Pousada Sol do Cais

The words on the green mat by the wooden door said, “Make yourself at home!” By the time we left, I realized it wasn’t an order, just a promise. I really did feel at home, in a house with a sea view. Jefferson, Erica, Barbara, and little Valentina welcomed us together, each seeming to know just what to do to help us relax and feel that our stay would be full of good things. This hardworking, lovely family made us feel part of theirs. Their smiles, handshakes, and sincere hugs came at no charge, and neither did Barbara’s food tips or Valentina’s laughs. Pousada Sol do Cais is about ten kilometers from Paraty’s historic center and practically on the sand at Praia Grande, beside a tiny fishing village. A 300-meter trail to the left leads to a little paradise of a beach. The Atlantic forest along the path is almost untouched and cared for by the surrounding community. Don’t sleep in, get up for breakfast and take the trail. On the beach, children play, grandparents and parents play frescobol, and the rocks offer shade. The sun seems to shine brighter there. Breakfast was wonderful: chilled fruit, juice, fresh bread, and the kind of food you find at Grandma’s house. The quality and care, together with the sunrise you can see from the inn, make the whole experience special. You might notice a few imperfections, like a missing chair in the room, a dripping tap, or a poorly tuned TV. But look closer and you see thoughtful touches, decorative paper on the minibar, newly installed lamps, shining floors in the room and bathroom, working air conditioning, and a well-fitted hot shower. It felt like the things a close friend or sibling does to make you comfortable when you visit. The sign by the door seemed to say it all. Thank you to Jefferson and Erica for welcoming my wife and me into your family, to Barbara for the food advice, to little Valentina for the laughs, and to Pousada Sol do Cais for a stay that felt like home.