Brazil car rentals
 

Can anyone recommend a car rental firm for Brazil? We hope to rent a car in Florianopolis.

I believe both Hertz and Avis have locations in Floripa, and at the airport, more or less. We returned from Floripa a couple months ago and used:

locarauto.com.br

They are a local agency but with a few locations. They worked out very well, picked us up in the very late evening at the airport and drove us to the hotel, and did the same for the return. The car was new and in good condition. Note that automatics are way more expensive than manual transmissions, this is true all over Brazil. Have fun. We loved Floripa, it is a great destination.

Thanks so much for the reply. We will definitely look into locarauto.com.br
Floripa sounds very nice. It seems we will be going when the weather is cool and just before the whale watching season--too bad, but this is the time we have free.

Tengo hambre:
Did you need an international driver's license for the car rental?

We did not need an int'l driver's license in Floripa. Actually, I can't recall if the car agency even looked at our driving license's when we rented the car..........

If you aren't there when the weather is warm you can still spend some time exploring the state. Apparently, going a bit inland, over the bridge, leads you to beautiful country. There are lots of tour agencies around that can give you advice.

Also, make sure you visit the Mercado Municipal (the central market). It is a very old and restored market building worth a look. There are two parts to the building, selling food and nick nacks. The food part is great, with extensive fish stalls selling all kinds of fresh seafood. In that building is a restaurant Box 32. It is well known. A great spot for lunch. The shrimp and oyters in Floripa are outstanding. Order a "sequencia de camarao" at a seafood spot. Very memorable, as are the local oysters, prepare dozens of different ways. Floripa is the oyster capital of Brazil. The nick nack part of the market is the place to purchase Havaiiana's. Many stores sell them. Look around at each kiosk for the style you like. Finally, in the south of the island (though nothing is very far), try Ostradamus for a late lunch. Its a very well known and terrific spot. Ataliba, a churrascaria in town, was also great. The highways and roads in Floripa are generally excellent and well marked.
Have fun.

Thanks, Tengo Hambre for all the tips.
You're saving us the loads of time and trouble it would take get an international driver's license.
And now my husband and I are really looking forward to the oysters -- we love oysters and go almost every weekend to buy oysters fresh from our local oyster farm. We search out oysters where ever we go, so that's very welcome news.
We won't miss the "sequencia de camarao" either.
Thanks so much again!