Introduction
Santa Catarina is one of Brazil's finest coastal regions, with more than 300 miles of Atlantic coastline dotted with hidden coves and beautiful bays. Its coastline has lovely white sand beaches and chic beach resorts that make it a great tailor made Brazil holiday option.
Santa Catarina state is a melting pot of traditions, following the arrival of large numbers of European migrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, there are distinct communities of Ukrainians, Italians, Portuguese and Germans - the influence of the latter enthusiastically demonstrated each year at the town of Blumenau's very own Oktoberfest.
Santa Catarina's biggest draw, however, is the coastal city of Florianópolis, the trendy state capital. It entices tourists and locals with its beautiful beaches, world-class surf breaks and nightlife that has given Florianópolis a reputation among the world's rich and famous, as a hot new destination.
But such is the diversity of the Santa Catarina coastline, that just 60 miles from Florianópolis's chic resorts is Praia do Rosa, a quiet bay that's one of the best places in Brazil to go whale watching. It's this diversity that makes Santa Catarina and its 150 beaches such a wonderful place to spend a few days during a Brazil holiday.
