Bombinhas is a coastal city in Santa Catarina that seduces visitors with its heavenly beaches, exuberant nature, and peaceful atmosphere.
With an archipelago of islands and peninsulas, it offers crystal-clear waters and lots of marine biodiversity. Surrounded by the preserved Atlantic Forest, it has many hiking trails and breathtaking views as well.
With an Azorean cultural influence, it also charms you with its architecture, seafood-centered cuisine, and festivities.
Bombinhas, Brazil 🇧🇷
Population:
Bombinhas has a permanent population of 20,174 inhabitants, being a small town and extremely quiet during the low season.
As most of the coastal cities of Santa Catarina, in summer Bombinhas receives lots of tourists from the cities in the interior that do not have a beach — Blumenau, Pomerode, Indaial, Timbó, etc. — which sees the population to about 200,000+ people.
Weather:
Bombinhas is located on the coast of Santa Catarina north of Florianópolis, more specifically on the peninsula of Porto Belo.
The climate in Bombinhas as well as in most beaches of Santa Catarina is humid subtropical, CFA in Köppen's climatic classification.
During the summer, from December to March, the temperatures are higher and can reach over 30°C, while in the winter, from June to September, the temperatures are milder and can go below 10°C.
Rainfall is well distributed throughout the year, but most of it occurs during the summer, mainly between the months of December and March.
In summer, the temperature is perfect for enjoying the beaches and cooling off in the sea.
Why Visit Bombinhas, Brazil?
Bombinhas is the place for your escapade from city life.
Its paradisiacal beaches, islands and hills make it a perfect place for being in touch with nature. It is a small and new town, founded as a fishing village, which means it is a vacation retreat to relax and forget about problems.
The most famous beaches in Bombinhas are:
Praia da Sepultura
Praia de Mariscal
Praia de Bombinhas
Praia Quatro Ilhas
However, the city contains several other beaches besides these ones.
It is considered the diving capital of Santa Catarina, and in many ways, or Brazil as a whole.
The city has a great variety of marine life, such as corals, fishes and turtles, which makes it a perfect destination for those who wish to practice diving or snorkeling.
Besides the beaches, there are several options for ecological tours, such as hiking trails through the Atlantic Forest, and visits to islands and natural parks. The city is rich in biodiversity and offers a great opportunity to get to know the flora and fauna of the region. I highly recommend hiking the Morro do Macaco trail, the view is super rewarding.
The gastronomy is unique, rich in seafood and typical dishes of the region, such as the shrimp sequence and the grilled tainha. Besides this, the city has several bars and restaurants with a sea view, which makes the experience even more special. I recommend the Tatuíra restaurant located on the Canto Grande beach, where you can eat seafood on the beach itself.
How to Get to Bombinhas, Brazil 🇧🇷
Unless you’re already in the Brazilian south, you’ll be flying in.
Bombinhas has no airport but you can take a flight to Navegantes or Florianópolis — and from these cities come by car or bus to Bombinhas. Both cities are close. In about an hour or so, depending on the traffic, you will arrive at your destination.
Best Neighborhoods in Bombinhas, Brazil 🇧🇷
The top three neighborhoods of Bombinhas are:
Centro
The center of Bombinhas is considered one of the best neighborhoods in the city because it is the busiest region and has the best tourist infrastructure.
It is located near the main beaches of the city, such as Praia de Bombinhas and Praia da Lagoinha, and the access to other regions of the city is easy.
In this area you will find a wide variety of stores, restaurants, bars and supermarkets, and because of this it is quite busy all year round and offers many options for leisure and entertainment.
Praia de Bombinhas is one of the most famous beaches in Santa Catarina, because it has a large strip of sand and crystal clear waters, besides a complete infrastructure of kiosks and restaurants.
It is pretty easy to get around on foot or by car from the center to other parts of Bombinhas. There are also several bus lines passing through the center, which makes it easy to go to other neighborhoods or cities in the region.
Bombas
Because of its complete infrastructure to receive tourists, Bombas can also be considered one of the best neighborhoods in the city. Incredibly, the city is called Bombinhas and the neighborhood is called Bombas. Don't get them mixed up.
In this neighborhood, you will find Bombas Beach, which is one of the largest and most famous beaches in Bombinhas. With a large extension of sand and a calm sea, it is great for swimming and practicing nautical sports — stand-up paddling, wakeboarding, windsurfing, etc.
The region has loads of bars, restaurants, stores, and supermarkets, meeting the needs of the tourists. This area offers good lodging options, such as hotels, inns, and apartments for seasonal rentals.
To top it off, in Bombas you will find Sepultura beach, one of the most famous beaches in Santa Catarina, and the Tainha hike.
Bombas is located near the center and the Quatro Ilhas neighborhood, so it has easy access to other neighborhoods and other nearby cities.
