Neighborhoods
We can send a full guide of the area and the island which includes all our recommendations of places to visit, things to do, eating out, shopping and night life. Please send us your email address and we can email you our guide.
The area Rio Vermelho
We are well positioned on the island with Santinho, Ingleses, Casasvieiras and Jurere to the north. To the South you will find, Barra da Lagoa, Lagoa da Conceicao and Centro.
Super Markets: Super Rio
Fruit and Veg: Direto do campo
Padaria: Opposite Direito do campo
Fish: Small fish shop next door to container garden sells fresh fish.
Beaches
The nearest beach to the house in within walking distance and is named Praia Mocambique. The trail is open to the residents of the road takes average 15 mins. It is very beautiful, and you can access at the end of the road where there is an entrance into pousada Rio Vermelho, turn right and follow the deck. After the deck, you will walk through some Atlantic forest, follow the trail left, cross over a foot bridge and then you will pass through the alpine forest before arriving at beautiful Mocambique beach. The longest and best-preserved beaches on the island, named after a crab seemingly. You can also drive to Mocambique beach in 5 mins from the house, there are many places to stop and park your car. Take the usual precautions when parking at all beaches on the island, better to not leave valuables inside the car.
Canto Das Aranhas
Located at the farthest northern end of Mocambique beach. You can reach by car or even drive onto the beach if you happen to have 4x4, if you don’t have 4x4 its really not advised to try driving on the beach. The beach can also be reached on foot, its well worth the exercise, its usually populated with fishermen and surfers. If you are feeling very athletic you can also take the trail to Praia do Santinho from canto das aranhas which passes over the sea cliff. Its very beautiful and the walk to the top is well worth the exercise once you see the views.
Eating out
Locally: in Rio Vermelho
Pizza – Don Dani at the end of the road, very popular. A good quality pizza, fantastic smell and good service. $$
Restaurante Mozambique, wood fired pizza overlooking the lake. A beautiful location. $$
Fish – Taboa, great value and a popular fish restaurant in the area. Try the anchova or sequencia de camarao. $$
Per Kilo – Arthenz, very popular, on Saturdays they serve more fish than during the week. Nida is also very popular. $$
Vegetarian – Container garden, Temperos & Sabores (Pet Friendly)
Burgers – Ox Burger & LaBareda both very good, laBareda burgers are char grilled over the coals and they have a delicious vegetarian burger made of chickpeas. $$
Night life
Locally:
Restaurant Mozambique – can often have live music
Container Garden – Live music on weekends.
Rio Vermelho food Truck opposite Casa Nova.
Things to do
Locally:
Surfing – Praia Mozambique
Stand up paddle / kayak – Rio Vermelho lake
Trails – Trail to beach and trail to canto das aranhas
Cycling – Forest road is a very popular route for cyclists
Horse riding – there are a few options to do guided horse trails to Mozambique beach. Its an unforgettable experience which we highly recommend.
Rio Vermelho wildlife sanctuary – Open to the public and free
Boat trip to Costa da Lagoa, visit the waterfall and have a beer or seafood at one of the many restaurants, boats leave frequently all day from the boat station in the Rio Vermelho park.
Diving - canto das aranahs Ilha or Ilha Xavier (Facebook:FloripaDive)
28 locals recommend
São João do Rio Vermelho
The area Rio Vermelho
We are well positioned on the island with Santinho, Ingleses, Casasvieiras and Jurere to the north. To the South you will find, Barra da Lagoa, Lagoa da Conceicao and Centro.
Super Markets: Super Rio
Fruit and Veg: Direto do campo
Padaria: Opposite Direito do campo
Fish: Small fish shop next door to container garden sells fresh fish.
Beaches
The nearest beach to the house in within walking distance and is named Praia Mocambique. The trail is open to the residents of the road takes average 15 mins. It is very beautiful, and you can access at the end of the road where there is an entrance into pousada Rio Vermelho, turn right and follow the deck. After the deck, you will walk through some Atlantic forest, follow the trail left, cross over a foot bridge and then you will pass through the alpine forest before arriving at beautiful Mocambique beach. The longest and best-preserved beaches on the island, named after a crab seemingly. You can also drive to Mocambique beach in 5 mins from the house, there are many places to stop and park your car. Take the usual precautions when parking at all beaches on the island, better to not leave valuables inside the car.
