After four months in the the Middle East (read about our Iraqi adventures here) and Africa (learn how we road-tripped through South Africa for 41 days here), November marked a new chapter of our world trip: we crossed the Atlantic to explore South America. Our first stop? Brazil and the “Magic Island” of Florianópolis, also called Floripa. With its green landscapes, paradise beaches and beachlife culture, it was the perfect spot to kick off our Brazilian adventure.

A jungle trek to Praia de Naufragados
For our first full day on the “Magic Island” of Florianópolis, our host and new friend Thiago recommended one of the island’s most remote beaches in the south. His suggestion led us to the isolated Praia de Naufragados, which can only be reached by trail or boat.
There’s a convenient paid parking right at the entrance to the trail, “Caminhos dos Naufragados e do Farol.” From there, our hike began with a steady 15-minute ascent, followed by a 45-minute descent through a dense jungle and a rocky riverbed. What we thought would be a “small walk,” as Thiago’s friend had casually described it, turned into a 2.5-kilometer trek through winding paths of the dense Atlantic Forest. After days of heavy rain, the trail was muddy and slippery. As a result, the trail felt like a mini-adventure. But we didn’t mind one bit. Once again, we felt like Indiana Jones in this wild forest. After about an hour, we finally emerged onto the shores of Shipwrecked Beach.
Praia de Naufragados has many different facets: it’s either a calm haven with crystal-clear waters or a thrilling surfer’s paradise with powerful, crashing waves. When we arrived there, the sea was quite rough after rainy and windy days. Nevertheless, we got a beautiful view at this secluded beach.
Instead of completing the full roundtrip as recommended, we retraced our steps back along the same path. This way, our day trip was less exhausting. We encountered a mix of hikers; couples, groups of friends, and even families with young children.




Refreshing with pastels and caldo de cana
We couldn’t resist the opportunity to try our first fresh pastéis, a popular Brazilian street food. These golden, crispy pastries are made from a thin dough, filled with a variety of savory or sweet ingredients, and deep-fried to perfection. The result? A delightfully crunchy treat with a warm, flavorful filling. Stefano enjoyed his first pastel so much that he immediately went back for seconds!


On our way back, we made a quick stop at a charming little pastelaria, Caldo the Cana Seu Pedro e Dona Marmita, to try another Brazilian classic: caldo de cana. It’s a freshly pressed sugarcane juice. This popular local drink is naturally sweet and refreshing, often served with a splash of lime to cut through the sweetness. What’s particularly fascinating, though, is how it’s made. You’ll frequently spot roadside vendors using loud, oversized machines to crush thick sugarcane stalks with impressive force. That creates a little spectacle.
A warm welcome to Brazil
With our Couchsurfing friends Thiago and Marcus by our side, this was the perfect way to kick off our Brazilian adventure. The “magical island” of Florianópolis offers everything to set tone for our Brazilian explorations: adventure in exceptional landscapes, culture and delicacies. Now, all we needed was some sunshine to fully enjoy the island’s beach life, even if just for a day.
Stay tuned for more stories from our South American exploration!

Leave a Reply