'''Joinville''' is the largest city in Santa Catarina, Brazil. It is principally an industrial city and many of its 500,000 inhabitants are of German descent.

Get in

Numerous cities around Brazil have flights to and from Joinville Airport, with the most regular (multiple daily flights) being Sao Paulo (Congonhas Airport) and Rio de Janeiro (Guarulhos Airport). Alternatively, it is possible to get to Joinville from almost any town or city in Santa Catarina by bus (Catarinense, the state's largest bus company, offers the greatest range). Outside Santa Catarina, several places offer bus services to Joinville, including Curitiba, Sao Paulo, Porto Alegre and Iguacu Falls (via Curitiba).

Get around

It is easiest to get around Centro (downtown) by foot, as everything is close together. Should you wish to venture out into the suburbs, Joinville has a reliable bus network which is used heavily by locals. Tickets can be purchased from any one of the numerous bus terminals around the city, or on the buses themselves. Be warned, however: both buses painted completely blue and those with a blue stripe on each side are direct buses, they generally go from one bus station to another without stopping.

See

  • '''Bolshoi Ballet School''' - well worth a visit if you're in the area. This is the only school run by the famous Bolshoi Ballet Company outside of Russia. Guided tours (in Portuguese, though if you're lucky the guide may give be fluent enough in English to give you a run down) are open on Fridays from 10am to 4pm; it is recommended that you book in advanced. Entry costs R$3.00 per person as of March 2008. Avenida Beira Rio, 315, ph +5547 3422 4070.
  • '''Scenic Lookout''' - offers a panoramic view of the city and bay. It is located on top of the rainforest-covered hill next to Centro. Rua Saguacu, Saguacu.
  • '''Zoo''' - found at the base of the lookout, Joinville's zoo houses a modest collection of Brazilian animals. Entry is free. Rua Pastor Guilherme Rau, Saguacu.
  • '''National Museum of Immigration and Colonization''' - located in front of the Rua das Palmeiras (a well known street lined with palm trees which were brought from Rio de Janeiro in 1873), this museum offers a glimpse of life as it was for Joinville's first European settlers . It includes a historic house set up as it would have been around 150 years ago, as well as well as a couple of sheds containing machinery which was used in past times. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to midday and 2pm to 6pm. Rua Rio Branco, 229, ph +5547 3433 3776.
  • Do

    The best time to visit is July. For around 10 days in this month, the city transforms itself for the Joinville Dance Festival. Considered the biggest dance festival in the world, thousands of dancers from all over Brazil and beyond flock to the city. For the duration of the event, various public spaces throughout Centro become the setting of all kinds of (often free) dance performances, from hip hop to ballet. The festival cumulates with 'Champions Night', where the winners of all the categories perform in the Bolshoi Ballet Theater. It is sure to be a memorable night, though be warned: tickets sell fast. The price depends on seating location, in 2005 it ranged from R$10 to R$50 per person.

    Buy

    Shopping Mueller has some of the best shopping in the city, including many fashion outlets and other stores. It is located on Rua Sen. Felipe Schimidt, Centro. Otherwise, all sorts of shops can be found by wandering around Centro.

    Eat

    Some of the city's best valued snacks can be found at bakeries and pastelarias around Centro. For dinner, try a pizzeria (Brazilian pizzas have an increadible range of toppings, from chicken heart to strawberry and chocolate), or if you're looking for something more familiar there are Italian, Chinese and Arabic restaurants. Fast food chains like McDonalds are also present.

    Drink

    Sleep

    Budget

  • '''Avenida Palace Hotel''', Av. Getulio Vargas, 75, ph +5547 3433 8070.
  • '''Hotel Mattes''', Rua XV de Novembro, 801, ph +5547 3422 3582.
  • '''Hotel Principe''', Rua Jeronimo Coelho, 27, ph +5547 3028 4555.
  • Mid-Range

  • '''Joinville Palace Hotel''', Rua do Principe, 142, ph +5547 3433 6111.
  • '''Sleep Inn Joinville''', Rua Senador Felipe Schmidt, 460, ph +5547 2105 3700.
  • Splurge

  • '''Mercure Hotel Prinz''', Rua Otto Boehm, 525, ph +5547 3481 9111.
  • '''Slaviero Suites''', Av. Dr. Albano Schulz, 815, ph +5547 2101 8500.
  • Contact

  • '''Clans BR''', Rua 9 de marco, 836, upper floor, ph +5547 3422 5648.
  • '''Clube da Rede''', Rua Tuiuti, 1447, ph +5547 3467 1257.
  • Get out

    It could be worth making the trip to Sao Francisco do Sul, a fishing community on an island across from Joinville; it is around a 30 minute drive by car. Sao Francisco do Sul was one of the very first places in Brazil to be colonized by Europeans and the old area is full of brightly coloured Portuguese buildings. There are scenic drives between Joinville and Curitiba (off the BR-101 highway) which inclued lush countryside with ponds, fields, etc. For the residents themselves, by far the most common trip is to the beach. Barra Velha, Picarras and Balneario Camboriu are amongst the most popular coastal towns within an hour's drive. All are reachable by bus.

  • Blumenau