10 Recommended pousadas for adventure and nature

Solar da Ponte Verde, Petropolis (Araras), Rio de Janeiro  

"perfect mountain retreat to refresh mind, body and spirit"

Monkeys in the Cristalino Jungle Reserve, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso

Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso  

"Wonderful luxury eco-lodge in the middle of Cristalino jungle reserve"

Fazenda Baía Grande, South Pantanal (Miranda), Mato Grosso do Sul  

"beautiful eco-lodge in the heart of the South Pantanal wetlands"

Horseriding through the wetlands, South Panatnal, Mato Grosso do Sul

Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras, South Pantanal (Nhecolândia), Mato Grosso do Sul  

"Beautiful eco-lodge surrounded by hectares of land, and an exuberance of nature"

Pousada Araras Eco Lodge, Pantanal (North), Mato Grosso  

"great eco-lodge in the northern Pantanal - home of the hyacinth macaw"

Peixe Boi, Manaus, Amazonas

Pousada Chez Les Rois, Manaus, Amazonas  

"beautiful oasis of calm, ideal base for exploring the Amazon"

Pousada da Terra, Tiradentes, Minas Gerais  

"charming rustic pousada, with great pool, close to the historical centre"

Pink Dolphins, Novo Airao Amazonas

Pousada Bela Vista, Novo Airao, Amazonas

Lagoa Misteriosa, Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul

Pousada Galeria Artes, Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul  

"Eco-friendly guesthouse with artistic flavour and fabulous breakfasts"

 Pousada Uacari, Tefé, Amazonas  

"floating lodge in the Mamiraua reserve- home of the uacari monkey"

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10 Recommended Pousadas for Spas and Yoga Retreats

Pousada Capim Santo, Trancoso, Bahia  "beautiful Quadrado pousada in lush gardens with gourmet restaurant"

Casarão Alto Mucugê, Arraial d'Ajuda, Bahia  "rustic bohemian chic pousada with amazing seaviews"

Pousada Mata N'Ativa, Trancoso, Bahia  "totally zen..fabulous chalets with pool & tropical gardens"

Pousada Estrela da Ilha & The Island Experience, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro  " Beautiful pousada in high season & fabulous spa/yoga retreat in low"

Pousada Paraiso Verde, Ilheus (Barra do Sargi), Bahia  "artistic, rustic-chic, exclusive and totally hidden beach front pousada"

Pousada Bromélias Bem-Estar, Paraty (Grauna- 17kms), Rio de Janeiro  "rustic chic luxury, peace and tranquility in the atlantic rain forest "

Art Jungle Eco Lodge & Spa, Itacaré, Bahia  "amazing tree & stilt-houses with beautiful views over river

Vila dos Orixas Boutique Hotel, Morro de Sao Paulo (Praia do Encanto), Bahia  "beautiful bungalows and huge pool right on the beach"

Ilha de Toque Toque Boutique Hotel, São Sebastião, São Paulo  "charm, nature and simplicity combined with fabulous ocean views"

Pousada Vila Serrano, Chapada Diamantina (Lençois), Bahia  "colonial style eco-friendly pousada, offering great value for money"

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Brazil Carnival 2012: Pousada Packages 17 - 26 February

B&B O Veleiro Bed and Breakfast, Rio de Janeiro

All rooms are booked night of Feb 19th but there is still limited availability for nights PRIOR to and AFTER Feb 19th:

Budget Single available Feb 20th on - nights of Feb 20-23rd at R$290/N (min. 3N stay) after, R$130

Budget double available Feb 10 thru 17th or Feb 22 on - R$175/N, with nights of Feb 15,16,22 at R$390/N (min. 2N stay)

Mid Price double room available Feb 3 thru Feb 19th or Feb 20th on - R$195/N with nights of Feb 15-18th and Feb 20-23 at R$490/N, or R$650/N triple (min. 3N stay)

En Suite double room available Feb 13 thru Feb 19th or Feb 24th on - R$195/N with nights of Feb 15-18th at R$590/N, or R$750/N triple, R$910/N quad (min. 2N stay)

