Its name, which means Beautiful Port, has not been given just out of the blue. Beautiful beaches, the greens of the Atlantic Forest, an island and a natural port build the scenery of one of the most beautiful places in the coast of Santa Catarina.

With a population of 8,000 inhabitants (during the summer, Porto Belo receives more than 100,000 tourists), until today, it maintains the typical style of its houses, fishing nets and boats and fishermen villages it inherited from its Azorean colonizers. Many folkloric festivals such as Boi-de-Mamao, Terno-de-Reis (celebration of the three kings), Pau-de-Fita and Cross Burning are living examples of the Azorean culture.

900 kilometers far from the continent, visitors will find the Porto Belo Island. The island counts on a harbor, typical restaurant, beach shacks and ecological trail. It has been the land base of the Shürmann family and visitors may enjoy the family’s Adventure House. During the summer, more than 90 thousand people visit the island. There is a maximum number of people per day (1870) so that the biodiversity is kept intact and the Atlantic Forest may, with time, recover its exuberance.

For its geographical location and natural beauties, Porto Belo has been used as docking site for large vacation cruisers. For the next summer, 37 ships are schedule to dock in Porto Belo. The Yacht Club is one of the largest three in the state. A large number of schooners are available for tourist trips.

Translation: Maria Cecília Pastorelli.
Picture: Lysandro Lima
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