SC · Brazil
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Get to know the place
Costa Verde e Mar packs some of Brazil's most sought-after beaches and the largest theme park in Latin America into a short stretch of the Santa Catarina coast. You can spend the day in emerald water in Bombinhas, have dinner facing the Praia Central of Balneário Camboriú and take on the roller coasters of Penha the next day. It is the destination for anyone who wants beaches, nightlife and family fun on the same trip.
This destination brings together 11 cities: Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, Itapema, Porto Belo, Penha, Itajaí, Navegantes, Balneário Piçarras, Camboriú, Ilhota, Luiz Alves.
A look at the place
These pictures are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs. They may differ from the place.
Click the picture to enlarge it.
One destination, many paths
Start with one city or combine several in your itinerary.
Balneário Camboriú combines a built-up waterfront with hills covered in Atlantic Forest. You can alternate walks along the Praia Central with outings to the beaches south of the city.
Bombinhas sits on a peninsula of beaches, rocky shores and hills covered in Atlantic Forest. Walks along the shore can be combined with trails and watching marine life in its waters.
Itapema combines urban beaches and green slopes on the Santa Catarina coast. Walks along the promenade and across the Ponte dos Suspiros (bridge) let you take in the bay and the city's seafront.
Porto Belo has a sheltered bay, an island close to shore and scenery tied to fishing. You can walk along the waterfront and take boat trips to see the coves and green hills.
Penha brings together beaches, rocky shores and fishing neighborhoods on the northern Santa Catarina coast. Besides seaside walks, you can explore small coves and take in the scenery of its coastal communities.
Itajaí's history is tied to its port and the mouth of the Itajaí-Açu river, on the coast. You can walk the waterfront, take in the maritime scenery and visit the city's rocky shores and beaches.
Navegantes stretches between the mouth of the Itajaí-Açu and the beaches of the Santa Catarina coast. Walking along the breakwaters, you can watch the river meet the sea and the boat traffic in the area.
Balneário Piçarras has a long beach lined by a promenade and breakwaters. You can walk by the sea and take in the coastal scenery of northern Santa Catarina.
Camboriú has a town center with rural roots and green areas near the Santa Catarina coast. A visit can combine the main church square with countryside roads and scenery of hills and valleys.
Ilhota is in the Vale do Itajaí, and the Morro do Baú (mountain) is a landmark of its scenery. You can visit the town center and explore the rural surroundings, where Atlantic Forest covers slopes and hills.
Luiz Alves lies among the valleys and hills of inland Santa Catarina, with traces of European immigration. You can see its religious heritage and drive rural roads between farmland.
The local experience
The largest theme park in Latin America, with extreme roller coasters, live shows and themed areas for all ages. It is the main reason many families choose the region.
Designed by the German architect Simão Gramlich and inaugurated in 1955, it is in neo-Gothic style with Romanesque arches, six towers and 55 stained-glass windows. The interior decoration is by the Italian artists Emílio Sessa and Aldo Locatelli, and the church has been listed by the state since 2001.
Discover Igreja Matriz do Santíssimo Sacramento
Reached by boat, it holds traces of human occupation more than 4,000 years old, such as the petroglyphs of the Pedra da Cruz, seen along a trail of about 1.3 km. It is also home to the Ecomuseu Univali, with a collection on history and biodiversity.
At about 5 km, it is the longest beach in the municipality and has most of the services. The waterfront has a promenade with a walking track, bike path and outdoor gym, lined with residential buildings.
At 819 meters above sea level, it is one of the highest points in the region and home to a park created in 1961 by the priest and botanist Raulino Reitz, now run by the town. The trail to the summit crosses Atlantic Forest and reveals views all the way to the coast.
At about 680 meters above sea level, it is the highest point in the municipality and the climb requires good fitness. From the top, the view reaches Balneário Camboriú, Itapema and, on clear days, the Ilha do Arvoredo (island).
