Roughly halfway between Rio de Janeiro and Buenos Aires, Floripa, as this town is known, has lively nightlife, sandy beaches, sunny skies and a well developed gay scene. Brazilians from the two big cities have for some time been coming to this tiny island to get away from it all, especially in summertime. North Americans and Europeans have recently begun to arrive in greater numbers as well. The area was heavily colonized by Portuguese from the Azores and from Madeira Island in the mid-18th Century, along with Germans and Italians - lending exotic textures to accents, food and lifestyles that contrast with elsewhere in the country.

During Carnaval the gay celebrations include the Pop Gay competion for the best local drag performers, now one of the largest events of all. Several large gay megaclubs vie with Rio and Sao Paulo, and in September the gay pride celebrations of Parada da Diversidade include big parties. A 2009 local law made the practice of homophobia a crime. Camboiú and Curitiba are two nearby towns with gay nightlife.

With a subtropical climate here, the forty-plus beaches within easy reach of downtown are a major attraction. Some of the most popular include: Praia de Jurerê Internacional, an area filled with hotels, beach clubs, restaurants, and nightclubs; Praia Galheta, the gay-friendly but general public nude beach (some cruising in the dunes); and the beautiful Praia Mole, a short walk from Lagoa central, popular with young, alternative and gay people, and location for Bar do Deca and The Week at Carnaval with all-night dancing in the open air. Praia Joaquina is noted for board surfing, wind and ketsurfing - even sand surfing. Whales can be seen on tours of the Imbituba coast to the south of Floripa, coming from Arctic waters to give birth to their young. See more about local beaches under the activities tab.

Getting Here, Getting Around

Domestic and international flights, from Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay, arrive at Hercílio Luz International Airport, 14 km (9 mi) from downtown Florianópolis. To get from the U.S. or Europe make a connection in São Paulo for a second leg direct to Florianópolis. Taxis and buses will get you into the city.

Several bus lines operate in the city. See info at Guia Floripa, in Portuguese. Ticket can be bought from a "cobrador" (NOT the driver) a couple of seats down by the turnstile. Car rentals are quite inexpensive and easy to arrange - agents can drop the car off at your hotel, then pick it up at the end of the rental period.

The Rita Maria bus terminal connects Florianópolis to most cities, towns and villages in Santa Catarina, and to other Brazilian cities in the South, Southeast and Central-West regions.

 

Media

GuiaGay Floripa has good maps and listings of the bars, clubs, saunas and other places of interest.

Mix Brazil, the country's largest LGBT website, has news about Florianopolis along with other cities. The Fervo website has an archive with heaps of photos and videos of local gay nightlife, the Gay Carnaval, and other special events from previous years, 2009-2013.

Gay Florianopolis and Brazil Gay Tourism also have tips on gay life here. RevistoLadoa is another queer/alternative magazine and website. GuiaFloripa has an online general guide to the city.

Projeto Dois Terços LGBTQ social/political activist group promotes social campaigns, and volunteer work, sponsoring interviews, debates and meetings concerning issues of homosexuality in Brazilian society today.

Upcoming events, and media from past years, can be found online at The Week, the big Carnaval bash that takes place at Praia Mole, as well as at locations in Rio and São Paulo.

The Rio Times has articles in English, mostly from the Rio de Janeiro perspective, but also covering other parts of the coutnry too.

For general tourist information see Visit Brazil, and the Ministry of Tourism sites.

See some business listings below. For more of gay Florianópolis, see our map & listings tab with more bars, plus hotels, and restaurants.

 

Bars & Clubs

1007 Boite Chik (Alameda Adolfo Konder, 1007), mostly straight/gay-friendly dance club, concert venue, cabaret shows, theme parties.

Bar do Deca (Praia Mole), last bar before you reach Galheta nudist beach, mixed crowd, very popular during high season.

Blues Velvet (Rua Pedro Ivo, 147), gay-friendly bar, dancing, shows, live music and comedy nights, theme parties.

Caravana Lagoa (Avenida das Rendeiras 1627), bistro/cafe and club in a tent by the water, international fusion foods, live music; mostly women but guy-friendly.

Conca (Avenida Rio Branco, 729), aka Concorde Club, Florianópolis Centro, large, popular mixed dance club with five bars and terrace, mostly guys, drag shows/performers, guest DJs.

Denys Club (Rua João Grumiche 437), Kobrasol, Sao Jose, Friday/Saturday LGBT dancing, 3 bars, DJs, drag shows, go-go dancers, nude strippers, darkroom. Their facebook page has recent updates.

Hunter Bar & Video Club (Rua Padre Roma, 431, top foor), men's cruise bar/lounge, darkroom, maze, cabins, naked nights, video lounges; porn DVDs for rent.

Isla Urbana Lounge (Avenida das Rendeiras, 1046), Lagoa da Conceição, upscale gay-mix cocktail lounge, men/women, bears' events, lake vistas.

Jivago Social Club (Rua Deputado Leoberto Leal, 116), Centro Florianópolis, gay-friendly weekend mix, men/women, 5-area dancing 'til 5am, burlesque mask parties. Was Jivago Lounge.

Jonas 570 (Rua Francisco Tolentino 570, upstairs), gay bar from owner of old Rancho do Maneca; strong drinks, DJs, karaoke nights, theme parties, bears' events.

Studio 47 Club (Rua Menino Deus 47), Centro Florianópolis, upscale dance/lounge mixed crowd, DJ music, performances. Formerly Mix Cafe Club.

The Week (Rodovia Jornalista Manoel de Menezes, 1666, Praia Mole), 2015 Carnival, February 13-17 outdoor mega party, performers, strippers, pool, world-famous DJs. See website for details here, and also for events in Sao Paulo and Rio.

In the city of Curitiba, between Sao Paulo and Floripa, Box Club (Rua Mateus Leme, 585, Centro), a large gay and lesbian Saturday and holiday eve House dance club, has great sound and light effects.

Closer, in Balneário Camboriú just north of Floripa: Levion Club (Avenida Brasil 3801, Centro), and D.Led (4ª Avenida, 136, Centro) are two gay/mixed dance clubs to check out.

 

Saunas

Bar & Sauna G3 Bath House (Rua Henrique Valgas, 112), 18+ men's sauna/steam, bar, pool, dark room, cruising/playroom, maze, cabins, stripper shows on stage, porn video lounge, massage.

Sauna Thermas Oceano (Rua Luiz Delfino, 231), men's 18+ steam/sauna by the Beiramar Shopping Center; porn video lounges, darkroom, therapeutic massage, maze, glory holes, bar, internet access.