CoastGIS 2009

Direction

There are several destination flights to Brazil. Nevertheless, most of the flights arrive either in São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. Regardless the entrance point to Brazil, one must fly straight to Florianópolis (the capital of Santa Catarina, where the state’s main airport is situated), Joinville or Navegantes. For the last two destinations, there are only a few daily flights, which makes it hard to find good connection flights. From these cities, you shall use ground transport as follows:

- By Plane: To get to Itajaí from abroad, you should first take a flight to Florianópolis (Hercílio Luz Airport) or to Navegantes and then take a terrestrial transportation (explained latter on).

Hercílio Luz International Airport is located in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Southern Brazil. The airport is well served by domestic flights, specially from Brazil's two most important gateway ports: Rio de Janeiro (Antônio Carlos Jobim Int'l Airport) and São Paulo (Gov. André Franco Montoro Int'l Airport) and by international flights from Mercosul countries. All big Brazilian air companies have daily direct flights or with scales taking off and landing in Florianópolis, beyond the International Company Aerolíneas Argentinas.

Hercílio Luz Airport, managed by Infraero, has capacity for 600 passengers/hour and is being extended to support 1000 passengers/hour. It is distant, more or less, 40 km from north beaches in Florianópolis and 12 km of the center.

The Airport of the city of Navegantes is also a good option to arrive near Itajaí, distant approximately 21km.

- By car: The access is made by the coast through the federal highway BR-101, most of the BR-101 is already duplicated. The same highway is the main reference for the ones that come from the South, as Porto Alegre or Montevidéu, in Uruguay. You will pass by the cities of Passo de Torres, Araranguá, Laguna, Imbituba, Paulo Lopes, Palhoça, Florianópolis, São José, Itapema and Balneário Camboríu.

To the ones that comes from Curitiba, Porto Alegre or São Paulo another option is the highway BR-116 (Régis Bittencourt). From west of Santa Catarina, Argentina and the half south of Chile, the most used way is the BR-282, in the countryside of the state. From the Paraguayan capital Assunción or neighboring cities, the alternative is the highways of the countryside fo the Paraná stae until Curitiba.

- By Bus: In order to take a bus to Itajaí, the best option is heading, by taxi, from the airports to Florianópolis or Navegantes Bus Station. The Catarinense Bus Company provide regular lines from Navegantes and Floranópolis to Itajaí.

From Florianópolis to Itajaí (about 90km far through BR-101 highway)

- By bus: Take a taxi from the airport to Paulo Fontes Ave., in the northmost part of the island, where the Rita Maria Bus Station is. A taxi ride shall cost around R$35,00.

- By car:

Go to Google maps

From Joinville to Itajaí (about 70km far through BR-101 highway)

- By bus: Joinville's main bus station is located on Paraíba St., Anita Garibaldi district. The station works 24/7, but the timetable for buying tickets varies according to the bus company. Further information: (48) 3212-3100.

- By car:

Go to Google maps

From Navegantes to Itajaí

- By ferryboat: You may use the ferryboat to cross the Itajaí-Açu river and get to the city center within less than 5 minutes by foot.

- By car: there are basically two ways you can go from Navegantes to Itajaí by car. You can also use the ferryboat or you can take the BR-470 highway towards West and then the BR-101 highway, heading South (about 20km).

Shuttle

A shuttle service is offered upon request for those coming from Florianópolis and Navegantes. Further information on values, schedules and departure/arrival locations will be available soon.

Passport and Visa

A valid passport and in some cases a visa is required to travel to Brazil to citizens of countries that impose the same restriction to Brazilian citizens. Please check here for a list of countries whose citizens do not need a visa to travel to Brazil. For example, a visa is required for U.S. and Canadian citizens. In this case, please visit the Brazilian Embassy website in your country. For further information about visa application requirements, contact your travel agent or a local Brazilian Consulate office.

More info

- Itajaí’s City Hall website - main distances (in Portuguese)
- Fundação Itajaiense de Turismo - Itajaí’s Tourism Foundation (in Portuguese)
- Guia Santa Catarina - touristic services contacts (in Portuguese)
- Infraero - public company responsible for Brazilian airports (in English)

National

International