Florianópolis: Camboriu & Unipraias Park with Cable Car Ride

Cable cars, forest, and a beach day make a fine escape. This 10-hour trip from Florianópolis takes you to Balneário Camboriú for the Unipraias Park cable car and calm Laranjeiras Beach. I especially like the included cable car ticket and the ease of round-trip transport, since the journey between the two cities is much simpler by organized coach. I also like the mix of scenery: high Atlantic Forest views followed by a small, family-friendly beach.

The main caution is guide quality. Several outings have gone smoothly, with guides such as Maite and Marcio earning warm praise for their care and helpfulness. But one traveler found the guiding unhelpful and communication poor, while another described the organization as improvised. You should book this for the transport and scenery first, and treat the commentary as a bonus.

Key points to know before you go

• Unipraias connects three stations by cable car, giving you an unusual way to see the park and the coast from above.
• The second station reaches about 240 meters high, where Atlantic Forest views are the main reward.
• Laranjeiras Beach is only 750 meters long, with calm water and plenty of commercial and dining facilities nearby.
• The day lasts about 10 hours, including roughly 4.5 hours of road travel from Florianópolis and back.
• Pickup is available from eight areas, including Centro, Canasvieiras, Ingleses, Jurerê, and Ponta das Canas.
• The $36 price is strongest for transport plus admission, but the value depends on clear pickup coordination and a useful guide.

Why this Florianópolis day trip is worth considering

Florianópolis is full of beaches, but Balneário Camboriú gives you a different kind of day out. Here, the appeal comes from combining a developed resort city with a protected-looking stretch of Atlantic Forest, elevated viewpoints, cable cars, and a compact beach backed by restaurants and shops.

I like this trip because it removes the hardest part of the outing: getting from Florianópolis to Camboriú and back in one day. The listed travel time adds up to roughly four and a half hours by coach, so arranging the route yourself could be tiring. With round-trip transfer included, you can focus on the view outside the window and save your energy for the park and beach.

At $36 per person, the price is reasonable if you want both transportation and the Unipraias admission handled together. It is less attractive if you only want to spend time on the sand, since a large part of the day is tied to road travel. The package works best for someone staying in Florianópolis who wants to see a second coastal destination without changing hotels.

The trip is offered with Portuguese and Spanish guiding. That matters because the quality of explanations can shape the day. The strongest reports describe attentive help, good communication, and guides who cared for the whole group. Marcio even made an effort to assist in English on one outing. But you should confirm the meeting details carefully, especially if you do not speak Portuguese or Spanish.

Morning pickup from eight Florianópolis areas

Pickup is offered from Ponta das Canas, Jurerê Internacional, Ingleses Centro, Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Ingleses Norte, Centro, and Cachoeira do Bom Jesus. That broad coverage is one of the practical strengths of this excursion, since you may not need to cross the entire city before sunrise.

The exact departure time can change according to your hotel location. I would not wait until the morning to work out where you should stand. The instructions advise checking the designated meeting point the day before, and that is good advice. If you are staying elsewhere in the city or on the mainland, contact the local agency to arrange a meeting point.

Pickup runs can take patience. A coach serving several parts of Florianópolis may collect people before heading south, so the first part of your day is about getting everyone aboard. Bring only what you need for the outing. Large bags, oversize luggage, and non-folding strollers or wheelchairs are not accepted.

The no-show rule is strict. If you miss the pickup, there is no refund and no rescheduling. Cancellations made at least 24 hours before departure qualify for a full refund, but cancellations inside that window are not accepted unless supported by a medical certificate.

The road to Balneário Camboriú

The outbound ride is listed as two coach sections, roughly one and a half hours followed by another hour. That gives you about two and a half hours on the road before the main sights. The return journey is listed at about two hours, though the full day can reach 10 hours once pickups, stops, and group movement are counted.

This is the tradeoff at the heart of the tour. You get a full coastal excursion without arranging buses or transfers yourself, but you give up a large block of the day to transport. I would choose it for convenience, especially if you have limited time in Florianópolis. If you dislike long coach rides, staying on a Florianópolis beach may suit you better.