The town's main beach, it has a very calm sea, protected by three stone breakwaters. The waterfront has a promenade over 2 km long and is popular for swimming, windsurfing and canoeing.
Created in 2018 by the town government and the association of craft producers, it brings together ten distilleries spread across several districts. Visitors watch the production process and discover brands that have won awards in competitions in Brazil and abroad.
The current church, in Art Deco style, opened in 1962 on the site of a chapel built by devotees with ties to the sea, and was made a sanctuary in 1996. Next to it, a boat-shaped building houses a space devoted to the Virgin Mary on its deck.
Discover Santuário Nossa Senhora dos Navegantes
Founded in 1950, it is on the Estrada Braço da Onça, about 3 km from downtown. It is one of the municipality's main religious tourism sites, in a setting surrounded by forest.
Discover Gruta Nossa Senhora Imaculada Conceição
Completed in 1941 as the Capela São Sebastião, it became the parish church in 1954 and stands on the banks of the Itajaí-Açu river. It has neoclassical decorative elements, arches and encaustic tile floors, and an adjoining grotto.
Discover Igreja Matriz São Pio X
Built in 1814 in Azorean colonial style, with enslaved labor, it is the main historic landmark downtown. It was listed as a historic heritage site in 1998.
Discover Igreja Matriz Senhor Bom Jesus dos Aflitos
Opened in 2012 on the Morro do Cabeço, the 26-meter tower has four levels open to the public and a panoramic elevator. From the top you can see the area's beaches, hills and rocky shores.
On the Estrada Geral dos Caetés, it looks out over the municipality's countryside, with native forest and farmland. On clear days you can see Balneário Camboriú in the distance, and it is a stop for cyclists and hikers.
Run by the Universidade do Vale do Itajaí, it holds one of the largest oceanographic collections in the Americas, with fossils, whale skeletons, sharks and shells. Outside it displays Navy aircraft, such as a Sea King helicopter.
Discover Museu Oceanográfico Univali
A cable car linking the Praia Central to Praia de Laranjeiras via a station on the hill, with a 900-meter zip line and a mountain coaster. The view from the top is the best lookout in the city.
On the border with Balneário Camboriú, it has steady waves sought after by surfers and a hang gliding landing area. At the far north end is the Canto do Morcego, a stretch surrounded by tall hills.
Also known as Praia do Trapiche, it has about 800 meters of calm sea and many fishing boats at anchor. The pier and the craft fair make it a traditional gathering place for the fishing community.
Discover Praia da Armação do Itapocorói
At the far north of the municipality, next to a river mouth with hills behind it, it has waves popular with surfers. At one end is Pedra da Miraguaia, a natural mussel bed frequented by surf casters.
Begun in 1759 and completed in 1791, it is what remains of the old Portuguese whaling station of Itapocorói, built with stone and mortar made of lime, sand and whale oil. Listed as a heritage site in 1998, it began holding Mass again after repairs in 2021.
Discover Capela São João Batista
The former town administration building, a neoclassical structure with curved parapets and arched porches, was where the municipality was formally established in 1958. Restored, it now houses a cultural space with exhibits on Belgian settlement in the Vale do Itajaí.
The street has settlement-era mansions such as the Tiedt Family House, from 1902, the Wust House, from 1920, and the old town hall, from 1927. Together they preserve the architecture of the immigrant families who built the municipality.
Discover Centro Histórico da Rua 18 de Julho
A 33-meter monument inaugurated in 1997, with viewpoints and colored lighting that changes through the night. The complex has a restaurant and live music.
Built in 1905 in Portuguese colonial style, it is in Vila Conceição, beside the Estrada Geral dos Caetés. It is one of the landmarks of the rural area, home to religious and nature tourism routes.
Discover Igreja Imaculada Conceição
A pair of rocky islets off the waterfront, in the central part of the town's coastline. A local legend, linked to the Carijó people, says the rocks are a couple who threw themselves into the sea to escape a conflict.
