The Hercílio Luz Airport is nine miles south of the city of Florianópolis in southern Brazil. This international airport is named after a successful local politician and stands on a flat part of the Ilha de Santa Catarina off Brazil's east coast. Florianópolis's airport has the sea on one side, forest on another and suburban satellite towns dotted around. The main Avenue Diomicio Freitas leads directly to the heart of the city from the airport. If you hire a car at Hercílio Luz Airport you'll also find that the island is linked to the mainland via road bridges, one of which is also named after Hercílio Luz. The city of Florianópolis spreads on both sides of this bridge.
The high-rise towers of the city of Florianópolis dominate Santa Catarina but this 33-mile long island also has beach resorts and a beautiful state park, the Serra do Tabuleiro. Here un-spoilt lush rainforest tumbles down steep slopes to lakes and beaches with sandy coves between rocky headlands and islands. The city of Florianópolis itself is worth exploring if you hire a car from Hercílio Luz Airport. The highlights include natural thermal spas, surfing beaches, an acclaimed art gallery and an annual spring festival called the Holy Spirit Feast where the city dissolves in widespread parades, music and feasts of street food.
