LIVING IN
Florianópolis

History

HISTORY

THE NAME OF FLORIANÓPOLIS

The name sounds like “the city of flowers” in Portuguese however it actually refers as "the city of Floriano Peixoto". To sum up, there was a war going on between the Brazilian Federalists and the Republicans. The city was called "Nossa Senhora do Desterro", referring to Saint Mary when she was exiled with the young Jesus, and rooted for the Federalists. When the Republicans won the war, the vice president Floriano Peixoto decided to name the city after himself to teach the people a lesson.

THE NAME FLORIANÓPOLIS

city center

PONTE HERCÍLIO LUZ

Built by an American company, it's the longest suspension bridge in Brazil and became Florianópolis' main symbol. The bridge was closed in 1982 but the city intends to reopen it soon. At night, the bridge is very well illuminated, making the view absolutely enchanting. Right next to the Ponte Hercílio Luz, you'll find the Museu da Ponte ('Bridge Museum'), a museum that tells the history about Santa Catarina and the state police. Also, there’s the Forte de Santana ('Santana Fort') built in 1761 to protect the area. There you can find not only history but also amazing scenic views, especially at sunset.

north

FORTALEZA DE SÃO JOSÉ DA PONTA GROSSA

This fort was constructed in 1740 to protect the territory from Spanish invaders, but it was abandoned in 1777 when Portugal and Spain signed the Treaty of San Ildefonso, politically dividing territories in South America. You can see a lot of history here and visit soldiers’ and generals’ chambers as well as a chapel that has been restored. You'll have a fascinating view of Praia do Forte. There is no way you won’t fall in love with this place!

city center

PALÁCIO CRUZ E SOUZA

This museum was originally built as the government's palace around 1785. Also known as “O Palácio Rosado” ('The Pink Palace'), it has been the home of historical events, such as visits by Emperors, ballcourts, and the birth of one of Viscount of Taunay's sons. Statues by the Italian artist Gabriel Sielva decorate the gardens. Some say the palace is haunted. It became a museum in 1986. The baroque style is very catchy, and you can see the way people used to live and decorate their houses at that time. It is very worth a visit! It can be found right next to Praça XV de Novembro ('XV Square').

city center

PRAÇA XV DE NOVEMBRO

The 'XV Square' is the park holding the most ancient fig tree in town. Its biggest attraction is the enormous fig tree planted in 1871 and the variety of trees planted from 1885 onwards. Locals say that if you run around the fig tree seven times in the New Year, you'll have luck for another seven years. Formally named in 1962, it was here that the city started to expand. Praça XV de Novembro is the home of many cultural events. Some bands play both in the park and nearby. Next to the park, there’s an arts and craft street fair called “Feira Magiarte Arte Floripa”, held from Tuesdays to Thursdays (9 am to 5 pm), and Saturdays (9 am to 3 pm). Vendors at the fair set up tents where they sell food, knitted clothes, wood crafts, fruits, books and a lot more. You can also find restaurants and stores nearby.

city center

MERCADO PÚBLICO

There is no place like this market! Built in 1899 for the purpose of trading fish and other seafood, it started to attract a lot of attention and soon they opened restaurants and bars. Nowadays, it is a hotspot to find everything. Restaurants serve different types of quality food, from amazing seafood to burgers. There are also a lot of bars and beer. Mercado Público is also the site of an art gallery. It's a great place to spend the afternoon, to shop or to sit at a bar to enjoy the food. It's very well located near the bus station and surrounded by stores and street sellers.

north

SANTO ANTÔNIO DE LISBOA

If you want to go somewhere calm where you can eat amazing meals and enjoy one of the most beautiful views you will ever see, this is the right place for you. The first citizens in 1748 were Azoreans, and their culture can be found everywhere in this neighborhood. You will see a lot of colorful houses with contrasting doors. I guarantee it is a sight to behold! ! Also, there are a lot of art and craft stores, selling very nice souvenirs. Their main sources of income are fishing and tourism. While walking along the beach, you will see a lot of boats and local fishermen. A huge tip: watch the sunset! You'll fall in love for sure. Finally, a historic place you shouldn’t miss here is the famous church Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Necessidades, one of the most elegant and tiny churches of the Island. The neighborhood is definitely a “must go” of Florianópolis.

Weather

WEATHER

Florianópolis charms everyone. It's not uncommon to see visitors later establishing residence in the city. A person born in Florianópolis is called "florianopolitano" or "manezinho". People living in the lovely traditional Azorean neighborhood develop a very specific fast accent and love for seafood and cassava flour. Florianópolis is the best capital to live in Brazil, according to the HDI (Human Development Index). The city has been nominated one of the best cities in the world for digital nomads. Just in case you find out all the best this city has to offer and decide to stay, here is the information you need:

WEATHER

Summer

December to March

WARM AND HUMID SEASON

Lowest temperature: 70ºF (21ºC)
Mean temperature: 86ºF (30ºC)
Highest temperature: 107.6ºF (42ºC)

The perfect season to enjoy the beaches, lakes, rivers and waterfalls. Plus, try the best seafood and have fun going to the best parties! People who prefer to be indoors will find air-conditioned places everywhere. The number of options you have to enjoy the summer is incredible!

