The 2025/2026 summer season in Florianópolis: tourism figures and what they mean for investors
The island projected 3 million tourists and hotel occupancy of nearly 98%, but the summer fell short of expectations. Here is what the data shows.
Summer is the economic engine of Florianópolis. The official season runs from November 15 to May 15 and accounts for a large share of the revenue earned by retail, dining, hospitality, and, of course, seasonal rentals. The 2025/2026 season produced a two-sided result that is worth examining closely.
The projections: 3 million tourists
Industry bodies and public agencies projected that the capital would welcome close to 3 million tourists — arriving by plane, bus, or car — over the course of the season. In the days around Réveillon, hotel occupancy came close to 98% of capacity, according to ABIH-SC.
The reality: a summer below expectations
The actual numbers, however, fell short of expectations. Santa Catarina lost tourists during the high season, with falling spending and a degree of frustration among local merchants. The Prefeitura de Florianópolis itself acknowledged a season below what had been forecast.
The Argentine factor
Much of the explanation lies in Argentine tourism, traditionally decisive for the island. Its share of the flow fell sharply — by roughly half compared with previous seasons — hit by the exchange rate and the economic situation in the neighboring country.
Florianópolis remains on the global radar
Despite the seasonal setback, the destination brand remains strong. Embratur studies show Florianópolis growing in searches and ranking among the most-booked destinations of 2026, with an increasingly international visitor profile.
The takeaway for the seasonal-rental investor
The data leaves a clear lesson for anyone investing in seasonal rentals: occupancy can be extremely high at the peaks, but it is also volatile and dependent on a specific source market. Diversifying where guests come from, maintaining the quality of the property, and projecting returns on conservative assumptions — without counting on a record summer every year — is the most solid strategy.
Sources
- ABIH-SC — Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Hotéis em Santa Catarina (projections and occupancy).
- Embratur — demand studies and most-booked destinations 2026.
- Prefeitura de Florianópolis / Santur — review of the 2025/2026 season (regional press).