The southern part of Santa Catarina coastline comprises several towns which are busy summer destinations. One of the most popular is Garopaba, a small town about 100km from Floripa. It has nice beaches, strong surf culture, and friendly people.
I often visit Garopaba and I spent the last weekend in the town. I like it because it is not too developed, but it still offering good and economic lodging, restaurants and other conveniences. There are no big resorts, luxury hotels or shopping centers and I hope there will never be.
The scenery is a feast for the eyes. There are 8 beaches, lagoons, dunes and hills covered with atlantic forest. Silveira and Ferrugem beaches are famous surfing points. Garopaba beach is the central one and popular with families. Vermelha beach is secluded. Garopaba also has a sizzling nightlife, more specifically in Ferrugem beach.
I stayed in a comfortable pousada called Basfak near the centre. The centre is good; there are beaches within range and good infrastructure to suit the basic needs.
Garopaba makes a good day trip from Floripa. It is not a summer getaway but a place to look for if you like parties, beautiful and young people, good surfing beaches or just a stretch of different sand.