Built in 1917 as the first project of superintendent Marcos Konder, it had its eclectic facade simplified into Art Deco lines after a fire in 1936. Today it is a center of popular culture, with crafts, traditional food and live music.
Discover Mercado Público de Itajaí
At the mouth of the Itajaí-Açu river, the stone breakwater juts about 800 meters into the sea to calm the water and make it easier for ships to enter. It is a spot for fishing and watching the cargo ships heading to the port.
The largest beach in the municipality, it has about 2.4 km of fine white sand and a tree-lined waterfront. The sea is good for swimming and water sports, and the beach has the best local facilities.
A wild beach of coarse sand, reached by a trail of about 900 meters from Canto da Praia. The unspoiled natural setting and the waves attract surfers and people looking for peace and quiet.
In front of downtown, it has a rough sea and good waves, popular for surfing and fishing. The waterfront has a lit promenade and hosts the city's main events.
About 700 meters long with calm water, it is mainly frequented by families. On the way from downtown to the beach is the Bico do Papagaio, a rock shaped by blasting when the road was built.
A clear-water cove surrounded by green hills, reached by boat, cable car or road. It has kiosks, restaurants and pirate schooner tours.
The name comes from the four ocean islands visible from the sand: Galé, Deserta, Arvoredo and Macuco. The left end has calm water, good for snorkeling and stand-up paddleboarding, and the right end gets waves sought after by surfers.
Discover Praia de Quatro Ilhas
A sheltered cove that works as a natural harbor, with clear, calm, emerald-green water. It draws many sailboats and motorboats, and floating restaurants open in summer and on weekends.
Surrounded by Atlantic Forest and rock formations, it is reached by a dirt road of about 2 km and has no shops. Visited mainly by locals and fishermen, it has a rough sea and a laid-back feel.
A high point on the Bombinhas peninsula, reached by a short trail, with a 360-degree view over beaches and islands. Sunrise and sunset from there are the most sought-after in the region.
At about 5.8 km, it is the strip of sand in front of the waterfront skyscrapers. In 2021 it received 2.2 million cubic meters of sand, and its average width went from 25 to about 70 meters, to bring back sunlight to the beach.
A small cove with calm, clear water, reached by a trail of about 200 meters at the end of Avenida das Garoupas. It is a spot for snorkeling and scuba diving, with colorful fish and an underwater sculpture by the artist Pita Camargo.
A protected marine area with clear water, considered one of the best dive spots in southern Brazil. Trips leave from Bombinhas and reveal schools of fish, sea turtles and rays.
Discover Reserva Biológica Marinha do Arvoredo
A winding road that links Praia Central to the wild beaches in the south of the municipality, passing viewpoints over the sea. It is the perfect drive to take slowly, stopping at every cove.
A long beach with a calmer sea at the entrance to the peninsula, good for families and for walking on the sand at dawn. It has pousadas (guesthouses), kiosks and facilities for anyone spending several days in the area.
Your base to explore
Where you stay is part of the trip. Choose the area that best fits your itinerary.
A hotel on Rua Coronel Benjamin Vieira, in downtown Camboriú, with double rooms and suites. It is about ten minutes from Balneário Camboriú and suits people who want to stay away from the waterfront, with easy access to both cities.
An international chain hotel on Rodovia Osvaldo Reis, in Praia Brava, with 153 rooms, an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a gym and an auditorium for up to 400 people. It caters to business and leisure travelers and is about 10 km from Navegantes airport.
A hotel in downtown Porto Belo with three pools, one of them indoor and heated, a panoramic restaurant overlooking the bay and an events center. It suits families and groups coming for events and conventions.
A 62-room hotel on Avenida Vereador Manoel José dos Santos, in downtown Bombinhas, with a pool, a gym and beach access. It suits families and couples who want to stay in the town's central area.