Vilangelim Eco-pousada, Praia de Imbassai, Bahia

Minimum 5 nights including breakfast

Standard double room for R$ 2,150

Deluxe double room for R$ 2,400

Pousada Mangabeiras, Boipeba, Bahia

4 nights including breakfast

Standard Bungalow for R$ 3,500

Deluxe Bungalow for R$ 4,400

Pousada Tãnara, Itacare, Bahia

5 nights including breakfast 

Double suites for 2 people from R$ 1,625 - R$ 2,275

3rd person R$ 400 

Pousada Lagoa das Cores, Chapada Diamantina, Bahia

4 nights including breakfast - February 17 - 21 or 18 - 22

Double room from R$ 1,985

Room for 3 from R$ 2,582

Room for 4 from R$ 3,353

Pousada Maris, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro

4 nights including breakfast - February 17 - 22

Double room - R$ 3,250

Pousada Encanto da Lua, Praia de Taipus de Fora, Marau, Bahia 

5 nights including breakfast - February 17-22

Double room from R$ 2,840

Pousada Côté Sud, Porta da Rua, Alagoas

7 nights including breakfast and dinner - February 18 - 25 

Double room from R$ 4,280

Pousada Aratinga Inn, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro

4 nights including 

breakfast and afternoon and excursions - February18 - 22 

Double room from R$ 2,500 

Double chalets from R$ 2,750

* 10% discount for payment in cash

Pousada da Terra, Tiradentes, Minas Gerais

5 nights including breakfast and afternoon tea - February 18-22 

Apartments for  R$1,350

Double chalets for R$1,500 

Double chaléts for R$2,060 

Ilha de Toque Toque Boutique Hotel, São Sebastião, São Paulo

5 nights including breakfast 

Double suite from R$ 3,000 

4 nights - Double suite from R$ 2,640

3 nights - Double suite from R$ 2,280

Pousada Capim Santo, Trancoso, Bahia

7 nights 

Double room  R$ 3,200 

Bungalow R$ 8.000,00

5 nights 

Double room for R$ 2,700

Bungalow for R$ 6,500

Pousada Mata N'Ativa, Trancoso, Bahia

7 nights including breakfast - February 17- 23

Standard double & self-catering suites R$ 2,970 - R$ 4,290

5 nights

Standard double & self-catering suites R$2,310 - R$ 3,410

Hotel Casa do Amarelindo, Salvador, Bahia

5 nights including breakfast and lunch - February 17- 21

Double room for R$ 3,890

Superior room for R$ 4,790

Luxury room for R$ 5,980

 Casa Cool Beans, Rio de Janeiro (Santa Teresa), Rio de Janeiro

5 nights including breakfast - February 17- 21

Double room from US$ 1,300

Pousada Uacari, Tefé, Amazonas

7 nights including breakfast - February 17- 23
Standard room for R$ 2,250 per person

4 nights including breakfast - February 20 - 24
Standard room for R$ 1,450 per person

3 nights including breakfast - February 17 -20
Standard room for R$ 1,200

Cristalino Jungle Lodge, Alta Floresta, Mato Grosso

Standard double room from US$ 230 per night
Superior double room from US$ 260 per night
Private Bungalow double from US$ 280 per night
Private Bungalow superior double from US$ 320

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Last-minute New Year's accommodation in Rio de Janeiro: O Veleiro Bed & Breakfast

Looking for last minute accommodation in Rio de Janeiro for New Year's? O Veleiro Bed and Breakfast will be hosting their own celebration at the pousada before all guests head down to Copacabana beach around 8pm for the festivities and fireworks. Don't forget to bring your white outfit!

New Years package includes Full buffet style Brazilian breakfast and New Years Eve dinner party.

Availability:

• 2 double rooms - From R$490 (based on 2 sharing). On the top floor looking up to the Tijuca National Park and the Christ Statue a Sharing a spacious bathroom with one other room. 
• 1 en-suite room - R$560 (based on 2 sharing) R$720 (based on 3 sharing a double and single bed). Garden level with double bed, private bathroom, small TV (local channels) and DVD, mini bar fridge, 

MAKE A RESERVATION

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10 tips for exploring Porto Seguro, Bahia Brazil

Porto Seguro, Estrada da Balsa, Arraial d’Ajuda & Trancoso 

Porto Seguro was the first landfall in Brazil of Portuguese explorer Pedro Cabral and the town dates back to 1500, although what is left of the historical part does little justice to such a momentous event. 

