A new look at rest

While many associate travel with busy schedules and constant social media posting, a new, silent trend has been gaining ground among visitors to Florianópolis: meditative tourism. Instead of accumulating photos, tourists in search of balance prefer to accumulate moments of presence, introspection and connection with nature.

Florianópolis, with its ecological trails, deserted beaches and preserved Atlantic forest, has become the ideal setting for this practice that combines travel, well-being and spirituality.

What is meditative tourism?

Unlike adventure tourism or historical tourism, meditative tourism focuses on the inner experience. It is not just about visiting calm places, but about experiencing states of full consciousness, with activities such as guided meditation, contemplative walks and digital fasting.

Several spaces on the island have adapted to this growing demand. Retreat centers, eco-lodges and even family homes have started offering quiet experiences, often disconnected from Wi-Fi, with natural meals and routines focused on self-reflection.

Silence as an experience

In a world saturated with stimuli, silence has become a luxury. In the silent retreats of Florianópolis, participants spend days without speaking, communicating only through gestures or simple writing. This practice, far from being uncomfortable, has shown positive effects in reducing anxiety and increasing mental clarity.

On some trails in Lagoa do Peri and Sertão do Ribeirão, groups of tourists are guided by monitors on slow walks, where the focus is not on the destination, but on breathing, the sounds of the forest and contact with the ground. This type of activity promotes a sense of presence that is rare in conventional tourist itineraries.

Technology also adapts

Although meditative tourism suggests a break from technology, some digital tools have found space in this universe, such as meditation apps and platforms for recording conscious experiences. Interestingly, even users of quotes reported having used the island environment as a refuge to reevaluate strategies with more emotional lucidity, after periods of meditative immersion.

This intersection between introspection and digital innovation reflects a typical characteristic of Florianópolis: tradition and modernity walking side by side.

Silent events and gatherings

In addition to individual retreats, the city also hosts collective events focused on silence and inner connection. The so-called “group contemplative walks” bring together dozens of people on beaches such as Lagoinha do Leste and Galheta, in journeys where silence is previously agreed upon by the participants.

These meetings usually end with sharing circles—only then is the silence broken—where participants share their experiences and perceptions.

Even the world of digital games is sometimes reflected in these moments of introspection. During one of these exchanges, a young man reported that the mythological aesthetics of Gate Of Olympus inspired him to study Greek philosophy and rethink the role of symbolism in everyday life, highlighting how unexpected references can become windows to self-knowledge.

A more conscious future

Meditative tourism is not just a passing fad, but a direct response to the collective exhaustion of modern times. And Florianópolis, with its unique energy, lush nature and welcoming infrastructure, seems to have been born to lead this new way of traveling.

Local entrepreneurs are aware of the trend and have invested in initiatives that respect the rhythm of the body and mind. Vegan food, biophilic architecture, detox programs and integrative therapies are already part of the vocabulary of many guesthouses in the region.

In addition, the practice also attracts local residents, who find in these spaces opportunities to reconnect with their own roots. The search for balance is no longer a privilege for visitors — it becomes a way of life for those who choose to live on the island.

Conclusion

In times of excess, emptiness becomes an answer. In Florianópolis, silence is not absence: it is pure presence. Meditative tourism invites us not to see more, but to see better. And for those willing to listen, the island continues to whisper wisdom hidden between the sound of the waves and the rustling of the leaves.