Autumn / Fall

March to June

WARM AND NOT SO HUMID SEASON

Lowest temperature: 64°F (18°C)
Mean temperature: 80°F (27°C)
Highest temperature: 86°F (30°C)

Don’t say goodbye yet If you like a milder summer with less rain, lower prices and fewer people, autumn is the season for you to enjoy the city. You’ll most likely share places only with residents as visitors will have left.

Winter

June to August

COLD AND LEAST HUMID SEASON

Lowest temperature: 41ºF (5ºC)

Mean temperature: 59ºF (15ºC)

Highest temperature: 68ºF (20ºC)

This season is marked by South Polar winds. It’s perfect to enjoy a hot cup of coffee in a restaurant or bar by the beach and visit the tourist hotspots without crowds.

Spring

September to November

MILD SEASON

Lowest temperature: 61°F (16°C)
Mean temperature: 68°F (20°C)
Highest temperature: 77°F (25°C)

It feels we go through the four seasons in a single spring day everyday. The day starts as cold as a day in the winter, only to warm up as a day in the spring, and then it becomes as hot as a day in the summer–until the end of the day when it rains as in autumn. It’s a great season to go shopping and enjoy restaurants, stores, movies, and some cultural events. In addition, you can enjoy outdoors without the crowd around.

Consulates
& Paperwork

PAPERWORK & CONSULATES

Visiting Brazil is very easy! Moving to the country, however, will demand organization to follow the rules and formalities of the bureaucracy. To help you, we made a list of the essential documents you need to live in Florianopolis. The closest American, British and Australian Consulates, especially if you travel by plane, can be found in Porto Alegre, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília. Here are all the consulates in the city and where you can find them:

Consulates

Argentina

Rua Germano Wendhausen, 273 – Florianópolis

Uruguay

Av Rio Branco, 387 – Florianópolis

Chile

Av. Rio Branco, 387 – Florianópolis

Portugal

Rua Av Hercílio Luz, 639 – Florianópolis

Italy

Rua Fernando Machado, 151 – Florianópolis

Costa Rica

Rua Antônio Dib Mussi, 322 – Florianópolis

Morocco

Av do Antão, 315 – Florianópolis

Consulates in Santa Catarina

RNE & CPF

You will also need a CPF (tax ID number) that can be requested at the Receita Federal after you have the CRNM in hand.

Bank Account

To open a Bank Account you will need:

CRNM;
CPF;
Proof of Residence (house deed or utility bills, not older than 3 months);
Proof of Income (negotiable with each bank).

Driver’s License

Driver’s license: You can drive in Brazil if you have an International Driving Permit (IDP). If you already drive but doesn’t have an IDP, you’ll have to either validate your foreign driving permit or get yourself a new one. All information on what to do it is detailed step by step at the local DETRAN (Departamento de Trânsito).

Visa

With a tourist or work visa, you can stay for as long as 90 days. When already in Brazil, you can ask for permission to stay longer at the Federal Police Station, getting an extra 90 days, for a total of 180 days.

If staying longer than 180 days, you have to request a residence permission and a CRNM (ID card for foreigners) at the closest Federal Police Station.

Permanent Visa

The permanent visa in Brazil can be requested by several means, and the most common ones are by:

Getting married to a Brazilian (hetero or homosexual marriage) in Brazil;
Having a child in Brazil;
In the case of retired foreigners, proving an income of at least U$2,000.00 per month;
Being an exceptionally talented professional or investigator;
Investing at least US$50,000.00 in Brazil or employing at least 10 Brazilian citizens based on Brazil with permission from the Ministério do Trabalho, the Department of Labor;
In the case of managers of a foreigner company, assuming a fixed position when the company invests at least US$200,000.00 per manager staying in Brazil;

Work Passport

The Carteira de Trabalho (“work passport”) reports all your work activities and makes sure you have all the privileges of a worker (paid vacations and unemployment insurance). For this you will need:

CRNM;
CPF;
Proof of Residence.

Once you get a job in Brazil, your company will need to sign it.

