REVIEW · FLORIANOPOLIS
Balneário Camboriú tour and cable car ride from Florianópolis
Book on Viator →Operated by Gray Line Brazil · Bookable on Viator
Cable cars and beaches in one big day. I love how this trip pairs a guided Balneário Camboriú city tour with real time to wander on your own, including beach views from key spots like Avenida Atlântica and Praia das Laranjeiras. I also like the Unipraias Park cable-car network, which turns the trip into something more than just photos from the street. One thing to plan for: the main Unipraias Park time is not included in the base price, so you’ll need extra budget on the day.
Here’s the trade-off I’d flag up front: the day runs about 8 hours, and the schedule is built around set stops and park timing. If you get stuck waiting for your group, you’ll feel it, so keep your timing tight and be ready to move when the guide does—especially if weather changes the plan.
In This Review
- Key things to know before you go
- Balneário Camboriú in a Single Day: What This Tour Gets You
- Pickup from Florianópolis: How the Day Starts
- Stop 1: Avenida Atlântica and Barra Norte for First Views
- Stop 2: Molhe da Barra Sul and the Unipraias Setup
- Unipraias Park: Cable Cars, Aguada Hill Views, and Big Photo Time
- Optional Adrenaline: Youhooo! and ZipRider at the Top
- Laranjeiras Station and Praia das Laranjeiras: Down-to-Earth Beach Time
- Time on the Clock: How the 8 Hours Feels
- Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What You’re Not)
- Group Size and the Guide Factor: What Quality Looks Like
- Who Should Book This Day Trip—and Who Might Prefer Something Else
- How to Get the Most Out of Unipraias and the Cable Car
- Should You Book This Tour? My Practical Recommendation
- FAQ
- Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
- What time does the tour start?
- How long is the tour?
- Is admission to Unipraias Park included?
- Are food and drinks included?
- How big is the group?
- What is the cancellation policy?
Key things to know before you go

- Unipraias Park admission is extra (R$70 per person, paid on the day)
- Three cable-car stations connect by aerial cables, with major lookout time at the top
- You’ll see the city fast: Avenida Atlântica, Barra Norte, Molhe da Barra Sul, and Praia das Laranjeiras
- Optional adrenaline rides at the park, like Youhooo! and ZipRider
- Small-ish group: up to 40 people, which helps the pace and photos
Balneário Camboriú in a Single Day: What This Tour Gets You

This is a practical day trip built for a simple goal: get oriented in Balneário Camboriú, then spend real time at Unipraias Park for cable-car views and optional thrill rides.
The city part is a panoramic tour with photo stops, not a slow walking tour where you cover every street on foot. Then Unipraias Park gives you the “wow” portion of the day: aerial cable cars between viewpoints and beach-adjacent stations, plus platforms high above the shoreline. If you like a day that’s part sightseeing, part choose-your-own-adventure, this fits nicely.
You can also read our reviews of more tours and experiences in Florianopolis.
Pickup from Florianópolis: How the Day Starts
The big win here is complimentary hotel transport from Florianópolis, plus a professional tour guide. You’ll start at 8:00 am, and your exact pickup time gets set after reconfirmation.
That early start matters. It gives you a better shot at spending your peak energy during the park portion, and it helps you avoid the worst of the traffic crush that can form around coastal routes. The tour also notes it can adjust based on weather and other variables, so don’t plan any tight, non-refundable commitments right before or after this day.
A quick practical tip: have a plan for getting your phone online and working for the day. A couple of past experiences attached to this kind of service showed that mismatched pickup details can happen, so reconfirming the exact pickup location is worth your time.
Stop 1: Avenida Atlântica and Barra Norte for First Views

