The perfect blend of rustic elegance and simple comfort – and you only have to share it with a dozen or so fellow Robinson Crusoes.
Features
- Swimming Pool
- Yoga
- Beach
- Diving
- Snorkelling
- Water Sports
| Vila Naia - Corumbau, Bahia, Brazil | |
Sustainability Scorecard
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From $400 USD Per Double Per Night
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Good For You
With 15 kilometres of pure white sand stretched out before you, and miles of protected coastal forest surrounding you, with your own little fisherman-style cabin to retreat to, Vila Naiá is about as close to the perfect seaside getaway as you could wish for.
Established in 2004 by a Sao Paulo native, and designed to blend perfectly with its natural environment, this hotel is the perfect combination of rustic elegance and simple comfort – and you only have to share it with a dozen or so fellow Robinson Crusoes.
Relax in a hammock among the coconut trees, laze by the pool, enjoy a massage in the beachside lounge, enjoy a refreshing tropical cocktail, or explore the area with one of the many in-house tours on offer. The Mato Grosso reef is close by for snorkelling and diving, and there are plenty of hikes and boat trips to get you communing with nature, while local villages offer an insight into Brazil’s rich cultural mix. Back at the hotel, the restaurant serves superbly fresh Brazilian food – with many of the ingredients plucked from the hotel’s own organic garden, and the beds feature luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets.
Good For Brazil
Through cooperation with the locals, Vila Naia’s owner, Renata Mellão, has been able to preserve 50 square km of forest that now comprises an officially recognised protected reserve.
Vila Naia is staffed by local villagers, and the resort has its own wind generator for lighting and uses solar energy for heating the water. All the buildings were constructed with recycled wood and designed to minimise the impact on the site. The resort’s design is inspired by local fishermen’s houses, and blends in subtly with the environment.
The gardens are all natural, and no new species were introduced in the landscaping. The resort’s vegetable garden provides the restaurant with fresh organic ingredients, supplemented by grains, veggies and fowl bought from local farmers (the hotel helped establish the local farmers’ market) and fresh seafood caught daily by the local fishermen.
HighsPeace and quiet: The remoteness of this beautiful spot really makes you feel you’re in an untouched, undiscovered paradise – and you only have to share it with a handful of fellow guests. The beach: Fifteen kilometres of pure white sand and warm waters with hardly a soul but you and your fellow guests. Design: This is a beautifully designed and constructed resort, with recycled wood stilts and boardwalks keeping your feet sand-free while protecting the ground beneath. |
LowsAccess: If you have time, the 4-hour trip by vehicle and boat is worth taking. If not, you have to take a small plane to reach the resort, so if you take that option, consider Good Travel’s carbon offsetting service. |
Rooms
The resort includes just four bungalows and four suites. The buildings’ design was inspired by the local fishermen’s homes, and the rooms are all made from recycled timber, and roofed with traditionally made tiles. The décor epitomises rustic chic, along with modern comfort. While the rooms can be air conditioned, they are also include fans, and are designed to maximise the natural sea breezes.
All rooms are equipped with: A/C, fan, telephone, bath products , minibar, luxurious Egyptian cotton sheets, as well as fluffy bathtowels, robes and beach
While there are no televisions in the rooms, there is a large TV and DVD in the lounge by the pool area, where you’ll also find a card table.
Food
Food is definitely a highlight here at Vila Naia, where fresh ingredients are plucked straight from the organic garden or bought at the local farmers market, accompanied by naturally farmed fowl or freshly caught fish. The wine list is also tempting, as are the delicious cocktails whipped up in the bar. Staff are always willing to serve guests in their apartments if privacy is required, and you can also eat by the pool, on the beach, or ask for a picnic to take with you on excursions.
A typical lunch might begin with fresh codfish salad with marinated beans, followed by spaghetti with zucchini, straight from the garden, or Bahian shrimp stew, and completed with a custard and fresh mango dessert. Dinners also feature three delicious courses – a heart of palm salad, for example, followed by pan-fried fish with herbs and manioc, a local root vegetable, and finished with warm bananas and meringue.
Features & Facilities
- 15 km of white sand beach and 50 square km of natural reserve
- Swimming pool
- Massage room and yoga platform
- Common lounge area with TV, DVD
- Wireless internet access
- Bar and full service restaurant
- Massage room and yoga platform
- Diving
- Boating
- Water Sports
Corumbau Beach
The 15 km white sand beach is right at your doorstep, with its calm, warm waters. This stretch of coast is very quiet, due to the restricted access afforded by the marine reserve that protects the rich biodiversity of the waters here.