A hotel opened in 1947 on Avenida Nereu Ramos, billed as the first beachfront hotel in Balneário Piçarras. It has a pool, a bar with a sea view and direct access to the main beach.
A hotel opened in 1964 in Pontal Norte, in a circular three-story building designed by architect Roberto Felix Veronese, next to the mouth of the Rio Marambaia. It suits families, couples and event groups who want to stay facing Praia Central.
A pousada (guesthouse) on Rua Vereador Osmar Inácio da Silva, downtown, about 300 meters from the airport and 500 meters from the beach, with a leisure area with a barbecue grill and hammocks. It suits people arriving or departing by plane and families visiting the region.
Lodging on Rua Abraão João Francisco, at Praia Alegre, home to Restaurante Omar, which serves regional cuisine. It was one of the supporters of the 4th Penha Tourism Meeting, held in September 2026.
A hotel on Rua 292, in Meia Praia, just over 100 meters from Avenida Nereu Ramos and about 250 meters from the sea, with a pool and the Alma restaurant. The chain has a second location in Gramado.
A 13-room hotel on Rua Antônio José de Aquino, with a pool, its own restaurant, and beach chairs and umbrellas. It suits couples and families who want a small place to stay near the sea in Porto Belo.
A hotel on Avenida Brasil, about 100 meters from the sea, with a wellness center featuring heated pools, a sauna and hydrotherapy, plus convention spaces. In 2024 its lobby, suites and common areas were renovated.
A family-oriented hotel about a 15-minute walk from Beto Carrero World, with heated indoor and outdoor pools, a playroom and a sand court. It practices rainwater harvesting, composting and waste sorting.
A 92-room hotel on Avenida José Temístocles de Macedo, downtown, with direct beach access, a pool and a game room. Reopened under Rede Andrade management after three years closed, it caters to families who want to stay on the beachfront.
An apartment hotel on Rua Maria Jocelina Couto, in Navegantes, about 3 km from the airport, with rooms with kitchenettes, a pool and breakfast. It suits people arriving by plane or looking for a simple base for the beach.
A rural pousada (guesthouse) on Estrada Distrito Vila Caetés, in the countryside of Camboriú, with chalets, horseback rides and home cooking. It also welcomes day visitors and suits people looking to relax in the middle of the forest.
A pousada (guesthouse) with 19 suites with balconies and compact kitchens on Rua Peixe Camboatá, near Praia da Lagoinha. Breakfast is delivered in baskets to the suites, and the place suits couples and families who want to stay a few steps from the sea.
An 85-room hotel on Rua 155, in downtown Itapema, with a pool, beach access and event rooms. It suits vacationing families and people visiting the city for work or conferences.
An adults-only, 25-unit boutique hotel on Rua José Medeiros Vieira, in Praia Brava, with a spa, a wine cellar and the Cucina restaurant. It is inspired by the Amalfi Coast and suits couples looking to relax by the sea.
A 108-room hotel on Rua 1106, near the Ilhota and Porto beaches, with an outdoor pool and a restaurant with a sea view. Recently opened, it suits couples and families who want to stay by the waterfront.
A pousada (guesthouse) with 64 rooms on Avenida Vereador Manoel José dos Santos, with direct beach access, a restaurant and a kids' play area. It caters to families in the beach season who want to step from their room straight onto the sand.
A hotel on Praia de Cabeçudas with 38 rooms, all facing the sea, pools and a convention hall. It suits families with children and couples who prefer a quieter urban beach in Itajaí.
A traditional hotel on Avenida Emanoel Pinto, in downtown Balneário Piçarras, a few steps from the beach, with air-conditioned rooms. It suits people who want to stay near the sea and the town's shops.
A 70-room boutique hotel on Rua Sérgio Gentil Serpa, in Armação, across from Beto Carrero World, opened in January 2026. It has a pool, a playground, a bar and the EWA restaurant, and suits families visiting the park.
