Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING AROUND
ILHA SANTA CATALINA
9
By bus/minibus
The island has several local bus
terminals, so be prepared to change if travelling extensively
by bus (transfers are free). The standard bus fare is
R$2.90 - If you buy a stored-value card (
cartão magnético
)
the rate drops to R$2.70. Faster, air-conditioned yellow
minibuses - called
executivos
(R$6) - also zip between the
main beaches.
By taxi
Taxi meters start at R$3.80 (airport taxis have a
higher rate), and are only really economical travelling close
to Florianópolis.
By car
Despite the existence of a good bus network, this is
one place where renting a car (see p.577) should be
seriously considered, especially if you have limited time
and want to see as much of the island as possible: the roads
are all excellent and well signposted, though horribly
congested in summer and all year round at rush hour.
Santo Antônio de Lisboa and around
Founded in 1698, picturesque
SANTO ANTÔNIO
DE LISBOA
lies just off the main
highway (SC-401), some 17km north of Florianópolis. It's one of the island's oldest,
most attractive and least-spoilt settlements, the houses almost all painted white with
dark blue sash windows - in typical Azorean style. As was the case with most of the
island's villages, Santo Antônio has its origins with the arrival of immigrants from the
Azores, and the present-day inhabitants - who still refer to themselves as being Azorean -
retain many traditions of the islands from which their forefathers came. Fishing, rather
than catering to the needs of tourists, remains the principal activity, and the waters
offshore are used to farm mussels and oysters.
Coming into the centre, look for the all-white colonial
Igreja Nossa Senhora das
Necessidades
on Praça Getulio Vargas, overlooking the water, which dates back to
1750 (open for Mass only; Sat 6.30pm, Sun 9.30am). From here you can wander along
waterfront
Rua Quinze de Novembro
(with views back to Floripa),
or parallel
Rua
Cônego Serpa
.
Around 3km further north along a pretty coast road lies the sleepy fishing village of
SAMBAQUI
- you'll have to retrace your steps back to the main highway to continue north.
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SANTO ANTÔNIO DE LISBOA AND AROUND
By bus
Bus #212, #222, #310, #331 and #332 run from the
TICEN in Florianópolis to Terminal de Integração de Santo
Antônio de Lisboa (TISAN) on SC-401.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
★
Cantinho da Ostra Rua
15 de Novembro, 280
T
48 235 2296.
Shack bar on the beach directly in front of
the church, with plastic tables scattered in the sand,
serving fried fish,
pastels
(R$4) and the freshest of oysters
(plates R$15-20).
Sat & Sun 1-7pm.
Marisqueria Sintra
Rua XV de Novembro 147
T
48 3234 4219,
W
marisqueirasintra.com.br.
Gourmet
seafood from lauded chef Andréia de Paula, who is famed
for her garlicky shrimp dishes, such as
camarão à guilho
served in a small pan with bread. There is also a decent
Portuguese wine list.
Mon & Wed-Fri noon-3.30pm &
7-11.30pm, Sat & Sun noon-4pm, 7-11.30pm.
Pousada Mar de Dentro
Rua Caminho dos Açores
1929
T
48 3235 1521,
W
pousadamardedentro.com
.br.
Gorgeous setting overlooking the waterfront,
with comfy a/c rooms (plus free wi-fi, TV and fridge) and a
tiny pool.
R$190
★
Villa da Porto
Rua 15 de Novembro 123
T
48 3234
1000,
W
villadoporto.com.br.
This fine Spanish and
Azorean seafood restaurant (think tapas and
paella
marinera
) on the waterfront is housed in a mansion dating
back to 1750 (Emperor Dom Pedro II allegedly stayed here
in 1845).
Tues-Sat noon-11pm, Sun 11.30am-5pm.
SAMBAQUI
★
Restinga Recanto
Rafael da Rocha Pires 2759
T
48 3235 2093.
This restaurant with whimsical papier-
mâché decor overlooks the beach outside of Sambaqui on the
road from Santo Antônio. It's justly famed for its views and
specialities such as
camarão na moranga
(shrimp in pumpkin)
and
entrevero do dandão
(a huge plate of seafood). Mains
cost R$50-60.
Tues-Sun 11am-midnight.
SHOPPING
Casa Açoriana
Rua Cônego Serpa 30
T
48 3235 1262,
W
casaacoriana.com.br.
This shop displays intricately
fashioned bobbin lace tablecloths, mats and other items
- Azorean immigrants brought their lace-making skills to
Santa Catarina, too.
Daily 10am-8pm.
