Pousada Belas Aguas Mairipora

The ribs were tasty and came in a reasonable portion, but the sides weren't enough for a child, so it was a lot of money for little food. The bar and restaurant were poorly run and the service was awful. I waited over an hour for my meal, which I'd ordered ahead, before finding out they hadn't even entered the order. We also found the pool was deep all the way across, with no thought for kids. The unisex bathroom by the bar had no lock, and a man opened the door while I was changing my daughter so we could leave. This was during my day-use visit today, on Carnival Monday, and it was an awful experience.

We spent nearly 500 reais between food and day use, but left after about an hour and a half. It’s a long way out, so that was a real regret. The parking was awful, far away, and we had to walk among the cars to get there. At the site, day use was 55 reais per person and was supposedly from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. We couldn’t use the reservoir because the water was above knee height and a life jacket was required. That part was fine, but the place was poorly organized, and there was no food or drink down there, so we’d have had to walk back up dozens of times. The pool was very dirty, nothing like we expected. It wasn’t crowded when we arrived early, so the place made a very bad impression. The kitchen seemed disorganized and poorly presented too. Staff were polite and helpful as much as they could be, but they had no resources or proper setup to work with. The showers were filthy and unusable. Awful. If you’re thinking of going, don’t.

The water activities were fun, but expensive for the amount of time you get, so they didn't make up for the price. The place itself is beautiful and peaceful, and seems to have lots of potential, but there’s a lot that needs fixing. Service fell short from the start: I couldn’t get my questions answered over WhatsApp, and when I arrived there was no reception desk, so I had to look around for someone to explain how things worked. The parking was costly for an unsupervised area with lots of weeds that looked abandoned. Lunch was a huge letdown. The food looked old, dry, cold, and clearly not fresh. There weren’t enough employees, and even with only a few families, the staff couldn’t keep up. I ordered drinks, had to ask again after my dish arrived, and still finished eating without them, so I canceled the order. I was also concerned about safety. The hammocks were tied with very thin ropes and didn’t seem properly supported. I saw a mother lying in one with her baby when the rope snapped and they fell to the ground. Thankfully neither was hurt, but it was irresponsible. The aquatic rides were enjoyable, though still too expensive for their short duration. The bathrooms were dirty, with an overflowing bin and a wet floor, despite the contract saying they’re cleaned and maintained regularly. I slipped as I went in and nearly fell. This place could become excellent, but it has a lot to improve.

The access to the reservoir was good, and I really enjoyed the water activities. I used day use, and anyone who likes camping and being close to nature will probably enjoy the place. The food was very good too. Just be aware that parking costs extra on top of day use, though it isn’t very expensive. Some things could be better. The pool water didn’t look very clean, and needs more frequent maintenance. There was animal droppings along the path to the reservoir. I understand it’s nature, but that area still needs more care. The bathrooms need a lot of attention too: no bins, and the shower leaks so water runs out toward the lockers. I’ve read some earlier comments, and a few of those concerns make sense. I don’t know if management knows about them, but it’s worth mentioning because the place has a lot of potential. The receptionist was practical and efficient, but could be kinder to coworkers and customers. Reception in general could be better organized and quicker. With a few adjustments, this place could offer an even better experience.