Unipraias Park: Balneário Camboriú's Cable Car Park

Unipraias Park runs a 3.2-kilometre cable car line between two beaches in the same city — the only park in the world that does this — and the round-trip ticket costs R$ 80 for adults aged 11 to 59. The route starts at Barra Sul on the Central Beach seafront, climbs to a station on Morro da Aguada at roughly 240 metres, then drops to Praia de Laranjeiras. Forty-seven cabins do the work, and the whole loop, done without rushing, takes about three hours.

Getting there is simple. The address is Avenida Atlântica 6006, Barra Sul, at the southern tip of the main beach, and city buses 02, 52-1 and 105/1 stop within a two-minute walk of the station entrance. If you are driving, go south along Avenida Atlântica or Avenida Brasil until the street ends at the molhe (the stone jetty jutting into the ocean). Parking near the station fills up fast on weekends, which is one reason I'd suggest arriving early.

The Three Stations and What Happens at Each

Barra Sul Station: The Start

The Barra Sul station is the departure point: three floors of shops, snack bars and restaurants, plus the ticket windows. Buy online if you can. The physical line at the counter can eat 40 minutes in high season, and the same ticket is valid for one round trip on the same day.

Mata Atlântica Station: The Summit

This is where the park justifies its price. The station sits on the forested hilltop, with a 500-metre interpretive trail through protected Atlantic Forest, two lookout points, a glass-floored platform over the drop, a chocolate shop and a small chapel holding a bronze statue of Santo Antônio da Aguada blessed in Padua in 1999. The first lookout faces the entire Central Beach shoreline; the second faces open ocean and Laranjeiras below. Skip the trail only if you are short on time — it accounts for most of the park's 85,000 square metres of forest.

The paid add-ons are also here. Youhooo is a mountain sled that hits 60 km/h down the hillside, and ZipRider is a zip line that descends nearly a kilometre to Laranjeiras; both are priced separately at around R$ 60 to R$ 78 per person, and neither is included in the cable car ticket. I'd budget for ZipRider over the sled if you only pick one — the descent over the water is the more memorable of the two, though expect an hour-plus wait at lunchtime.

Laranjeiras Station: The Beach

The line ends at a 750-metre beach enclosed by forest, with calm, greenish water that suits families with small children far better than the open surf at Central Beach. Seafood restaurants and kiosks renting kayaks and pedal boats line the sand. You can stay as long as you like and ride back whenever you want — the ticket does not fix a return time.

Tickets, Hours and Practical Details

What You Pay

Standard admission is R$ 80 for ages 11 to 59. Children 6 to 10 and visitors 60 and over pay R$ 40 with ID, and under-fives ride free with documentation. Online purchase usually shaves a few reais off the gate price. Rates are subject to change — check the official site for current rates before you go, because published figures for 2025 and 2026 vary between sources.

When It Opens

Generally 9:00 to 19:00, with the last descent around 16:30 and shorter hours outside peak season. From late December through mid-February the park opens earlier and closes later because of the summer crowds.

Who Should Skip It

The cable car and stations are wheelchair and stroller accessible, and there are restrooms at each stop. But the forest trail is uneven, and the sled and zip line are off-limits for anyone with mobility limitations, chronic conditions or recent surgery. If someone in your group cannot handle heights, the glass platform at Mata Atlântica is optional — the solid-ground lookouts next to it are just as good.

When to Go and How to Beat the Lines

Arriving at 9:30, right after opening, is the single most effective move. Tour buses from Florianópolis and Itajaí usually reach Barra Sul between 10:30 and 11:30, and that is when the cabin queue doubles.

Climate matters more than crowds for some travelers. Summer, December to February, brings 30°C days, warm water and extended hours, but also peak prices and hour-long waits at both the ticket window and the attractions. Autumn (March to May) and spring (September to November) hold temperatures between 18°C and 27°C with lighter crowds and cheaper hotels — my pick for anyone who wants the cable car for the views rather than the beach. Winter runs 13°C to 18°C, cool for swimming but fine for the trail and the lookouts.

One more thing worth knowing: if you visit on your birthday, the cable car ride is free with ID. Few visitors ask about it at the counter.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I allow for Unipraias Park?

Three hours is the realistic minimum for all three stations, including the forest trail and a short stop at Laranjeiras. Add an hour if you plan to ride ZipRider or Youhooo, and half a day if you want lunch on the beach before heading back.

Can I start at Laranjeiras instead of Barra Sul?

Yes. Tickets work in either direction, and the Laranjeiras station is a practical entry point if you are already staying on the southern beaches. Parking there is more limited than at Barra Sul, though.

Are the sled and zip line included in the cable car ticket?

No. Youhooo and ZipRider are charged separately at roughly R$ 60 to R$ 78 per person on top of the R$ 80 cable car fare. Buy those at the Mata Atlântica station, not at the entrance.

Is the park suitable for young children?

Yes. Under-fives ride free, cabins hold up to six people, strollers fit, and Laranjeiras has calm water and shallow entry. The sled has height and age restrictions, so check at the station before queuing.