Top 5 truly off beat 'hidden' pousadas

Pousada Paraiso Verde, Ilheus (Barra do Sargi), Bahia : This is an extraordinary place where the New York pop art of Kenny Scharf meets the rivers and deserted beaches of the Barra do Sargi, midway between Ilheus and Itacaré in Bahia. There are only 4 suites here but all are beautifully appointed and set in stilted bungalows with views to the sea through the coconut palms. A tropical paradise!

ArtJungle Eco-lodge & Spa, Itacaré, Bahia: This is another extraordinary place where you choose between stilt houses, tree houses and a suite with no walls overlooking the Rio das Contas river. Beautiful rustic romantic chic accommodation in an exceptional setting- a fabulous park full of original art and sculptures, with a pool, sauna, massage and yoga all on offer

Amazon Tupana Lodge, Manaus, Amazonas: You only have to look at the google map on the pousada page to see quite how far this place is off the beaten track- and you definitely can't get there on your own! A rustic jungle lodge surrounded by rainforest and rivers and wild animals. Comfortable rooms with great food, but electricity by generator only a few hours a day, and definitely no wi-fi. A true Amazon experience only a few hours away from manaus, but feels like a million miles from nowhere.

Hotel Fazenda Baia das Pedras, South Pantanal, Mato Grosso do Sul : This is another place you definitely wouldn't find on your own. A beautiful eco-lodge surrounded by 15000 hectares of land and an exuberance of nature. It will take you 6 hours by 4x4 to get here on a good day, majority on dirt roads where the only traffic is animals- tapirs, raccoons, capybara, deer, anteaters. Once you arrive, you will also see a variety of birds, including the bright blue hyacinth macaw the likes of which you are unlikely to have ever seen before. Wonderful!

Pousada Mangueira,Morerê, Boipeba, Bahia: Boipeba is already becoming known as one of the most beautiful tropical islands in Brazil. However, it has manged to avoid the onslaught  of mass tourism due to the fact that the only traffic and indeed transport on the island is by hardy tractor. (At last count there were 14, of which 12 were out of order!) And you will definitely need a tractor to take you from Boipeba village, where the boats come in, across the island to Morerê and the British run Pousada Mangueira. Set in leafy gardens surrounding the mango trees this is a tiny pousada in a tiny village lost in time. A place where you are not only just moments from the beach and its bars, but also only minutes from restaurants which serve the best freshly caught lobster,shrimp and seafood. I myself have been twice now and will be back again early next year. It may be a trek to get there but like all the pousadas here on this list it is definitely worth it.

Ask Alison for advice on Brazil travel & pousadas
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