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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Araranguá
Half a day to one night: see the Morro dos Conventos beach and the lagoons, then move on to Criciúma or the coast.
Araranguá is a small city in southern Santa Catarina, 20 km from the coast. Its main draw is Balneário Morro dos Conventos, a beach with a hill viewpoint, and a string of freshwater lagoons (Lagoa Mãe Luzia, Lagoa Dourada). Most travellers use it as a stop on BR-101 between Porto Alegre and Florianópolis, spending a few hours or one night.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Sep–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (cooler, fewer beach days)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 80–120 excl. bed · Mid R$ 150–250 excl. bed · High R$ 300+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee (cafézinho) | R$ 4–7 |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 6–10 |
| Lunch (prato feito) | R$ 18–30 |
| 5 km (3.1 mi) taxi3.1 mi (5 km) taxi | R$ 25–40 |
| Bus from Araranguá to Criciúma | R$ 8–12 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CCM · Diomício Freitas (Criciúma)
- About 30 km (19 mi) north; limited flights from São Paulo (GRU).About 19 mi (30 km) north; limited flights from São Paulo (GRU).
- FLN · Hercílio Luz (Florianópolis)
- About 170 km (106 mi) north; main gateway for the region.About 106 mi (170 km) north; main gateway for the region.
Typical fares
- Bus from Criciúma airport to Araranguá
- about R$ 25, about 40 min (check)
- Taxi centre → Morro dos Conventos
- R$ 35–50
- Bus Araranguá → Criciúma
- about R$ 10, about 30 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The city centre is walkable. To reach Morro dos Conventos (about 8 km (5 mi)) or the lagoons you need a car or taxi. Local buses run from the terminal.The city centre is walkable. To reach Morro dos Conventos (about 5 mi (8 km)) or the lagoons you need a car or taxi. Local buses run from the terminal.
See and do
Known for
- Balneário Morro dos Conventos
- Lagoa Mãe Luzia
- Lagoa Dourada
- Igreja Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Criciúma | Bus or car via BR-101, about 30 min | About 40 min |
| Sombrio | Bus or car via BR-101, about 20 min south | About 30 min |
| Imbituba | Car via BR-101, about 1 h north | About 1 h 15 min |
| Tubarão | Bus or car via BR-101, about 40 min north | About 50 min |
Sleep
- Centro
- Near the bus station and main square; basic hotels and pousadas.
- Balneário Morro dos Conventos
- Beachfront pousadas; quieter, more relaxed.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good day | Bom dia / Boa tardebom DEE-ah / BO-ah TAR-deh |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigadaoh-bree-GAH-doo / oh-bree-GAH-dah |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa?KWAN-too KOOS-tah |
| Where is the beach? | Onde fica a praia?ON-deh FEE-kah ah PRY-ah |
| I don't understand | Não entendonow en-TEN-doo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- BR-101 traffic can be heavy; allow extra time if driving.
- Lagoons are natural swimming spots but have no lifeguards.
- Check the tide at Morro dos Conventos; the beach is best at low tide.
Araranguá is generally safe for daytime visits. Keep valuables out of sight on the beach and lock your car. Avoid walking alone on empty stretches of beach after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Araranguá yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Balneário Morro dos Conventos
- Lagoa Mãe Luzia
- Lagoa Dourada
- Igreja Nossa Senhora Mãe dos Homens
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Araranguá, revision 5220619 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5220619
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ararangua). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.