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Trancoso is a picturesque, hilltop fishing village on Brazil's verdant Bahian coast. The Quadrado is its grassy town square overlooking the sea and surrounded by colorful fisherman houses. Here UXUA offers nine unique homes set in a tropical garden and complimented by a spa and the nearby UXUA beach lounge.
Wilbert Das, Creative Director of Italian brand label Diesel, launched the UXUA Casa Hotel (pronounced oo-SHOO-ahh) located in Trancoso, a colorful fishing village on Brazil's idyllic Bahian coast.
Situated on the historic 'Quadrado' – a grassy hilltop square closed to traffic except for the occasional horse – UXUA's unique 1 - 3 bedroom houses are self-catering or fully serviced according to preference. The units are complemented by a one-of-a-kind aventurine quartz swimming pool (aventurine an alluring green stone considered by many to possess powerful healing qualities), a restaurant, lounge, library, gym, spa, and a dedicated beachfront annex constructed of grounded fishing boats set beside ocean mangroves 5-minutes walk from the Quadrado.
Three of the UXUA houses are restored from traditional fishermen's homes and face directly onto the Quadrado, and the remaining six (including a multi-level treehouse made entirely of recycled wood) are nestled around pools in a lush tropical garden of flowers, fruits, and towering cocoa and jackfruit trees.
Wilbert conceived the entire UXUA project as a tribute to the region of Bahia and its dynamic people. Built with the collaboration of a group of talented local artisans and builders skilled in recycled materials and traditional construction methods, the project has taken two years to realize.
The resulting architectural mix showcases southern Bahian and Indian influences alongside a rustic modernism that nods to Wilbert's work in contemporary fashion and furniture design. The houses are each unique in every feature. Décor is composed of antiques and Bahian art as well as hand-made furniture and fixtures crafted on-site.
ACCOLADES & ARTICLES
Read Travel + Leisure article: Simple Rusticity in Coastal Trancoso, Brazil
Read Travel + Leisure review: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read Robb Report review: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read NY Times blog: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read Harper's Bazaar review: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read The Informed Traveler blog: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read Hotel Chatter review: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read Vanity Fair article: UXUA Casa Hotel
Read Globorati article: UXUA Casa Hotel LEISURE
Swimming pool - UXUA's postcard pool is shaped as a lake and made out of green Aventurine quartz stones found in the northeast part of Bahia. Aventurine is renowned as a 'healing' stone, said to be the most powerful crystal for mind/body equilibrium. The pool was constructed like a mosaic, which local artists selected and put together stone by stone. The pool maintains a pleasant water temperature all day long, since
the stones retain the sun's warmth.
Spa & Gym - The path made out of recycled wood crosses the UXUA garden and it takes you to the spa and gym area. With 2 massage rooms, one outdoor and one indoor, the spa also has a therapeutic Jacuzzi for 2 people. Male and female changing rooms separate the spa from the gym, where a big room features
space for yoga and pilates.
Library and Internet - The house holding the library and internet area was built by former owners of the property who created an Indian style pousada in the middle of this garden. The structure was carefully built and while seemingly out-of-place in coastal Bahia, was undoubtedly a unique and beautiful building. The ceiling has a dome with different kinds of colorful glasses causing a solar cromotherapy during the day. UXUA offers here 24 hr internet access, and a library with books in different languages and with information about the local area, including the savage life and the effort to preserve the Atlantic Forest.
The Beach Lounge - The beachfront lounge UXUA Praia Bar is a 5-minute walk from the Quadrado. The beach structures are fashioned out of abandoned fishing boats already on this site for many years, where a small, straw-roofed fisherman's bar had operated in the past. Huge, rustic wooden sofas are covered with cushions and shaded with flat-roofed pergolas.
The creative Bahian menu and expertly prepared drinks make the UXUA Praia Bar a popular destination also of Trancoso natives, and for those seeking a more active day at the beach there is a beach-volley area, open-air gym, and platform for Capoeira training (traditional Brasilian fighting/dance).
UXUA Casa Hotel guests enjoy access to some private facilities at the beach, which are integrated with care into the ancient Atlantic mangrove. Here are private showers and bathrooms, a room for taking massage, a patio for private dining, and a dock with access to the Trancoso river.
Sixty percent of UXUA's seaside property is preserved as a sea turtle sanctuary, operated in collaboration with Trancoso’s local fishermen's association. UXUA Casa Hotel and UXUA Praia Bar are committed to sustainable tourism and rigorously back measures for the protection of Brazil’s nature and wildlife.
EXPLORE
UNESCO World Heritage Site
BIKE - Trancoso is that kind of small town that everywhere is easily accessible by bike, even the faraway beaches. Riding on dirty roads completely surrounded by virgin bush can take visitors to all of the beaches around, rivers and the spectacular Bull's Valley. For those who like to explore the local life, a short ride around the village is also a nice and easy way to get to know the town. Yet, guided-tours can be arranged based on the level of each rider and they can be mixed with canoeing on the river, diving in natural pools or just a picnic break under the shadow of any fruit tree.
TREKKING - Trails among farms crossing rivers and groves challenge the more adventurous spirits. Always guided by professional trekkers and accompanied by a 4 wheel drive, these organized tours include top mountain bikes and general safe gear. Also mixed with canoeing, cavalcade and other eco-sports, different tours can be settled, including visits to Red Indian villages, old churches, fruit plantations or just being among the bush.
