Casa Cairucu

Rio & the Coast

Rating: Mid-range

highlights

Blissful tranquil location on the Costa Verde
Home-from-home complete with a housekeeper and boatman
Go swimming, snorkelling, kayaking and SUP
Take boat trips in the Bay of Paraty
Local beach bars for lunch
Visit the picturesque colonial town of Paraty
Good for couples, families and groups of friends

Casa Cairucu overview

Sitting on your private terrace you look out over the Bay of Paraty and lush forested hills behind, a superbly tranquil sight and the perfect setting for a relaxing holiday. This is Casa Cairucu, your exclusive home-from-home, complete with a housekeeper-cook, local guide and boat man. You're accompanied on your transfer by an English-speaking guide who is contactable by phone throughout your stay to advise on activities and places of interest. The only possible problem with Casa Cairucu is that you won't want to leave!

It's secluded. You arrive by boat, an opportunity not only to enjoy the scenery but also to meet Luis, the boat man and husband of Adriana, the housekeeper. From the water you get views of Casa Cairucu on the hillside. Soon you are making yourself at home, leafing through books and enjoying board games in the lounge. There's TV, DVDs and Wi-Fi too, though they face stiff competition in the form of the views, which you can enjoy from the lounge and the wraparound terrace.

There are three good-sized bedrooms, all en-suite and two interconnecting. They are equipped with ceiling fans and all bedding and towels are included. These rooms have doors leading out to a veranda. There's a smaller bedroom with its own bathroom. Altogether the house can sleep up to eight people.

It has a genuine homely vibe, not surprising as it is still used by the Anglo-Brazilian owners who built it as a place for prized family time. As well as unwinding and enjoying the gentle pace of life at Casa Cairucu you can get go kayaking, standup paddleboarding and swimming, walk or take boat trips to nearby beaches and beach cafes. Take a boat day trip to visit Ihla de Mantimento opposite the house, look for golden maned tamarind monkeys, go snorkelling, have a barbecue lunch on a quiet beach followed by swimming and relaxing. The attractive colonial town and port of Paraty is just a 15 minute boat ride away.

Adriana is here in the mornings and as well as cleaning she prepares breakfast and can make dinner if you wish, for you to eat later in the day. There's a fully equipped kitchen and a barbecue if you prefer to fend for yourself, and there's a food and drink shopping service so any items you request are brought to your door. There are beach bars and restaurants a kayak or boat ride away.

details

Open: Casa Cairucu is open all year, though the Anglo-Brazilian owners stay here at certain times of year.

Location: Casa Cairucu is on Paraty Bay the Costa Verde, within the Environmental Protection Area of Cairucu. It is right by the sea and has its own pier and boat for transfers. Paraty is about 20 minutes away. There is no road access to the house. The nearest airport is Rio de Janeiro, 4 hours away by boat and car.

Rooms: The house has one double bedroom and two other bedrooms which can be arranged as doubles or twins and are interconnecting. All are en-suite. They open on to a wide covered veranda with sofas and hammocks, overlooking the sea. There is a further smaller bedroom and bathroom. The house sleeps up to eight people. It can be used by families, groups of friends and couples.

Activities: There are opportunities locally for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, snorkelling, boat trips, horse riding, and walking to quiet beaches and bays. You can swim from the pier to a local beach and take a boat trip to beaches and to Paraty to explore the colonial town. Yoga, bird watching and wild food walks can be arranged for an extra charge. Luis the boatman is available to take you to places in the bay and to Paraty.

Facilities: At the house there are books, a TV, radio, DVDs, CDs and board games in the sitting room. There are two kayaks, snorkelling gear and two paddleboards for guest use and a private dock for boat trips and transfers. There are sun loungers. Regarding staff, there is an English-speaking guide who accompanies you to the house on arrival and is contactable by phone throughout your stay. The housekeeper, Adriana is at the house from 08:00 till 13:00 daily apart from Sundays and bank holidays, to prepare breakfast, make the beds, clean and prepare meals for you if you like, although there’s a fully equipped kitchen you can use. The house has a washing machine. There is a pre-arrival shopping service.

Dining: The housekeeper prepares breakfast and can cook other meals for you if you like. You can swim and kayak or get a boat ride to local restaurants and bars. There are no local restaurants open in the evening but you can go into Paraty for dinner. There’s a barbecue you are welcome to use.

Children: Children of all ages are welcome. There is no garden but the large veranda has a safety gate. A travel cot, highchair and spare low height beds can be supplied.

Health: This is not a malarial area.

Communication: There is Wi-Fi internet access, but it can be slow. A local phone is provided during your stay at no extra charge.