Canto Das Aranhas
Located at the farthest northern end of Mocambique beach. You can reach by car or even drive onto the beach if you happen to have 4x4, if you don’t have 4x4 its really not advised to try driving on the beach. The beach can also be reached on foot, its well worth the exercise, its usually populated with fishermen and surfers. If you are feeling very athletic you can also take the trail to Praia do Santinho from canto das aranhas which passes over the sea cliff. Its very beautiful and the walk to the top is well worth the exercise once you see the views.
Eating out
Locally: in Rio Vermelho
Pizza – Don Dani at the end of the road, very popular. A good quality pizza, fantastic smell and good service. $$
Restaurante Mozambique, wood fired pizza overlooking the lake. A beautiful location. $$
Fish – Taboa, great value and a popular fish restaurant in the area. Try the anchova or sequencia de camarao. $$
Per Kilo – Arthenz, very popular, on Saturdays they serve more fish than during the week. Nida is also very popular. $$
Vegetarian – Container garden, Temperos & Sabores (Pet Friendly)
Burgers – Ox Burger & LaBareda both very good, laBareda burgers are char grilled over the coals and they have a delicious vegetarian burger made of chickpeas. $$
Night life
Locally:
Restaurant Mozambique – can often have live music
Container Garden – Live music on weekends.
Rio Vermelho food Truck opposite Casa Nova.
Things to do
Locally:
Surfing – Praia Mozambique
Stand up paddle / kayak – Rio Vermelho lake
Trails – Trail to beach and trail to canto das aranhas
Cycling – Forest road is a very popular route for cyclists
Horse riding – there are a few options to do guided horse trails to Mozambique beach. Its an unforgettable experience which we highly recommend.
Rio Vermelho wildlife sanctuary – Open to the public and free
Boat trip to Costa da Lagoa, visit the waterfall and have a beer or seafood at one of the many restaurants, boats leave frequently all day from the boat station in the Rio Vermelho park.
Diving - canto das aranahs Ilha or Ilha Xavier (Facebook:FloripaDive)
Beaches
Barra da Lagoa
This beach is popular with kids and families and also learning surfers and fisherman. The waves here are small than Mozambique beach. It’s a much busier beach than the 2 formentioned ones and you will find lots of drinks and food available on the beach and lots of commercialisation in the area. We recommend parking around the vicinity of the turtle sanctuary. Barra da lagoa beach is 10 mins from Rio Vermelho and is accessed by taking the beautiful road through the protected forest of Rio Vermelho. Even in the height of summer in rush hour traffic this should not take more than 10 mins.
Praia Mole
Continuing past Barra Da Lagoa in the direction of Lagoa da Conceicao you will find Praia mole. It’s a very popular and fashionable beach. Named after the soft sand that exists there, it’s a great place to hang out, have a drink at one of the bars and do some people watching. There is ample parking at praia mole and the bus from Rio Vermelho to Lagoa will stop at this beach also.
Galheta Beach
The only formal nudist beach is located at the end of praia mole and can only be accessed by foot. It is a beautiful trail taking about 15 mins from praia mole. You can park your car at the praia mole parking areas. Whilst the beach is popular amongst nudists there are also many people who don’t strip off at the beach so whether you are interested in going nude or not this is a lovely beach to visit.
Eating out
Eating out on the Island
Fedocca do canal – great moquecca, located in forteleza da barra, a little expensive but on Thursdays they do a set buffet menu in the evening, check them out on facebook to find out more. $$$$
Cabral – Located in costa da lagoa, you can access the restaurant from the boat station in Rio Vermelho park. They are many restaurants here, cabral is one of our favorites but feel free to try the others and report back which one is your favorite. They all have very similar menus. $$$$
Lamen SAN – Located in Lagoa Conceicao, if you like Japanese food, you can get a great ramen bowl here in the evening. $$
Blackswan – Located in Lagoa, great English Pub grub, they do daily specials, we like the pork ribs and burgers especially if they are on promotion. This is a also a great place to watch some sport or live music at night. $$
Food Truck park – Lagoa, lots of different options, layback beer.
Ataliba – Located on SC401, For meat churrasco $$$
Costelaria – Located on SC401 Amazing ribs here $$$
Elba Pizzaria Italiana – Cachoeira do Bom Jesus
Shopping:
Iguatemi Shopping
Floripa Shopping
Jurere open shopping
Beiramar Shopping
Night life
Blackswan – Lagoa, live music at night
John Bull – Lagoa, Live music and tribute bands
Books and Beers – Lagoa, great for cocktails in the evening overlooking the boat harbour
P12 – Jurere, great place for shows, check out blue ticket
Bar do Boni – Lagoa, Hendieras avenue, live music overlooking the lake.
Things to do
Things to do on the island.