Mariscal
Mariscal is a neighborhood of Bombinhas famous throughout Santa Catarina due to its natural beauty and cozy atmosphere.
This neighborhood has one of the most beautiful beaches in Bombinhas, the Mariscal Beach. The beach has crystal-clear water, white sand, and plenty of native vegetation. Due to its vast area of Atlantic forest and preservation areas, you will find a rich biodiversity to explore.
In this neighborhood, outside of the high season (summer), calm and tranquility prevail - so if you are looking for parties, nightlife and excitement, you won't find it here.
If you enjoy sports such as surfing, paddling, kayaking, and hiking, Praia de Mariscal is great. The sea has very good conditions compared to other places in the region, and also very well-kept hiking paths.
Finally, it is well worth enjoying the sunset at Mariscal beach.
Cost of Living in Bombinhas, Brazil
The cost of living in Bombinhas can vary greatly depending on each person's lifestyle and choices. In general, Bombinhas does not have a high cost of living, but it varies a lot in the summer with the arrival of tourists.
Airbnb Apartment in Best Areas: $600-1200 USD a month
Hotel in Best Area: $600-1650 USD a month
Maid: $200-500
Grocery Store: $300-600
Eating Out / Delivery: $400-600
Gym: $20-60
BJJ / MMA: $20-60
Partying / Dating / Social: $300-600 USD
Cell Data: $10-30
It’s possible to live very comfortably in Bombinhas as a tourist for less than $2000 USD per month.
Yes, it is possible for a tourist to live comfortably in Bombinhas for less than $2000 per month. With this budget, it is possible to have access to comfortable accommodations, public transportation, food, and leisure, without having to give up many things.
You can have some meals in more sophisticated restaurants, visit tourist attractions, play sports, and have access to other leisure activities in the city.
However, it is always important to research the options available and choose the activities that best suit your budget. With good research and establishing your preferences you can enjoy a lot with little money.
Also, it is important to keep in mind that costs may vary depending on the time of year. For example, in the summer prices increase a lot.
The means of public transportation in Bombinhas would be buses.
The two mayor ride-sharing services in the country are Uber and 99 Taxi.
Each ride will cost around 3-12 USD within the city limits. For going to other cities, just take a bus or rent a car.
Safety in Bombinhas, Brazil 🇧🇷
Just like the other cities in Santa Catarina:
Very safe.
Santa Catarina is the 2nd state with the lowest homicides per capita in Brazil. Violent crime isn’t a real 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 Bombinhas, Brazil
Unlike Florianopolis and Blumenau, Bombinhas is a rather quiet town, not the best place to find a romantic partner.
The city has an Azorean culture mixed with German and Italian, so most of the girls are white and tan, since it is a coastal city. As the city was created by fishermen and lives until today from fishing, the population is very humble and so are the girls.
Unlike in Balneário Camboriú, they will not be focused on your money, car, or status, but rather your manner and your way of being. Of course, looking sharp and having money always helps.
Most of the girls have a good vibe, are tanned, and have a beach and nature-oriented lifestyle.
Nightlife in Bombinhas, Brazil
There are not many nighttime “rolês” (slang for partying/going out) to be done in Bombinhas since the city is not that busy, but I will mention some of the most famous ones below.
Mentawai: As Bombinhas is a rather quiet town, Mentawai proposes all kinds of rolês in a single environment. It offers several types of drinks, beverages, and food, such as Mexican, Italian, and snacks in general. Keep an eye on their schedule because some days they may have parties, others live shows with national attractions, and also sometimes work as a cozy bar with live music.
Storm Hip Hop: It is not a place in itself, but rather a party that originated in Bombinhas and that takes place in several cities throughout Santa Catarina. Because the party is from Bombinhas it has a certain recurrence in the city but it doesn't have a fixed place, it happens in several different places.
Bora Bora Beach Club: A club with many different styles of music, but with limited operation. It is not a place that has parties every weekend, but on specific dates. It can play funk, sertanejo, pagode, electronic, among others.
El Fortin: This place is located in Porto Belo, a city next to Bombinhas that is easily accessible. It is considered one of the best electronic music clubs in Brazil, attracting big national and international attractions.
Tatuíra Petisqueira: If you want to treat your girlfriend, take her to this place to have a romantic evening. The cuisine is based on seafood and I highly recommend the octopus and oysters au gratin (polvo e ostras gratinadas). The restaurant is by the sea, at Canto Grande beach, with tables on the sand, and from time to time it has live music.
Berro d’Água: A restaurant to eat and drink with friends. They offer seafood and fondue and have a rustic and intimate decoration
Casa da Lagosta: A restaurant located on the beach which is ideal for those who want to spend the whole day at the beach without going home. They serve seafood and also have beers and juices;
BJJ/MMA in Bombinhas, Brazil
Even in a town of 20k, you can find a Gracie Barra for rolling on the mats. It’s almost like Jiu Jitsu is a national sport or something…
Anyway, there are plenty of martial arts, from BJJ to Muay Thai to Karate.
