Muay Thai Florianopolis

It depends on what you want. Thai Brasil Floripa (Praia dos Ingleses) carries real pedigree as the camp where UFC contender Marina Rodriguez began, founded by Mestre Marcio Malko in 2007. For a unique experience, Thai House 442 in Campeche trains in an open-air space with an outdoor ring. CT Mooving Thai is led by Professora Ju, one of the city's most praised female coaches, while CT Muay Thai Brasil and CT Apocalipse are among the highest-rated. The island is large, so the "best" gym is often the excellent one closest to you.

Yes — Florianópolis is very welcoming to visitors. Many gyms are used to international students, with English or Spanish often spoken, and several happily take drop-ins for short stays. Camps like Thai Brasil Floripa, Thai House 442 and Estúdio Chang have all hosted travelling practitioners. It's worth messaging a gym ahead (many use Instagram) to confirm class times and drop-in rates.

Yes. Marina Rodriguez, a former UFC strawweight contender who reached as high as number three in the world rankings, began her muay thai at Thai Brasil Floripa in Florianópolis. She took her first beginner's class there under Mestre Marcio Malko and has continued to train out of the city throughout her career.

Quite spread out — Florianópolis is a large island. There are clusters of gyms around Campeche and the south (Thai House 442, CT Apocalipse, CSF), around Trindade near the university (CT Raja, Team Schmitt), in the Capoeiras area (CT Mooving Thai), and up in the northern beaches like Ingleses and Vargem Pequena (Thai Brasil, Thai Advance). It's worth choosing a gym based on which part of the island you're staying in or living in.

Absolutely. Despite the city's competitive pedigree, the great majority of Floripa's gyms welcome complete beginners and run mixed-level classes. Reviewers consistently describe being made to feel part of a community from their first session, regardless of fitness or experience. Several gyms also have dedicated women's groups and family-friendly classes.

Yes. CT Mooving Thai Floripa is led by Professora Ju, repeatedly singled out by members as one of the best muay thai instructors in the city. Several other gyms, including Thai Brasil Floripa and CT Muay Thai Brasil, run dedicated women's muay thai groups that students speak about very warmly.