When you hear of “Dubai” in the tropics, you might think of Panama City. However, Brazil has a city of its own that can rival its skyline.
A place with lots of money, strong nightlife, things to do 24/7, and pristine reserved beaches.
Today, we’re talking about the most action-packed city of Santa Catarina, Brazil:
Balneário Camboriú 🇧🇷
Balneário, a Dubai Brasileira
Balneário Camboriú, Brazil 🇧🇷
Population:
Permanent population of around 150.000. Santa Catarina is similar to Switzerland and Germany in this regard: Fairly well-spread out population. A collection of mid-sized cities.
However, in the summer, the population blows up to about 1 million. The vacation season in Brazil (between November and February) is when the city is the most packed.
Weather:
Balneário Camboriú is located by the coast at the end of the Itajaí Valley, in Santa Catarina.
That’s atlantic rainforest in a subtropical climate. As such, it has humid weather, Cfa on the Köppen climate scale. January and February have the most rain, while winter is the driest season.
Winters are mildly cold, with some days or weeks being exceptionally cold for Brazilian standards (10-13 degrees celsius), but mostly staying on the 15-18 degrees celsius range. Most Brazilians won’t want to get in the beach during this time.
Summers are hot, with the average high being about 28-29 degrees celsius, and some days crossing the 30s.
Luckily, in Balneário Camboriú there are a lot of beaches and the wind is generous. It relieves the heat.
Why Visit Balneário Camboriú, Brazil?
I’d say there are two main reasons to visit Balneário Camboriú…
The Luxury
Balneário Camboriú is famous for being the Brazilian Dubai, having the tallest buildings in South America and a lot of rich people staying over there.
In the main boulevard called Avenida Atlântica you can see a lot of Lamborghinis, Porsches, Ferraris and all the luxury car brands. Lots of yachting too.
Because of this abundance of rich people, there are also loads of high end bars, restaurants, discos and frequent music shows as well.
Some of the best clubs in Brazil are in Balneário. When concerts, festivals and shows escape the Rio-São Paulo axis, they come to Balneário.
The city has a booming real estate market and also a many companies in the private sector.
As is usual of Santa Catarina, people here are hard working, entrepreneurial, of higher IQ and more trustworthy in business. Good place for the more entrepreneurial kinds.
Here, you have low unemployment rates and overall much less extreme poverty than what you’d see in other parts of Brazil. It’s still Brazil, but the number of bums you see in the street for example is much lower than in Rio or São Paulo.
And of course, there’s…
The Beaches
Balneário Camboriú is a coastal city bathed by the Atlantic Ocean along the coast.
While the beach by the “skyline” isn’t the best, there are a lot of great beaches a short car drive away.
We’re talking beaches like Taquaras, Laranjeiras, Estaleiro, Taquarinhas, Estaleirinho and Praia Brava. This last one is in Itajaí, but super close to Balneário Camboriú.
Estaleirinho is about a 15-20 min drive away from that skyline
Downtown Balneário is divided in three neighborhoods.
Barra Sul
Praia Central
Barra Norte
All of them are surrounded by the ocean, but the water isn’t the best because of pollution.
How To Get to Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
Unless you’re already in the Brazilian south, you’ll be flying in.
The closest airport is in Navegantes, which services Balneário Camboriú and Itajaí. Florianópolis and Curitiba are two other options with airports from which there are buses to Balneário Camboriú.
Flights to Navegantes are available from these airports in Brazil:
Sao Paulo — GRU
Campinas — VCP
Brasilia — BSB
Sao Paulo — CGH
Porto Alegre — POA
Cuiaba — CGB
Rio De Janeiro — SDU
Iguassu Falls — IGU
More information about flight routes here.
Best Neighborhoods in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil
*Barra Norte of Balneário Camboriú. This is the deck of the Pontal*
The top three neighborhoods of Balneário Camboriú are:
Barra Sul
Logistically great, as it’s in the center between the Centro and the beaches, so it’s easy to get to all beaches or downtown. It’s an independent neighborhood having all you need for daily life close by.
Good for short and long term stays. The cost of the properties are quite high, but is a long term investment seeing that it is a region that keeps growing.
Bordering Parque Unipraias, it’s easy to get to the beaches as the park has cable cars that take you right to them.
Close to the center and also close to the beaches, Barra Sul is a good option if you want great urban AND beach logistics, but not the best in either.
Centro
The Center or Downtown of Brazilian cities is a place where you usually have all you need, all kind of businesses and a lot of people, but they tend not to be the safest neighborhoods.
Balneário Camboriú is different in this regard. It is a luxurious and a safe city, in the center you see almost no poverty or crime.
Close to most of the city commerce and malls, this is the option for shopping-oriented short stays or those looking for the best urban logistics.
Interpraias
This region is where the most beautiful beaches of Balneário Camboriú are. Laranjeiras, Taquarinhas, Taquaras, Estaleiro and Estaleirinho.
Far (15 min) from the center, this area is great for those seeking tranquility and want to live close to nature and the sea.
Being a region of high-level houses, the cost of living is high and there are few stores or other things to do.
This is the pick for the absolute best beach logistics at the expense of urban conveniences. Still, if you have a car you can be at the center in about 15 min.
You could also consider Barra Norte if you really like the vibe of Praia Brava and to be closer to the airport in Itajaí. Still, I think most people will end up preferring one of the 3 zones mentioned above.
Cost of Living in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil 🇧🇷
South Brazil is not the cheapest region in Brazil, and Balneário Camboriú, being a luxurious destination, is above average for the state.
When the summer starts and all the tourists come in, it’s even higher.
Airbnb Apartment in Best Areas: $800-2000 USD a month
Hotel in Best Area: $1350-2300 USD a month
Maid: $400-600
Grocery Store: $500-800
Eating Out / Delivery: $600-900
Gym: $30-50
BJJ / MMA: $20-30
Partying / Dating / Social: $400-800 USD
Cell Data: $10-30
It’s possible to live very comfortably in Balneário Camboriú as a tourist for less than $3000 USD per month.
Of course, the exact amount will depend on your lifestyle, if you want to pay less you will have to know the city and the cheaper places, but if you want to go to the famous places in the city you will spend more than $3000 USD per month.
Remember, this is Brazil…
You can certainly live for cheap if you’re trying to save. Most locals who commute to the center live with under $1000-1500 USD. But if you wanna spend… there’s really no upper limit.
Public transport in Balneário Camboriú is just buses, there is no metro or tram. The most convenient means of transportation here will be ridesharing services.
The two mayor ride-sharing services in the country are Uber and 99 Taxi.
Each ride will cost around 4-6 USD within the city limits. For going to other cities, just take a bus or rent a car.
Safety in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil 🇧🇷
Overall…
Quite safe.
Santa Catarina is the 2nd state with the lowest homicides per capita in Brazil. Violent crime isn’t a big issue, but as always, I’d take basic safety precautions when walking out at night.
In the summer, people come from everywhere so you have to pay attention to your belongings when you go to the beach. Nobody will assault you, but they can pick your phone or wallet when you are distracted.
Also, here you won’t see bums and crack addicts everywhere like in many areas of São Paulo and Rio.
Dating in Balneário Camboriú, Brazil 🇧🇷
There are two main points that you need to be aware of when dating in Balneário Camboriú.
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