If Ralph Lauren designed a beachhouse getaway for Pele, we imagine it would have the look and feel of Fazenda Sao Francisco. As the sun comes up, sit on the perfect white sand and watch the sky change colour. Swim through aquamarine waters and see shoals of fish dart beneath you, then eat organic Brazilian food on the seafront. Stroll through the mangroves to find a native Pataxo Indian settlement, and return as the sun sets for a well-deserved caipirinha. Then, after a seafood dinner, lie down in a cool white bedroom and fall asleep to the sound of the sea.
This is day-to-day living at Corumbau's luxury retreat, a haven of tranquility on the southern tip of Bahia. Miles from civilisation, it's a perfect place to forget the pressures of work and city living. Once a coconut farm, it's simple and extremely beautiful, yet has all you need for the ultimate beach break: the rooms are spacious and elegant, the lagoon pool invigorating, and thanks to the small size of the hotel, the cheery staff will soon know you by name. A stylish, restorative hideaway.
Highs
- Its fabulous location, on an unspoilt 15km beach miles from anywhere except the tiny hamlet of Corumbau (meaning 'distant place' in native Pataxo)
- Trails through the mangrove swamps are some of the best preserved in Brazil
- Wonderful food - and stays are on a Full Board basis
- Cruising out to the coral reef in the hotel's schooner as the sun rises over the sea
- The giant pool is so clean and clear you can swim underwater with your eyes wide open
Lows
- The fabulous location requires quite a lot of effort to reach: a domestic flight to Porto Seguro then a short plane hop or a 3.5 hour car ride
- You have to cross the road to get to the sea, but only a handful of vehicles pass each day
- There's not a lot to do except bliss out - there are no towns or restaurants nearby except a few makeshift beach bars 1km to the north
- Although the style of the interior design is first class, some of the finishings are slap dash - hardly a deal breaker!
Best time to go
Temperatures are pretty reliable all year round, with highs of 40c. June-September has cooler evenings and there's sometimes heavy rainfall at the end of November/early December.
Our top tips
Remember your flip-flops (or buy Havaianas when you arrive in Brazil), and take a sarong, suncream, sunnies and a couple of great reads. You'll also need light loose clothing and mozzie spray for the evenings and some sturdy shoes if you want to explore the mangrove areas.
Location
Fazenda Sao Francisco is set on the seafront and by the Corumbau river, 50km from the nearest surfaced road. It's 210km south of Porto Seguro (by road) on the south coast of Bahia, Brazil.
By Air:
Porto Seguro (210km) is the closest airport, with domestic flights to and from the airports in São Paulo, Salvador (in Bahia) and Rio de Janeiro. Click on the links below for a list of airlines serving these airports.
From the Airport
The hotel offers transfers from Porto Seguro Airport by car or helicopter see Rates. The car journey takes 4 hours and the helicopter ride just 20 minutes!
By Car:
Alternatively you can hire a car, see our car rental recommendations. The drive is 3.5 hours and it's probably best to avoid travelling at night due to pot-holes and badly signposted roads.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Brazil and getting around
Airports:
- Porto Seguro 210.0 km BPS
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 10.0 km
- Restaurant 10.0 km