Pousada Côté Sud, Porto da Rua, Alagoas designer-chic pousada hotel

Pousada Côté Sud opened some 10 years ago, and owners, Corinne and Roger were some of the first to awaken interest in this particularly beautiful stretch of coastline. We had already heard great things about the pousada and also about AREAL, the association of pousadas of charm on the ecological route of Alagoas, of which Corinne is currently President.

What we found was even better than what we had imagined: 20,000 square metres of lush landscaped grounds running between Porto de Pedra fishing village on one side and mangroves on the other. In front of you? Just coconut palms as far as the eye can see flanking the most beautiful, sandy, deserted beach.

There are 9 bungalows dotted about the grounds, all super comfortable with wrought iron 4-poster beds, locally made handicrafts, and great shower rooms. If you want to read there's a beautiful thatched library. Fancy a late breakfast?  There's a similarly beautiful restaurant where you can hang out all day and experience. And for just chilling? Try the large pool with bar overlooking the beach. Everywhere there are special touches  which remind you of Corinne's background as a designer and of both Corinne and Roger's respect and love for the community. On this occasion regrettably we couldn't stay but we will most definitely be back!

If you have ever heard of Alagoas you are most definitely in the minority. Even in Brazil those that know anything about it equate the state with corrupt politicians and huge resorts rather than anything remotely beautiful.  But then most people don't know that between Barra de Santo Antonio and Maragogi the main north-south road veers off inland, leaving behind the orginal track and 40 kms of  unspoilt beaches dotted with coconut plantations and small villages, where time has effectively stood still for generations.

Alagoans call their whole coastline the Costa dos Corais or coral coast after the enormous coral reef just offshore, but many people have started using the term "Rota Ecológica" or ecological route to describe the 20km stretch from Barra de Camarugibe in the south to Porto de Pedras in the north where pousadas like the ones on Hidden Pousadas have grouped together  in their own association, AREAL. All of these pousadas have their own individual identity but they share a common preoccupation with sustainable tourism coupled with an ecological conscience and respect for the local communities. Everyone needs to attract guests here, but nobody wants the predatory tourism typical of resorts and large hotels, and the result is some of the most wonderful places to stay you could ever come across anywhere in the world.

The first time we came here we started from Maceió; the second time from Recife and it doesn't really matter which way you do it as the Rota Ecológica is pretty well equidistant from the 2 capitals- about 150kms. All the pousadas here run a half board system, usually of breakfast and dinner, so you don't actually ever need to leave the pousada, but a car is useful if you want to explore as public transport, or indeed any transport other than bicycles, is pretty scarce here. Put that with the quality of the pousadas themselves, the swaying palm trees, the deserted beaches, and the warm warm sea and this area is nothing short of pure paradise.

• jangada boat trip to the natural swimming pools
• a visit to see the Peixe Boi (Manatee)
• horseriding on the beach
• trip to Carro Quebrado and praia do Morro beaches
• dug-out canoe accross the Camaragipe river

• peace and tranquility
• spacious well appointed bungalows
• extensive well kept grounds
• large pool and bar

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Price Guide

Prices below are low season rates for two people in brazilian reais (R$). Standard double room, with en-suite shower room, breakfast included.

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