You kick off along the main showpiece corridor, Avenida Atlântica, and your first real pause is Barra Norte. The schedule gives you about 45 minutes, which is enough for quick photos and a first look at the beach promenade.
What I like about starting here is the orientation. You see how the city stretches along the coast, and you get a feel for the spacing between viewpoints. That helps you appreciate later lookouts at Unipraias, because you can mentally map what you’re seeing from up high.
If you’re the type who likes to photograph golden-hour vibes, remember this is morning timing. Bring a light layer anyway; coastal mornings can be cooler than you expect.
Stop 2: Molhe da Barra Sul and the Unipraias Setup
From Avenida Atlântica, the route heads toward Barra Sul, with a stop along the way for a photo at the Molhe—described as the city’s newest tourist highlight. You’re looking across the beach from a fresh perspective, and this stop is also about 45 minutes.
Then you transition toward the Unipraias Park area. This part is less about “one landmark” and more about moving you into position so you can spend the bulk of your time where the cables and viewpoints start to do their thing.
One consideration: tickets for Unipraias Park are not included. The tour tells you the amount plainly (R$70 per person), but if you hate paying surprises at the last minute, plan for it before you go. Also, food and drinks aren’t included, so your day will feel easier if you bring water and snack options you’re comfortable with.
Unipraias Park: Cable Cars, Aguada Hill Views, and Big Photo Time
This is the heart of the day. Unipraias Park connects three stations through an aerial cable system of 47 cable cars, covering about 3.25 km and reaching up to 240 meters above sea level.
Your time at the park is about 1 hour 40 minutes. That may sound short, but it’s built for efficient sightseeing: get on the system, ride between stations, and spend enough time at the lookouts to make the height feel worth it.
The first station is Mata Atlântica, where the park highlights include lookouts with incredible views. I like this setup because it turns the cable car from a “transfer” into an actual viewpoint experience. From up top, you can see how Balneário Camboriú’s coastline, high-rises, and beach strips line up.
And yes, the park is also positioned as an easier way to get around Balneário by cable rather than by car. It’s not that you’ll replace city streets forever—but it does make the geography make sense fast.
Optional Adrenaline: Youhooo! and ZipRider at the Top

If you want thrills, Unipraias gives you choices that go beyond a gentle scenic ride.
At the park, Youhooo! is described as a mountain sled that runs up to 60 km/h. It’s the kind of ride that makes you forget you’re on a beach vacation for a moment and just focus on speed and control.
There’s also ZipRider, where you descend for almost a kilometer, at over 240 meters high. The description notes a safe system and a smooth landing, which matters because it turns a scary idea into a ride you can try without feeling like you’re gambling.
These activities are optional, so you control your risk level and your budget. If your group has different comfort zones, you’ll still be able to share the main cable-car views, because the park experience is built around the aerial network and lookouts, not only the rides.
Practical note: if you’re doing both the scenic cable rides and a thrill ride, show up ready. Being indecisive inside the park can chew up time fast.
Laranjeiras Station and Praia das Laranjeiras: Down-to-Earth Beach Time

