For those who want to live in a city with its large supply of products and services, but still close to the beach and all what that means of sun and swim, we recommend Balneario Camboriu and Itapema, two neighboring cities in the north of Santa Catarina.

 

Central Beach - Balneario Camboriu

Balneario Camboriu is the largest tourist attraction in Santa Catarina. But with more than 80 000 inhabitants, the city lives its own life even when the tourist season is over. It is walking distance to the 4 mile long beach wherever you live in the city, and everything you need is available within a comfortable distance. There is an ambient of smaller non-chain shops and stores that has disappeared since a long time ago in many countries in the western world. Such an ambient brings a special pulse and stimulates daily contacts with other people. The city is also beautiful and reminds about the more famous Rio de Janeiro.

If you like an early walk along the beach in a comfortable temperature of 75 °F (25 °C), to stop by at one of many cafes to have a juice or an espresso coffee, bring fresh roles home to your wife or husband, to pass by the kiosk and buy a newspaper and have a chat with the personnel, and maybe also to buy some fresh fish or a cut of file mignon for the days lunch, then Balneario Camboriu may be the place for you.

And then you may want to work on your suntan and have a swim in the sea in the late morning, and prepare your lunch on the balcony, and maybe get some sleep in the afternoon. In the late afternoon you may want to stroll along the lively walkway close to the beach, play some Boule, and have a cold beer or coconut milk and get some Brazilian snack to it. The evening may be the right time to have a walk in the city center and enjoy all the activities, and do some shopping in the numerous boutiques that all are open until 11 PM. Then you round it all up with a nice dinner at a restaurant along the beach. Afterwards you can walk back to your home in the late night without fear of being assaulted.

This is how a typical day could look like in Balneario Camboriu. You take the day as it comes end everything you need is within walking distance, to the extent that you do not need a car. And if you would like to experience other parts of Santa Catarina, you can rent a car and make some tours to some of the numerous tourist destinations available.

In Balneario Camboriu, most people live in apartments. The supply is very large and it is always possible to find homes within a few hundred yards from the beach. But it can be difficult to find good apartments that are not totally buried between tall buildings, so it is important to select areas with more open space where the apartments have some decent views. Those who would like to live in houses may end up on a longer distance from the beach, even if there are a few houses located in more open areas close to the sea. Prices of homes in Balneario Camboriu are amongst the highest in Santa Catarina, which dose not necessarily mean that they are expensive compared to other tourist destinations in the world.

 

Meia Praia - Itapema

A comparable ambient to the one in Balneario Camboriu is to be found in Itapema, about 10 miles to the south. It is a somewhat smaller city but the infrastructure and supply of products and services is comprehensive. Itapema is also sharing some infrastructure with Balneario Camboriu, such as hospitals and larger shopping centers. The city of Itapema is located very close to the highway BR-101, which is considered as a benefit by many Brazilians.

The beach at the center of Itapema is called Meia Praia and extends about 3 miles. The beach differs from the one in Balneario Camboriu in that there is no road between the beach and the first block oc buildings. The main road through the city passes the beach one block away but is much broader and with a faster traffic rhythm.

The northern part of Itapema is more deserted and with less space for house developments since it becomes narrow between the highway BR-101 and the beach. Here is also the 9-hole golf court located, within the domain of a larger hotel.

Like Balneario Camboriu, most people live in apartments, but these are in general larger and the ambient is more open with lower buildings and more space between them. Itapema has become very popular amongst families with children and there are a lot more 3 BDR apartments than 2 BDR. Prices are in general 25% to 30% lower than in Balneario Camboriu, and it is still possible to buy an ocean front apartment to a decent price. And if you accept to walk a couple of hundred yards to get to the beach, it is possible to find very affordable homes.