South Brazil’s mountains and beaches holidays
South Brazil’s mountains and beaches holidays at a glance
Santa Catarina holidays start with the coastline – over 500km of it, undulating and dotted with beaches, lagoons and picturesque bays. Ilha de Santa Catarina, reached via Florianópolis holidays’ gateway city of the same name, draws families and surfers alike, while the wider coast is backed by hills and a handful of genuinely well-regarded beach properties.
Praia do Rosa is the standout, and deservedly so: considered one of the world’s most beautiful bays, with nearby beaches, dunes and lagoons that reward exploring on foot or by hire car far more than they reward rushing through. This is prime Southern Brazil beaches territory, the kind of coastline where a hire car and a loose itinerary beat a fixed schedule every time.
Move inland, though, and the scenery changes entirely. Mountain ranges, cloud forests, waterfalls and deep canyons define the southern highlands, with the Serra Verde Railway descending through swirling mists that lift to reveal genuinely eye-popping panoramas.
Walking trails thread through Serra Geral among mountains gashed by steep canyons, and German and Italian settlement has left its own distinctive legacy in the architecture, the vineyards and the hydrangea-covered slopes that give parts of the region an almost Alpine feel.
Why choose Journey Latin America for your holiday to South Brazil’s mountains and beaches
We’ve been planning trips to Central and South America for over 45 years, longer than any other UK specialist. Every holiday is built around you by a Travel Expert who has been to the places they recommend, with support from your first enquiry to the day you fly home.
Explore south Brazil’s undulating coastlines with pretty crescent-shaped beaches, backed by mountains, waterfalls and cloud forests sheltering vivid flowers.
When to visit South Brazil’s mountains and beaches
South Brazil enjoys sunshine throughout the year, though temperatures and conditions vary more noticeably here than in Brazil’s tropical regions further north.
This is the most popular time to visit the beaches of Santa Catarina due to plentiful sunshine and temperatures exceeding 28°C. While some days may be cloudy and rainy, this is the holiday season and as such the resorts and hotels are full of life: you’ll have your choice of flourishing restaurants, beach bars and exciting outdoor activities.
Up in the mountains, you can expect summer temperatures of around 25°C which rise higher on some days. Here the rainfall is fairly even throughout the year. Local holiday times run from January to February.
Autumn in southern Brazil is less hot but still a good time to visit the beach. The rainfall reduces and the atmosphere is more peaceful as many of the resorts will be shut.
This is a pleasant time of year to visit the mountains; the climate is mild and the autumnal foliage is spectacular.
You won’t get ideal beach weather during this time, but visitors might enjoy exploring some of the charming coastal towns, following a coastal walk or visiting the island of Florianopolis.
The mountains will not be busy at this time, except perhaps at the first sign of snowfall, when many Brazilian families will make the most of the rare chance to partake in a snowball fight.
In springtime the weather warms up without being too extreme. Some of the resorts will open their doors but in general there are not too many visitors- ideal if you prefer peace and quiet. This is a good time to enjoy pleasant coastal walks or a drive into the vineyards of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.
Accommodation in South Brazil’s mountains and beaches
Santa Catarina offers accommodation to suit a wide variety of tastes and budgets, from boutique beach hotels and luxury coastal retreats right through to countryside properties positioned close to the mountains and hiking trails – useful if you’re planning to split your stay between coast and highlands rather than picking one.
Truly top-of-the-range resort with an atmosphere of relaxed exclusivity, occupying its own peninsula with a private cove.
Qunita das Videiras is an enchanting boutique hotel just steps from the shops and restaurants of lakeside Lagoa, Santa Catarina Island.
Quinta do Bucanero is an intimate, service-orientated guesthouse built into a hillside near the beach in Praia do Rosa, one of the most beautiful and, in season, the most hip, stretches of sand in southern Brazil.
A former Journey Latin America tour leader, Sally spent 7 years working, travelling and living throughout Latin America before returning to the UK to help people arrange their own adventures to this wonderful destination.
FAQs about visiting South Brazil’s mountains and beaches
South Brazil’s mountains and beaches is one of the most popular destinations, and there’s plenty to think about before you go. Here, our specialists share their best advice.
- When's the best time to visit south Brazil?
The states of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul have summers that are hot and winters mild, but a bit too cool for the beach. There is sunshine all year round however, with most rain falling in late Dec-Mar – the local holiday season when beaches are packed. Whales may be spotted offshore Jun-Oct.
In the mountains, the seasons are more sharply defined the further south you go and frost and snow is not unknown in the far south in winter. It can be very hot (40C) in summer, Dec-Mar.
- What's the official language of south Brazil?
Brazilian Portuguese, a more languid and musical version of Portugal’s mother tongue.
- How do I get local currency in south Brazil?
Brazilian Real. Notes can be withdrawn from the many ATMs of Banco do Brasil, Bradesco and HSBC in Florianópolis using a UK credit or debit card. Limits may be lower than your UK bank allows. ATMs close at 10pm.
- What's the time difference between south Brazil and UK?
UTC -3 hours. Daylight saving Oct- end Feb (approx) was discontinued in 2019.
- What places combine well with beaches of S Brazil?
A holiday in Argentina: relax on a beach after visiting Buenos Aires (direct flight to Florianópolis, 2 hours) the Iguazú Falls, or maybe even travels further afield, to Patagonia; the Serra Verde train ride from Curitiba (38mins by air from Florianópolis) to Morretes.
- How do I get to south Brazil?
There are domestic flights from Rio (1hour 40mins), São Paulo (1hour 15mins) and Curitiba (38mins) to Florianópolis. It’s just under two hours’ flight from Rio to Porto Alegre,
- What are the festivals, cultural and sports events in south Brazil?
Farra de Boi: Florianópolis, Easter. A festival dedicated to the bull, which has great significance in Brazilian celebrations.
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