After the main cable and lookout time, the itinerary continues to Praia das Laranjeiras via the Laranjeiras Station area.
This stop is about 1 hour 40 minutes and is the chance to switch gears: instead of height and cables, you get a quieter stretch of beach. The tour description points out a real benefit here: you can enjoy a sea bath and also find bars and restaurants right on the beach.
This is the part I’d treat like your buffer. If the cable-car time runs a little tight, Praia das Laranjeiras can still give you the “I’m here” payoff—sand, light, and an easy place to eat if you planned for food on your own.
If you want a simple routine, do this: arrive, cool off with a swim or a slow walk, then grab a meal or snack you can actually look forward to. Don’t rush here.
Time on the Clock: How the 8 Hours Feels
The tour runs about 8 hours, starting at 8:00 am with set photo stops and a park block.
That structure is both good and demanding. It’s good because you won’t waste the day trying to figure out logistics on your own. It’s demanding because you don’t have unlimited freedom to linger at every photo spot.
Here’s how to make it feel better:
- Be ready at the meeting points so you don’t lose minutes to last-second coordination.
- Keep your Unipraias plan clear: do you just want cable cars and lookouts, or also Youhooo! and ZipRider?
- Bring something small for the beach and a way to carry it.
The park itself is time-efficient, and the city stops are built for quick viewing. You’ll get the best results if you let the schedule do the heavy lifting.
Price and Value: What You’re Paying For (and What You’re Not)
The listed price is $46.07 per person, and that base cost includes:
- Hotel pickup and drop-off in Florianópolis
- A professional guide
- A panoramic city tour in Balneário Camboriú
What’s not included:
- Food and drinks
- Unipraias Park admission (R$70 per person, paid on the day)
- Optional additional activities inside the park
So is it good value? If your priority is one organized day that covers the main city “highpoints” plus a serious cable-car viewpoint experience, it’s a strong setup. You’re not paying extra for every minute of transportation and guiding. You’re paying for someone to compress the logistics into one day.
But it won’t feel like a bargain if you hate paying add-ons. The park admission is a major extra, and the adrenaline rides would add further costs. If you only want the city and none of the park, you might find you’re spending for elements you don’t care about.
Group Size and the Guide Factor: What Quality Looks Like
The tour notes a maximum of 40 travelers. That’s big enough to keep it affordable, but small enough that you’re usually not lost in chaos.
Guide quality is also a major factor in the experience. In past comments connected to this type of service, I saw names like Johan, Aline, Edson, Marcia, Sandro, and Hércules tied to helpful, organized guiding. What I take from that for your planning is simple: the day runs smoother when the guide can handle pacing and timing, and you get more out of the photo stops when someone points out what to notice.
Still, there have been complaints in the record about missed pickups and confusing meeting details. That’s not something you control, but you can reduce risk by reconfirming your exact pickup spot and staying reachable.
Who Should Book This Day Trip—and Who Might Prefer Something Else
This tour is a great match if you:
- want a one-day orientation to Balneário Camboriú
- like the mix of guided stops and time to wander on your own
- want cable-car views plus the option to add adrenaline rides at Unipraias
- appreciate having transport handled so you don’t spend your day fighting schedules
You might reconsider if you:
- only care about food or beach lounging and have no interest in cable cars or the park
- hate paying extra at the destination (Unipraias admission is a clear add-on)
- are very sensitive to tight timing and want an unstructured day
How to Get the Most Out of Unipraias and the Cable Car
Unipraias is where you’ll earn your best photos and your strongest memories. To get the most out of the limited park time:
- Decide early whether you’ll do Youhooo! or ZipRider (or neither). Waiting too long can squeeze your lookout time.
- Plan to do the scenic cable rides even if you skip the thrill activities. The height and viewpoints are the whole point.
- Wear shoes you can walk in comfortably around stations. You’ll move between areas, not just sit on a ride.
Also, if weather shifts during your day, don’t assume the park experience will look exactly like the photos you’ve seen. Clouds and wind can change visibility. The tour notes weather can affect timing, so keep your expectations flexible.
Should You Book This Tour? My Practical Recommendation
I’d book this if you’re visiting the Florianópolis area and want one solid day that covers Balneário Camboriú’s “big picture,” then adds the cable-car wow factor without you needing to plan every step.
It’s not a perfect fit if you’re trying to keep costs low or if you hate add-ons at the last minute. The base price is only part of the story because Unipraias Park admission (R$70) is required and thrill rides are optional extras.
If you do book, I’d do two things:
- Reconfirm your exact pickup location and expected pickup time after booking.
- Budget for park admission and at least one meal or snack so the day stays relaxed.
FAQ
Is hotel pickup and drop-off included?
Yes. The tour includes pickup and drop-off at your hotel in Florianópolis.
What time does the tour start?
The tour start time is listed as 8:00 am.
How long is the tour?
The duration is approximately 8 hours.
Is admission to Unipraias Park included?
No. Unipraias Park admission is not included. The tour states you pay R$70 per person on the day of your activity.
Are food and drinks included?
No. Food and drinks are not included.
How big is the group?
The tour has a maximum of 40 travelers.
What is the cancellation policy?
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.









