Casa Cairucu

Rooms

There are 3 double/twin sea-facing bedrooms, all with ensuite bathrooms. In addition, there's a further single room on the other side of the house, with a bathroom next door, which might suit a nanny or older child. The main bedroom is slightly bigger than the other 2, and its bathroom has a glass wall with side views to garden and sea from the shower.

All of them have beautiful hardwood floors and white walls, with just a scattering of colourful local paintings and bright turquoise or lime green bedspreads. It's a clean and minimal effect which serves to emphasise the stunning outlooks to sea and rainforest.

Besides the sea breeze, all have eco-fans which keep them cool without draining the electricity. There's no air-con, but the louvred sliding doors mean you can sleep with them closed but still get a through draft.

Beds are comfortable, with pocket sprung mattresses, Egyptian cotton sheets and double tiered pillows; you can ask for wraparound mosquito nets if you want, though usually it is not too bad mozzie-wise. There are open wardrobes (high humidity means enclosed spaces are not ideal), wicker bedside tables - and not much furniture besides; but, when you consider that everything had to come in by boat, it's more than adequate.

Bathrooms have shower wetrooms, mosaic tiled floors and big mirrors over a stylish white porcelain sink. Water is solar heated and more than hot enough, with a backup boiler for occasional cold spells.

Features include:

• Mosquito net
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Eating

The owners used to live here for several months a year, so you can be sure to find those helpful extras like graters, squeezers, chopping boards, condiments etc in the fully equipped kitchen. The house has its own spring and filter tap (in the kitchen) so you don't need to buy bottled water.

A pre-arrival shopping service is included at the beginning of your stay. Let the owners know what you’d like (they’ll send you a list to help) and you just pay supermarket prices. If you're not sure where to start, owners Simon and Fabiola have put together a list of some of their favourite Brazilian dishes: you choose what takes your fancy and they will buy the ingredients and supply the recipes... a really helpful touch, and it saves a fortune compared to eating out in Paraty every night. Or Adriana the housekeeper can also help prepare at no extra cost.

Adriana prepares your choice of breakfast every morning - usually pao de queijo (cheese rolls), fruit, toast, eggs, coffee etc. The concierge can advise on the best shops and supermarkets in Paraty, and you're given the phone numbers and going rates for all the local boatmen, although most guests go out with experienced boatman Luis, Adriana’s husband.

If you're daunted by the idea of self-catering by boat, Adriana can pre-prepare the evening meal for you - fresh fish (peixe), squid (lula) or shrimps (camarao) are highlights.

Praia Vermelha has a restaurant on the beach that will take you back to the house by boat for a few Reals. Alternatively take a boat into Paraty, which has plenty of restaurants throughout the year. There are no restaurants open at night (only for lunch) within walking distance of the house.

Features include:

• Barbecue
• Chef on request
• Dinner by arrangement
• Food blender
• Fridge
• Full kitchen
• Hob or stove
• Microwave
• Oven
• Shopping service
• Toaster

Activities

• Swim, snorkel, canoe or stand up paddle through the warm, turquoise waters (2 Stand Up Paddles & 2 double kayaks and lifejackets are provided) along the coast and to nearby islands; the shore is rocky, but there's a pier, and a few minutes' walk away is the sandy beach and hamlet of Praia do Bare
  
• An island nearby has a population of endangered golden lion tamarin monkeys (take bananas!)
  
• Look for kingfishers and hummingbirds, or even dolphins in the bay; or take a boat (and a local) for some lazy fishing
  
• 10 minutes by boat (or a 30-40 minute walk) is the stunning sandy beach of Praia Vermelha; and there are other, even more secluded coves on small islands within the bay (look out for turtles and starfish)
  
• Take a boat into Unesco-listed Paraty : this charmingly preserved 17th-century colonial town, a former port for the gold mined in Minas Gerais, has cobbled streets, coloured houses, time-worn churches, trendy art galleries, artisan shops and quirky cafes with street artists and superb ice cream
  
• Further afield, you'll find the fjord-like inlet of Mamangua, home to traditional fishermen and the challenging but spectacular summit of Pau de Acucar (like a smaller version of Rio's more famous Sugar Loaf)
  
• Walks through the rainforest to local beaches are beautiful and take you through local Cairucu villages. The concierge can arrange trips such as sea kayaking excursions, fazenda farm visits, private yoga classes, bird watching walks and waterfall hikes (extra cost)
  
• Go on a Wild Food Walk with leading Brazilian forager, Jorge Ferreira. He'll help you identify edible plants within the rainforest, and those which have medicinal qualities
  
• Hike a section of the Caminho de Ouro ('Gold Trail'), which slaves once carried gold along. Local guides will walk with you and explain the history as you go

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Birdwatching
• Boat trips
• Dolphin watching
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Kayaking
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Sailing
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming

Kids

Children are very welcome and it is a lovely place for adventurous kids of all ages - the owners spend time here every year with their young children. The large veranda has doors, making it a safe, enclosed place to play, and there are board games, too. The public footpath is good for older children to explore, and kayaks and fishing rods are fun for the teenagers. Two of the bedrooms can connect.

Best for:

Children (4-12 years), Teens (over 12)

Family friendly accommodation:

Cots Available

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa Cairucu is a short boat ride (10-30 mins, depending on the boat) from the colonial town of Paraty, which is halfway between Rio and São Paulo in southeast Brazil - approximately a 4-hour car journey from either.

By Air:
Fly to Rio's Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (240km away) or São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport (290km away). For airlines serving these airports, please click on the links below. Access from São Paulo airport is easier because the airport is on the highway which leads here (so no need to cross the city).

From the Airport
Arrange a transfer from Rio or São Paulo - Paraty Tours offers good and frequent transfers in minibuses from airports / Rio hotels, or see below.

By Bus:
Air-conditioned coaches depart every few hours from the bus stations in Rio and São Paulo to Paraty (São Paulo is trickier as buses are less frequent). Travel first class because the difference in fares is minimal, but big in terms of comfort levels. The best options from Rio are the Costa Verde buses, which travel regularly from Novo Rio Rodoviara bus terminal (take a taxi there from the airport).

By Car:
There's not much point having a car during your stay, as the house itself is on a remote stretch of coast, a few km from the nearest road. If you want to explore the area around Paraty, there are 2 car rental companies in town, as well as taxis.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Brazil and getting around