Food and drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and smoking is prohibited. Alcoholic drinks, red wine, and other drinks are also not permitted aboard. Plan to eat before pickup or at Laranjeiras Beach rather than packing a picnic for the coach.

Unipraias Park and the three-station cable car

The central attraction is Unipraias Park, where cable cars carry you through three stations. This is not simply a ride to a viewpoint and back. The movement between stations gives the visit a sense of progression, with the park, forest, hills, and coast appearing from changing angles.

The second station is the high point of the experience, both literally and visually. You reach about 240 meters above sea level and can look across the Atlantic Forest from the viewpoints. I would give yourself time here rather than treating the cable car as a quick transfer. The views are the reason to visit the park, and clear weather will make a major difference.

The cable car portion is listed at about one hour. That includes the ride and time around the viewpoints, not just the minutes spent inside the cars. The admission ticket is included, which makes the $36 package easier to justify.

A zipline is also listed as a possible 15-minute activity at Laranjeiras Beach. The provided details do not make clear whether it is included in the price, so ask the guide or local operator before planning around it. Do not assume that every activity shown during the day is part of the included admission.

The park is a poor match for people with mobility impairments, recent surgeries, or pre-existing medical conditions, according to the activity restrictions. Non-folding wheelchairs are not accepted. If you have any concern about cable car access, viewpoints, or the movement between stations, contact the operator before booking.

Laranjeiras Beach: small, calm, and easy to use

After the park, the day shifts to Laranjeiras Beach, where you spend the longest stretch of time. The beach measures only about 750 meters, so it feels compact rather than endless. That is part of its charm. You can get from the sand to the nearby commercial and dining facilities without turning the afternoon into an expedition.

Laranjeiras is surrounded by Atlantic Forest and faces the Atlantic Ocean. Its calm water makes it especially appealing to families. I would also recommend it to anyone who wants a lower-key beach stop after the height and movement of the cable car ride.

The beach has a station for the Unipraias cable car, so the park and shore are naturally linked. You are not dealing with two unrelated attractions on opposite sides of the city. The combination is efficient: look down on the forest and coast from above, then spend time beside the water.

The five-hour beach portion is generous. You can swim, sit by the water, eat, browse the local commercial area, or simply slow down. The drawback is that the beach can be busy, particularly because its calm water attracts families. If you want a quiet, empty shoreline, this may not be your ideal stop. If you value convenience and services, the commercial infrastructure is a plus.

The itinerary also includes scenic views on the way and a guided tour segment. In practice, the balance between formal guiding and free time may depend on the day and the guide. This is where clear communication matters. One particularly positive account praised Maite for being attentive and concerned about the whole group, while another singled out Marcio for helping in English. Those examples suggest the right guide can make the long day feel much easier.

What the guide can add to the day

The advertised guide languages are Portuguese and Spanish. If you speak either language, you should be able to follow the basic arrangements and explanations. If you speak only English, do not count on a full English-language tour, although Marcio was able to provide extra help in English during one outing.

A good guide is especially useful on a day with multiple stages. You need to know when to leave the viewpoints, where to gather, how much beach time remains, and when to return to the vehicle. A careful guide also helps with the practical details of a large group, such as meeting points and timing.

The guiding appears to be the least predictable part of the experience. One account described the guide as making little contribution and speaking only in Portuguese, while another reported poor coordination and too much improvisation. That does not make the trip a bad choice, but it does mean I would not pay this price mainly for interpretation.

My advice is simple: use the guide for logistics, ask questions early, and confirm the return meeting point before walking off toward the beach facilities. If you need detailed commentary in English, contact South Travel before reserving.

The return to Florianópolis

The return transfer is scheduled after the beach time, with a stated return to Florianópolis around 4:00 PM. The itinerary also lists about two hours by coach for the return. Since pickup and traffic can affect the final arrival, avoid booking a tight evening connection or a fixed dinner reservation immediately afterward.

By the end of the day, you will have covered a lot: a long transfer, three cable car stations, high viewpoints, Atlantic Forest scenery, a beach stop, and possibly a zipline. The schedule is full but not needlessly complicated. Its main weakness is the amount of time spent sitting in the coach.