How to get here

HOW TO GET TO FLORIANÓPOLIS, THE ISLE OF MAGIC

There are a lot of ways of getting to Florianópolis, and all of them seem to be as easy: by car, bus and airplane; and if you’re adventurous enough, even by boat. Below are the options for getting around:

By Plane

By Car

By Bus

Getting into the Isle by plane:

There’s an international airport in Florianópolis, known as Hercílio Luz Airport or Floripa Airport. The international flights are mostly from and to South America. Most flights from the U.S. and Europe have a connection in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.

When arriving at the airport, you’ll find common buses, executive buses, taxis, executive taxis and rental cars. Prices may vary depending on the season and whether you are riding by day or night. Getting downtown will cost from R$40-50 by taxi while to beaches it will range from R$60 to R$100. If you wish to take Uber, walk to the opposite direction of the taxis.

Using your car to get to the Isle of Magic:

If you find yourself in another city nearby and driving a car, you can get to Florianópolis by taking the main national road BR-101, and later turning to the state road Via Expressa, entering the city through the bridge that connects the island and the mainland.

Curitiba and Porto Alegre are the nearest capitals, being 300 and 480 km away respectively. If you’re daring enough, the distance between Florianópolis and São Paulo is 700 km; the trip takes around 10 hours.

Bus options to get to Florianópolis

The Rita Maria bus terminal is the main one and very easily accessed downtown.

The main bus agencies (national and international trips) are:

Catarinense
Phone: 4002-4700

Itapemirim
Phone: 0800-723-2121

Pluma
Phone: 0800-646-0300

Real Expresso
Phone: 0800-883-88-30

Santo Anjo
Phone: (48) 3821-3000

1001
Phone: 4004-5001

There is a taxi stop at the exit of the bus station and a conventional bus stop 150m from there. Uber is again a great option to get to your destination.

The best website to find your desired trip with the lowest price is:

ClickBus

Finding a home

FINDING A HOME

A lot of people move to Florianópolis, especially students. The housing market is very tight and one of the best to make investments. State agencies are always adding new properties as they become available You'll find a huge variety of rental prices to fit your budget.

PRICES

Prices can change a lot depending on what you’re looking for and the area you wish to live in.

This is a close estimate of the prices you will find:

Rentals in expensive area

Rent of a Kitnet

R$1.077,78 | US$345.67

Rent of a 2 bedroom apartment

R$1.808,33 | US$580.00

Rent of a 3 bedroom apartment

R$2.940,00 | US$943.00

Source:http://www.custodevida.com.br/sc/florianopolis/

Rentals in cheaper area

Rent of a Kitnet

R$650,00 | US$208.47

Rent of a 2 bedroom apartment

R$1.068,75 | US$342.78

Rent of a 3 bedroom apartment

R$1.316,67 | US$422.29

Source:http://www.custodevida.com.br/sc/florianopolis/

THESE ARE THE BEST STATE AGENCIES IN THE CITY

NEIGHBORHOODS

Where to live? Is it safe? Is there anything fun to do nearby? Don’t worry! We’re here to help you. First of all, keep in mind that Florianópolis is the safest capital in Brazil and most problematic incidents are restricted to the very few slum areas (favelas). You’re unlikely to have problems if you avoid the dangerous places, do not walk alone late at night and take care of your belongings as you should do in any big city.

Another thing to keep in mind is that all neighborhoods have restaurants, supermarkets, pharmacies, bakeries, beauty parlors, vet and pet grooming, gas stations, banks, public and private schools, public health centers and police stations. Prices of services and products vary according to each location. Most of the city is very pet friendly although you should first check where they’re allowed indoors. Here is a list of the good neighborhoods of Florianópolis and their pros and cons.

NORTH

CITY CENTER

EAST

SOUTH

MAINLAND

Ingleses do Rio Vermelho

Definitely one of the most popular destination on holidays and all year long. You will find a great infrastructure here with bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The left and center areas of this neighborhood are safe and calm to visit. However, the right area near the dunes is occupied by the favela of Siri, so you will need to be careful if staying there.

Cachoeira do Bom Jesus

A huge, calm, residential neighborhood with a lot of nature and around 15,000 residents. Even though a lot of people live here and tourism is strong, there aren’t many attractions, although you can find many things to do in Jurerê and Canasvieiras, party hotspots.

Jurerê Internacional

Definitely one of the fanciest neighborhoods in Brazil, very pleasant. You'll find the most beautiful mansions here, posh cars, and everything you need, from shopping and restaurants to clubs and much more. This is also where all the celebrities go and have their summer houses. Because it’s so sophisticated and the public is select, it’s expensive to live here.

Cacupé

This neighborhood is a mix of modern and traditional. Mansions and restaurants are surrounded by green areas. There are some locals who live from fishing and oyster farming. This is a neighborhood that hasn't been explored a lot by tourists yet, so it’s a very calm and relaxing place to live in.

Other neighborhoods:

Ponta das Canas, Praia Brava and Sambaqui.

