Background

The word “Pousada” literally means “place to land”- or “place to stay”, and there are thousands of them throughout Brazil. The term encompasses places which in other places would be considered bed and breakfasts, or guesthouses/inns- as well as much more sophisticated places, more akin to boutique hotels. They are usually small, and very few in this guide will have more than 11 suites; some only have three or four.

Prices are usually similar to hotel prices. Where they differ fundamentally is that there are no pousada “chains” and all are individually run and managed. What they lack, sometimes, in terms of business administration and things like 24-hour room service, is more than made up for by charm, hospitality and personality.

In order to write this guide we followed the normal tourist route of checking all the guidebooks, and looking up all the web sites of the ones we liked. But what clinched the ones finally included on the visiting schedule was personal recommendation from friends who had been there. In the end we have included only about half of those, partly based on objective factors such as comfort and cleanliness, but partly on purely personal feelings regarding atmosphere, hospitality, and a perceived value for money.

We hope you enjoy staying at the pousadas here as much as we have.

What to expect from a Pousada

Accommodation

A good-sized room, usually with a double bed, rather than two single beds
En-suite shower room, with mains or electric shower, washbasin and WC
Wardrobe, chest of drawers or shelves
Bedside tables and lamps
Air conditioning and/or ceiling fan

What is provided

Always
Hand and bath towels
Soap and/or shower gel

Usually
Pool/beach towels
Mosquito nets or spray or plug-ins, in areas where there are a lot of mosquitoes
Small fridge (frigobar) with beer, water and soft drinks, at reasonable prices
TV with Brazilian programmes
Hammocks

Occasionally
Bedside telephone
Cable TV
CD player and/or DVD
Hairdryer
Laundry service
Room service
Additional outside shower
Shampoos and conditioners

Cleaning

Rooms are normally cleaned on a daily basis, but, in keeping with ecological principles, in some places you will be asked to indicate when you need your sheets and towels changed

Occasionally you may find a musty smell in rooms which have not been aired sufficiently. If this bothers you, ask to change rooms.

Similarly, you may occasionally find tiny ants or small lizards in the more basic pousadas. If you find anything else which bothers you, tell the manager or ask to change rooms.

It should be noted that plumbing is rudimentary in much of Brazil, and waste baskets are provided for anything you want to throw away- including toilet paper! Failure to remember this is likely to result in some embarrassment!

Food and Drink

A buffet breakfast is always included in the price, and is usually excellent, with a variety of juices, coffee, tea, breads, jams, cake, ham and cheeses. Occasionally hot dishes are available and eggs can be ordered - usually at no extra price.

Nearly all rooms have small fridges where you can help yourself to water, soft drinks and beer at reasonable prices. Tap water is not for drinking!

There is usually a bar service of some sort available, or an “honesty” bar, where you take what you want from the fridge and just note down the quantity. Payment is settled at the end of your stay

Where pousadas have a pool and/or beach, bar service is often available here as well

If pousadas do not have their own restaurant, most will recommend good places to eat nearby. Most pousadas, which are really off the beaten track, have their own restaurant and offer half board, which is well worth the money.

Languages and communication

In most pousadas there is at least someone who speaks English and/or other European languages, but there are a couple in this guide where only Portuguese is spoken.

If communication in a certain language is important to you, please search pousadas “by language”.

Internet and Wi-fi

Most pousadas have internet and an increasing number have wi-fi. Where internet access is not available there will usually be an internet café in the nearest village.

There is usually at least one computer terminal in every pousada, available for guests. This is usually free, but check beforehand to make sure.

Blackberries, I-phones and mobile phones should work in most places if they are activated for international roaming, but there are still areas of Brazil where there is no coverage at all.

Voltage

Brazil is a large country and the voltage varies from state to state and sometimes within states. It can be 110v or 220v. Check with individual pousadas.

Plugs are 2-pin, either US style or elongated European.

Safety and Safety Deposit Boxes

Most pousadas are safe but only a few have safety deposit boxes. It is usually possible to deposit items of value with reception to be put in their safe.

Transfers, trips and excursions

Taxi transfers in and out of the pousada can nearly always be arranged at reasonable cost and it is strongly advised that travellers take this option to the first pousada at least.

Trips and excursions can also usually be booked at reception, or they can advise where to go.

Payments and tipping

Some pousadas charge 10% service charge, but if booking through Hidden Pousadas this will normally be included in the price quoted.

It is not obligatory to tip cleaners, but it is normal to tip people that carry your luggage around R$2-3 per bag.

10% service charge is usually added to any restaurant meals. If not then add 10% in cash.