Minas Gerais
A few steps outside the historical center, this long-standing pousada, lovingly managed by French- and English-speaking owner Bia, features clean,…
Must-see hotels in Brazil
Belém
Formerly the Hilton Belém, Princesa Louçã has fallen from grace somewhat but continues as one of Belém's largest downtown hotels, centrally located…
Manaus
Rooms are modern and cute, but really small – basically, boutique walk-in closets. Standards have bunks and shared bathrooms, while en-suite rooms at…
Minas Gerais
Hidden away on a leafy hillside full of chirping birds, this old-school hostel-like guesthouse has friendly multilingual staff and a guest kitchen. The…
Búzios
Rooms are small and somewhat dated, but nothing can diminish the Geribá beachfront location of this colorful pousada, decorated with mosaics and brightly…
Rio Grande do Sul
About 1km north of town on the road to Ouro Verde, this working farm has rustic rooms and a big-sky setting, flush with duck-filled lakes and sheep-grazed…
Santa Catarina
Superb value awaits at this gem of a guesthouse with airy, bright rooms looking onto well-kept gardens. It's worth splashing out an extra R$80 for bigger…
Santa Teresa & Lapa
Located in the favela of Pereirão da Silva, Pousada Favelinha has four double rooms and a five-bed dorm, all with balconies that have stunning views over…
Minas Gerais
Six rooms with shared bath and eight chalets encircle a spacious green area at this lovely pousada just outside São Gonçalo. New owner Luis Sergio offers…
Santa Catarina
There are better-value privates out there, but the dorms, all with private bath and one with a private kitchen, are in top shape with nifty box-style…
Rio de Janeiro State
Founded in 1931, this German-style hotel with sprawling, verdant grounds, a stone's throw west of Maringá's restaurant row, is the valley's oldest lodging…
Paraty
A block inland from Jabaquara beach, friendly Canguru offers a varied collection of doubles, six- to 12-bed dorms and campsites surrounding a sprawling…
Ilha Grande & Vila do Abraão
Despite its remote, immersed-in-nature atmosphere, Asalem is only a short boat ride from Abraão, or a 25-minute walk via a scenic beachfront trail. Owned…
Ipanema & Leblon
In one of Rio's most desirable areas, this stylish low-key hotel has attractive, uniquely designed rooms and common areas that give it a boutique feel…
Morro de São Paulo
Reigning over the main plaza, this beautifully renovated colonial mansion – dating from 1906 – has lovely rooms with classic furnishings and large windows…
Belo Horizonte
A high-rise relic that's definitely showing its age (right down to the vintage massage chairs in the lobby!), the four-star Othon still offers plenty of…
São Paulo
Just across from Vila Madelena in far more tranquil Sumaré, but still close enough to stumble home, this well-loved hostel is identified via an iconic…
Hotel Solar das Águas Cantantes
Ubatuba
With quarters ranged around a lush courtyard, this grand, whitewashed colonial affair – run by the son of the original Austrian owner – sits a short walk…
Lençóis
At the river’s edge, this family-friendly, sustainably designed hotel has a sophisticated but earthy look – think stone, hard wood, and large windows…
Minas Gerais
The four-star Solar do Rosario has an enviable position facing the Rosário church, and is the finest hotel to open in Ouro Preto in recent years. Ample…
Bahia
There's a lot of personal charm on display at this otherwise fairly standard guesthouse. The staff is friendly and eager to help guests make the most of…
Manaus
This hotel has business-class comfort and service on a quiet street near the city center. Rooms are moderately sized (some oddly narrow) with first-rate…
Rio de Janeiro
This beautifully designed, upmarket hostel is located on a wide road just inside the Babilônia favela in the neighborhood of Leme. The spacious private…
Porto Seguro
One of the more stylish options in Porto Seguro, this affordable boutique hotel is housed inside a colonial building dating from 1801 – check out the…
Rio de Janeiro State
The luxury chalets here, 12km northeast of Nova Friburgo, all have wi-fi and minibars and most have fireplaces and DVD players. The pretty landscaped…
Ilha Grande & Vila do Abraão
Fall asleep to the sound of birds and jungle critters at this four-room ecolodge, serenely situated near the island's southeastern corner, between Pouso…
Ipanema & Leblon
Located just a short stroll from the beach, the Ipanema Inn is a simple hotel whose rooms have off-white ceramic tile floors and simple wood furnishings;…
Manaus
One of Manaus' oldest hotels, though you'd never know from the modern (if a little stark) rooms and updated amenities. Newer bedding, bathrooms and air…
Rio de Janeiro State
A Penedo classic, this red house in the woods has provided luxurious amenities in a rustic setting for over half a century. The on-site restaurant serves…
Espírito Santo
At this converted family home within a five-minute walk of downtown Domingos Martins, owners Ilton and Fátima offer five spotless rooms including two…
Alter do Chão
Amiable service, simple but comfortable rooms, and a great location make this a recommendable option. Rooms vary considerably: some have colorful cement…
Mato Grosso & Mato Grosso do Sul
This modern business hotel was doing things right when we last passed by, with well-equipped rooms, a spacious lobby with bar and dinner restaurant, and…
The Pantanal
This laid-back and low-slung reddish ranch house right on the banks of the Rio Pixaim is 2.5km off the Transpantaneira. Fifteen impeccable large rooms…
Praia da Pipa
More sedate than some hostels, this HI hostel has good air-conditioned facilities with tidy private bathrooms. Separate-sex, six- or eight-bed dorms and…
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
This attractive, locally owned place offers clean and colorful rooms set along a strip of grassy garden; rooms sport verandas strung with hammocks, and…
Ipanema & Leblon
This hotel offers attractively designed suites with faux-wood floors, big windows and light, muted colors. Some rooms have balconies, and the upper two…
Porto de Galinhas
Run by a very friendly English-speaking Italian and her husband, this cozy pousada across the road from the beach has just four rooms set in an ample rear…
Ceará
Canoa's only beachfront pousada (guesthouse) is welcoming and Dutch-run; it's an excellent choice. Cool, tasteful rooms are dotted around a garden of…
Rio de Janeiro State
About 8.5km north of the park entrance, near the end of the road, the nicest of the lower park's hotels offers somewhat dated rooms and chalets, with…
São Paulo
This artsy and colorful hostel is one of the neighborhood's oldest, with a sociable bar and rooftop terrace that gives way to shotgun-style lodging in…