Jurerê Tradicional

This neighborhood has mostly summer houses, but residents love it because it's calmer and has fewer people than Jurerê Internacional. It’s one of the safest places in the region, with great restaurants and supermarkets. If you want to enjoy the nightlife, the neighboring area Jurerê Internacional is less than a 5-minute drive.

Santo Antônio de Lisboa

One of the prettiest Azorian neighborhoods of Florianópolis. It has a lot of history, tourist attractions and small beaches. Locals there live mostly from tourism and fishing. Although it has only 1,600 residents, this neighborhood has a lot of restaurants. It’s a very calm place to live. If you do wish to party, there are plenty of other neighborhoods around with clubs.

Daniela

Around 1,000 people live there. It’s very charming, traditional, and well planned, but it only has the basics: small markets, pharmacies, and a few restaurants. It's important to have a car when living here to look for what you need nearby. It's a popular destination for tourists in the summer; they usually rent houses there.

Canasvieiras

One of the biggest neighborhoods in Florianópolis, with over 8,500 people. Very popular beach for tourists in the summer, especially Argentinians and Uruguayans. It has a complete infrastructure with a lot of stores, bars, restaurants, hotels, supermarkets and a police station. It’s also very accessible, with a bus terminal linking the neighborhood to the rest of the island. It’s a hotspot for parties and young people. Because it is crowded, you should watch for pickpockets, especially during the summer.

Other neighborhoods:

Carianos, Rio Tavares, Costeira do Pirajubaé, Morro das Pedras, Pântano do Sul and Tapera.

Rio Tavares

This neighborhood has routes that link it to the entire city, so the commercial area here is strong. There is also a lot of natural beauty around, like parks that are home to many species of birds. Tourism in Rio Tavares is big and you will find a lot of hotels and hostels and a lot of gastronomical options. It’s a good neighborhood to live in since it has a bit of everything and is close enough to pretty much everywhere.

Armação do Pântano do Sul

A very small and traditional neighborhood with around 2,800 residents. Most of them are traditional fishermen. There are some restaurants and local stores. The nightlife is practically limited to one or two bars. In the summer, more bars and restaurants open up for tourists, but they stay closed from March until November.

Ribeirão da Ilha

Together with Sambaqui and Santo Antônio, this is the most Azorean traditional neighborhood around. It's very welcoming, calm, modest, with many of the best seafood restaurants in town. There are very few apartments in Ribeirão da Ilha, but loads of green and small farms which givethe area a very bucolic feel. Here is the highest point of Florianópolis, the Ribeirão Hill, at 532 meters above the sea level. The nightlife is limited to a few restaurants and some cultural events. The beaches are narrow and isolated; there are some hiking trails.

São João do Rio Vermelho

A very rural neighborhood where azorian residents concentrate. It's perfect for people who want peace and nature, as the area is not much urbanized.

Lagoa da Conceição

Very similar to Barra da Lagoa. In this neighborhood, you will find the biggest lagoon in Floripa, very popular for the practice of water sports. There are paragliding companies that use nearby hills as their jumping off spot. There is also a spectacular lookout point. In the summer, it becomes the hotspot for young people and parties. The commercial center here is great and it has a lot of options, including restaurants, bars, clubs, and so on. The night life in Lagoa da Conceição is very popular all year long.

Barra da Lagoa

If you’re looking for a traditional and yet fun neighborhood, Barra da Lagoa is the one for you. It has a little bit of everything, good parties, restaurants, bars, hotels and a beautiful beach. During the summer, it’s one of the most popular beaches for tourists and residents because of the unlimited options of things to do. It’s a quaint-looking neighborhood, where humble citizens also live; their main source of income is fishing. You will feel welcome. The pace of life is slow here. You should be aware of pickpockets in the summer.

Centro

Centro ('Downtown') is accessible and close to pretty much everything. You have literally whatever you need close by and also a lot of party options. Most restaurants don’t open at night, only at Beira-mar, which is one of the most important avenues in the city. You should avoid walking at night and should be aware of pickpockets, especially in less crowded areas, and at the Rita Maria bus terminal.

Santa Mônica

Between Itacorubi and Trindade, Santa Mônica is a well planned and green neighborhood with a lot of options for a night out in bars and restaurants. It’s a busy and safe neighborhood, not too far away from popular points of interest.

Trindade

This is the second most populated neighborhood in the city. Most of the residents are students, since the Federal University of Santa Catarina (UFSC) is located here. This region is full of bars and restaurants, with a lively nightlife. A lot of cultural events happen here, and cheerful people with very different lifestyles live around here. Avoid walking alone in isolated areas at night though.

Other neighborhoods:

Prainha, José Mendes, Monte Verde, Saco Grande, Pantanal, Carvoeira and Saco dos Limões.