Cool Things to Do…
Bombinhas is famous for its beautiful beaches. Take the time to relax, swim, and enjoy the sun at beaches like Mariscal, Bombinhas, Quatro Ilhas, and Zimbros (this one is super calm).
Take a snorkeling tour and explore the coral reefs and the variety of fish and other sea creatures at the Sepultura beach.
Explore hiking trails such as the Trilha da Sepultura, Trilha da Costeira de Zimbros, or the Trilha do Morro do Macaco. Morro do Macaco specifically has an incredible panoramic view of the region, including the beaches and the Atlantic forest.
Take a boat ride along the coast of Bombinhas to enjoy the beautiful seascapes, visit nearby islands, and perhaps spot dolphins.
Explore Bombinhas' calm and crystalline waters by practicing stand-up paddle or renting a kayak to tour the bays and coves.
The Bombinhas region is rich in birds and it is possible to go on bird-watching tours to appreciate the diversity of the local fauna. Listen to the singing of the sabiás for a typical Brazilian experience.
Try the local cuisine at restaurants and seafood kiosks, where you can enjoy fresh and delicious dishes. Marisco ao bafo, lula ao molho, tainha frita… and I'm drooling just by writing this.
Do You Need to Speak Portuguese in Bombinhas?
I’d say so.
While the population is well-educated, “school English” kinda sucks.
However, if you speak Spanish you are going to be okay. In Bombinhas, you're gonna find a lot of Uruguayans and Argentinians flooding our beaches, so the people of Bombinhas are used to Spanish.
You could probably speak English to a lot of the upper class here, but when asking for something in the street for example, it will likely not be enough.
Ideally, you’ll arrive in Bombinha knowing at least basic Portuguese and hopefully fluent Spanish. It will make your experience here much more easy-going.
If you can find yourself a Brazilian girl or bro that speaks English/Spanish to explore the city with you, then you’re solid.
Still, try to get the fundamentals down before you arrive and the return on investment will be well worth it.
Use Italki to learn Portuguese before arriving in Brazil.
P.S: This is how to actually learn Portuguese…
Recommended Length of Stay
It is recommended to stay at least 3 to 5 days in Bombinhas in order to enjoy the main attractions and experience the atmosphere of the city.
In this period, you will be able to visit different beaches, such as Mariscal, Bombinhas, Quatro Ilhas and Zimbros, take one or two hikes, enjoy a boat ride or go diving to explore the marine life of the region. In addition, you can try the local cuisine, see the scenic viewpoints, and enjoy some relaxing moments on the beautiful beaches of the region.
However, if you have more time available, you can extend your stay in Bombinhas and explore other beaches and nearby cities, take additional tours or enjoy the nightlife in neighboring cities, such as Balneário Camboriú.
I would recommend against spending over a month here, as it can get boring. Larger cities in the region that make for more lively bases would be Florianópolis, Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí, Blumenau, Joinville or Jaraguá do Sul. From any of these, you can do escapades to Bombinhas in the summer.
Like all coastal cities in Santa Catarina, Bombinhas really is a different city depending on the seasons. November to February is peak Bombinhas, the rest of the year is a ghost city.
Lastly, a note on the traffic.
The traffic within the city of Bombinhas is calm, but the traffic to get to Bombinhas is horrible, as there is only one way in and out of the peninsula, and there is a toll road there. Plan for traffic when arriving and leaving.
This is why I would recommend against only staying for 1-2 days, it’s just not cool to deal with that stress twice in a row. Rather really enjoy your stay before going out.
Other Notes
Bombinhas is the smallest municipality in land area in Santa Catarina, with only about 35 km².
The city is home to the Arvoredo Marine Biological Reserve, a protected area known for its rich marine biodiversity, with coral reefs and a great variety of marine species.
Bombinhas is considered the Ecological Diving Capital of Brazil, due to its crystalline waters and the presence of several marine species.
The city is formed by a group of islands and peninsulas, forming an archipelago of 39 beaches.
The waters around Bombinhas are considered an important nursery of whales during their reproductive season.
Bombinhas, Brazil 🇧🇷 Overall
Bombinhas the Brazilian diving capital, famous for its stunning beaches and its culture. It is a small town, very well preserved ecologically, with many hiking trails and great beaches for surfing and diving.
Bombinhas is a city focused on ecotourism, and is more family-oriented. You will not find a great variety of things to do that are not connected to nature. Unlike Florianópolis and Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas is a quiet city. A perfect environment to relax in the middle of nature for a week or two.
And if you want to enjoy shopping, parties and nightlife, you can visit the city of Balneário Camboriú close by.
Overall, if you love a tropical scenery, lots of hikes and want a more relaxed beach vibe, this is one of the top places in Brazil.
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