Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
9
Prainha do Leste
For a bit more seclusion, cross the river at the southeastern end of Barra da Lagoa's
beach (via the Ponte Pêncil, a rickety suspended footbridge), and walk across the
headland to the very pretty
Prainha do Leste
,
a small cove flanked by forbidding rock
formations where beach parties are often held in summer.
Projeto TAMAR
Rua Professor Ademir Francisco, Barra da Lagoa • Daily: late Dec-early March 10am-7pm; early March-late Dec 9.30am-5.30pm; turtle
feedings at 3.30pm • R$10 •
T
48 3236 2015,
W
tamar.org.br • Parking opposite is R$5/day
The southern headquarters of
Projeto TAMAR
(Save the Turtles) is located on the
western side of Barra da Lagoa (signposted from SC-406), a small but informative
showcase for their conservation work but primarily of interest for the always adorable
turtles
on view (all injured off Brazil's coast). You'll mostly see giant leatherbacks,
loggerheads, Olive Ridley and hawksbill turtles here, all lounging in various pools,
and while they don't seem entirely happy to be cooped up, at least they are still alive.
Labels are in English and Portuguese.
ACCOMMODATION
BARRA DA LAGOA AND AROUND
Floripa Hostel
Rua Inelzir Bauer Bertoli
T
48 3232
4491,
W
floripahostel.com.br.
This laidback outpost of
the island's HI-a
liated chain is the best place to crash near
the beach, with fan-cooled dorms (four beds), free wi-fi,
breakfast, 24hr reception and commun
al kitchen. H
I
membe
r rates are given
in brackets. Dorms
R$65 (R$55)
;
doubles
R$170 (R$160)
Praia Mole
South of Barra da Lagoa, the main road (SC-406) passes
Praia Mole
, one of the
most beautiful beaches in Brazil and slightly hidden beneath low-lying cliffs. Mole is
extremely popular with young people but, rather surprisingly, commercial activity has
remained low-key, probably because there's a deep drop-off right at the water's edge
- it's another major surf beach, and the road here can be a real bottleneck in summer.
Park where you can - the small o
cial car park charges R$4 per hour or R$10 per day.
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
PRAIA MOLE
Backpackers Sunset
Rodovia Jornalista Manoel de
Menezes 631
T
48 3232 0141,
W
sunsetbackpackers
.com.
Chilled-out hostel overlooking the bay from a ridge
near Praia Mole, with a mix of private rooms and dorms
that have fans and a/c, free
caipirinhas
for residents (daily
7.30-8.30pm), a hearty Brazilian buffet for R$14.
90 and
the frie
ndly
Su
nset Bar
.
Daily 10am-1am.
Dorms
R$60
;
doubles
R$100
Joaquina
A short drive south of Praia Mole, on a signposted spur road from SC-406,
JOAQUINA
is extremely popular with surfers - particularly so during the Brazilian national surf
championships, held annually in the last week of January. The water's cold, however, and
the sea rough and only really suitable for strong swimmers. Parking here is R$10 per day.
The road to the beach is dotted with hostels and surf shops, before it climbs to the
top of another range of mighty
sand dunes
. If you have the energy, climb to the top
where you'll be rewarded with the most spectacular views in all directions. The dunes
are also a popular location for paragliding and sandboarding - no skill is required if
you sit, rather than stand, on a board as you hurtle down a dune (boards are available
to rent at the roadside for R$15/hr).
ACCOMMODATION
JOAQUINA
Cris Hotel
Estrada Geral da Joaquina 1
T
48 3232
5104.
Has spacious rooms for up to five people overlooking
the beach, with a/c, fridge,
TV and
balcony. Decent
breakfast included and free wi-fi.
R$160
Joaquina Beach Hotel
Estrada Geral da Joaquina 2323
T
48 3232 5059,
W
joaquinabeachhotel.com.br.
Usually
booked solidly in the summer, with simple en-suite a/
c rooms
that have tiled floors and TVs. Wi-fi here costs R$3/hr.
R$175
