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Which is better: Caldas Novas or Florianópolis?

Short answer

Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; 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, Florianópolis has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in FlorianópolisBlumenau & Pomerode Day Trip★ 8.4 · 124 reviews · from US$ 38 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Caldas Novas Florianópolis
Best time to visit May → Aug Apr → Nov
Weather this month 33° · 11 days of rain 24° · 13 days of rain
By car R$ 113 · from Goiânia R$ 436 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 4–6 days
Best for Family, Relax, Romantic Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic
Choose Caldas Novas if

you want a trip for families and relaxation: naturally hot pools, water parks and the perfect contrast of a dry Cerrado winter.

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: Caldas Novas or Florianópolis

The average nightly rate is around R$ 298 in Caldas Novas 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 Caldas Novas on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas in Caldas Novas 9 · 26 reviews Best Western Suites Le Jardin Caldas Novas See on Booking → Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel in Caldas Novas 8.7 ★★★ · 39 reviews Acqua Bella Thermas Hotel See on Booking →
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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

Caldas Novas or Florianópolis: which is better?
Caldas Novas is in the state of Goiás (GO), while Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC): different regions of Brazil. Caldas Novas: the largest hot springs in the world; 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, Florianópolis has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Caldas Novas and Florianópolis?
The best time to visit Caldas Novas 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 Goiânia, Caldas Novas is 170 km (106 mi) and costs about R$ 113 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, Caldas Novas or Florianópolis?
Averaged over the year, Caldas Novas has 9 rainy days a month and Florianópolis has 12. Caldas Novas is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Caldas Novas is December and in Florianópolis, January. For temperature, Caldas Novas is the warmer one (average high of 31° versus 25°).
How many days should you spend in Caldas Novas and in Florianópolis?
To see the main sights without rushing, Caldas Novas 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.
Caldas Novas or Florianópolis with kids?
Both work with kids: Caldas Novas (hot springs, hot pools, and water parks) 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: Caldas Novas has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Caldas Novas: Hot Park, diRoma Acqua Park, Lagoa Termas Parque. 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.