Escape to a fishing village near 43 beaches, fine surfing, and cobblestone streets harking back to Brazil’s Portuguese colonial past. The stresses and strains of everyday life will melt away as you unwind, relax, and settle into the luxurious ambiance of your money-saving Florianopolis vacation rental house or condo. Beaches, lakes, lagoons, restaurants, shopping, hiking trails, and water sports will never be far away. Enjoy scuba diving, rowing, sailing, parasailing, mountain biking, and boat tours to colonial forts and snorkeling sites. Or just relax, and sunbathe.

Step from the original Portuguese street stones onto eighteenth-century Carrara marble stairs leading up to the parquet floors and ornate ceilings of the Palacio Cruz e Souza, now a historic museum (Museu Historico de Santa Catarina) where the Portuguese colonial governors of this Brazilian state once lived. The nearby Mercado Publico is like an Arabian bazaar filled with merchants peddling fish, fruits, vegetables, and sundries. It is about 8 miles south from downtown Florianopolis to Aeroporto Internacional Hercilio Luz (FLN) for flights to Sao Paulo, Buenos Aires, Montevideo, and other destinations.

A Florianopolis vacation rental is the perfect money-saving home base for beginning surfers to learn, pro surfers to retreat, and spectators at championship events to party and entertain. East of the city of Florianopolis, hidden from the road by pine forest, is the beach called Praia Barra da Lagoa, where the swells are gentle enough for beginners. Heading north towards Praia Barra da Mocambiquea and south towards the rolling hillsides and rocks of Praia Mole and Praia Joaquina puts you in the realm of championship surfers. The area is also good for fishing, snorkeling, shrimping, beach volleyball, kitesurfing, winter penguin sightings, and sunbathing.

For splendid scenery, head south from Florianopolis to where the mountains and white sand beaches meet the sea. Ribeirao da Ilha, known for its tidal flat oyster harvest and seaside chess matches, maintains its Portuguese Azores Island roots in its tile-roofed homes and old churches. Campeche, with miles of sand dunes, is one of the more isolated spots for hiking and contemplating the pounding surf. Surfers also find good waves to ride around the fishing village of Armacao, whose church goes back to its whaling days.

Santa Catarina Island north of Florianopolis has more tourist infrastructure than the south. Good surf spots, fine beaches, hiking trails, sand dunes, fishing villages, old churches, and tile roofs like the Portuguese Azores Islands abound. Restaurants and hotels are also plentiful, which will make you appreciate the seclusion and privacy of your money-saving Florianopolis vacation rental all the more.