look after visitors and tell them where the parties are – not always the case in some cities. There are often cool parties happening during the week in Floripa. It really depends on your taste. You get a mix of electronic and samba parties during that time of the year: two completely different styles obviously. I believe that time of the year – actually I know – that time of the year there’ll be no issues with finding a party. I think you should start in Floripa find people to travel to Green Valley with you. I’ve often met people car pooling to Green Valley from Floripa. If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I’m in Floripa at the moment. I know this place well.
Thanks Gaston. Exactly the advice I was looking for. I’m looking forward to it. I’m somewhat new to samba. Obviously, I’ve heard it and seen people dancing on tv, so it would be interesting to see it in real life. I know quite a lot about the electronic music and it’s what I like the most, so I’ll probably listen to both. Is there anywhere that you’d recommend staying? Any hostels?
Not a problem. There’s three options, in my opinion, for hostels in Florianopolis. Each of them offer a different experience as they’re in slightly different neighborhoods. Florianopolis is a large island and not always the most convenient to navigate. One hostel is in Barra da Lagoa and called “Share House”. This is a nice hostel – clean and has good food plus location. There’s a great bar with an amazing view in this hostel. Although, the stay at this place will be one to remember, during the night you’re a bit isolated in Barra da Lagoa (with it for a couple of nights though. There’s not a lot of parties that go on near this hostel. Having said this most parties are a little travel from where ever you stay on the island. This hostel does have a bus that takes visitors to all the parties which are around the island. It’s a cool hostel. The owners also have another hostel in Florianopolis which is in front of Praia Mole. This is also really cool and I can’t decide which is the best to stay in, they’re both excellent, but offer different experiences. Praia mole is cool. This hostel is also a nice 4.5 km walk to Lagoa da conceicao. Things are a little more advanced in Lagoa da conceicao – there’s banks, cool cafes, and bars. The island doesn’t have banks (ATMs) everywhere so sometimes this is an issue. You’ll have to visit Lagoa da conceicao from time to time to sort cash out (ATMs). This is why I say there are “there’s three hostels”. The third is actually in Lagoa da conceicao. This place is also cool and has friendly staff, food and a cool bar. It’s called Tucano House.
I hope this helps. My suggestion would be to stay in all of the hostels at least once. They’re all cool but very different – the locations I mean.
Cheers,
Gaston.
Hi Gaston, I´ll go to Floripa on March. Can you recomend some good places to go? What do you think about Cafe de la musique? Prices? Thanks a lot for your helpful information!
Hi Gaston. I´ll go to Floripa on March. What places do you recomend for party? What do you think about Cafe de la Musique? Prices? Thanks a lot for your helpful information!
Hey buddy,
Good move going to Floripa in March. Your question’s very open re “places to go”. What are you after? Flroaianopolis has beaches, parties, the works. You mentioned “Cafe de la Musique”, this place is top notch, on the appropriate night. As for the “prices” it really depends what you consider to be expensive or cheap. The place you’ve mentioned is the most expensive “place” on the island, although it will show you a good time.
To try to answer your question – you can be more specific if you like:
Praia Mole is a good start for a beach. Jurere International is a fancy area to blow money and have some fun. There will be plenty of parties during the time you arrive, though these vary from street parties, internal samba parties, electronic, there’s plenty of daytime fun to be had in the sun too – plus more.
Try to narrow your question down a little and I’ll try to answer it for you.
Hi bud, thanks a lot for your answer. I rent a house in Praia Brava and also I´ve rent a car so i will be able to move around. In your post you name Camboriu as a good place to party and also a good beach. I´ll be there for 20 days so I plan to visit Jurere beach, Lagoinha, Bombas, Praia Rosa for beach and also ingleses. I´m kind of lost in place for party, something after the beach would be cool i think.
Hi,
When you say “Praia Brava” are you referring to Praia Brava in Itajai or Florianopolis?
You’ve mentioned a lot of places in your post. As for Camboriu there are many parties there which I believe I’ve mentioned in the post. It’s not a case of just turning up to a venue though. You meed to be sure there is an event scheduled for that night.
Praia do Rosa is good for the weekends. I spent New Years eve there a few weeks ago. Once again you’ll need to plan the actual date, closer to the date, you arrive to ensure there is a party on there you may be interested in. There are often planned festivals which will have advertising around the town or in the local papers. It’s nearly impossible to tell you exactly where to go without knowing what you’re into or when, exactly, you’ll require the party.
Florianopolis will have things to interest many different tastes. You’re more than welcome to contact me, via here, while you’re in Santa Catarina and stuck for ideas. Your question here was also super open so I’m sorry if I couldn’t answer it accurately; it’s difficult to give an all round wrap on all of the places you’ve mentioned.
Cheers, Talk soon.
Gaston.