Casa Turquesa

Rooms

Each of the 8 immaculate suites is named after a different colour, and all reflect the vibrant shades seen in the streets of Paraty (coloured shutters, doors and windows). No expense or attention to detail has been spared. The décor is a blend of snowy white and the suite's namesake. Finely varnished hardwood flooring runs throughout.

The Luxury Suites come with with top-quality queen beds, discreetly-placed plasma TVs, walk-in showers and sheets of Egyptian cotton. If budget allows and romance dictates, the Master Suites are fantastic. We really couldn't fault ours. Expect spacious rooms with kingsize beds and white sofas, a couple have Jacuzzi bathtubs and one even has a Juliet balcony overlooking the bay.

Homely touches prevent it from being clichéd - rattan chairs, striped rugs, small oil paintings, simple brass lamps - and it's this level of detail that really impresses. The beds are extremely comfortable, with plumped pillows. The minibar is free (apart from alcoholic drinks) and is filled with an array of snacks and soft drinks. Tete even sourced her mosquito nets from Bahia; cushions and runners are handstitched.

Ensuite bathrooms have little wicker baskets full of Granado toiletries and thick towelling dressing gowns. The intensive power showers are an invigorating highlight.

Features include:

• Bathrobes
• Mosquito net
• Safe box
• WiFi

Eating

Breakfast is either served in your room (you can fill out a form selecting what you want the night before) or in the guest lounge, a vibrant room with zesty leather sofas offsetting the exposed stone walls. A large round table is set with blue and white china; guests can eat communally or take their plate to a sofa or outside. The food was some of the best during our trip - courses of fruit, pastries, tapioca pancakes, muffins, cooked eggs, cakes, juices and great coffee.

Although there's no on-site restaurant as such, the kitchen can prepare delicious light snacks (ceviche, carpaccio and salads) to have by the pool, in the bar or in your room - wherever suits you. They are also happy to prepare lunch hampers if you are heading out for the day. Afternoon tea with fresh homemade cakes was served every day during our visit.

There are a wealth of good restaurants and bars within a minutes walk of the guesthouse - one of the best is Banana da Terra. It's pricey but has a great atmosphere and fabulous food. We also enjoyed great carpaccio and excellent ceviche at some of the small informal local bars. Paraty has some excellent eateries but there are also some overpriced tourist traps so ask Tete for her latest recommendations.

Features include:

• Bar
• Breakfast
• Restaurants nearby
• Room service

Activities

• Wander around the cobbled streets of UNESCO-listed Paraty. Its colonial architecture, emblematic of the 17th-century gold rush, is wonderful. You'll find pretty coloured houses, art galleries, artisan shops and quirky cafes. Street music and artists will keep you entertained; linger over a coffee and people-watch
  
• No visit would be complete without a boat trip around the beautiful lush bay of Ilha Grande. We chartered our own boat to swim with turtles and discover awesome beaches and coves – unforgettable. Casa Turquesa fixed us up with Andre, an English-speaking captain - ask for him and you won’t be disappointed
  
• Visit Paraty’s 4 churches. Capela de Santa Rita (built 1722) was used by white nobility and freemen; the rustic Igreja de Nossa Senhora was used by African slaves; Capela de Nossa Senhora das Dores acted as the church for rich nobility; and Igreja Matriz Nossa Senhora do Remédios, the largest church, was funded by a local woman but never finished
  
• Hit the beaches - regular boats go from the nearby port. Meio and Trinidade are postcard perfect; Fora is a hub of bars and restaurants; Cachadaço's rock formations form a vast pool of water in which you can swim with the fish - a natural aquarium!
  
• Paraty's Casa da Cultura (House of Culture) houses a permanent exhibition on local history and culture, with photos and videos illustrating the lives of citizens. Art house films are sometimes screened, too
  
• Paraty is surrounded by national parks. Head inland to hike through the Serra da Bocaina National Park and see its prehistoric cave paintings and waterfalls
  
• Further afield (25 minutes), you'll find the stunning Praia Fazenda beach - a 4km stretch of white sand - and Picinguaba, a lovely fishing village village
  
• Hike a section of the Caminho de Ouro ('Gold Trail'), which slaves once carried gold along. Local guides will walk with you and explain the history

Activities on site or nearby include:

• Boat trips
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Historical sites
• Museums / galleries
• Private guided tours
• Scuba diving
• Shopping / markets
• Snorkelling
• Swimming
• Traditional cultures

Kids

Only guests over the age of 14 are accepted. Two Luxury Rooms can interconnect on request.

Best for:

Teens (over 12)

For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection

Location

Casa Turquesa is set in the colonial town of Paraty, halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo

By Air:
Fly to Rio's Galeão-Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport (250km) or São Paulo's Guarulhos International Airport (280km). Access from São Paulo airport is easier thanks to an efficient highway (no need to cross the city).

From the Airport
The hotel can arrange a transfer from Rio or São Paulo (but not back) - it approximately a 4-hour car journey from either. Paraty Tours offers good and frequent transfers in minibuses from airports / Rio hotels.

By Car:
If you don't know the region or speak Portuguese, driving in Rio or São Paulo (and finding the road which leads to Paraty) can be quite difficult. If you do want to hire a car, avoid travelling at night due to badly signposted roads.

By Bus:
Air-conditioned coaches depart every few hours from the bus stations in Rio and São Paulo to Paraty (São Paulo is trickier as buses are less frequent). Travel first class - the difference in fares is minimal, but the comfort levels are much improved. From Rio, the best options are the Costa Verde buses, which travel regularly from Novo Rio Rodoviara bus terminal (a taxi-ride from the airport).

Getting Around:
To get around Paraty, we'd recommend relying on taxis (readily available through Casa Turquesa) or hiring a car through one of the car rental places in town.

Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.

More on getting to Brazil and getting around