A business hotel in the Machados neighborhood, along the BR-470 highway, in Navegantes. It is convenient for business travelers or people passing through on the highway or via the city's airport.
A simple pousada (guesthouse) on Rua 701, downtown, about 400 meters from the beach, with air-conditioned rooms and shared bathrooms outside the rooms. It suits people looking for budget lodging within walking distance of shops, restaurants and the waterfront.
A beachfront hotel in Araçá, Porto Belo, with sea-view accommodations in an area of preserved forest, a bistro, a spa and pools. It caters to couples and families who want peace and quiet near the peninsula's beaches.
A small farm in Rio do Meio that rents a house and chalets to couples and families and hosts small events and photo shoots. It suits people who want a stay in the countryside of Camboriú, close to nature.
Flavors of the destination
An international cuisine restaurant in the Sofistic Hotel, on Rua 292, in Meia Praia. It has carefully designed decor and a setting meant for dinners and special occasions.
A seafood restaurant on Rua Antônio José de Aquino, in Araçá, set in an old fishermen's shed with nautical decor. It serves shrimp and mullet to visitors to Araçá who want to eat by the sea.
A seafood restaurant opened in 1992 by Júlio Cesar Moro on Avenida Atlântica, with a nostalgic setting inspired by the 1920s. In 2026 it took part in the Balneário Saboroso food festival.
A French restaurant with seafood, opened in December 1985 by Raimundo and Vera Pletz on Rua Floriano Peixoto, in Cabeçudas. Today it is run by the couple's children, who keep recipes from the early days, such as Camarão à Mila (shrimp).
A restaurant in Alto Baú, in the countryside of Ilhota, with traditional home-style food in a family atmosphere. It is a stop for people visiting the Morro do Baú area.
A restaurant on Rua Professor Simão Hess, in Vila do Salto, which at the 3rd Luiz Alves Food Circuit served entrecôte with cassava aligot on a menu inspired by the Rota da Cachaça. It suits people who want dinner with more elaborate dishes.
A restaurant opened in 2017 on Avenida Santo Amaro, in the São Francisco neighborhood, with comfort food at lunch and, since 2021, a signature menu at dinner. It takes part in the Degusta Camboriú festival with dishes tied to family recipes.
An à la carte restaurant run by chef Susana on Avenida Nereu Ramos, downtown, with a menu of fish, shrimp and salt cod. In 2026 it is taking part in the Um Mar de Sabores festival, and it suits people looking for seafood downtown.
A restaurant on Rua Helmuth Baungarten, in Gravatá, that combines Japanese and Mexican cuisine, with à la carte and all-you-can-eat (rodízio) options. It has a list of signature cocktails and a colorful setting geared toward dinner.
A restaurant on Rua São Roque, in Armação do Itapocorói, with cooking that highlights local ingredients such as mullet, seafood and house-made pasta. In 2026 it took part in the Penha à Mesa food circuit.
An Italian cantina in the Bombas neighborhood that took part in the 2026 Rota Gastronômica da Tainha (Mullet Food Route), with a mullet risotto served with saltimbocca. It suits people looking for Italian food in Bombinhas.
A churrascaria (Brazilian steakhouse) on the BR-470 highway, in the Volta Grande neighborhood, combining gaúcho-style rodízio (all-you-can-eat meat served at the table) with salads, hot dishes and sushi. It seats up to 288 people and serves groups and travelers passing through on the highway.
A restaurant by chef Dudu Poerner, runner-up in the first season of the reality show Mestre do Sabor, opened in April 2026 in the Edify One development, in Meia Praia. It works as a pop-up, with seasonal menus based on local ingredients and seafood.
A Mexican restaurant on Avenida Normando Tedesco, in Barra Sul, with tacos, nachos and a tequila list. It has live music and suits people who want to have dinner and make a night of it in the area.
