Next to Rio and Sao Paulo, Florianopolis comes in third when it comes to yearly gay visitors to Brazil and third in the size of gay pride celebrations and Carnival. But for being a tiny island, third is no small feat. No wonder Florianopolis was chosen this year as the destination of the annual IGLTA conference.

Welcome to the new GayCities guide to Florianopolis, an emerging hotspot with more beaches than tanned buns to sit on them. Try for example Praia Mole, one of the hottest beach spots and of course, one of the gay-friendliest. For those adventurous types, the only thing you have to bring to Praia Galheta is your birthday suit.

The bohemian town of Lagoa has all the bustle of shopping and dining, while the island city center is home to hotels of all shapes and sizes (and price ranges as well). Travelers used to the good life should look into the Majestic Palace Hotel or the apartment-style Il Campanario. For those traveling on a budget, Praia Mole Eco Village is affordable and popular with gay visitors.

In terms of nightlife, Bar do Deca has an outdoor patio crammed with cuties and is right next to Praia Mole. Of course, this wouldn’t be a Brazilian gay hotspot without its own The Week megaclub, right?