On the island of Tinhare, this is a top spot in which to chill out after a few days in Salvador - you couldn't get much more of a contrast to the latter's hustle and bustle. It's a real oasis of calm. Set alongside a huge, palm-fringed beach, it's a small, simple set-up. There's an open, airy, low-slung main building containing the reception, a kitchen, and dining room, plus a sitting area with a few books, games and changing art exhibits. Next to that there is an attractive pool and deck with plenty of loungers on which to soak up the sun.
The 11 bungalows are spaced well apart to ensure privacy, and set back from the main building along a pathway through woods. Food is a real highlight. Best of all, while Anima's location is very secluded, there's a regular shuttle into Morro de São Paulo, which in season really hums with late night DJ parties on the beach.
Highs
- Beautifully quiet and laid-back location right on a sandy beach with peaceful waters for swimming
- Great food, especially the dinners, which are served in a romantic candlelit open-air restaurant
- The staff are very friendly, yet you never feel crowded
- The huge, palm-fringed beach (Praia do Encanto) is arguably Morro's best
- Handy scheduled transfers to and from the local town
Lows
- It could be too secluded for some, but we loved it and Morro de São Paulo is relatively close (7km away)
- The 2-hour boat ride from Salvador can be pretty choppy, if you're prone to sea sickness consider the 20-minute air taxi
- The arrival on the island and subsequent walk to the hotel transfer pick-up point can be a little confusing, take one of the Wheelbarrow taxis to minimise hassle
- From the outside the bungalows look a little tired, but inside they're clean, tidy and well maintained
Best time to go
Carnaval in Salvador is held in February or March, depending on the year - Anima would be a great spot to chill out at afterwards. May-July are the rainiest months.
Our top tips
Given that the journey from Salvador is a bit of an effort, you won't want to come for less than 2 nights - if your idea of holiday bliss is to do absolutely nothing by a pool except catch up on novels and methodically go through the cocktail list, you could easily spend a week here.
Make sure you bring more sun cream than you think you'll need as it's expensive to buy locally.
Make sure you bring more sun cream than you think you'll need as it's expensive to buy locally.
- Boutique Hotel
- 11 rooms
- Restaurant and bar (open daily)
- All ages welcome
- Open all year
- Outdoor Pool
- Spa Treatments
- Beach Nearby
- Pet Friendly
- Disabled Access
- Car not necessary
- Parking
- Restaurants Nearby
- WiFi
- Air Conditioning
- Guest Lounge
- Terrace
- Garden
- Gym
Rooms
Set in a small tropical wood beyond the main building, the 11 bungalows are spaced well apart for privacy. All simply but tastefully furnished, with rustic wooden floors, woven palm ceilings, bamboo towel racks and local artwork. Each has outdoor hammocks and decking. Pay a little extra for one of the Whirlpool Cottages and you also get an outdoor whirlpool bath.
Inside you'll find a comfy kingsize (or twin) bed, rattan chairs, air-con, minibar, a hairdryer, a phone, and cable TV (although there are no English-language channels). Bathrooms are clean, functional and a good size, with an indoor and outdoor walk-in shower.
Features include:
- Air conditioning
- Minibar/fridge
Eating
The buffet-style Breakfast includes a healthy selection of cold meats, fruit, cereals, yoghurts and scrambled eggs, plus Bahian specialties such as cooked cheese with honey or tapioca pancakes.
You'll probably only feel like something snacky for lunch in the heat of the day, so there's a menu full of suitable suggestions. We tended to opt for the fresh salads and some 'fried manioc bites' - try the fresh spicy Vietnamese salad.
In the evening, we enjoyed fish and vegetarian Moqueca (local Bahian stew), as well as a delicious Bobo de Camarao (a traditional shrimp stew). All were great to share between two, had a great mix of flavours and left us wanting more. Given the logistics of getting supplies here, the quality of the cooking is superb.
For local restaurants, take the hotel's shuttle into nearby Morro de São Paulo. There's a wide range of places to choose from, although few are anything special. We liked Café des Artistes, which serves good Brazilian and international food at a reasonable price. Samba's Bar is a basic joint playing good music (often with a live band) and decent food.
Features include:
- Minibar/fridge
- Restaurant
Activities
- Perfect the tan on the beach or by the pool while you catch up on the your reading list
- Go snorkelling; there are some fabulous reefs surrounding the hotel and free equipment to borrow
- Go round the island by boat or sail up the nearby mangrove swamps
- Cake yourself from head to toe in the clay baths at Gamboa
- Horse ride or take a horse-drawn cart along the beach
- Hire a 4x4 and visit nearby Ilha Boipeba, a beautiful secluded island with unspoilt beaches, a small town and some good little restaurants. The trip is an adventure: 1-hour along dirt tracks through the semi-desert interior followed by a 5-minute boat hop between the islands
- Try bird-watching (you can borrow binoculars): hummingbirds, parrots, white ibis and red headed woodpeckers can all be spotted nearby
- Have a relaxing massage; reception can arrange
- Hire one of the local boatmen to guide you to the natural swimming pools, or take an early morning trip out to sea with the local fishermen
- At low tide walk for an hour along the beach to Morro de São Paulo and go out for dinner, then catch the shuttle back
Activities on site or nearby include:
- Fishing
- Hiking
- Horse riding
- Kayaking
- Nightlife
- Sailing
- Scuba diving
- Shopping / markets
- Snorkelling
Kids
Children (and parents) will love the freedom that Anima's setting affords. Next to the main pool, there's a small splash pool for kids. And the big sandy beach has calm, shallow waters.
Family friendly accommodation:
The 2-bedroom Family Bungalow sleeps two adults and up to 3 children. All bungalows can accommodate an extra bed or baby cot.
Cots Available, Extra Beds Available
Baby equipment:
Baby cots available on request
Remember baby and child equipment may be limited or need pre-booking
For more family-friendly places, see our Kids Collection
Location
Anima Hotel is situated on Praia do Encanto beach, on the island of Tinhare. Morro de São Paulo village is nearby (7km). Tinhare is about 100km from Salvador, just off Brazil's east coast.
By Air:
Fly into Salvador's international Luis Eduardo Airport (100km) via São Paulo or Rio de Janeiro. From Salvador take an air-taxi (20-minute flight) to the small Morro de São Paulo airport (7km), a 10-minute drive from the hotel.
From the Airport:
The hotel offers a free transfer from the Morro de São Paulo's local airport. The air taxi operates a daily schedule (several flights a day).
By Boat:
Alternatively you can take a 2-hour boat trip from Salvador's Terminal Turístico Maritimo (just behind the Mercado Modelo) to Morro de São Paulo on Tinharé. The hotel will arrange a free transfer from a designated collection point in town(20 minutes). The boat operates a daily schedule with several crossings a day. To get to the boat terminal in Salvador from the international airport, you'll need to take a taxi (the hotel can arrange this in in advance if needed).
Detailed directions will be sent to you when you book through i-escape.com.
More on getting to Brazil and getting around
Airports:
- Morro de São Paulo 7.0 km
- Salvador Luis Eduardo Airport 100.0 km SSA
Other:
- Beach 0.1 km
- Shops 7.0 km
- Restaurant 7.0 km