I would treat the return ride as part of the cost of seeing Camboriú from Florianópolis. Bring sun protection, comfortable clothing, and footwear that works for both viewpoints and the beach. Since food and drinks cannot go inside the vehicle, plan your meals around the beach stop.

Who gets the best value for $36

The price is attractive for a full-day excursion that includes round-trip transport, a guide in Portuguese and Spanish, and the cable car ticket. Paying separately for transport and park admission could be less convenient, even if you might save money in some circumstances. The value is strongest when you are staying in one of the listed pickup areas and want a simple, ready-made day.

I would recommend it for:

• Visitors with one free day in Florianópolis who want to see Balneário Camboriú.
• Families who prefer calm water and nearby services.
• People who enjoy viewpoints but also want several hours at the beach.
• Anyone who does not want to plan intercity transport.
• Portuguese or Spanish speakers who can make full use of the guide.

I would be more cautious if you need wheelchair access, have recently had surgery, or have a medical condition that makes a long day and cable car outing difficult. I would also hesitate if you want a fully English-speaking guide, a quiet beach, or a short excursion with little time on the road.

The rating of 4.4 from 63 ratings reflects that most people find the experience worthwhile, but the spread in individual experiences is useful. Transport and the cable car are the reliable core. Guide communication and coordination deserve extra attention before you book.

Practical advice for a smoother day

Check your pickup point the day before. This is the single most important tip because the operator advises using the designated meeting point and warns that departure times vary by hotel location.

Keep your luggage small. Large bags, oversize items, non-folding strollers, and non-folding wheelchairs are not accepted. Leave alcohol, food, and drinks out of the coach bag as well.

Ask about the zipline before paying for the tour. It appears in the day’s activities, but the included items specifically name the cable car ticket, not the zipline. A quick confirmation prevents an unpleasant surprise.

If you are traveling with children, Laranjeiras is the more relaxed half of the day because of its calm water and nearby facilities. The cable car and high viewpoints provide the excitement, while the beach gives you time to rest.

Finally, keep the return schedule in mind. This is a 10-hour outing, not a quick side trip. I would book it on a day when you can accept a flexible evening back in Florianópolis.

Should you book the Camboriú and Unipraias tour?

Book it if you want a convenient, good-value day combining cable car views, Atlantic Forest scenery, and a calm beach. The included admission and broad hotel-area pickup make the $36 cost sensible, and the strongest experiences feature helpful guides who keep the day organized.

Skip it if your priority is a quiet beach, a fully English-language guide, or maximum control over your schedule. The long coach rides and uneven guide communication are real considerations.

My verdict: a worthwhile day trip for scenery and convenience, with the cable car and Laranjeiras Beach doing most of the work. Confirm your pickup and language needs before booking, and you will have a much better chance of getting the smooth outing this itinerary promises.

FAQ

How long does the Florianópolis to Camboriú tour last?

The experience lasts about 10 hours. The stated return to Florianópolis is around 4:00 PM, though pickup times vary by hotel location.

What languages does the guide speak?

The live guide service is offered in Portuguese and Spanish. English support is not guaranteed, although one guide, Marcio, helped a visitor in English.

Is hotel pickup included?

Pickup is included from eight listed areas: Ponta das Canas, Jurerê Internacional, Ingleses Centro, Jurerê, Canasvieiras, Ingleses Norte, Centro, and Cachoeira do Bom Jesus.

Is the Unipraias cable car ticket included?

Yes. The cable car ticket is included in the tour price.

How high does the cable car viewpoint reach?

At the second station, you can see the Atlantic Forest from about 240 meters high.

How long is Laranjeiras Beach?

Laranjeiras Beach measures about 750 meters. It is known for calm water and has nearby commercial and dining facilities.

Is the zipline included?

The zipline appears as a 15-minute activity during the day, but the included services specifically mention the cable car ticket and do not confirm that the zipline is included. Ask the local operator before booking.

Can I cancel for a full refund?

Yes, cancellation up to 24 hours before the tour qualifies for a full refund. A no-show receives no refund, and cancellations within 24 hours are not accepted unless supported by a medical certificate.