Local Info & Activities
Diving, snorkelling, canoeing, walking and boating are all activities easily enjoyed at Vila Naia and in its environs. Whether you want to head out for some snorkelling on the reef, visit local villages, ramble about the resort’s extensive grounds or simply lie in the hammock or enjoy a poolside massage, there’s plenty to enjoy.
Corumbau Beach
The 15 km white sand beach is right at your doorstep, with its calm, warm waters. This stretch of coast is very quiet, due to the restricted access afforded by the marine reserve that protects the rich biodiversity of the waters here.
Pataxo
Take a boat ride to Barra Velha and visit an indigenous community of Pataxó, where you’ll meet the locals and admire their handicrafts made from natural seeds, shells and feathers.
Boating on the Corombau River
The hotel offers boat rides both up the Corombau river and in the opposite direction. The 3-hour upriver ride takes past wild vegetation to enjoy a dip at a safe swimming spot. The 1.5-hour downriver excursion begins with a walk from Vila Naiá, crossing forest trails and farms, followed by a boat trip on the river and a walk back to the hotel.
Recife Mato Grosso (Mato Grosso reef)
The hotel can take you by boat to the coral reef, where you can snorkel among the marine life and bathe in natural swimming pools of clear, warm water.
Barra do Cahy
This boat ride takes you to the imposing cliffs on the shores of southern Bahia where the Portugueses anchored their ships. On this half-day excursion, you’ll take in the view and bathe in the Cahy River.
Monte Pascoal
This is a full-day trip through farmlands and native forests to the tiny fishing village of Palmares at Monte Pascoal, a nearby peak.
Caraíva
Another charming village, accessible only by boat – this is a 4-hour trip.
Curuípe
Northern of Corumbau, this is a beautiful beach with clear water, reefs, soft sand and charming, brightly painted local bars.
Sustainability
Vila Naia’s sustainability initiatives include the following:
- The resort was established by by Sao Paulo native Renata Mellão, who has established an officially protected national reserve on her 50 spare km of wilderness.
- The hotel is run in part on wind and sun energy.
- The buildings are made from recycled natural materials and are designed both the blend in with the environment and to impose only a light footprint.
- The resort has its own vegetable garden, which grows organic produce. What is not grown is bought from growers at the local market, which the resort helped to establish.
- All non-organic waste is removed from the site and recycled where possible.
- The staff is made up entirely of locals from neighbouring villages of Corumbau and Carroulas.
- Indians from the village of Pataxós sell their handicrafts at the resort free of commission. /li] li]Vila Naia’s owner has established an ONG that has established a conservation program for local flora and a greenhouse to cultivate rare species. The NGO also runs environmental study centre.
Getting There
The nearest airport is at Porto Seguro, and most visitors will fly in there from one of Brazil’s other major cities.By Land Rover and motorboat
By vehicle from Porto Seguro to Trancoso (forty minutes), and by motorboat to Corumbau (one hour).
By vehicle from Porto Seguro to Praia do Espelho (1h 30) and by motorboat to Corumbau (twenty minutes).
By light plane or helicopter
Twenty minute flight from Porto Seguro
By Land Rover From Porto Seguro – four hours
Visit our Transport section for flights, hybrid car rentals and train bookings.
Rates & Bookings
Rates are in US dollars, per room per day, based on double occupancy.
Bungalow:
High season, $650; low season, $500
Suite:
High season, $550; low season, $400
High season is includes January, February, July, August and December.
Included in rates: Rates include breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Alcoholic beverages are not included, nor are transferes, tours or local taxes.
Transfers from/to Porto Seguro’s Airport, Bahia (roundtrip prices):
By Plane – maximum 4 passengers - 20 minute flight from Porto Seguro Airport – US$1,350
By Land - jeep LandRover - maximum 4 passengers – 4 hours drive – $650
By Land & By Sea – jeep or similar + motorboat, catamaran or schooner - 4 passengers - $2,200
booking & cancellation policy
A 30% deposit is required in order to confirm a reservation.
The deposit will be forfeited if booking is cancelled within 30 days of arrival date.
Want to avoid cancellation fees? Visit our Insurance section for information on travel insurance.
