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<map lat='-27.6' lng='-48.6' zoom='10' view='0' />
Flag of Brazil
State: Santa Catarina
Population: 421,203
Licence plate: SC Florianópolis
Major roads: BR 101
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Florianópolis is the second largest city in the state of Santa Catarina in the south of Brazil. Most of the city, including its centre is located on the Island of Santa Catarina which is connected with the mainland by bridge.

Hitchhiking out

South towards Criciúma and Porto Alegre (BR-101)

From the Terminal Centro bus station take a bus to Palhoça. They leave from the end of platform C and cost 4.50 reais. There are a few lines so ask for the one going close to Posto Catarinão. Get off at the last stop, walk straight under the motorway and turn right (north). You will see the Shell sign from the bus stop. You can ask around or hitch at the entrance to the motorway which has a wide merge lane.

North towards Curitiba and São Paulo (BR-101)

Hitching spots

There really isn't an ideal place to hitch from. However, we've tried a few options such as a speed bump, a gas station and a Police Station (PRF).

Just before the highway

There is a speed bump right before where Rua Leoberto Leal joins with the main highway. Right after the bump is a small space that a car could pull over in to stop without blocking traffic. And then just after that is the entrance ramp to the main highway. Any bus headed towards Biguaçu should bring you here.

Gas station

Another option is to stay on the bus to Biguaçu until the end of the line. There is a small gas station here. Most traffic here is not going far and many cars are just turning around to head back into the city 500 meters up the road. But about 8.7 kilometers up the road is a nice sized gas station with easy on/off access from the highway. Any vehicle not turning around should pass it as it is before the turn for Governador Celso Ramos. (Definitely helps though if you speak Portuguese to explain what you want to drivers.)

Federal Highway Police Station (PRF)

Some local hitchhikers usually prefer to hitch nearby the PRF's. There's one just after the town of Biguaçu and before the town of Governador Celso Ramos (-27.470548, -48.641283). To get here, take a bus to Terminal Central (TICEN) within Florianópolis island, and then walk to the former bus station (be aware this is NOT the city's bus station - the one you should go to is located next to the Municipal Market). From the former bus station, take a bus towards Governador Celso Ramos, Armação or Palmas. As of Nov 2018, the bus to Governador Celso Ramos will cost you R$ 8,10. All the 3 mentioned buses should drive you past the PRF that you want to stand hitchhiking. So, either you ask the bus driver to let you know when you pass by the "Polícia Rodoviária"; you look it up on your phone's map; or you pay attention to what you see outside from the right windows. 100 meters after the PRF is the bus stop where you want to get off.

Once you got your first ride

Once you got on your first ride out of Florianópolis region towards Curitiba, if they're only driving you for some kilometers (like to the town of Balneário Camboriú for instance), ask them to get off at Itapema PRF (yes, there's another PRF there which is usually a nice spot to hitch from towards Curitiba as well).

West towards Foz do Iguaçu (BR-282)

To avoid the crowded BR-101, you can go via the beautiful interior of Santa Catarina via BR-282. To do so, take a public bus to Aguas Mornas and start hitching in the roundabout. Take your time, enjoy the scenery and relaxed people, far from the fear and stress of big cities!

Public transport

From the Terminal Centro you can take a bus to other parts of the island for as little as 2.75 reais. There are five more terminals on the island and as long as you don't leave the terminal you can jump on another bus without buying additional ticket.