Pousada Cambará Village

The staff were friendly, and the guy helping the women was especially nice. They even let us use the kitchen to make a barbecue. The place is simple, though the room could be much better. The bathroom had a smell that meant we couldn't leave the door open, and the mattress was so worn out we could feel the bed slats. Breakfast was disappointing. Check-in was disorganized, and we waited outside in the cold for 30 minutes. For R$250 a night, I expected more comfort and better preparation.

The photos match the place, and I thought the price was fair for what we got. Breakfast was simple, homemade, and clearly made with care. The pousada itself feels so cozy, and as Welington says, “you’re at home.” We really did feel comfortable there. Everyone was lovely and helpful, and kept us informed about canyon tours and things to do in town. Sadly, the town doesn't live up to the beauty of the area. It's very neglected and not well equipped to handle the number of tourists. The people at the pousada make up for that with their warm welcome and great service.

I had stayed at the pousada in 2016, but after this experience I won't choose it again. I traveled to the area in February with my husband, mother, and 10-month-old daughter. We were in Gramado, and the day before leaving I asked the pousada how things were operating in the region, since many places in RS were closing because of Covid. They replied, “Hi, everything is operating.” We drove to town the next day and found out the canyons were closed to visitors because of the pandemic. I asked to cancel and complained that their bad information had made us drive there for nothing with a baby. The owner understood and said he'd refund the deposit, but the person handling the finances was rude, said I hadn't been patient, and claimed the pousada's message hadn't been untrue. After a lot of arguing, she said she'd send the money back by Pix. She never did and stopped answering my messages. I absolutely don't recommend it.

It's a quiet, peaceful place, fairly close to the canyons, and a much better option than coming from Praia Grande. Cambará do Sul has big temperature swings, so a sunny 30-degree day can turn into a 10-degree night. Bring warm clothes. There's a fireplace in the chalet, which is great when it gets cold. Plan ahead for meals, though. The pousada only serves breakfast, and the town shuts down early. After around 6 p.m., it's hard to find anywhere open to eat.