Travel advisory · BrazilSome governments advise against travel to parts of Brazil.The warnings cover only these areas: Ceilandia, Favelas, Paranoá, Santa Maria, São Sebastião, Venezuela border area.Advice depends on your passport. Read your own government's advice before you book.Official advice
- Ceilandia · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Favelas · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, Spain, New Zealand, US
- Paranoá · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Santa Maria · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- São Sebastião · avoid non-essential travel · Italy, US
- Venezuela border area · avoid non-essential travel · Germany, France
Also named by one government: 160 km strip along Brazil's land borders (US), Complexo da Maré (Canada), Complexo da Penha (Canada), 20 km strip along the Bolivian border (excluding Pantanal National Park) (Canada), 20 km strip along the Colombian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the French Guiana border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Guyanese border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Paraguayan border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Peruvian border (Canada), 20 km strip along the Surinamese border (Canada), 50 km strip along the Venezuelan border (Canada), Amazonas River and tributaries, Amazonas State (between Codajás and Belém do Solimões) (UK), Border zones (unspecified) (France), Chapada Diamantina National Park (trilha do 21) (Spain), Planaltina (Italy), Samambaia (Italy)
| Government | Advice | Updated | Read the advice |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom (FCDO) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| United States (State Dept) | Exercise increased caution (regional advisories) | Aug 31, 2026 | Read the advice |
| Canada (Global Affairs) | Exercise a high degree of caution (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| Germany (Auswärtiges Amt) | No advice against the whole country (regional advisories) | Oct 27, 2026 | Read the advice |
| New Zealand (SafeTravel) | Exercise increased caution due to high crime rates (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
| France (Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs) | Vigilance renforcée (pays à risque) (regional advisories) | – | Read the advice |
Checked daily from the governments' published advice; last checked Nov 2, 2026. RoamLedger summarises official advice; it is not advice from any government.
Santa Catarina
Santa Catarina is a Brazilian coastal state known for Atlantic beaches, the island capital Florianópolis, German-influenced towns and cold hikes in the southern highlands.
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Santa Catarina is one of three states in southern Brazil, on the Atlantic coast between Paraná to the north and Rio Grande do Sul to the south. Its capital, Florianópolis, sits on an island joined to the mainland by bridges. The state's coast runs from busy resort strips to quiet coves. Inland, the land rises into highlands where winters are cold enough for frost. German and Italian settlers shaped many towns, including Blumenau and Pomerode.
Beach trips peak from December to February, when the weather is warmest and coastal towns are busiest. Spring and autumn suit walking in the highlands, where hikes and viewpoints around Urubici are on offer. Plan four to five days to cover the coast and one highland area. A week lets you add a German-influenced town and a second region. Road trips and beach stays suit the state best.
Santa Catarina in five
- Rent a car for the Serra and small beachesBuses link Florianópolis with Blumenau and the main coastal towns, but the highland villages and small beaches are far easier by car. The Serra do Rio do Rastro road has steep hairpin bends, so drive it in daylight.Getting around
- Swim only between the lifeguard towersRead the lifeguard flags at each beach before you go in, and stay in the guarded stretch between the towers. Surf beaches such as Joaquina and Campeche can have strong waves on some days.
- Carry Pix or reais for beach kiosksPix is Brazil's instant bank transfer, and most shops and kiosks accept it, but some beach stands take only cash in reais. Keep small notes for drinks and chairs.Money and costs
- Book beds early for Blumenau's OktoberfestBlumenau's Oktoberfest runs in October, so book a bed as soon as you know your dates. Check the festival's official programme for the current year before you plan a day around an event.Festivals
- Pack a warm layer for the highlandsUrubici and São Joaquim sit at altitude, and nights are cold, especially from June to August. Bring a fleece or light jacket even for a day trip in summer.Clothing
Things to do in Santa Catarina
See all attractions in Santa Catarina
Need to know
- Currency
- Real (BRL)
- Entry
- Visa exemption for many passports; check your nationality before you fly Read more
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Tipping
- 10% service often added in restaurants; extra tip optional
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryPeak summer, busy
- FebruaryCarnival, busy
- MarchWarm sea, calmer
- AprilMild, fewer crowds
- MayCooler, quiet
- JuneCold, windy
- JulyWinter, cold
- AugustCool, quiet
- SeptemberSpring, mild
- OctoberSpring, filling up
- NovemberWarm, before peak
- DecemberSummer, crowded
Right now in Santa Catarina
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 25°
- Humidity
- 79%
- Wind
- 16 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 69%
The Pantanal
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today26°21°69%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Tue26°20°33%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed27°20°79%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 27°, Low 20°. Chance of rain 79%.
- Thu25°19°67%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 25°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 67%.
- Fri26°18°38%Friday: Cloudy. High 26°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 38%.
- Sat31°17°55%Saturday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 55%.
- Sun23°15°22%Sunday: Clear. High 23°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 22%.
Updated 03:11 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Blumenauabout 2.5 hours by carA German-influenced town with half-timbered architecture and beer halls, busiest in October.
- Urubici and the highlandsabout 4 hours by carCool mountain villages on the Serra catarinense, with viewpoints and cold nights even in summer.
- Balneário Camboriúabout 1 hour by car northA high-rise resort city with a wide beach and a different style of coast from the island.
Before you go to Santa Catarina
Rules for Santa Catarina, checked
- Check whether you need a visa for Brazil on the government portal before you fly; the rules depend on your passport.Source
- Brazil enforces zero tolerance for alcohol when driving. Do not drive after any drinks, including on the coast road and mountain roads.
- Declare cash and goods above the allowance at Brazilian customs, and check Receita Federal's rules on bringing in food and plants.
Plan around Santa Catarina
Bus links, rental cars and the mountain roads
Read the guideWhere to stay in Santa CatarinaIsland, lagoon and beach bases compared
Read the guideMoney, Pix and tippingCash, Pix and the 10% service charge in restaurants
Read the guideVisas and entry to BrazilWho needs a visa and what to check before flying
Read the guideFestivals and event datesBlumenau Oktoberfest and other events to plan around
Read the guidePhones and eSIM in BrazilData for beaches, buses and mountain roads
Read the guideSanta Catarina FAQ
Is Santa Catarina worth visiting?
Yes, if you want beaches with fishing villages, German-style towns such as Blumenau and Pomerode, and cool mountain roads. It is a weak choice for a city break, because Florianópolis is small compared with São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro.
Is Florianópolis a good base?
Yes, for beaches on the island and day trips by bus or car. Balneário Camboriú, a high-rise resort city, is about an hour north by road if you want a different style of beach.
Can you visit Santa Catarina without a car?
Yes, for Florianópolis and Blumenau, which are well served by bus. A car helps for the highland villages such as Urubici and for the smaller beaches away from the main bus routes.
When is the best time to visit Santa Catarina?
March, April, September and November are mild, with warm sea and fewer crowds. December to February is peak summer, and June to August is cold, especially in the highlands.
Is Blumenau worth visiting?
Yes, for its German-influenced architecture, beer halls and the October Oktoberfest. Outside festival time, the town is quieter and works as a half-day or overnight stop.
How many days do you need in Santa Catarina?
Four to five days covers Florianópolis and a day trip to Blumenau or Balneário Camboriú. A week lets you add a night in the highlands and a few coastal villages.