Tubarão Travel Guide
City City in Santa Catarina, Brazil
Named after the Tubarão River, the city blends industrial history with riverfront promenades; travelers explore flood museums, nearby coastal beaches and regional seafood markets.
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Why Visit Tubarão? #
Located in southern Santa Catarina, this river valley city appeals to visitors who want a mix of inland charm and easy access to the coast. The town’s Azorean-influenced festivals and seafood-focused restaurants reflect its cultural roots, and nearby beaches like Laguna offer sandy escapes. Travelers come for a relaxed regional vibe, local seafood specialties and seasonal cultural events.
Best Things to Do in Tubarão
Tubarão Bucket List
- Museu Willy Zumblick - Museum dedicated to local artist Willy Zumblick, with paintings and regional history exhibits.
- Catedral São José - Downtown cathedral anchoring Tubarão's historic core and community events.
- Praça Vidal Ramos - Central plaza surrounded by shops, cafés and a relaxed urban atmosphere.
- Old textile workshops - Small family-run ateliers preserving traditional textile techniques and local crafts.
- River boardwalks - Quiet wooden walkways along the Tubarão River offering sunset views and fishing spots.
- Weekend artesanal markets - Local markets selling handicrafts, regional foods and live music on weekends.
- Laguna historic center - Coastal town with colonial architecture and Anita Garibaldi sites, about one hour away.
- Balneário Rincão beaches - Sandy beaches and surf breaks ideal for a seaside day trip from Tubarão.
Best Time to Visit Tubarão #
Tubarão's coastal-subtropical climate is best outside peak summer: March-May and June-August offer milder, drier weather for sightseeing and beach walks. Summer brings warmth, humidity, and occasional storms.
Best Time to Visit Tubarão #
Tubarão's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and mild winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 11°C to 29°C. Abundant rainfall (1439 mm/year), wettest in February.
January
January is warm with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is the warmest month with highs of 29°C and lows of 20°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (169 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is mild with highs of 28°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (143 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (124 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 12°C. Regular rainfall (93 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is the coolest month with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Regular rainfall (82 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (109 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (134 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is mild with highs of 24°C and lows of 15°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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November
November is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 16°C. Significant rainfall (104 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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December
December is mild with highs of 27°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (102 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Tubarão
Tubarão is accessed mainly by road from Florianópolis (FLN) or nearby regional airports (Criciúma/CCM). Intercity buses and regional taxis handle most passenger traffic; trains are not a mainstay.
Hercílio Luz International Airport (FLN): Florianópolis’ airport is the main gateway for Santa Catarina state; from FLN to Tubarão it’s about 70-100 km depending on route, with travel time of around 1-1.5 hours by car or intercity bus. Bus fares are typically BRL 15-40; taxis or app rides cost more (BRL 120-220).
Diomício Freitas/Forquilhinha Airport (CCM): Located near Criciúma, this regional airport (CCM) is closer to Tubarão (roughly 30-50 minutes by car). Taxis from CCM to Tubarão are quick and generally cost BRL 50-120 depending on exact pickup and time of day.
Train: Southern Santa Catarina has limited passenger rail services; train travel is not the primary public option into Tubarão.
Bus: Tubarão is well connected by intercity coaches to Florianópolis, Criciúma and other coastal cities. Travel times: Florianópolis ~1-1.5 hours; Criciúma ~30-60 minutes. Fares typically BRL 8-40 depending on operator and distance.
How to Get Around Tubarão #
Tubarão’s central district is easy to walk around, with shops and eateries close together. Local buses serve neighbourhoods and nearby towns; taxis and motorcycle taxis are available for evenings or quicker trips. Intercity bus lines connect Tubarão to other cities in Santa Catarina. If you plan to explore the region, renting a car is convenient for reaching beaches and countryside outside town.
Where to Stay in Tubarão #
- Local pousadas and guesthouses - Simple seaside inland stays available
- Airbnb rooms and studios - Budget private rentals
- Hotel Portal da Serra - Comfortable, family-run mid-range hotel
- Other mid-range local hotels (listings) - Good value, central locations
- Limited in-town luxury - Few luxury-brand hotels in Tubarão
- Luxury hotels in Florianópolis (regional) - Drive for premium beachfront resorts
Where to Eat in Tubarão #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Tubarão's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Tubarão #
Nightlife is modest and community-focused: local bars, restaurants and occasional live-music nights offer the main evening activities. There isn’t a big club scene, but you’ll find friendly spots to enjoy a drink or dinner. For a busier nightlife circuit, visit larger nearby towns along the coast.
Shopping in Tubarão #
Shopping in Tubarão centres on local shopping streets, small malls and weekly markets where you can buy clothing, household goods and regional products. Local bakeries and produce markets are worth checking out. For major brand stores or large malls, larger coastal cities in Santa Catarina offer more options.