Pousada Bambu Dourado

After a two-hour drive on dirt roads, we arrived to find there was no room for us. There was no reception, no air conditioning, and no breakfast as promised. We’re stuck here at the pousada waiting for the owner to find the time to move us to another one. We booked and paid almost three months ago, only to arrive and face all this trouble. I don’t recommend it. One more thing: to enter this nature reserve, you have to pay a very high toll, and the roads aren’t even paved.

The beach service was excellent, and the snacks and meals were delicious and fairly priced. They even provide flippers and snorkels for the natural pools. My husband and I loved our stay at this wonderful pousada. The whole team was lovely, and the owners gave us very personal attention. Helena’s award-winning arroz de lambreta is a must, and the cacao honey juice is addictive. Breakfast came in three stages and was simply phenomenal, with fresh, top-quality products and lots of variety. They served guests at their tables even before the pandemic, and I think avoiding a self-service setup makes sense these days. The pousada is very close to Taipu de Fora beach, considered one of Brazil’s ten most beautiful. Our room was charming, with a very comfortable bed, plenty of bathroom amenities, and a whirlpool tub. They welcomed us with a drink, which was such a thoughtful touch.

The location and grounds are wonderful, but the place feels abandoned. There was no receptionist or check-in, the air conditioner and TV didn’t work, and the stairs were falling apart, with a risk of a guest getting hurt. I went downstairs for three days trying to get breakfast. The staff said to come early because the guests eat everything, which was a joke. The truth is you pay for breakfast but may not get to eat. It was disappointing and turned my vacation into a nightmare. I don’t recommend staying here. There are much better and cheaper pousadas nearby.

The beach here is fantastic, with clean water, fine sand, and a real feeling of paradise. For us, this is the best spot in Maraú. The pousada deserves praise of its own. We felt more welcome than almost anywhere we’ve stayed. Our room was spotless and carefully arranged, with thoughtful extras, lovely linens, and a great bed and pillows. Breakfast was the best imaginable, served in stages, fresh, detailed, and delicious. The kitchen deserves a lot of credit too, from the beach snacks to dinner at the pousada and cooler service on the sand. I could go on for hours. Congratulations, Fernando, Helena, and Roberta. We’ve rarely been welcomed with such care. And yes, Lá Em Casa Guest House feels even better than home.