40 miles to the south of Porto Seguro covers an area populated by small towns, each one a unique destination worth exploring, with plenty to see and wonderful places to stay to suit varied styles of vacation. The most beautiful of these are 

Estrada da Balsa, 

(less a destination per se; more a stretch of road running parallel to the beach with small pousadas on both sides), 

Arraial d’Ajuda and 

Trancoso.

Getting accurate distances for these wonderfully off the beaten track destinations, 

either from Google maps itself (it hasn’t mapped the area properly yet) or from reviews of the area, can be difficult. You may read that Arraial is only 3kms from Porto Seguro, when it is more like 10kms, and Trancoso 10 kms from Arraial, which is actually 21kms. However, the most important thing is the time it takes to get there. A 

short ferry ride over the River Burnhaem from Porto Seguro, takes you to the Estrada da Balsa (or Ferry road) i

n half an hour. This

 runs south to Arraial d’Ajuda and takes 

less than an hour 

and joins the road leading to Trancoso, which takes another 

40 minutes.

But make sure you leave your angst behind, 

as the roads are full of interminable bumps which slow everything down. 

I have been to this area of Brazil 3 times now and every time it has been beautifully hot and sunny with a gentle breeze, perfect for appreciating nature, the sea, the nightlife and the tranquillity. This latest trip in October coincided with the week that the Blackberry didn’t either Black or berry. But for once I was  relieved. 

So where should you visit and where should you stay?

1. Deserted beaches

Estrada da Balsa, Arraial d' Ajuda and Trancoso all have 

deserted 

beaches near them with the exception of Porto Seguro, which is now almost totally built up in the stretch in and around the town. However, the longest deserted stretch is most definitely that which runs parallel to the Estrada da Balsa. Check out the lovely Pousada Areia Branca and Casa da Arvore if you are on a budget or prefer self catering;  if you want to be truly pe na areia- or right on the beach- the best option is undoubtedly the beautiful Pousada Beijamar.

2. Beaches with beachbars

The Beijamar has its own beach bar which is great but if you want more local action and some spectacular fried fish then check out the wonders of the Bar do Jonas in Trancoso and stay at Pousada Calypso , where they don’t have a pool specifically because they think you should enjoy the beach!

3. History

If you want history you can find most in the city of Porto Seguro and the village of Trancoso where the 16^th century cottages round the main quadrado square have all been done up and repainted (and turned into bijou boutique shops!) although it has to be said there is not an awful lot to see in either. The majority of Porto Seguro accommodation is large hotel style so if that’s not your style  you can easily stay at a pousada on the Estrada da Balsa and just get the ferry across for the day. In Trancoso there are some amazing pousadas close by the quadrado e.g. Pousada Capim Santo and Pousada Mata N’Ativa.

4. Nightlife

If you want student style nightlife then head for Porto Seguro or Arraial d’Ajuda ; if you prefer more “grown-up” style then Trancoso is more upmarket and has better restaurants. If you like the nightlife but prefer to walk back to tranquillity, then check out the Casarao Alto Mucuge in Ajuda with its beautiful design and  unique style.

5. Shopping

Both Ajuda and Trancoso have  great shopping as well as nightlife with places which open late pm and stay open frequently till the early hours.  There are also table stalls in the streets of Trancoso just to tempt you. On my last trip I bought some colourful keyrings and a hammock in Ajuda and some jewelled havaianas and earrings made of seed pods from a stall  in Trancoso. The latter cost me all of  R$5.00 for the pair (less than US$3 in what is a VERY expensive country these days) and have been envied more than anything else I have ever bought including by a woman at US customs (that must be a first!)