Córrego Grande

Nearby UFSC, Córrego Grande is dominated by students. This is a higher middle-class region with great apartments and a lot of things to do, including restaurants, bars, and a commercial center. It's very well located, green and safe. The Ecologic Park of Corrego Grande is the most popular attraction in the neighborhood, with over 21 hectares, handicapped accessible trails and a lake sheltering the Brazilian alligator 'yellow cayman', and tons of birds.

Agronômica

This neighborhood attracts a lot of attention for its beautiful high-class apartments and infrastructure, especially near Beira-mar. If you can afford it, it’s a great place to live, very close to the city center.

João Paulo

This is a high-class, select neighborhood with beautiful houses and apartments. It’s very residential, well structured, a very pleasant and calm neighborhood. There aren't many entertainment options.

Itacoroubi

Nice, modern and well structured neighborhood, the site of the State University of Santa Catarina (UDESC). The most important hospitals can be found in this neighborhood. Even though this neighborhood has many big businesses, it also has a lot of natural beauty and it is a very pleasant place to live.

Kobrasol

Located in São José but very near Florianópolis, this neighborhood is undergoing growth and has a lot to offer. There is a very strong commercial center in-between a shopping mall and a park. This park has a bicycle track, a walking track, a child’s park and sports fields. This is also the hotspot for the best hotdog food trucks at night. Even though it's not terribly dangerous, it's good to keep an eye out for potential problems and be careful when walking at night.

Coqueiros

A charming neighborhood with a great view of the sea and only 3 km from the city center. It has a nice park, the Park of Coqueiros, with a bicycle track, a walking track, a lagoon, a children’s park and sports fields. The park also houses artistic and fun attractions. Just as the Santo Antônio and Ribeirão neighborhoods, there is a very important gastronomic route full of bars and restaurants with all kinds of food: Italian, Arabic, Peruvian, Mexican, Japanese, seafood, burgers and so on. It’s a well-located neighborhood in the mainland, full of charm and options.

São José

São José is a city next to Florianópolis, and also the home to many workers and students of Floripa, because it’s a lot cheaper and also quite nice. Most of the people who live in São José and work in Florianópolis live in Kobrasol.

Itaguaçu

Near Coqueiros, this is an upper high middle-class neighborhood, with not much tourism but a lot of cultural events and a picturesque small beach. It can be divided into two sections: an upper class area and a commercial one. The upper class area has the nicest houses and the other one is mostly commercial with restaurants by the beach.

Estreito

Estreito is the closest neighborhood to the Island. It has a great variety of buildings, from houses to apartments, condos and some eating and entertainment options. It's not necessary to go a long way to get to where you need to be. It’s a good neighborhood to live in, and also a lot cheaper than living on the Island. You should only avoid walking alone at night.

Transportation

TRANSPORTATION

Florianópolis is very well organized, and its organization is perfectly reflected on its public transportation.

Bus

Buses for the busiest destinations leave every 10 min, and there usually is one to three buses that can use the same bus stop. There are bus terminals in the north, east and south, integrating different routes.

Each bus complete route takes from 30 min to 2 hours, but the bus ticket is the same price regardless of how close or far you ride. You can pay with cash or a discount card. Anyone can get the card at the bus terminal downtown. Students have a special card and pay less. Buses are free for anyone over 65 years old.

To find the bus you want, where the bus is, and time schedule, use:

Floripa no Ponto for Android

BusMap Florianópolis for Android

Consorcio Fenix for iOS and Android

Uber

A great transportation mode is Uber, my personal favorite. You’ll find drivers everywhere, especially during the summer. There is a minimum usage fee for each ride. Florianópolis also has a variation of the Uber app called 99pop.

Taxi

Taxis are another a good option, and can be always found outside shopping malls, commercial areas, airports, and bus stations. There is a starter fee plus an additional fee for every 1 km. To make your life a lot easier, there are famous apps worldwide where you can request a taxi, and it will find you:

Easytaxi

99Taxis

Buy a Car

Buying a car is a bit more expensive but worthy in the long run. The price depends on the model, year, whether it’s new or used, how many km it has, and if it has scratches or dents. Prices for cars range from R$10.000,00 (US$3,125.00) to R$100.000,00 (US$32,075.00) and, of course, all the way up to R$15.000.000,00 (US$4,687,500.00) for posh ones.

Gas is charged per liter and prices change according to location and brand, but there usually is a general increase of 1% in the price every one to six months.

Rent a Car

Costs to rent a car depend on the car you wish, additional features (such as GPS and air conditioning), number of days you rent, and whether it’s summer (more expensive) or not. There are international car rentals agencies in Florianópolis, such as Hertz, Avis and Europcar. These are some websites you can search for the car you want to rent:

Decolar.com

Aluguel de Carro

Europcar

AlugaCar

Traffic

Traffic around Florianópolis can get very stressful during rush hour or when it’s raining, but normally it’s easy to get around. Rush hours usually are from 7:00 am to 10:00 am and from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. We recommend you use a GPS or Google Maps if new in town.

