Two Days in Penha: Beaches, Beto Carrero and the Best Base for Santa Catarina's Coast

How to spend 48 hours in Penha, from Praia Grande to the Morro do Vigia, plus where to stay and which nearby beaches are worth the drive.

Day One Morning: Praia Grande and the Penha Waterfront

Penha sits on the north coast of Santa Catarina, roughly 110 kilometres north of Florianópolis along the BR-101 and about 75 kilometres south of Joinville. Most visitors arrive by car; the town has no commercial airport, so the nearest gateways are Navegantes (about 20 minutes across the Itajaí-Açu) and Florianópolis (around 1 hour 40 minutes in light traffic). Stay near Praia Grande, the long Atlantic beach that defines the town, and you can walk to breakfast, the sand and the seafood restaurants around the Praia Grande waterfront without moving the car.

Start early on Praia Grande, a wide, open stretch of sand with steady surf that suits walking and bodyboarding more than calm swimming. The beach runs for several kilometres, and the quieter southern end near the Praia Vermelha access is where local families tend to settle. Mid-morning, walk or drive up to the Morro do Vigia, the small hill above the town with a chapel and a viewpoint over the coastline; the climb is short but steep in the heat. Skip the midday sun on the sand and eat lunch at one of the simple restaurants serving grilled fish and shrimp in Penha centre.

Day One Afternoon and Evening: Beto Carrero World and the Seafood Circuit

Beto Carrero World, on the northern edge of Penha along the Rodovia Beto Carrero, is the reason many families choose this town. The park is large enough to fill a full day, so if you are only here for 48 hours, decide in advance: either give it a whole day, or skip it and treat Penha as a beach base. If you go, buy tickets in advance, arrive at opening, and plan the shows around the rides. Allow 15 to 20 minutes to drive from the central beaches, and expect heavy traffic on the access road in high season.

Evenings in Penha are low-key. The restaurant strip along Avenida Nereu Ramos and the streets behind Praia Grande fills with families eating shrimp pastel, grilled fish and the local Sequência de Camarão, a succession of shrimp dishes served in stages. This is a shared, slow meal; do not book it if you have an early start. Winter evenings are cool enough for a jacket, summer ones stay warm until late. Book a hotel within walking distance of this strip if you want to avoid driving after dinner, as taxis are limited.

Day Two: Praia Vermelha, Armação and the Boat to the Islands

A short drive north of Penha, Praia Vermelha do Norte is calmer and shallower than Praia Grande, which makes it better for small children. Continue a little further to the fishing neighbourhood of Armação, where the boats tie up along the river mouth and the pace drops. The drive from Praia Grande is only 10 to 15 minutes, but parking fills fast on summer weekends. Skip the souvenir shops along the main access road and spend the time on the sand instead; they sell the same items you will find near Beto Carrero.

If the water is calm, consider a short boat trip from the Penha or Armação waterfront to the islands and beaches across the bay, including the sheltered coves near Bombinhas. These trips run on weather-dependent schedules and are not something to book far ahead. Alternatively, drive 30 minutes south to Bombinhas for a half-day of clear, snorkel-friendly water and return to Penha for dinner. I would choose Bombinhas on a weekday and stay put at Praia Vermelha on weekends, when the road to Bombinhas clogs.

Where to Stay and When to Go

For two nights, I would book a hotel within walking distance of Praia Grande, ideally between the beach and the restaurant strip on Avenida Nereu Ramos, so you can combine beach time and Beto Carrero without long transfers. Hotels here range from simple pousadas to larger family resorts; in high season, rooms near the park sell out weeks ahead. If you mainly want the park, stay on the northern side near the Rodovia Beto Carrero. If you mainly want the beach, the central Praia Grande area is the better base.

December to February is hot, crowded and the most expensive time to visit, with temperatures near 30°C and regular afternoon showers. March and April are quieter, still warm, and cheaper, while June to August is cool and often grey; the park is quieter then but the beach is not at its best. Book accommodation directly through a local partner to confirm parking and walking distances before you commit, especially if you are travelling with children or arriving late from Navegantes airport.

Questions, answered

How do I get to Penha without a car?

There is no commercial airport in Penha. Most travellers fly into Navegantes, about 20 minutes away, or Florianópolis, roughly 1 hour 40 minutes by road. Buses connect the region, but a car makes visiting the beaches and Beto Carrero World much easier.

Is Penha a good base for a Santa Catarina beach holiday?

Yes, if you want a family beach plus Beto Carrero World nearby. Praia Grande is wide and open, and Praia Vermelha do Norte is calmer for children. For quieter, clearer water, Bombinhas is 30 minutes south and worth a day trip.

How much time should I allow for Beto Carrero World?

A full day is realistic, especially in high season when queues build. Arrive at opening, buy tickets in advance and plan shows around the main rides. If your trip is only 48 hours long, decide whether the park or the beach is your priority.

What is the Sequência de Camarão and where do I eat it?

It is a staged shrimp meal served in several courses, common in the restaurants around Praia Grande and Penha centre. It is a slow, shared dinner rather than a quick bite, so avoid booking it before an early start or a park day.

When is the best time to visit Penha?

March and April offer warm weather, fewer crowds and lower rates than the December to February peak. Summer is hot and busy, while June to August is cooler and quieter, which suits the park more than the beach.

Do I need to book a hotel in advance for Penha?

In high season, yes. Hotels near Praia Grande and the Beto Carrero access road fill weeks ahead in December and January. Booking directly with a local partner lets you confirm parking and walking distance to the beach before you commit.

Which beach near Penha is best for children?

Praia Vermelha do Norte, just north of Penha, is calmer and shallower than Praia Grande. Parking fills quickly on summer weekends, so arrive early. Praia Grande suits walking and bodyboarding more than supervised swimming with small children.

What should I skip on a two-day visit to Penha?

Skip the souvenir shops along the park access road, and do not try to combine Beto Carrero World with a full beach day. The road to Bombinhas also clogs at weekends, so save that trip for a weekday if your schedule allows.

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