Pousada Picinguaba

Pousada Picinguaba is set within a tiny fishing village, overlooking a tranquil bay within the Serra do Mar Natural Park and is surrounded by tropical coastal forest. The only hotel in a 30km radius, the Pousada faces a 3km-long, pristine sandy beach. Halfway between São Paulo and Rio, and a half-an-hour drive south of Paraty, the Pousada is an ideal choice for those looking to get away from it all and immerse themselves in their surroundings.

The hotel’s 9 rooms are set within a converted ‘fazenda’ or farmhouse. All have private balconies, equipped with hammocks and boast beautiful views out towards the Pousada’s tranquil gardens, its freshwater swimming pool and the turquoise waters of the bay.

In keeping with the fazenda’s character, rooms are simply decorated with white walls, wooden furniture and carefully selected works by Brazilian artists. Everything is designed to help guests relax and connect with the natural setting - there are no TVs or telephones in the rooms, no Internet and only ceiling fans.

Picinguaba aims to have minimum impact on the environment and to support the local community, sourcing produce locally and providing training for staff, most of whom come from the local village. The restaurant serves up local dishes cooked with freshly caught fish and organic ingredients grown at the hotel’s farm and the hotel produces its own soap from recycled ingredients.

Guests are encouraged to interact with their natural surroundings as much as possible, either aboard Picinguaba’s private schooner or through a whole host of activities including picnics on the beach, hiking, fishing, kayaking and surfing.