8 Best Hotels in The South, Brazil

Name: Pedra Afiada Refúgio
Address: Estrada da Vila Rosa s/n, Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra, Rio Grande do Sul, 88990-000, Brazil
Telephone: 048-532–1059
Price range: $$$

The South has a great variety of hotels and inns. Except for in the smallest towns and most remote areas, however, you shouldn't have a problem finding comfortable accommodations. Pousadas in historic buildings are common, particularly in beach towns. Hotel-fazendas (farmhouse hotels) are popular in rural areas. Southern beaches attract many South American tourists, and seaside cities might become crowded and highway traffic nightmarish from December through March. Make advance reservations.

Pedra Afiada Refúgio

$$$ | Estrada da Vila Rosa s/n, Parque Nacional de Aparados da Serra, 88990-000, Brazil Fodor's Choice

The most comfortable lodging at the end of the canyon valleys, this pousada has established its niche among adventure tourists, who depart from here to explore the Malacara and other canyons beyond. All northwest-facing rooms have balconies with views of the canyon walls. Every room has a different color scheme, and all have comfortable, queen-size beds. A handful of chalets and glorified sheds dotted about the pousada's jungle garden make for an even more remote sleeping option.

Guarita Park

$$$ | Rua Alfiero Zanardi 1017, Torres, 95560–000, Brazil

Considered one of the finest lodging options on the shores of Rio Grande do Sul, this hotel is within walking distance of Watchtower State Park and its beaches. The all-white rooms are sleek, with colorful bedding and furnishings. Ask for a room with a balcony facing either the sea or the park.

Hospedaria das Brisas

$$$ | Caminho do Alto do Morro s/n, Praia do Rosa, 88780-000, Brazil

A solid midrange option for families, Hospedaria das Brisas has ample outdoor space and is a five-minute stroll from the beach. The only letdown is the outdoor pool and hot tub, neither of which are aging gracefully. Sparsely decorated, whitewashed rooms, equipped with both air-conditioning and a fireplace for the changing seasons, are set in two-story blocks in the garden; book ahead to nab the one that boasts a sea view. The guesthouse’s nautically themed Refúgio do Pescador restaurant ($$$) is famed for its seafood paella.

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Hotel & Spa do Vinho

$$$ | RS 444, Km 21, Bento Gonçalves, 95700-000, Brazil

Somewhat incongruous with the small-scale, family-run approach to tourism that gives Vale dos Vinhedos its charm, Hotel & Spa do Vinho is a large hotel that boasts spectacular 360-degree views at one of the highest points in the valley. Floral furnishings and laminate floors are a letdown in what are otherwise well-appointed rooms, with king-size beds as standard. For a price, guests can detox in the upscale spa, or stroll down the hill to the Miolo winery, where wine tastings are free for hotel guests.

Pousada Borghetto Sant’Anna

$$$ | Via Trento 868, Bento Gonçalves, 95700-000, Brazil

Hosts Rubens and his wife, Gisele, provide an exuberant welcome at this magical location, which was their weekend home before it became their business. Mad about wine, they’ll happily plot you a course around their favorite wineries, all less than a 15-minute drive away. The pousada comprises a cluster of two-story stone houses wedged into the hillside—two of which are split into two rooms, with three rented whole, complete with kitchen and sitting room. They all have antique furnishings, mod cons, and big windows that are perfect for admiring the sweeping views down the vine-covered valley.

Refúgio do Estaleiro

$$$ | Rua Flavia Martelini 400, Porto Belo, 88210-000, Brazil

On a hill overlooking the sea, this comfortable hotel features spacious, rustic rooms with verandas and lush wicker chairs. Both of its restaurants are highly regarded: Pizzeria do Refúgio ($$) and Estaleiro ($$$), which serves seafood.

Vida, Sol e Mar Beach Village

$$$ | Km 6 Estrada Geral do Rosa, Praia do Rosa, 88780-000, Brazil

This rustic-chic eco-resort offers easy access to the beach and several amenities, with comfortable rooms and villas with grand views of the sea scattered about the property, among palm trees and shrubbery. The poolside restaurant Engenho do Mar offers ecletic fare with emphasis on seafood. Instituto Baleia Franca operates out of reception, organizing land-based guided tours with biologists to see the southern right whale (R$60 per person; June to November). Guided hiking and horseback tours in the nearby Atlantic rain forest as well as surfing classes are also available.

Vila Tamarindo Eco Lodge

$$$ | Av. Campeche 1836, Florianópolis, 88063-300, Brazil

A 10-minute stroll from Praia Campeche, Vila Tamarindo is a clean and tidy pousada with a manicured garden where kids can splash about in a fenced-off swimming pool. The 15 rooms, split across two blocks, are in excellent condition, with rustic, wood furniture and a small private balcony strung with a hammock in each. Expect the typical Brazilian feast of fruits, cakes, and cold cuts for breakfast. The only downside is the modern condominiums being built on three sides of the pousada, encroaching on what would otherwise be a tranquil spot.

The South

The South

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