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Claudia Looi

Florianopolis Brazil: A Great Destination for Photography

By Claudia Looi Leave a Comment

2 Jul
View from the apartment in Florianopolis

View from the apartment in Florianopolis

By Ken Looi

Florianopolis is about 18 hrs bus ride from Tres Cruces bus terminal, Montevideo. EGA (Empresa General Artigas) bus company provides this service. The bus conductor handled all the passports at the Brazilian check point. Food and drinks were provided. The ride was comfortable. We arrived on June 3 at 10am, took a taxi from the Rita Maria bus terminal to our apartment.

Florianopolis is the capital of the Santa Catarina. Part of the capital is in the main land and the other is the island. It is linked by a bridge. Surfing, trekking, paragliding, sand boarding and other water sports are very popular here.

Florianopolis Brazil

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We stayed in the apartment in Agronomica for 2 weeks. It is located at Rua Aristides Lobo, Florianopolis. We were looking for a tour company for city tour. June to July are the low season. Most tour operators are not busy or tours are ran on certain time and day only.

The apartment building in Florianopolis. We stayed on the sixth floor.

The apartment building in Florianopolis. We stayed on the sixth floor.

Outdoor barbecue pit at the balcony of our Florianopolis apartment

Outdoor barbecue pit at the balcony of our Florianopolis apartment

Not many people speak English. Web sites are not helpful either. My wife called Sofitel Hotel and asked for recommendations of tour operator. Firstly, the receptionists in the hotel speak English. That’s half the battle won. They recommended a few and we chose GoTripTV.com. We went for a city tour and trekking during our stay.

Hercilio Lux Bridge in Florianopolis

Hercilio Lux Bridge in Florianopolis

Tainha fishing season in Florianopolis

Tainha fishing season in Florianopolis

Recreational fishing in Florianopolis

Recreational fishing in Florianopolis

Fishing boats in Florianopolis

Fishing boats in Florianopolis

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Taxi ride from the apartment radio taxi with meter was 32R. coming back from Praia Joaquina for sandboarding was 34R and 2 R tips. The driver did not turn on his meter. We told him about a few minutes later. Taxi driver used a longer route. He tried to change lane to the left but was unable to because he moved to the right lane when he was at the traffic light. These happened in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Montevideo, Uruguay where taxi drivers used a longer route to reach our destination.

Sandboarding beach in Florianopolis

Sandboarding beach in Florianopolis

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Sandboards for hire

Sandboards for hire

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Dinner at Box 32 and a night out at the samba bar:

Seafood at Mercado Publico Florianopolis

Seafood at Mercado Publico Florianopolis

Local samba band

Local samba band

Photos are my own. Kindly let me know if you would like to use these photos.

Filed Under: Brazil Tagged With: Brazil, Florianopolis

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Looking for things to do at night in Salvador, Bra Looking for things to do at night in Salvador, Brazil? Spend an evening watching the Balé Folclórico da Bahia in Pelourinho.

Live drumming, singing, and dance bring Bahia’s Afro-Brazilian heritage to the stage. Between exploring the historic streets and trying the local food, this is another way to experience Salvador.

📍 Teatro Miguel Santana
Rua Maciel de Baixo, 49, Pelourinho
🗓 Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 7 p.m.
🎟 We paid R$120 per person.

My tip: ask your hotel to confirm the schedule and current price and book your tickets for you.

Who would you bring to this show? Send them this for your Salvador itinerary.

#SalvadorBrazil #SalvadorBahia #Pelourinho #BrazilTravel #globetrotter100club
You’ll notice these colorful ribbons all over Salv You’ll notice these colorful ribbons all over Salvador, Brazil. But what do they mean?

They’re called fitinhas do Bonfim, symbols of faith, hope, and devotion associated with Bonfim Church. The tradition is to tie one around your wrist with three knots, making a wish with each knot.

At the church, they cover the fence in waves of color. But you’ll find them beyond the church, too.

At my hotel, a staff member gave me a handful in different colors. Another hotel used them to tie the bath towels and hand towels, adding a little touch of Salvador to the room.

That’s what makes these ribbons such a memorable symbol of the city. You encounter them as an expression of faith, a welcome, and a detail woven into your stay.

📍 Igreja do Senhor do Bonfim, Salvador, Bahia.

Have you brought one home from Brazil?

#SalvadorBrazil #SalvadorBahia #BonfimChurch #BrazilTravel #globetrotter100club
Before booking a beach stay in Salvador, check mor Before booking a beach stay in Salvador, check more than the ocean view. Find out how you actually get onto the beach.

I stayed at Mercure Rio Vermelho, where the swimming pool was amazing. I could see the water, but the easy beach access I had pictured wasn’t part of my experience.

The hotel was okay for a short stay. For a longer trip focused on beach time, I would choose somewhere else with direct beach access and more of a resort atmosphere.

My tip: check the walking route from the hotel to an accessible beach before you book. A waterfront location doesn’t tell you the whole story.

Save this for your Brazil trip, and share it with your travel partner. Would you choose a beautiful pool or direct beach access?

#SalvadorBahia #BrazilTravelTips #RioVermelho #BeachVacation #globetrotter100club
I didn’t know this library existed until I saw it I didn’t know this library existed until I saw it on Instagram while planning this Rio trip. Then I had to see it for myself.

Some call it a hidden gem. The Real Gabinete Português de Leitura, or Royal Portuguese Reading Room, is considered one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Once inside, you understand why.

Its story began in 1837, when 43 Portuguese immigrants founded a library to promote learning and Portuguese culture in Brazil.

The present building opened in 1887, inaugurated by Princess Isabel. Designed in Portugal’s ornate Neo-Manueline style, it even has a limestone façade brought from Portugal.

Inside, towering bookshelves, intricate ironwork, and a stained-glass skylight compete for your attention. Take your time and remember to look up.

Planning a visit? Here’s what to know:

📍 Rua Luís de Camões, 30, Centro, Rio de Janeiro, near Praça Tiradentes.

🎟️ Regular admission is free.

🕙 Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check holiday closures before going.

🚇 Take the metro to Uruguaiana, then walk to the library. For less navigating, take a taxi or rideshare directly to the address.

I found it difficult to locate, and some streets along our walking route made me uncomfortable. My recommendation: visit during the day, go with a companion or group, and plan your route beforehand.

There was a long line outside when we visited. Allow time to wait, then give yourself time to appreciate the interior. For me, it was worth it.

Save this for your Rio trip. Have you ever discovered a place on Instagram that you just had to visit?

#RealGabinetePortuguesDeLeitura #RioDeJaneiro #BeautifulLibraries #BrazilTravelTips #globetrotter100club
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