Boat trip to Campeche island, leaves from barra da lagoa
Pirate boat trip from Canasvieiras, great fun
Water park in ingleses – great for kids
Standup paddle – Rendeiras avenue, Lagoa
Sandboarding / Visit the dunnes – Joaquina Beach
Mirantes – Praia Mole & Lagoa conceicao
Visit the Fish market in centro – great selection of fish and live music at lunchtime.
Rent a bike or scooter on Beramar avenue.
Diving at Barra Da Lagoa
Trials – there are many to choose from, some of our favourites are, santinho to canto das aranhas, trial to natural pools at barra da lagoa, trail to Galheta beach.
Shopping – Tired of the sun or its raining, visit Iguatemi Shopping or Floripa shopping.
Cinema – Iguatemi or Beramar Shopping. Free parking in Iguatemi if you spend a certain amount in Big supermarket.
P12 – Take in a live show at P12, Jurere
168 locals recommend
Florianópolis
Beaches
Barra da Lagoa
This beach is popular with kids and families and also learning surfers and fisherman. The waves here are small than Mozambique beach. It’s a much busier beach than the 2 formentioned ones and you will find lots of drinks and food available on the beach and lots of commercialisation in the area. We recommend parking around the vicinity of the turtle sanctuary. Barra da lagoa beach is 10 mins from Rio Vermelho and is accessed by taking the beautiful road through the protected forest of Rio Vermelho. Even in the height of summer in rush hour traffic this should not take more than 10 mins.
Praia Mole
Continuing past Barra Da Lagoa in the direction of Lagoa da Conceicao you will find Praia mole. It’s a very popular and fashionable beach. Named after the soft sand that exists there, it’s a great place to hang out, have a drink at one of the bars and do some people watching. There is ample parking at praia mole and the bus from Rio Vermelho to Lagoa will stop at this beach also.
Galheta Beach
The only formal nudist beach is located at the end of praia mole and can only be accessed by foot. It is a beautiful trail taking about 15 mins from praia mole. You can park your car at the praia mole parking areas. Whilst the beach is popular amongst nudists there are also many people who don’t strip off at the beach so whether you are interested in going nude or not this is a lovely beach to visit.
Eating out
Eating out on the Island
Fedocca do canal – great moquecca, located in forteleza da barra, a little expensive but on Thursdays they do a set buffet menu in the evening, check them out on facebook to find out more. $$$$
Cabral – Located in costa da lagoa, you can access the restaurant from the boat station in Rio Vermelho park. They are many restaurants here, cabral is one of our favorites but feel free to try the others and report back which one is your favorite. They all have very similar menus. $$$$
Lamen SAN – Located in Lagoa Conceicao, if you like Japanese food, you can get a great ramen bowl here in the evening. $$
Blackswan – Located in Lagoa, great English Pub grub, they do daily specials, we like the pork ribs and burgers especially if they are on promotion. This is a also a great place to watch some sport or live music at night. $$
Food Truck park – Lagoa, lots of different options, layback beer.
Ataliba – Located on SC401, For meat churrasco $$$
Costelaria – Located on SC401 Amazing ribs here $$$
Elba Pizzaria Italiana – Cachoeira do Bom Jesus
Shopping:
Iguatemi Shopping
Floripa Shopping
Jurere open shopping
Beiramar Shopping
Night life
Blackswan – Lagoa, live music at night
John Bull – Lagoa, Live music and tribute bands
Books and Beers – Lagoa, great for cocktails in the evening overlooking the boat harbour
P12 – Jurere, great place for shows, check out blue ticket
Bar do Boni – Lagoa, Hendieras avenue, live music overlooking the lake.
Things to do
Things to do on the island.
Boat trip to Campeche island, leaves from barra da lagoa
Pirate boat trip from Canasvieiras, great fun
Water park in ingleses – great for kids
Standup paddle – Rendeiras avenue, Lagoa
Sandboarding / Visit the dunnes – Joaquina Beach
Mirantes – Praia Mole & Lagoa conceicao
Visit the Fish market in centro – great selection of fish and live music at lunchtime.
Rent a bike or scooter on Beramar avenue.
Diving at Barra Da Lagoa
Trials – there are many to choose from, some of our favourites are, santinho to canto das aranhas, trial to natural pools at barra da lagoa, trail to Galheta beach.
Shopping – Tired of the sun or its raining, visit Iguatemi Shopping or Floripa shopping.
Cinema – Iguatemi or Beramar Shopping. Free parking in Iguatemi if you spend a certain amount in Big supermarket.
P12 – Take in a live show at P12, Jurere