Probably the last time you'll wear shoes on Boipeba is when you step off the small boat that makes the 5-minute trip from the mainland. Jump directly onto the beach and make the short walk up the shaded path to Pousada Santa Clara. From here on in, it's barefoot, carefree relaxation all the way.
You'll be greeted warmly by the owners and shown along a wooden pathway to your charming, simply furnished room, hidden among lush foliage and banana trees. There's an open-air library with a collection of books and magazines, and a bar-restaurant serving breakfast and dinner where people gather to chat and drink in the evening. Around the back, up some stairs in a tree-top massage room, you can take chill-out to another level. There's no pool, but you won't need one - the "Bounty Bar" beaches are superb and the sea gratifyingly warm, all just 50m away.
Highs
- The owners, Kirsti and Leonardo, extend a warm, personal welcome
- Simple, laid back charm with a fun ambiance - we loved the rustic accommodation (don’t expect mod cons)
- Boipeba island is one of Brazil's best-kept secrets - you'll find miles of unspoiled beaches and friendly locals
- Great restaurant - easily the best on the island
- A great place for kids but not a ‘family hotel’, so couples wanting to get away from it all will not feel unwelcome or disturbed
- We love the tree-top massage room
Lows
- It's not easy to get to, but the distance from the mainland has helped Boibepa remain pristine, and the owners can send private vehicles to pick you up from Salvador or Ilhéus
- Not directly on the beach but it's only a minute's walk away
- On Boipeba 8pm is the new midnight: if you want buzzing nightlife, stick to Ibiza
- Rooms don't have many mod cons, and the chalets don't have air-con (but they do have fans)
Best time to go
Carnaval in Salvador (the biggest outside Rio) takes place either in February or March, depending on the year. Brazilians say if you want to watch go to Rio, if you want to take part go to Salvador. Boipeba would make a fantastic spot to chill out in afterwards. The rainiest months are May-July.
The Pousada closes each year for a few weeks, normally during June - please check for exact dates.
The Pousada closes each year for a few weeks, normally during June - please check for exact dates.
Our top tips
Arriving from Salvador is an adventure - it can take 3.5 to 5 hours - but the pousada staff can help you make arrangements. For this reason they recommend staying 3+ nights. If you are really short of time you can fly in to the local airstrip from Salvador.
For your packing list, bring mozzie-spray (not a huge problem but they do exist here) and suntan lotion (it's much more expensive here).
For your packing list, bring mozzie-spray (not a huge problem but they do exist here) and suntan lotion (it's much more expensive here).
- Boutique Guesthouse
- 12 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (closed Mondays)
- Over 2s welcome
- Open all year
- Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
The 12 Double Rooms are simply furnished but charming – some are almost like treehouses, others like little cottages, others have wraparound verandas. All are simply decorated with brightly coloured bed linens and distinctive coloured shutters and doors. Those with balconies or terraces have hammocks to relax in. Most of the rooms have air-conditioning, but you don't really need it - the open windows capture the sea breezes rustling through the luxuriant foliage. All rooms have hot showers, mosquito nets, a ceiling fan and a small fridge. There's no TV and certainly no need for a safe.
We found all the rooms to be equally pleasant. That said, Room 3 is good for a family as it is the largest and perhaps the most private, being somewhat tucked away at the back of the property. Room 7 (sleeps 2) and Room 8 (sleeps 4) are on two levels. I loved mine, Room 4, for the way the light flooded in in the morning, with birds providing a natural alarm, and for its terrace, perfect for an afternoon siesta swinging gently in the hammock.
Features include:
- Fan
- Minibar
- Mosquito net
- WiFi
Eating
A delicious breakfast is laid on: think fresh juices, coffee, bread, cakes, maybe a local coconut-infused rice pudding dusted with cinnamon. It will fill you up way beyond lunchtime.
For dinner (not available on Mondays) there are delicious 3-course meals. Even if you think you're full after the main course, you'll magically find room for a homemade brownie or slice of pecan pie, and one of the 10 varieties of homemade ice cream - I'd recommend the white chocolate and the honey. Starters might include aubergine with mozzarella, crabcakes, or Vietnamese lobster rolls; main dishes could feature lobster ravioli, prawns with tangerine sauce, or homemade linguine with ricotta, rocket and fresh tomatoes. There's always a vegetarian option and lots of seafood.
For lunch, there are several very simple beach restaurants in front of the pousada offering beer and snacks, while in the village (a 10-minute walk away) there are a few laid back places offering tasty local dishes such as moqueca (fish or prawn stew). Or you can take a boat 20 minutes through the mangroves to the floating oyster restaurants where dinner is directly beneath your feet, washed down with a large beer.
Features include:
- Bar
- Restaurant
- Restaurants nearby
Activities
- Lie on an unspoilt beach catching up on all the books you meant to read but never got round to (within 1-2 minutes’ walk of the pousada)
- Learn the difference between a caipirinha and a caipirosca
- Explore the sleepy village of Boipeba
- Walk an hour and a half along deserted beaches and through coconut groves to the tiny hamlet of Moreré
- As the team to help arrange canoeing in the mangroves, snorkelling trips and horse riding
- Hike through the Atlantic forest or follow the trails around the coast
- Take a boat trip to the floating oyster restaurants or around the island
- Swim and snorkel in the natural shallow pools offshore
- Go night-shopping in the village (a 10-minute walk away) and stop for a tapioca pankcake by the football pitch on the way home
- Get a holistic massage in the tree-top massage room
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Birdwatching
- Boat trips
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
- Swimming
- Traditional cultures
Kids
Santa Clara actively welcome families and the staff are great with them. There are no special facilities for children, but kids will love Santa Clara and Ilha Boipeba – this is a real Robinson Crusoe island with beautiful white palm-fringed beaches, warm blue sea and tropical inland.
Best for:
Teens (over 12)
Family friendly accommodation:
Room 3 is good for a family as it has a double bed and 2 single beds around a corner, plus an additional outside shower. It is also perhaps more private than others, being somewhat tucked away at the back of the property. All rooms have space for an extra bed, plus they are brightly coloured and fun. Those on two floors have fun spiral staircases (best for ages 5+).
Extra Beds Available
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Location:
Santa Clara is located on the island of Boipeba, south of Salvador. Access is difficult but you'll be rewarded once you arrive.
By Air:
The nearest major airport is Salvador Luis Eduardo (130km away); it has some international flights, as well as domestic flights from São Paulo.
From the Airport
From Salvador airport you can take one of 3 daily flights in a 6-seater plane to Boipeba's neighbouring island, Ilha de Tinharé (a 30-minute flight), and then cross the water to Santa Clara by speedboat (arranged by the hotel). The total time from Salvador to Boipeba is about an hour. Alternatively, Santa Clara can send private vehicles to pick you up from Salvador.
By Ferry:
Take a taxi from Salvador to the car ferry and cross to Itaperica (you’ll need to brush up on your Portuguese to buy the ticket). It’s then 125km by taxi to Graciosa, and finally 50 minutes by speedboat to Boipeba. Santa Clara can pre-arrange the taxi and speedboat for you.
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Brazil and getting around
Airports:
- Salvador Luis Eduardo 130.0 km SSA
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 1.0 km
- Restaurant 0.0 km