Picinguaba - Practical information
Picinguaba is located half-way between Rio and São Paolo; access from São Paolo airport is slightly easier, due to better air connections from Europe and an easier road connection. Most of our guests use our private transport. It is more flexible, more comfortable and safer. We provide it at cost price. However if you would like to come by you own means, below are the options:
By car
You can rent a car at the airports of Rio and São Paulo. Allow about 200 Reais per day (70 Euros) for a good air-conditioned car, including insurance and open mileage. If you don't know the region or don't speak Portuguese, driving in Rio or São Paulo and finding the road Rio-Santos which leads to Paraty can be quite difficult and even hazardous and we don't recommend it. We advise you to avoid traveling at night due to bad road signage. Allow 3 ½ to 4 hours to reach Picinguaba from Rio or São Paulo. From Paraty, look for a tiny road on the side of the sea written "Vila Picinguaba" 30km south of the exit of the city.
By bus
Air-conditioned buses depart every few hours from the Rodoviaria (bus station) in Rio and São Paulo to Paraty. Acceptable comfort. Allow 40 Reais (15 Euros) for a one way ticket. From Paraty, take a taxi for Vila Picinguaba (about 100 Reais, 35 Euros). A few rare local buses also serve Vila Picinguaba from Paraty, but with changing at the State border.
Transportation during your stay
For most of the activities you do not need your own vehicle. Some excursions are on foot, others by boat and all guided tours provide their transport. The Pousada can also provide a chauffeured vehicle or book a taxi for you.
Access
Access to the Pousada is on foot for the last 250m. You need to cross the entire beach and go uphill on the other side. If you are coming on your own, please call ahead of time, we shall send someone to meet you and carry your bags. Our tel is + 55 12 38369015.
Accomodation
- 9 deluxe bedrooms overlooking the sea and the gardens. 5 of them have an extra bed for a child.
- 1 panoramic honeymoon suite, with jacuzzi.
- Bedrooms have a private terrace with a hammock, ceiling fans (no air-conditioning, instead there is the natural sea breeze); no visual interference with other rooms.
Features available at the Pousada
Swimming pool, wood-fired sauna, private schooner, fireplace, library with a selection of Brazil-related books in several languages, DVDs, home cinema, games, piano, guitar.
Events/Groups/Corporate
Total accomodation capacity: 40 persons max (with the hotel annex). Weddings, birthday, receptions, catering services, airport transfers...
Payment
The following credit cards are accepted: Visa, Mastercard, Amex and Diners.
Insurance
Personal Travel Insurance is recommended.
Useful accessories
Mosquito repellant for the evening, high factor sun block, after-sun lotion, biodegradable shampoo.
Seasons
Picinguaba is located almost exactly on the Tropic of Capricorn. The weather is warm and mostly sunny all year round, with an average temperature of 23°C (air) and 25°C (sea), so that bathing is always possible. There is little or no tourism in Picinguaba except in January (summer break in Brazil) and for the Carnival (end of February).
Weather
Humid season is from December to March. If your stay is in this season, you will get warmth and sun most of the time. It rains in short downpours, but almost every day, during which there are many ways to pass the time at the Pousada. Listen to the rainfall on the banana leaves, tucked in your hammock, reading, have afternoon tea with home-made cakes and coffee, massage, home-cinema, wood fuelled sauna, log fire, art gallery, bird watching. From April to September temperatures are lower but still very nice (around 25-28°C during the day). It can be cooler certain night (18°C). It is the dry season and is generally very sunny, air is less humid, with a very beautiful light.
Wild animals and insects
There is not particular danger; nature is exceptionally friendly and safe, both on land and at sea. No sharks, no malaria. In the forests, snakes are rarely seen and not poisonous, nor are spiders. Nature is not aggressive. Few mosquitoes, the region was treated a few years ago. The animals that one sees are turtles (protected species), humming-birds and other birds, sloths and and-thrush, and often dolphins.