Camboriu travel guide

Camboriu, Brazil

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Camboriu

Introduction

Camboriú is a municipality in the state of Santa Catarina, in Brazil's South region. It sits close to Balneário Camboriú, a beach destination that draws visitors to this stretch of the Santa Catarina coast.

Before you go

Camboriú's story reaches back to the Tupí–Guaraní, who were the first to live on this land, and forward through a Portuguese farming family that settled the left bank of the river in the neighbourhood of Barra, where Azorean traditions are still kept. The village that grew here was the common beginning of both Camboriú and Balneário Camboriú, and it belonged to Itajaí before Camboriú itself became the seat of the town. A church built by slaves from rough stone and whale oil — the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso, known as the Church of Santo Amaro — marks that early settlement.

Keep this history in mind as you plan: the two cities share an origin, so what you read about one often concerns the other. Barra is the place to look for the older layer of the region, while the coast draws the crowds.

Getting there

The nearest airport is Ministro Victor Konder in Navegantes (NVT), roughly 30 km from Balneário Camboriú, with direct flights to and from São Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Florianópolis on LATAM, GOL and Azul. From the airport you can reach the city by bus, or take a taxi, which the source notes will not cost that much. You can also rent a car — Localiza is the biggest Brazilian rental company — and it's worth adding a GPS, since signage in Brazil isn't great and driving isn't as easy as you might expect. As an alternative, Florianópolis International Airport (FLN) lies about 80 km south but offers more route options, including Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre.

By car, the approach is straightforward: get onto the BR-101 and watch the signs, though you'll usually be driving south. Distances from other cities include Florianópolis (80 km), Blumenau (80 km), Curitiba (220 km), Porto Alegre (550 km) and São Paulo (600 km). Plenty of bus options also get you into the city.

Getting around

Getting around Camboriú and neighbouring Balneário Camboriú is almost entirely by road. There is no rail, metro or tram network serving the area, so plan on buses, taxis or a private car rather than trains. Walking works for short distances in the built-up parts of the area, but the wider region is spread out and the connections between towns and to the airport are by road, so for anything beyond a short local trip you will want a bus, taxi or car.

If you fly in, the nearest airport is Ministro Victor Konder in Navegantes (NVT), with direct flights to and from São Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Porto Alegre and Florianópolis, operated by LATAM, GOL and Azul. From the airport you can take a bus to Balneário Camboriú, take a taxi (a reasonable choice when you have luggage or no local knowledge), or rent a car — Localiza is the biggest Brazilian rent-a-car company, and it is worth adding a GPS since driving in Brazil is not always easy and signage is not that good. Florianópolis International Airport (FLN) is an alternative with more route options, including Rio de Janeiro and Porto Alegre, but it is farther away, so weigh the extra travel time against the wider choice of flights. Longer-distance buses are a practical way into the city from elsewhere, and taxis are straightforward once you are there; ride-hailing apps are widely used in Brazil and are a common way for visitors to get around. If you drive in, join the BR-101 and pay attention to the signs — you will usually need to head south.

Where to stay

For a small, simple base close to the sand, look at Pousada Villa Atlântica on Rua 3.300, about two blocks from the main beach in Balneário Camboriú. The setting puts you within easy walking distance of shops, supermarkets and restaurants, so everyday errands and meals don't require a car.

Food & drink

Camboriú's dining scene leans toward the practical, with several chain restaurants clustered along the main avenues. For Italian food, you can head to Sapore Speciale on Avenida Brasil, which has a few other units nearby if the first is busy. Pizza lovers will find Mangiare Felice on Avenida Atlântica, another chain option that's easy to locate.

If you're after something more substantial, O Pharol in Barra Sul is known for its seafood buffet — a good choice if you're hungry and want variety. It also offers free Wi-Fi and an indoor playground, making it convenient if you're travelling with children.

What to see and do

Start at Praia dos Amores, a well-kept rural beach where the Atlantic forest shelters native fauna and flora; you can watch birds and animals and see plants up close. The regional fishing culture is still alive here, and the Azorean heritage shows in the construction of the fishermen's huts. Locals and visitors alike come to surf the Atlantic here.

Three days in Camboriu

Day one: Start in Camboriú proper, the inland town that gives the region its name, and get your bearings in Portuguese-speaking Brazil. The town sits in Santa Catarina in the South, and its centre is compact enough to walk. Visit the Church of Nossa Senhora do Bom Sucesso and the Church of Santo Amaro, then head to the coast at Balneário Camboriú, where the beach at Barra and the Azorean heritage of the coast give the day its shape. Keep the evening simple with a Brazilian meal in town.

Day two: Use the coast as your base and take the short trip to Itajaí, the port city at the mouth of the Itajaí-Açu river, and to the neighbouring town of Navegantes across the water. The Ministro Victor Konder airport at Navegantes (NVT) serves this stretch of coast, so it is easy to reach. Return to Balneário Camboriú for the afternoon and take a walk along the seafront as the light softens.

Day three: Head south to Florianópolis, the island capital of Santa Catarina, reached via Florianópolis International Airport (FLN). Spend the day exploring the city before flying out; LATAM, GOL and Azul connect Florianópolis with São Paulo, Campinas, Ribeirão Preto, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre, and you can pick up a Localiza car with GPS if you prefer to drive. If you are staying on the coast instead, use the day for a final beach morning at Barra and a leisurely lunch before your onward flight from NVT.

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