The South - The Rough Guide to Brazil - page 595

9 POMERODE'S FESTIVALS

Pomerode is renowned for its festivals , the chief of which is the Festa Pomerana , a
celebration of local industry and culture held annually for ten days, usually from around
January 7. Most of the events take place on the outskirts of town, on Rua XV de Novembro,
about 1km from the tourist of ce, and during the day thousands of people from neighbouring
cities descend on Pomerode to sample the local food, attend the song and dance
performances and visit the commercial fair. By late afternoon, though, the day-trippers leave
and the Festa Pomerana comes alive as the colonos from the surrounding areas transform the
festivities into a truly popular event. Local and visiting bands play German and Brazilian music,
and dancing continues long into the night. In July, Pomerode organizes the smaller, though
similar, Winterfest .
There are more regular festivities too, as every Saturday the local hunting clubs take turns
to host dances . Visitors are always made to feel welcome, and details of the week's venue are
displayed on posters around town, or ask at the tourist of ce. As many of the clubs are located
in the município is outlying reaches, a bus is laid on, leaving from outside the post o ce on
Rua XV de Novembro.

Encantos do Sul
The Santa Catarina coast south of Florianópolis has been dubbed the ENCANTOS DO
SUL (“southern charm”) by those ever-creative tourism folk, with a handful of worthy
stopovers off the BR-101 highway. In addition to the beach and surf resorts of
Garopaba , Laguna is an attractive colonial town and the coast is also a favoured spot
for right whales to breed between June and November.

Guarda do Embaú
The first accessible spot on the Encantos do Sul worth stopping at is GUARDA DO
EMBAÚ , 50km south of Florianópolis, a fishing village on the southern edge of the
town of Pinheira, justly famed for its excellent surf breaks and the gorgeous bank
of sand that lies just across the Rio do Madre (it's usually shallow enough to wade
through, but local fishermen also charge R$2-3 to ferry you across). There's not much
in the way of services, but it's a mellow place to chill out for a day or so, especially if
you're on a budget.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE GUARDA DO EMBAÚ

By bus Paulotur runs regular buses between Florianópolis
and Guarda do Embaú (2hr). Continuing south by bus is a
bit of a hassle; you'll need to take the bus back to BR-101,

and try to flag down a (non-express) bus heading to
Garopaba. Your hotel might be able to arrange a cheap taxi
ride instead.

ACCOMMODATION
Pousada Magia da Guarda Rua Hercílio Nicolau dos
Santos 713 T 48 3283 2316, W pousadamagia
daguarda.com.br. Offers excellent-value rustic, brightly
coloured rooms and apartments (some with bunks)
500m from the beach, with bathrooms, fridges, and
balconies with hammocks and fans. Communal kitchen
available, and the owners can help with surf lessons,

board rentals and transport. R$60
ZuluLand Pousada Servidão Emerenciana T 48 3283
2706, W zululand.com.br. Hip boutique hotel designed by
model and actor Paulo Zulu, with a series of cottages and
apartments furnished in an eclectic, contemporary style
with cab le TV - there's a pool table and swimming pool on
site too. R$230

Garopaba
Some 45km south of Embaú, via the BR-101 highway, GAROPABA is an old fishing
village inhabited by people of Azorean origin, which, despite attracting more and more
people every summer, has not yet been totally overwhelmed by tourism. The main
village beach and nearby Praia Silveira (for surfing) are fine, and large enough to take
the summer crowds, but try to make it to the outlying beaches if you can. A few