Florianópolis guide · Campeche
Campeche guide: beach, island, trails and neighborhood life.
Photo: Wolfgang Unger / Unsplash
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Campeche is on the south side of Santa Catarina Island, between Rio Tavares and Armação. It has a long beach, a protected island right offshore, short trails and a neighborhood where you can handle the day on foot. Here is what is worth knowing, written by people who host here.
Campeche Beach.
Around 3 to 3.5 km of beach, with stretches that differ a lot from one another. Where you stay makes all the difference.
In front of the inn
Here the sea is very calm: Campeche Island, right offshore, shelters the beach. The swimming area is shallow for many meters and there is a lifeguard right in front of the inn's trail. It is the calmest stretch for swimming and for families with children.
Learning to surf
All the surf schools, which teach thousands of beginners every year, are right here in front. Lessons and board rental are arranged directly with the school; we do not list prices because they change.
Novo Campeche
Further south the beach is open ocean with soft sand, which makes it harder to run, cycle or swim. It is beautiful and quieter, but a different experience.
Kiosks and restaurants
Near Av. Pequeno Príncipe there are kiosks and restaurants. There are also very natural stretches with no facilities: bring water and shade.
Two lagoons near the inn.
Besides the beach, Campeche has lagoons for a quiet outing away from the sand.
Lagoa da Chica Park
It is 300 m from the inn, a few minutes on foot. Ask us how to get there.
Lagoa Pequena
About 2 km from the inn, a small lagoon with a lovely view and a deck. You can fish and jump in to swim. Take care, check the depth before jumping and keep an eye on children; confirm the rules on site.
Campeche Island.
The most wanted day trip in the area, and the most controlled one: it is a protected archaeological and scenic site.
- Permit: in the 2025/2026 season access was capped at 800 people per day, with an individual permit issued only through the city hall's official website (a R$ 15 fee per person that season). Check the current rules before you travel.
- Boat: boats leave from Campeche Beach itself, the shortest crossing, or from Armação and Barra da Lagoa. Confirm price, return time and meeting point with the operator.
- On the island: guided trails with a licensed monitor to the rock engravings, and snorkeling in clear water.
- It can close: access may be suspended in storms or rough seas. Keep a plan B.
Full details with sources are in our article (in Portuguese) Ilha do Campeche: como visitar.
Trails and views.
Two short walks, good for late afternoon and for seeing Campeche from above.
Campeche dunes
A trail of about 1.5 km and 25 minutes of easy walking, with views of Morro do Lampião and the sea. Fine with children and lovely near sunset.
Morro do Lampião
It starts on Rua Pau de Canela. The climb is short but steep, and the red soil gets slippery when wet. Sources differ on the time (from 30 minutes to over 1 hour): allow extra. Bring water, a hat and closed shoes, and watch for snakes.
After rain the Morro do Lampião path is slippery and takes longer. Check the forecast and postpone if the weather is unsettled.
More about the climb in our article (in Portuguese) Trilha do Morro do Lampião.
Eating and exploring the neighborhood.
Campeche has a life of its own beyond the sand: you can eat out on foot and spend a day without the car.
Organic market
Mondays and Fridays, with producers from the region. A good reason to walk around the neighborhood and pick up something fresh for the loft kitchen. Confirm the hours before you go.
Multi Open Shopping
An open-air mall on Rod. Dr. Antônio Luiz Moura Gonzaga, with about 25 venues across dining, cinema and services, and a terrace overlooking Campeche Island.
Oka and Kubo
Oka combines shops, food and a pool with a gourmet kiosk. Kubo became a meeting point with live music, in what locals call Baixo Campeche.
Galeria NC
On R. Nicolau João de Abreu: a restaurant, brewery, crêperie, burger place, ice cream shop and sushi, Japanese and Mexican options in one spot.
Every loft has a full kitchen: with markets and bakeries nearby, a simple breakfast or dinner is easy. We do not serve meals.
What is nearby.
Campeche is a good base for the south and for the rest of the island. Reference drive times without traffic.
| Destination | Reference | Worth it for |
|---|---|---|
| Hercílio Luz Airport | about 10 min | Easy arrival and departure by Uber or 99 |
| Morro das Pedras | a few minutes | Open ocean, rocky shore and a viewpoint |
| Lagoa do Peri | about 10 to 15 min | Freshwater lagoon surrounded by forest |
| Armação | about 10 to 15 min | Fishing village and boat departures |
| Downtown Florianópolis | about 15 to 20 min without traffic | Historic center, market and services |
Getting here and around.
Easy to reach, easy to stay without a car.
- From the airport or bus terminal: Uber and 99 serve the area easily.
- By car: your car is parked inside Campeche Lofts' grounds, which have an electric gate and cameras.
- On foot: the beach is 150 m away, and markets, bakeries and restaurants are a few blocks off.
To plan your departure time and route, use the trip planner (in Portuguese).
Routes on Google Maps, from the inn: Centro · Aeroporto · Armação · Lagoa do Peri
Frequently asked questions
Is Campeche Beach good for children?
In front of the inn, yes: the sea is calm (Campeche Island shelters the beach), the swimming area is shallow for many meters and there is a lifeguard right in front of the trail. In Novo Campeche the sea is open and the sand soft, which is a different experience.
Are there lagoons near the inn?
Yes. Lagoa da Chica Park is 300 m from the inn. There is also Lagoa Pequena, about 2 km away, with a lovely view, a deck, fishing and spots to jump in and swim.
Can I walk from the inn to the boat for Campeche Island?
Yes: boats leave from Campeche Beach itself, 150 m from the inn. You need the city hall permit, which is individual and limited per day.
How long is the Campeche dunes trail?
About 1.5 km, around 25 minutes of easy walking, with views of Morro do Lampião and the sea.
When is the Campeche organic market?
Mondays and Fridays, with producers from the region. Hours change, so confirm before you go.
Do I need a car to stay in Campeche?
No. The beach, the market, the groceries and many restaurants are on foot. For the rest of the island Uber and 99 work well, and guests who drive have parking inside the grounds.
Sources
- Cover photo: Wolfgang Unger / Unsplash
- Accor Limitless — O que fazer na Praia do Campeche · accessed October 12, 2026
- Mala de Aventuras — Praia do Campeche: o guia do paraíso · accessed October 12, 2026
- Lonely Planet — Praia do Campeche · accessed October 12, 2026
- MySide — Como é morar no Campeche · accessed October 12, 2026
- Campeche Lofts blog — Ilha do Campeche: como visitar (Portuguese) · reviewed October 4, 2026
- Campeche Lofts blog — Trilha do Morro do Lampião (Portuguese) · reviewed October 8, 2026
Hours, access rules and fees change from one season to the next. Confirm recent information before you go.
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