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Balneário Camboriú packs its attractions along a 7 km beachfront and up the two hills that frame it, Morro da Aguada and Morro da Cruz. The headline activity is the Unipraias cable car that climbs 240 metres over Atlantic rainforest to a beach on the far side of the hill, and it pairs with a cluster of aquariums, a Ferris wheel and Latin America’s biggest theme park within a 40 minute drive. Here is what to do, with prices in Brazilian reais (R$). For more seasonal context, see our Balneário Camboriú weather by month guide.
Things to Do in Balneário Camboriú: The Beaches
Praia Central (Central Beach)
Praia Central is the 7 km urban beach that runs the length of the city, backed by the high-rise skyline and a wide boardwalk. It is free, has lifeguard stations in summer, and is where the Réveillon fireworks and carnival stages are set up. The north end near Pontal Norte is calmer, while the south end by Barra Sul has the cable car station and the Molhe pier. It is the anchor of our Balneário Camboriú travel guide.
Praia de Laranjeiras
Laranjeiras is a small green cove on the far side of Morro da Aguada, reachable in about 10 minutes on the Unipraias cable car (the ticket covers the return) or by a much longer drive. The water here is calmer than on the open Praia Central, which makes it a better choice for children, and there are beach chairs, umbrellas and food kiosks on the sand. Your cable car ticket lets you stay on the beach all day and ride back whenever you want.
Praia das Taquaras and Taquarinhas
About 8 to 10 km south of the centre, Taquaras and its smaller neighbour Taquarinhas are quieter, more residential beaches with cleaner water and fewer buildings. They sit past the Interpraias road and are best reached by car or taxi. These are the beaches to pick when you want to get away from the high-rise front and swim without the summer crowds; our Balneário Camboriú neighborhoods guide covers the southern stretch in detail.
Praia dos Amores and Praia Brava
On the north side of the city, Praia dos Amores and the neighbouring Praia Brava (technically in Itajaí) are surf and lookout beaches with bigger waves than Praia Central. Praia dos Amores is home to the Felissimo and Infinity Blue hotels and is a popular spot for watching the sunrise over the sea. Both are a short drive or taxi from the centre. For how to get there and taxi costs, check our Balneário Camboriú travel tips.
Things to Do in Balneário Camboriú: Cable Car and Viewpoints
Parque Unipraias (the Cable Car)
The Unipraias cable car links three stations: Barra Sul (Avenida Atlântica 6006), the Mata Atlântica park on Morro da Aguada at 240 metres, and the beach at Laranjeiras. The round-trip bondinho ticket costs R$80 for ages 11 to 59, R$40 for children 6 to 10 and seniors over 60, and is free for children under 5. The park opens daily from 9:00 to 19:00 (hours can extend in January), with the ticket office and boarding closing one hour earlier. The middle station has walking trails, viewpoints, a Casa do Chocolate and paid extras: the Youhooo! mountain sled, the ZipRider zipline (R$78) and the Fantástica Floresta. Allow at least three hours for the full loop, and arrive by 9:30 to skip the Barra Sul queue.
Cristo Luz
Cristo Luz is a 33 metre illuminated Christ statue on Morro da Cruz, at Rua Indonésia 800 in the Nações district. It is open Monday to Saturday from 16:00 to midnight and Sundays and holidays from 10:00 to midnight, with the lights switched on at 19:00 (20:00 from December to March). Entry costs R$80 for adults (R$64 with the online coupon) and R$44 for children and seniors, and a free shuttle runs from Avenida Brasil on the hour. Go before sunset and stay until the lights come on for the full effect of the colour show over the city.
Morro do Careca
Morro do Careca is a bare, rounded hill on the south side that is a launch point for paragliding and a free lookout over Praia Central and Barra Sul. Tandem paragliding flights run from here with local operators, and the hill is a short drive from the centre. It is a good budget alternative to the cable car if you just want the view, though there is no lift, only a road to the top.
Things to Do in Balneário Camboriú: Family Attractions
Oceanic Aquarium
The Oceanic Aquarium at Rua 4000, 133 in Barra Sul is the largest aquarium in southern Brazil, with about 170 species including otters, penguins, sharks, anacondas, caimans and capybaras. It is open every day, Monday to Friday 9:00 to 18:00 (entry until 17:00) and weekends and holidays 9:00 to 19:00 (entry until 18:00). Tickets cost R$99.90 full (R$79.90 bought in advance online) and R$49.90 half-price; a combo pass covers the neighbouring Classic Car Show, Aventura Pirata, 3D cinema (R$39.90) and Aventura Jurássica. This is the best indoor option on a rainy afternoon, and it ties in with our events in Balneário Camboriú notes on summer crowds.
FG Big Wheel (Roda Gigante FG)
The FG Big Wheel is the Ferris wheel near Praia dos Amores that doubles as a giant countdown clock on Réveillon. Outside New Year’s it runs as a sightseeing wheel with a free light show at sunset, starting around 18:00 in winter and 19:00 in summer. Tickets are sold on site, and the ride gives a straight-on view of the skyline that you cannot get from street level.
Aventura Jurássica
Part of the Oceanic complex in Barra Sul, Aventura Jurássica is a dinosaur-themed walk-through park aimed at younger children, with animatronic dinosaurs along a trail. It runs on the same daily 9:00 to 19:00 hours as the aquarium and is included in the multi-attraction pass, which is cheaper than buying each ticket separately.
Things to Do in Balneário Camboriú: A Theme Park Day Trip
Beto Carrero World
Beto Carrero World is the largest theme park in Latin America, in Penha about 38 km (40 minutes) north of the city on the BR-101. The one-day passport starts around R$159.90 (full gate price R$349) and covers more than 100 rides plus daily shows like Madagascar Circus Show, Fast and Furious and Cowboy Dream, along with a zoo. The park usually runs 10:00 to 20:00, with the ticket office opening at 8:00, and it is not open every day, so check the official calendar before going. Transfers and combined ticket packages leave from hotels along the Balneário Camboriú seafront. For where to base yourself for the trip, see our where to stay in Balneário Camboriú guide, and for timing advice read the best time to visit Balneário Camboriú.
