For most travelers, the south of Brazil is one of the last places on the itinerary and it often never makes it on at all. But if you manage to squeeze in a visit to this vast and curious part of the country, this itinerary is designed to show you the best of the south in a fairly short period of time. In 10 days, you’ll visit the incredible island of Florianópolis, work your way up the Emerald Coast, visit the German communities on the hillsides of Santa Catarina, and top everything off with a couple of days at Foz de Iguaçú, one of the natural wonders of the world.

Day 1
Land in Florianópolis and spend the afternoon in the old city center. Enjoy a sunset dinner at Mandalla Restaurante e Bar overlooking the lake. If you’d like, opt for a late night in the Lagoa neighborhood.

Day 2
Take the bus to Barra da Lagoa, where you catch a boat excursion to the Island of Campeche and enjoy some hiking and swimming on the island; then return for an afternoon on the Barra da Lagoa Beach or Praia Mole. Enjoy an evening downtown overlooking the bay.

Day 3
Catch the bus to Campeche Beach, then take the three-hour trail into Lagoinha do Leste Municipal Park. Picnic lunch at Lagoinha, then hike back to Pântano do Sul for a seafood dinner.

Day 4
Catch an early bus to Itapema and head directly to your hotel in Porto Belo. Spend the afternoon on the Island of Porto Belo and have dinner in Meia Praia. Alternative: Head directly to the Arvoredo Marine Preserve for scuba diving.

Day 5
Take the bus up to Balneário Camboriú. Check your bags at the bus station, then head over to the Parque Unipraias and take the gondola to Praia Laranjeiras (stopping at the park, of course). If you’d like, walk down to Taquarinhas and Pinha Beaches. Return in time to take an early-evening bus out to Joinville.

Day 6
Take an early bus to Corupá and spend the day at the Parque das Cachoeiras.

Day 7
Hike up to the Ano Bom waterfalls early, then catch the afternoon bus back to Joinville and then up to Curitiba. Enjoy dinner in the Santa Felicidade Italian colony.

Day 8
Take the Serra Verde Express train to Morretes with a return trip by van to Curitiba; then catch a late-afternoon flight to Foz de Iguaçu for the next two days.

Day 9
Enjoy a bit of sightseeing in Foz de Iguaçu.

Day 10
Spend the morning sightseeing in Foz de Iguaçu, then catch an afternoon flight to Curitiba or other final destination.