LGBT events in Florianopolis

Florianopolis, or Floripa for those in-the-know, is a gay-friendly destination year-around but it becomes a BIG gay destination for certain events: Pride Week and Carnival- now a strong rival to Rio, as the coolest and biggest Gay Carnival in Brazil - are already favorites in the hearts of gay & lesbian Brazilians & South Americans;

The New Year holidays' period has been attracting an increasing number of gay tourists in recent years, but this year it should be definitely included in the Brazilian Gay Events calendar as the mega Sao Paulo club, The Week International, announced that will open its Island base during that week.

They are the latest of the circuit parties to realize the demand from LGBT tourism in that period of the year- E-Joy has been coming for years, attracting thousands and local clubs open all week to cater to locals and tourists alike.

On top of that, the fireworks display in New Year's eve is one of the best in the world!

So, if you are planning to come, book early: Brazil Ecojourneys has already special packages for New Year's in Floripa.

Florianopolis IGLTA 2012

Florianopolis is the next host city for the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association ( IGLTA) Global Convention.

The event, which will happen in April 2012, will bring hundreds of LGBT tourism professionals from all over the world to our island, helping to promote Floripa as one of the main South American destinations for international Gay & Lesbian travelers .

Check out this recent interview from our Director, Marta Dalla Chiesa, to The Focus Group, one of the top LGBT radio shows in the United States talking about G&L Florianopolis.


Brazil Ecojourneys, the only lesbian-owned inbound tour operator in Brazil, is proud to host IGLTA in our home city. We are already working on special programs for all attendees!

Good news for Gay Girls: A full-time lesbian bar in Floripa!

Caravana is a very friendly lesbian-owned bar located in Lagoa. In the beginning it did not advertise itself as a girl's bar but now is out and proud!

The public is 90% women but a few gay men and friendly straight couples also show up for the good music and relaxed atmosphere.

The name comes from the caravan trailer from where they started the business. Now they have a small bar inside with a dance floor and a huge outside deck for the Summer days and nights.

Besides music and drinks they also serve "fusion food"- not Asian fusion but an eccletic mix of snacks and daily specials for main dishes. The home-made burgers are excellent!

The best thing is that opens early (from 5pm Wed- Fri and from noon till late on weekends)- the only gay bar in Floripa to do so! From Xmas it will open daily to get all those girls (and boys) coming back from Praia Mole.

Caravana - Fusion Food e Trailer - +55 48 32320045

Looking back at 2009

2009 has been a great year for us working with LGBT tourism in Florianopolis.

The international media and travel professionals from around the world seemed to have discovered Floripa.

Following a successful event for its members in March, the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association chose Florianopolis to be the host of its 2012 Convention. This is the first time that this event, the most important for Gay & Lesbian tourism in the world, will be held south of the Equator.

Articles on Gay Floripa appeared in major Gay & Lesbian magazines: the Passport Magazine from the US, Beige Travel and Diva Magazine from the UK, Du & Ich (a 40 year-old Gay mag!) and in multiple titles from Publigayte in Germany.

All seemed to agree that Floripa is the next big destination for gay travellers in South America.

The local community also had quite a lot to celebrate: 2009 saw our biggest Pride ever with almost 100,000 people attending the Parade on a cold and rainy day in September. That same day an anti-discrimination law was approved by the local town council, giving us hope that equal rights are now achievable in Brazil in the not so distant future.

Welcome 2010 - see you in Floripa!

South Brazil in ecoDestinations

Brazil Ecojourneys partnered with The International Ecotourism Society to promote ecoDestinations in South Brazil.




ecoDestinations is a campaign of TIES to highlight Ecotourism in different parts of the world. As part of the campaign there is an online auction of tours donated by tour operators and hotels engaged in responsible travel in their destination.

Brazil Ecojourneys and partners donated two tours for the auction.

If you want to contribute to this campaign access the site below and start bidding now!

All proceeds raised from this auction will go directly to TIES to support their numerous projects in support of ecotourism and responsible travel worldwide.

* Whales And Dolphins - Wildlife Adventure off the Coast of Santa Catarina

* Eco- Agrotourism - Home Stays with organic farmers of Santa Catarina
Please note that online bidding for this tour has closed but book this package this month through our site and we will donate the money to TIES!

Click HERE for more information on ecoDestinations and the work of The International Ecotourism Society

LGBT travel trade discovers Florianopolis

Last week Brazil Ecojourneys co-hosted the International Gay & Lesbian Travel Association (IGLTA) bi-annual International Symposium here in Florianopolis.

This event, organised by Santa Catarina Tourist Board and the Brazilian Association of Gay & Lesbian Tourism (ABRAT-GLS), was the biggest international event for LGBT tourism ever organised in Brazil. More than 300 people including IGLTA members from South America, USA, Canada & Australia participated.

During 4 days travel agents, tour operators, local tourist boards and journalists had the opportunity to get to know some of Florianopolis attractions, join the discussions in the International LGBT Forum and network in a very busy market place.

Brazilian and international LGBT media also attended so we will add links to their articles as they come out.

Click here to read Roy Heale's comments about the trip on IGLTA's INSIDER OUT TRAVEL blog.