You can check the traffic conditions on these websites:

Maplink Floripa

Google Maps

Waze

Supermarkets

SUPERMARKETS

Supermarkets are very easy to find around the city. If there isn’t a big one close to your house, I can guarantee there’s a small one as far as 5 minutes from you. Prices may vary depending on the market you go to.

THE BEST SUPERMARKETS IN FLORIANÓPOLIS

Bistek Supermercados

Pantanal e Monte Verde

Imperatriz Supermercados

Downtown, Córrego Grande, Coqueiro

Angeloni Supermercado

Santa Mônica, Downtown, Agronômica, Capoeiras, Jardim Atlântico

Big Supermercados

Santa Mônica (Shopping Iguatemi)

Hippo Supermercados

Downtown.

city center

Shopping Iguatemi

This shopping mall has good stores and it is very family friendly. It also has an affordable supermarket and a movie theater.

Health

HEALTH

The levels of hygiene and water treatment are of much higher quality in Florianópolis than in the rest of Brazil. Although tap water is safe to drink in the city, many people prefer filtered water for health reasons. You will never see people serving food without gloves and proper hair covering. Also, most restaurants have clean restrooms, and some have a sink outside the restroom so you can wash your hands before and after eating. According to the Brazilian Ministry of Health, Florianópolis is the capital city with the best evaluation of “Attention to Primary Care”, with 89.4% evaluations for “over average” or “very good.” Dental care was also great, scoring 84%.

HEALTH PLANS

Having a health plan is very important. In Florianópolis, there are two main plans that is also available in many other Brazilian cities: Unimed and Amil. Both are very good and offer a lot of services. The plan’s cost, for an individual is approximately R$96 to $300 a month. These can also be accessed at some hospitals when there is an emergency.

If you don’t have a health care plan, there are health centers and hospitals in the public health system (SUS) that any resident with the SUS card can use completely free. Although every neighborhood does not have a hospital, it has at least one health center. If you are a tourist or don’t have a SUS card, you can use the SUS’ free services in an emergency by calling 192 for an ambulance from the mobile emergency care service (SAMU) or by going to an emergency care unity (UPA 24h).

UNIMED, Selling point

Rua Antônio Dib Mussi, 351
Downtown, Florianópolis – SC
Phone: (48) 3216-8066

Amil

Av. Prefeito Osmar Cunha, 183
Downtown, Florianópolis – SC
Phone: (48) 3024-1010

PUBLIC HOSPITALS

If you don’t have any health care plan but find yourself in an emergency and in need to go to the hospital, don’t worry, there is a public health system, SUS, that anyone can use and it’s completely free.

Here is a list of the public hospitals and UPAs in Florianópolis:

Centro de Saúde João Paulo

Rodovia João Paulo, 1268 João Paulo Phone: (48) 3238-0606

Hospital Celso Ramos

Rua Ima Benwarda, 297 Downtown Phone: (48) 3251-7000

Hospital Lara Ribas Polícia Militar

Rua Maj Costa, 85 Downtown Phone: (48) 3229-6500

Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão

Rua Rui Barbosa, 152 Agronômica Phone: (48) 3251-9000

Hospital Universitário Polydoro Erbabu de São Thiago

Rua Professora Maria Flora Pausewang Trindade Phone: (48) 3721-9100

Hospital Florianópolis

Rua Santa Rita Cássia, 1665 Monte Cristo Phone: (48) 3271-1500

PRIVATE HOSPITALS

If you don’t have a health care plan but find yourself in need to go to the hospital because of an emergency, don’t worry, there is a public health system, SUS, that anyone can use and it’s completely free.

Here is a list of the public hospitals and UPAs in Florianópolis:

Centro de Saúde João Paulo

Rodovia João Paulo, 1268 João Paulo Phone: (48) 3238-0606

Hospital Celso Ramos

Rua Ima Benwarda, 297 Downtown Phone: (48) 3251-7000

Hospital Lara Ribas Polícia Militar

Rua Maj Costa, 85 Downtown Phone: (48) 3229-6500

Hospital Infantil Joana de Gusmão

Rua Rui Barbosa, 152 Agronômica Phone: (48) 3251-9000

Hospital Universitário Polydoro Erbabu de São Thiago

Rua Professora Maria Flora Pausewang Trindade Phone: (48) 3721-9100

Hospital Florianópolis

Rua Santa Rita Cássia, 1665 Monte Cristo Phone: (48) 3271-1500

PRIVATE HOSPITALS

You can use private hospitals or schedule a private appointment in many places all over the city with or without health insurance. Getting private health and dental insurance plans are very important if you decide to stay longer than six months.There are many health insurance companies in Florianópolis that offer coverage for a lot of other cities around Brazil.