HORSEBACK RIDING - Riding a horse on the beach during a bright full moon can be one of the most exciting and romantic experience one can have. Always guided by friendly local cowboys, these tours can be organized any time of the day on the beach, dirty roads or trails among the nature. For beginners or children the cowboys take care of guiding the horses while the person riding can relax and enjoy the ride, while admiring the views.
SKIN DIVING - A calm place surrounded by rivers and many coral reefs on the beaches like Trancoso can be ideal for those who like fishing or skin diving. Beyond taking your fishing rod or diving gear and just choose the beach to fish, organized tours on fishing boats can take you some kilometers away from the coast into natural pools made by reefs that just delight with the variety of crustaceans, fishes, reefs and other sea living organisms. You can eat your own caught fish in a cottage near the river or in one of the fishing boats.
CANOEING - There are 2 rivers in Trancoso propitious for canoeing and from both the trips end where the rivers debouch into the ocean. To access the start point, the adventurous can go either by car or by bike and take a small trail to get in the river. From there, wear a helmet and a life jacket, take your paddle and get into a one or two hour trip among the rich flora that surrounds Trancoso and, if the tide is low or the sea is calm, just keep canoeing around the coast.
KITE & WINDSURF - The coast of Trancoso is windy most of the year, but from August to December the Northeast wind blows towards the town and creates a perfect scenario for kit and wind surfing. In the neighbor Arraial D'Ajuda is possible to rent the equipment, but most of the surfers prefer to bring their own.
SNORKELLING - With 16 kilometers of coast, Trancoso is a full dish for those who like snorkeling. In all of its 8 beaches there are reefs, and in most of them low tide creates natural pools that just absorb by variety of sea living organisms into the transparent water. The best beaches for this activity are Nativos, Coqueiros, Itapororoca and Patimirim. Talking to the smiling locals one will easily discover good points to watch sea-life.
BEACH VOLEYBALL - At UXUA praia bar or just after the block of huts at Praia dos Nativos (Nativos beach) there are beach volleyball courts to anyone who wants to play it. If you do not have a pair or a group of friends to play with, never mind. Locals and most of tourist are always looking for someone else to join their teams.
SOCCER - If there is one thing that makes Brazil world famous it is soccer. All around the country a visitor will see adults, boys and girls playing the sport. Soccer is so immersed into the culture that even in a heritage area as the Quadrado features a court to play in. Each afternoon the natives have their daily game in Quadrado and spectators are invited to play, although you may prefer to watch their style before show off your skills. The low tide creates natural courts to enjoy the game on the beach.
TENNIS - There are 4 tennis courts in Trancoso, two in the main street and two at Estrada dos Macacos (Monkeys Road). The last one provides one playing completely surrounded by Atlantic forest, 20 minutes walking or 5 minutes by car from Quadrado. In both of them players can rent racquets.
CAPOEIRA - Mixing martial arts and afro-culture, Capoeira was created in Brazil by the slaves during 18th century. Essentially used for self-defense in the past, today Capoeira has become a national sport and is even taught in some public schools. Beginners can have classes on the beach or in town at Casa da Cultura (Culture Center). Most afternoons at the Quadrado, Capoeira experts put on a spectacular show performing their acrobatics and precise movements against their pairs, attracting crouds who applaud the fascinating sport.
GOLF - With breathtaking views from the cliff to the sea, Terravista Golf Court is considered to be the most challenging in South America. Around 12 kilometers from the town, it is the first one in Brazil that has TifEagle grass on all 18 greens that allows for a fast and precise putt. It includes a Driving Range of 350 yards plus Putting Green and Chipping Green. Golf carts and top-brand golf equipment is available to rent, as well as a pro-shop, tee-time booking and other special services.
VISIT INDIAN RESERVATION & NATIONAL PARK - The Indian Reserve Barra Velha, of the Pataxó tribe, is at the entrance of Monte Pascual National Park. Here live 500 families who sustain themselves by handicraft, fishing and agriculture, in many aspects the same life-style that the first Portuguese to arrive in Brazil saw. At a distancing of 36 kilometers from Trancoso, this environmental protected area features a virgin Atlantic Forest alongside the ocean, where the Indian village and culture takes place, and visitors can watch their rituals and dances. For Pataxó Indians, necklaces of seeds bring the power of the nature for those who wear them, and the sale of these items provide needed income to the tribe. AIRPORT
Porto Seguro Airport (BPS) HIGH SEASON
November through April
GETTING THERE
To reach Trancoso, fly to Porto Seguro (multiple connections leave from cities such as Salvador and Sao Paulo daily). From November through February, many charter flights fly directly to Porto Seguro from Europe.
Trancoso is approximately 24 kilometres from Porto Seguro airport, which translates as an hour's drive due to the scenic, two-lane roads and a short river ferry crossing.
NOTE ON CARS: UXUA Casa Hotel is accessible to automobiles via a quiet alley running behind the Quadrado, and extensive parking is available. However, car rental is not necessassry, and the hotel suggests Trancoso be navigated by foot, bicycle, or horseback. |
