Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí are so close to each other that skipping any of them on a Santa Catarina coast itinerary is a waste of mileage. The maximum distance—from Balneário Camboriú to Bombinhas—is just 31 km, and Itajaí is a ten-minute drive from downtown Balneário. With a fixed base in Balneário Camboriú, you can fit in urban beaches, crystal-clear water diving, and port-side dining without switching hotels.
Set aside 5 to 7 days to enjoy all three cities without rushing—3 days in Balneário Camboriú, 2 in Bombinhas (day trip or overnight), and 1 in Itajaí, with a spare day to revisit what you liked most.
How to get to Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí
The nearest airport is Navegantes (NVT), 15 km from Balneário Camboriú. An Uber or transfer ride to downtown Balneário Camboriú costs between R$ 40 and R$ 70 (Jul/2026, check the app). Florianópolis (FLN), 80 km to the south, often has cheaper flights and is worth it if you rent a car—which is highly recommended for this itinerary.
By car, the BR-101 highway connects all three cities. Leaving Balneário Camboriú, Itajaí is to the north (10 km, 12 minutes) and Bombinhas to the south (31 km, 34 minutes via Porto Belo). Without a car, Viação Praiana runs buses between Balneário Camboriú and Bombinhas for R$ 2 to R$ 4, but the trip takes about 2 hours with stops. For Itajaí, any city bus gets you there in 20 minutes.
Best time to visit and how many days to stay
High season runs from December to March, with crowded beaches, prices up to 40% higher, and heavy traffic on the BR-101. If diving in Bombinhas is your goal, prefer January and February, when water visibility reaches 15 meters. For lower prices and empty beaches, October–November and April offer pleasant temperatures (22 °C to 26 °C) and calm seas.
In summer, leave Balneário Camboriú for Bombinhas before 8am—after 9am, the line at the peninsula entrance can exceed 1 hour.
The ideal itinerary is 5 to 7 days: 3 full days for Balneário Camboriú (Unipraias, Cristo Luz, Interpraias Road, nightlife), 2 for Bombinhas (beaches, diving, Mirante Eco 360°), and 1 for Itajaí (Praia Brava, Public Market, Cabeçudas). The seventh day works as a spare to revisit favorite beaches or fit in a day trip to Penha (Beto Carrero World).
What to do in each city
Balneário Camboriú: skyscrapers, cable car, and a lively nightlife
Unipraias Park is the postcard attraction: the cable car connects Barra Sul to Praia de Laranjeiras, passing over the Atlantic Forest with ocean views. Along the way, the intermediate station has a zip line and a toboggan. Tickets cost around R$ 120 (Jul/2026, check the official website). The Interpraias Road leads to less accessible beaches like Taquarinhas and Estaleirinho—there are 6 beaches along 10 km of road between hills.
At night, Cristo Luz offers a light show projected onto the statue’s arm. The drive or van ride up to the viewpoint at 100 meters high reveals Balneário Camboriú lit up from end to end. For those who want to include dinner, the night tour with dinner at Cristo Luz combines transportation, a meal, and the show.
Bombinhas: transparent-water beaches and diving
Praia da Sepultura is Bombinhas’ most famous spot and lives up to the hype: the shallow, transparent water lets you see fish and starfish without any gear. Get there early, because the nearby parking lot fills up before 10am in summer. Praia de Quatro Ilhas, just a few meters ahead, has bigger waves and a postcard view with four islands on the horizon.
For scuba diving, local operators take you to Ilha do Arvoredo (Marine Biological Reserve), where visibility reaches 20 meters between January and March. Mirante Eco 360° sits on top of the hill and has a zip line and a trail—the name doesn’t exaggerate, the view covers the entire peninsula. If you only have 1 day, focus on Sepultura in the morning and diving in Bombinhas or the viewpoint in the afternoon.
Itajaí: the neighbor few explore
Itajaí is usually just the airport city for most tourists, but it has attractions that deserve at least a day. Praia Brava, on the border with Balneário Camboriú, is a surfing hotspot with consistent waves and beach bars. Itajaí’s Public Market, downtown, has fresh seafood stalls and restaurants where you can eat a shrimp feast for less than in Balneário Camboriú. The Santíssimo Sacramento Mother Church and the Itajaí-Açu River waterfront make for a nice late-afternoon stroll.
How to combine all three cities in one itinerary
The secret is to use Balneário Camboriú as a fixed base and take day trips to the neighbors. With a car, the longest drive (Balneário Camboriú → Bombinhas) is no more than 35 minutes outside high season. Here’s the day-by-day suggestion:
Days 1–3 (Balneário Camboriú): Praia Central and Barra Sul on the first day; Unipraias + Praia de Laranjeiras on the second; Interpraias Road on the third, ending with Cristo Luz at night.
Days 4–5 (Bombinhas): Sepultura and Quatro Ilhas on the fourth day; diving or Mirante Eco 360° on the fifth. Those who prefer to overnight in Bombinhas save driving time and gain the sunset at Praia da Lagoinha.
