Balneario Camboriu (Brazil)

Balneario Camboriu is a beach resort city in Brazil's state Santa Catarina, approx 10 km (6 mi) south of Itajaí and approx 80 km (50 mi) north of state's capital Florianopolis. The city (aka Brazilian Dubai) is among the most popular resort vacation destinations in South America.

Balneario Camboriu is served by an International Airport in Navegantes. Tour boats to Laranjeiras Beach (themed like pirate ships) go around Camboriu Island before returning to the city again.

The city's population is around 125,000 (metro around 390,000), but during summer increases to over 1 million. A unique tourist attraction is the cable car (at the UNIPRAIAS Tourist Complex) linking the city's central beach with Laranjeiras Beach (on Isla Camboriu). Another unique attraction is the Cristo Luz monument (height 33 m / 108 ft). The statue is similar to Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer, but portrays Jesus with a hat-like circle (on the left shoulder) that symbolizes the Sun. The "hat" houses a powerful spotlight shining over the city at night. Cristo Luz tourist complex consists of restaurants, shops, kid playgrounds.

Other tourist attractions include Unipraias Park, Santur Park (which has an aquarium, Oceanographic Museum, Fishermen Museum, Zoo), Saint Amaro Chappel (in the neighborhood Bairro da Barra), Ecologico Rio Camboriu Park (beautiful gardens with local plants, trails, kid playgrounds).

All Balneario Camboriu beaches are interlinked linked via road (Interpraias).

The city's economy is mainly based on real estate and tourism (around 100 hotels).

Cruises to Balneario Camboriu on large liners were introduced in 2018 by the Italian cruise companies Costa (with the 3600-passenger ship Costa Favolosa) and MSC (with the 5000-passenger ship MSC Seaview).