Balneario Camboriu

At a glance, the beachside city of Balneário Camboriú could be straight out of the Jetsons, with its futuristic skyline of tall, thin buildings (one of which is the tallest in Brazil). On the ground, it bears a passing resemblance to Rio’s Copacabana, from the long, sweeping beach and black-and-white tiled boardwalk to the statue of Christ up on a hill. In the summer, the population increases almost tenfold, and the traffic grinds to a halt, with tourists flocking to the beaches, restaurants, and bars. For quieter beaches, head just south to Praia do Estaleiro and beyond.