Day 6 (Itajaí): Praia Brava in the morning, lunch at the Public Market, a walk through the historic center. You can combine it with the trip to Navegantes if your return flight is the next day.
Day 7 (wildcard): repeat your favorite beach or squeeze in Penha (Beto Carrero World, 19 miles north of BC).
Where to Eat on the Santa Catarina Coast
In Balneário Camboriú, Avenida Atlântica and Barra Sul concentrate seafood restaurants and international cuisine. Prices are the highest in the region—expect to pay R$ 80 to R$ 150 per person for a shrimp dinner. To save money, the kiosks along Praia Central serve generous portions for half the price.
Itajaí’s Mercado Público is where the locals eat: a shrimp feast for R$ 50 to R$ 70 per person (Jul/2026), well below BC prices.
In Bombinhas, the restaurants on Praia de Bombas and Praia de Bombinhas serve grilled fish and fresh oysters. Since the town is smaller, places tend to close earlier—don’t count on options after 10 PM outside of summer.
Where to Stay: Base in BC or Split Your Stay
Staying in Balneário Camboriú for the whole itinerary is the most practical option: the city has the widest range of hotels, from hostels on Praia Central (from R$ 80/night) to resorts in Barra Sul. The central location makes day trips to Bombinhas and Itajaí easy without switching hotels.
If you’d rather wake up on the prettiest beach, split your stay: 4 nights in BC and 2 in Bombinhas. Guesthouses in Bombinhas cost R$ 150 to R$ 300/night in high season (check booking sites) and sit just steps from Praia da Sepultura or Quatro Ilhas. For those looking to explore the north coast of Santa Catarina in high season, this combo offers the best of both worlds.
Practical Tips for the Itinerary
Rent a car: it’s the difference between making the most of your trip and wasting time. The bus works, but it seriously limits your itinerary, especially for Bombinhas and the beaches along Rodovia Interpraias. Rental agencies in Navegantes and BC offer daily rates from R$ 100 (Jul/2026, compare on booking sites).
Sunscreen and early starts: the Santa Catarina sun is intense even on cloudy days. In Bombinhas, arriving before 8 AM guarantees parking at Sepultura and no lines to enter the peninsula in summer.
Cash: some beach kiosks and smaller guesthouses in Bombinhas still don’t accept cards. Bring at least R$ 200 in cash for emergencies.
Visas: Brazilians don’t need a visa (domestic travel). For international visitors, check Brazil’s entry requirements on the Itamaraty website.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Balneário Camboriú to Bombinhas without a car?
Viação Praiana runs buses from Balneário Camboriú to Bombinhas for R$ 2 to R$ 4. The trip takes about 2 hours with stops. Another option is tourist vans that pick you up at your hotel, tour Bombinhas’ beaches, and drop you back off in the late afternoon—prices run around R$ 80 to R$ 120 per person (Jul/2026, confirm with local operators).
How many days do I need to see Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí?
The ideal itinerary for Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí takes 5 to 7 days: 3 days for BC, 2 for Bombinhas, and 1 for Itajaí, plus a wildcard day to repeat favorite spots or add nearby towns like Penha.
Is it worth renting a car for this Santa Catarina coast itinerary?
Renting a car for the Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí route is absolutely worth it. The three cities are at most 19 miles apart via the BR-101, and a car lets you reach beaches like those along Rodovia Interpraias that have no public transit. Daily rates start at R$ 100 from agencies in Navegantes and BC.
What else is there to do in Itajaí besides passing through the airport?
Itajaí deserves at least one full day on your itinerary. Praia Brava has strong waves and beachfront bars, the Mercado Público serves fresh seafood at prices below Balneário Camboriú, and the historic center is home to the Igreja Matriz do Santíssimo Sacramento and the Itajaí-Açu riverfront, perfect for a late-afternoon stroll.
What’s the best time of year to go diving in Bombinhas?
The best time for diving in Bombinhas is between January and March, when water visibility reaches 15–20 meters. Local operators run trips to Ilha do Arvoredo, a Marine Biological Reserve teeming with marine life. Outside that window, surface snorkeling at Praia da Sepultura works year-round.
For another quick Brazilian getaway, check out our Campos do Jordão guide, covering winter, costs, and free activities.
Conclusion
Combining Balneário Camboriú, Bombinhas, and Itajaí in one itinerary is the smartest way to experience the Santa Catarina coast: you switch scenery every day without driving more than 19 miles. BC delivers infrastructure and nightlife, Bombinhas guarantees the region’s most beautiful beaches, and Itajaí surprises with affordable dining and surf beaches most people overlook. Build your route with a home base in Balneário, rent a car, and give yourself at least 5 free days—the Santa Catarina coast rewards those who take their time. For more Southern Brazil itineraries, keep following VoyageVoyage.