The plan’s cost varies according to whether it’s for an individual or for family coverage; individual coverage usually ranges from approximately R$96 to $300 a month. Unimed and Amil are health agencies that also have their own hospitals for emergencies in Florianópolis.

VACCINES

Although most of Brazil has a tropical climate, Florianópolis is located in a subtropical zone. Therefore, it has much fewer mosquitoes and related diseases than in tropical zones. To enter Brazil, no vaccines are required. In Florianópolis no vaccines are needed because none of the illnesses below have been reported.

Florianópolis has a health network system safeguarding the city. However, if you’re travelling to other areas in Brazil, you may keep in mind these diseases:

Yellow Fever

Areas: Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Bahia

Malaria

Areas: Rondônia and Amazonia.

Dengue

Areas: Goiás, São Paulo, Minas Gerais, Paraná, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro, Mato Grosso, Tocantins, Ceará e Amazonas.

Zika Virus

Areas: Ceará, Roraima, Pará, Tocantins, Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo e Mato Grosso.

Measles

Areas: Rio de Janeiro, Amazonas, Roraima and Ceará.

Where to stay

WHERE TO STAY

If you haven’t found yourself a home yet or if you’re just visiting the city, then you should probably get yourself a nice place in a good location at an affordable price. There are houses, apartments . I but if you don’t want to worry about taking care of the place, there are plenty of hotels and bed & breakfasts with different services and for all budgets. And if you’re looking for a more budget-oriented and sociable accommodations, there also plenty of hostels with both private and shared bedrooms. Prices vary according to location, structure around the place, number of people, type of room, additional services, and time of the year. The peak season is summertime from December to March.

