Porto Belo: Pier, Nature and History

In the heart of the city is the Píer Turístico de Porto Belo, an arrival point for cruise passengers. The surrounding municipality also offers nature experiences, culture and traces of history. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider which of these themes you want to shape your stay: boat trips, ecological trails, diving, or exhibitions and history.

Arriving and taking trips from the pier

At the Píer Turístico de Porto Belo, visitors can get tourist information and help organising excursions. Boats depart from there for Ilha de Porto Belo and other beaches. The pier also has supporting infrastructure and handicraft shops. Its location in the heart of the city makes it a point of reference for arrivals and planning excursions. If a boat trip is important to you, you can use the pier as a starting point when considering your travel itinerary. Check the latest procedures at the pier before your trip.

Getting there from Curitiba

The road route from Curitiba to Porto Belo follows the BR-376 to the border of the state of Santa Catarina. From there, continue along the BR-101 towards Florianópolis, passing Joinville, Penha, Balneário Camboriú and Itapema, until you reach the turnoff for Porto Belo. If you are planning this route, you can use the places mentioned as reference points along the way. Check current traffic conditions before setting out.

Nature in the municipality

The municipality of Porto Belo is home to the RPPN Morro dos Zimbros. This private natural heritage reserve is of public interest, covers 45.90 hectares and is permanently registered with IBAMA.

Another nature-related attraction in the municipality is Ilha de Porto Belo. It has an ecological trail and ecotourism activities. Praia da Ilha de Porto Belo offers ecological trails as well as an area for diving. This gives you different ways to focus your trip: nature trails or a stay centred on diving.

Culture and traces of history

The Eco-Museu UNIVALI is located on Ilha de Porto Belo. This cultural space features interactive exhibitions on history and general knowledge. The exhibitions highlight and share local culture. If you are planning a visit, check the visiting hours in advance.

The island also has traces of history. The municipal tourism website states that the rock inscriptions on Ilha de Porto Belo are about 4,000 years old. Remains of an illegally operated whaling station are also located on the same island. There are also rock inscriptions at Pedra da Cruz on Ilha João da Cunha. Interactive exhibitions therefore sit alongside places with archaeological and historical connections.

Which holiday apartment suits your plans?

The experiences offer different focuses: the pier provides tourist information and help organising excursions; trails and the diving area appeal to different interests than the museum, rock inscriptions and remains of the whaling station. When choosing your holiday apartment, you can match these interests with your own plans. Consider which places you would like to visit, and compare their locations with those of the accommodation options you are considering.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Urussanga, Itapema, Chapecó, Hercílio Luz, Sangão, Jaraguá Do Sul, Imbituba, Quilombo.

Return to the main travel overview: Santa Catarina.