An Italian restaurant in the Marina Park complex, on Avenida Vereador João Figueiredo, downtown, with pasta and seafood dishes. In 2026 it is taking part in the Um Mar de Sabores festival with a menu inspired by the history of whaling in the region.
A home-cooking restaurant on Estrada Geral do Rio do Meio, in the rural area of Camboriú, that serves lunch and hosts events. It suits people touring the countryside who want a simple meal.
A seafood restaurant in Zimbros that took part in the 2026 Rota Gastronômica da Tainha (Mullet Food Route) with a mullet dish for two. It suits visitors to Zimbros beach who want fish and shrimp dishes.
A Brazilian and seafood restaurant attached to a pousada (guesthouse), on Rua Rubens Alves, in Perequê, Porto Belo. It caters to family, friends and business lunches.
The restaurant of Pedra da Ilha Hotéis, at Praia Alegre, with regional cuisine based on local ingredients, such as grilled fish, Blumenau sausage and cachaça. In 2026 it took part in the Penha à Mesa food circuit.
A sushi restaurant on Rua Valentim Hess, in Vila do Salto, Luiz Alves, which created a menu inspired by the local waterfalls for the town's 3rd Food Circuit. It offers dine-in and takeout.
A parrilla (grill house) opened in February 2025 at Marina Itajaí by chef Hércules Santiago, the first restaurant in the city to serve dry-aged meats. The menu centers on beef cuts, with a selection of seafood.
A Portuguese restaurant on Avenida Ministro Victor Konder, in the Fazenda neighborhood, with salt cod and seafood dishes. It took part in the 23rd Semana do Pescado de Itajaí (Itajaí Seafood Week), in September 2026.
A restaurant and gastropub on Avenida Nereu Ramos, in the Itacolomi neighborhood, with contemporary cuisine that mixes meat and seafood. In 2026 it is taking part in the Um Mar de Sabores festival, and it offers dine-in, delivery and takeout.
A seafood and Brazilian restaurant on Avenida Governador Celso Ramos, in downtown Porto Belo. The menu also has dishes for people who don't eat seafood, and it is good for family lunches.
A trattoria in Balneário Camboriú Shopping (mall), in the Estados neighborhood, with a menu of pasta, risottos and pizzas. In 2026 it took part in the Balneário Saboroso festival, and it suits people combining shopping with a meal.
A brewery with a restaurant on Rodovia João Batista Sérgio Murad, in the São Cristóvão neighborhood, that makes its own beers, including a stout. It serves seafood dishes paired with the house beers and took part in Penha à Mesa in 2026.
A seafood restaurant on Rua 1106, facing the sea, with outdoor tables. The menu has shrimp, octopus and sushi, and it suits people who want lunch or dinner with a beach view in Itapema.
A restaurant and pizzeria on Avenida Prefeito José Juvenal Mafra, in Gravatá, with all-you-can-eat (rodízio) pizza, pasta, risottos and desserts. It suits families and groups looking for a casual meal.
A seafood restaurant on Alameda Belo Horizonte, in the Areias neighborhood, with squid among its specialties. It suits people who want seafood without leaving Camboriú.
A snack bar and pub on the SC-414 highway, in Vila do Salto, Luiz Alves, which at the 3rd Food Circuit served a craft burger with smoked pork ribs and a local cachaça sauce. Good for an evening bite in a relaxed spot.
A rooftop restaurant, bistro and lounge in downtown Bombinhas. It took part in the Temporada Gastronômica Costa Esmeralda in 2023 and the Rota Gastronômica da Tainha in 2026, with a mullet set lunch.
Before you go
A little planning leaves more time to enjoy the journey.
Navegantes International Airport, about 30 km from Balneário Camboriú, via the BR-101.
December to March for warm water and nightlife; November and April for emptier beaches.
Take your trash with you, follow the signs and support local businesses. In natural areas, follow the visiting guidelines.
