Balneario Camboriu

Balneário Camboriú is a high-rise beach city on the Santa Catarina coast that locals sometimes call "Brazilian Dubai" for its skyline. Avenida Atlântica runs along the main beach, lined with palm trees and open-air bars where you'll hear samba and forró music most afternoons. The port is central, so you can walk straight into the action. The Unipraias cable car connects Central Beach to the quieter Laranjeiras Beach over forested hills, with zip-lining and a mountain sled at the top. The Cristo Luz statue on the hilltop lights up in colour at night. For food, try moqueca de camarão, a shrimp stew with coconut milk, or grilled whole fish at a beachfront churrascaria. Most shops open at 9 AM and close around 6 PM with a lunch break. The beachfront is best on foot, but taxis and ride apps are cheap.