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Which is better: Bonito or Florianópolis?

Short answer

Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BonitoTransport Between Campo Grande Airport & Bonito★ 8.4 · 5 reviews · from US$ 45 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in FlorianópolisBlumenau & Pomerode Day Trip★ 8.4 · 124 reviews · from US$ 38 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bonito Florianópolis
Best time to visit May → Aug Apr → Nov
Weather this month 31° · 9 days of rain 24° · 13 days of rain
By car R$ 166 · from Campo Grande R$ 436 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–6 days
Best for Adventure, Family, Relax Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic
Choose Bonito if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and families: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium.

See guide
Choose Florianópolis if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bonito or Florianópolis

The average nightly rate is around R$ 336 in Bonito and R$ 404 in Florianópolis; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Bonito on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Rancho Jarinu in Bonito 9.7 ★★★ · 4 reviews Pousada Rancho Jarinu See on Booking → Wetiga Hotel in Bonito 8.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Wetiga Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Bonito

Compare hotels and places to stay in Florianópolis on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Porto da Ilha Hotel in Florianópolis 8.9 ★★★★ · 47 reviews Porto da Ilha Hotel See on Booking → Novotel Florianopolis in Florianópolis 8.6 ★★★★ · 24 reviews Novotel Florianopolis See on Booking →
See all hotels in Florianópolis

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Bonito or Florianópolis: which is better?
Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bonito and Florianópolis?
The best time to visit Bonito is from May to August; for Florianópolis, it is from April to November, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Campo Grande, Bonito is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 166 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Florianópolis is 691 km (429 mi) and costs about R$ 436 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bonito or Florianópolis?
Averaged over the year, Bonito has 8 rainy days a month and Florianópolis has 12. Bonito is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bonito is January and in Florianópolis, January. For temperature, Bonito is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 25°).
How many days should you spend in Bonito and in Florianópolis?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bonito calls for 3–4 days and Florianópolis, 4–6 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Bonito or Florianópolis with kids?
Both work with kids: Bonito (crystal-clear waters, ecotourism, and river floating) and Florianópolis (island of 40 beaches; Azorean culture; lagoon and surf). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Bonito has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bonito: Gruta do Lago Azul, Rio da Prata (float), Rio Sucuri (float). In Florianópolis: Lagoa da Conceição, Joaquina Beach, Jurerê Internacional Beach. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.