FIVE STARS

city center

Majestic Palace Hotel

Avenida Jornalista Rubens de Arruda Ramos, 2746 - Florianópolis

city center

Novotel Florianopolis

Av. Rubens Arruda Ramos, 2034 - Florianópolis

east

Casa Quatro Oito

R. João Henrique Gonçalves, 1005 - Florianópolis

Il Campanário Villagio Resort Five Stars Hotel

north

Il Campanário Villagio Resort

Avenida dos Buzios, 1760 - Florianópolis

Costão do Santinho Resort Five Stars Hotel

north

Costão do Santinho Resort All Inclusive

Est. Vereador Onildo Lemos, 2505 - Florianópolis

north

Villas Jurerê Hotel Boutique

Rua Jorge Cherem, 84 - Florianópolis

Boutique Quinta das Videiras Five Star Hotel

east

Hotel Boutique Quinta das Videiras

Rua Afonso Luiz Borba, 113 - Florianópolis

east

Pousada Vila Porto da Lagoa

Rod. Joao Gualberto Soares, 9454 - Florianópolis

Praia do Estaleiro Five Stars Guest House

nearby

Praia do Estaleiro Guest House

Av Rodesindo Pavan, 3987 - Balneário Camboriú

Ponta dos Ganchos Five Stars Resort Hotel

nearby

Ponta dos Ganchos Resort

Rua Eupideo Alves do Nascimento, 104 - Governador Celso Ramos

Refúgio do Estaleiro Five Stars Resort Hotel

nearby

Resort Refúgio do Estaleiro

Rua Flavia V. Martelinni, 400 - Porto Belo

Plaza Caldas da Imperatriz Five Stars Resort

nearby

Plaza Caldas da Imperatriz Resort & Spa

Rodovia Princesa Leopoldina, 3355 - Santo Amaro da Imperatriz

nearby

Infinity Blue Resort & Spa

Estrada da Rainha, 1000 - Balneário Camboriú

nearby

Parador Estaleiro Hotel

Rua Jaime Jacinto Emerenciano, - Balneário Camboriú

nearby

Felissimo Exclusive Hotel

Rua Alles Blau, 201 - Balneário Camboriú

nearby

Hotel Marimar The Place

Av. Brasil, 1091 - Balneário Camboriú

FOUR STARS

north

Jurerê Beach Village

Alameda César Nascimento, 646 - Florianópolis

north

Slaviero Essential Florianópolis Ingleses

Rua das Gaivotas, 1114 - Florianópolis

city center

Mercure Florianopolis Convention

Rodovia Admar Gonzaga, 600 - Florianópolis

city center

Slaviero Executive Florianópolis

Rua Desembargador Vitor Lima, 380 - Florianópolis

city center

Florianópolis Palace Hotel

Rua Artista Bittencourt, 14 - Florianópolis

city center

Blue Tree Premium Florianópolis

Rua Bocaiúva, 2304 - Florianópolis

city center

Faial Prime Suítes

Rua Felipe Schmidt, 603 - Florianópolis

city center

Porto da Ilha Hotel

Rua Dom Jaime Camara, 43 - Florianópolis

city center

Intercity Florianopolis

Av. Paulo Fontes, 1210 - Florianópolis

city center

Hotel Quinta Da Bica D’Agua

Rua Capitao Romualdo de Barros, 641 - Florianópolis

north

Costa Norte Ingleses Hotel

Rua das Gaivotas, 984 - Florianópolis

north

Ingleses Praia Hotel

Dom João Becker, 447 - Florianópolis

Oceania Park Convention Four Stars Hotel

north

Oceania Park Hotel & Convention Center

Rua do Marisco, 550 - Florianópolis

north

Antares Club Hotel Lagoinha

Estrada Jornalista Jaime de Arruda Ramos, 1850 - Florianópolis

north

Hotel Sete Ilhas

Rua Jornalista Haroldo Callado, 105 - Florianópolis

Pousada dos Chás Boutique Four Stars Hotel

north

Pousada dos Chás Hotel Boutique

Rua Francisco Gouvêa, 54 - Florianópolis

north

Palace Praia Hotel

Praça Republica do Libano, 40 - Florianópolis

north

Village Paraíso Resort

Rua José Daux, 735 - Florianópolis

north

Marea Apart Hotel

Estrada Dom João Becker, 1933 - Florianópolis

north

Hotel Parador da Cachoeira

Av. Luiz Boiteux Piazza, 4001 - Florianópolis

north

San Diego Apart Hotel

Rua Doutor João de Oliveira, 650 - Florianópolis

north

Hotel Porto Sol Beach

Rua das Buganvilias, 123 - Florianópolis

north

Hotel Torres da Cachoeira

Av. Luiz Boiteux Piazza, 3991 - Florianópolis

north

Apart Hotel Roberto Monteiro

Rua Antenor Borges, 108 - Florianópolis

south

Host N’Roll

Rua Auroreal, 851 | private area, green gate, phone 8 - Florianópolis

Work

WORK

There is a considerable amount of job opportunities around the city with different salaries and benefits, especially if you are fluent in English. Salaries will vary depending on your abilities, which company you’re applying for, and your line of work. The website Love Mondays shows a very accurate range of salaries in Florianópolis based on company and type of work or job.

JOBS

There are job agencies in town, but you can also find forums on social media and websites focused on finding the perfect job for you:

Sine, Site Nacional de Empregos

Vagas Floripa

Indeed

Banco Nacional de Emprego

InfoJobs

Trending Jobs

Catho

Neuvoo

Vagas.sc

Brazilian employment legislation is applied to any situation in Brazil and covers all kinds of contracts to ensure there is no work exploitation and to create a healthy work environment.

These are the eight most important laws that you need to know

Transportation Voucher
The employer needs to give the employee a transportation voucher that is enough to pay the route Home-Work-Home made by the worker to get to the office and back home. If no voucher is given, the employer must reimburse expenses.
Food Voucher
Not mandatory. Usually employers offer a food voucher that can be used in supermarkets and some bakeries. It can’t be worth more than 20% of the salary and cannot be used to buy alcohol or cigars.
Maternity Leave
Every woman worker is allowed a maternity leave. It can last up to 120 days with no deductions from her salary. Men have a 20-day paternity leave. The mother can start the maternity leave on the last month of pregnancy while the father starts it the day the child is born. The same rules apply to when a child is adopted. Miscarriage allows for a two-week leave for the woman only.
Paid Vacation and Holidays
After 12 months of work, the employee can take a 30-day vacation, with her or his basic pay. The 30 days can be negotiated with the employer so they don’t have to be taken all at once, or can even be exchanged for pay. Also, the national holidays are all considered paid holidays regardless of whether a person works in the public or private sector. Private companies can negotiate the dates with employees.
Just Cause for Termination
This can happen if the employee makes unexcusable mistakes, is dishonest, commits acts of fraud or theft, doesn’t show up to work, works under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs, or other similar situations.
Prior Notice
Before the termination of a contract, the employee must be given a 30-day notice; if there is no prior notice, the company has to pay the next 30-days salary to the employee as a compensation. Or if the employee wants to leave the company, he/she needs to give the employer a 30-day notice.
Overtime
An employee can use overtime optionally before or after work or on lunch hours. However, the maximum number of normal work hours per day is 8. The employee needs to have an 11th period before another working day starts at the end of the week the maximum number of work hours cannot exceed 56 hours.
13th salary
At the end of one year of work, employees have the right to a 13th salary that can be paid in parts or at once, usually together with the 11th or the 12th salary.