6.Tranquility

Here the Estrada da Balsa definitely wins all round as it is really just a strip of beach with the nearest town (Arraial d’Ajuda) a few miles away. Any  of the pousadas here will be fine and it is easy to get a shared van or taxi into Ajuda whenever you want to go. The pousadas in Trancoso and Ajuda are quiet in themselves but all suffer noise pollution particularly during  high season and holidays and the noise carries. I personally love both places but always take earplugs just in case.

7. Ocean Views

You can get beautiful sea views from the Beijamar (Estrada da Balsa) and from one or two of the apartments at the Capim Santo in Trancoso but for the best ocean views ever then try the Casarao Alto Mucuge in Ajuda where the view of palm trees beach and turquoise seas is out of this world.

8. Artesanato / handicrafts

Most of the pousadas in this region are decorated with local handicrafts, paintings and wickerwork, but the place that” lives” handicrafts is without doubt the Pousada Calypso in Trancoso. There are pieces here which they have been collecting over the last 20 years and the owners know all the artisans- beautiful objets d’art which you won’t find anywhere else in the world.

9. Eco-friendly pousadas

Nearly all the pousadas in the special collection of highly recommended pousadas are eco-friendly, but  Pousada Mata N’Ativa definitely takes it one step further in attempting to be carbon neutral as well. Definitely worth checking out this placefor the peace and tranquillity you find there as well as the variety of flowers trees and tropical plants in the gardens.

10. Dining

Last but not least. Where to eat? Forget the Estrada da Balsa as there is nothing there. However  you are spoiled for choice elsewhere. In Ajuda there is a great restaurant called “Aipim”  which I will definitely be returning to and in Trancoso there is one of the best restaurants in the world, right inside the Pousada Capim Santo.

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Pousada Estrela da Ilha & The Island Experience, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Pousada Estrela da Ilha & The Island Experience - "Beautiful pousada in high season & fabulous spa/yoga retreat in low"


The Estrela da Ilha (Star of the Island) is quite simply an extraordinary place, whether you come for the pousada which opens during high season and holidays, or the spa and yoga retreat which operates here the rest of the time.A beautiful high ceilinged oceanfront wooden  lodge nestling up against the Atlantic rainforest  this is a place which is only accessible by boat and where you are surrounded by nature on all sides.

There are 9 suites here, 3 standard, 4 luxury and 2 superluxury and all are well appointed with large beds, powershowers, hammocks and verandas, but there is no roomsafe, fridge or TV. The luxury here lies in the superb location, the large outdoor heated jacuzzi, the sauna, the healthy food, the views, the tranquillity,  the gentle Brazilian music playing in the background.and the informal but excellent service.

Whichever plan you come on, be it the more normal half board pousada experience or the all inclusive Island Experience and yoga retreat you will go to sleep and wake to the sound of the waves enveloped by a glorious feeling of peace and tranquility. An unforgettable experience!


Not to be missed:

• Walks and hikes over to Abraao (main town), Freguesia de Santana (colonial church), Bananal Pequeno (deserted beach)
• Kayaking to Lagoa Azul at sunset
• Chilling in the pousada sauna and heated jacuzzi
• Boat trips with snorkelling

Pousada Estrela da Ilha, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Slideshow: Hidden’s trip from Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro (near Angra Dos Reis) was created by TripAdvisor. See another Angra Dos Reis slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

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O Veleiro B&B, Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro- a hidden gem with owner guide

Location: Rio de Janeiro city
Nearest airport: Rio de Janeiro - 22kms
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Attractions: hiking, horseriding, massage, museums, night life & shopping, pool, walking, waterfalls
Price Category: $$ (bed and breakfast) R$ 141 - 220 , $ 74 - 116






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Pousada Gira Sol, Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil

 

Rating: Recommended

Location: Bonito, Mato Grosso do Sul

Nearest Airport: Campo Grande - 300kms

Languages: English, French, German Portuguese

Price: $$ R$ 141 - 220 $ 74 - 116 (2 sharing with breakfast)

Attractions: caves, diving, farm visits, flora & fauna, hiking, horseriding, pool, rappelling, snorkelling

Slideshow:

Pousada Gira Sol, Bonito, MS, a set on Flickr.

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