Vida Sol E Mar

Activities

• The Beach: the villas are just a 50-100m walk to Praia do Rosa, a large sweeping crescent of clean, soft sand backed by grassy dunes. It's a wild, natural setting with just a couple of beach shack bars and no large hotel developments (the sleepy town of Praia do Rosa consists of a few low-rise buildings, dirt roads and surf shops set far back from beach). Young surfers and beach babes create a buzz at weekends and in high season (December - February) but in mid-March we found it almost deserted. The hotel provides simple fold-up beach chairs, parasols and towels at no extra charge (just ask at reception). For swimming, the warmer (and calmer) lagoon behind the dunes and the hotel pool are preferable to the sea.
  
  Whale Watching: Southern Right Whales are majestic creatures of awesome size (they typically grow to about 18 m / 60 ft long) who choose these waters as their nursery between July and November. Vida Sol e Mar is the HQ for Brazil's Right Whale Institute so you couldn't be better placed to witness these extraordinary scenes. Enrique's the true enthusiast and each morning fishermen from along the coast let him know where they can be seen. You may see them from the shore, boat or van (special trips need min. 6 people). They own two boats with a trained captain to approach the whales without disturbing them. A biologist is on hand to answer questions.
  
  Surfing: Praia de Rosa has top class waves to suit all levels. Rodrigo manages the surf school and teaches groups of up to 4 people; wet suits and boards are provided. He'll get you standing on the board by the end of the session (if only for a few seconds) and will take good photos of you in action. You can also rent boards by the hour/day or ask to be taken on surf trips to other beaches which lie to the north (Ouvidor, Barra, Ferrugem, Silveira and Garopaba) and south (Itapirubá and Ibiraquera - also good for windsurfing).
  
  Excursion to La Laguna - a 4-hour round trip with one of the hotel's driver-guides. After a pleasant 1-hour drive down the coast passing forest clad mountains, you reach the sleepy town of La Laguna where you can see dolphins literally work with fishermen from Molhes da Barra. A 5-minute boat trip takes you across the estuary to savour a simple but super fresh Brazilian seafood lunch, followed by a brief drive around this historic colonial town to learn of Anita Garibaldu, Laguna's own Che Guevara. On the way back you stop off at the tiny Whale Museum at Imbituba, the last whaling station used for hunting whales. We found this quiet forgotten building with its whaling artefacts quirkily fascinating.
  
  Hiking: go for walks around the beaches, forests, dunes or cliffs. Local guides can be provided to show you the way. Take a trip to see the waterfalls near to town of Paulo Lopes. For this you'll have to take a special guide and walk about 45 minutes through Atlantic rainforest.
  
  Horse Riding: trips on national criolos & mangas-larga breeds depart from a nearby farm and take routes through Mata Atlântica (Atlatic Rainforest), dunes, beaches, lagoons, lakes as well as buffalo farms.
  
  
• Boat trips: boats typically leave from nearby Garopaba Beach and can take you on different length trips (1.5-5 hrs) to different beaches and islands. Snorkelling can also be included.
  
  
• Tennis: hotel and villa guests have access to gravel courts next door.