The Underexplored Coast: South America’s Best-Kept Beach Secrets
Move beyond the Caribbean. Discover the creative crowds, barefoot luxury, and bohemian spirit redefining the shores of Brazil and Uruguay.
The Allure of the Unexpected
“When planning a luxury beach escape, the conversation instinctively turns to the Caribbean, Mexico, or the Mediterranean.”
While those remain excellent choices, there is an underexplored coastline that deserves a closer look: South America.
The coastal enclaves of Brazil and Uruguay possess the exact qualities affluent travelers seek in iconic destinations like Ibiza or Tulum—a creative, social crowd, avant-garde design, and endless stretches of pristine sand. Yet, they remain delightfully under-the-radar, retaining a genuine bohemian spirit and that rare, coveted feeling that you are in on a beautiful secret.
Here is how we look at these destinations, and the exceptional properties that make them unforgettable.
Destination I: Brazil’s Soulful Hideaways
Trancoso | Barefoot Sophistication:
Slow Mornings & Restored Casas
Trancoso has been drawing a stylish, creative crowd for years. Beyond postcard-perfect shores like Praia do Espelho and Praia dos Nativos, the days here melt between browsing local artisan boutiques and catching the wind while kitesurfing.
The Curator’s Choice: UXUA Casa Hotel & Spa. A soulful collection of impeccably restored historic casas. The vibe here is entirely about slow mornings and a sense of effortless ease that simply cannot be manufactured.
The Emerald Coast | Secluded Luxury:
Santa Catarina’s Untamed Horizon
This is a completely different side of Brazil, beautifully devoid of the high-rise development that defines typical resort scenes.
The Curator’s Choice: Awasi Santa Catarina. An adults-only sanctuary that leans deeply into its lush coastal setting. Just twenty-five private cabanas are spread across the landscape, each featuring its own veranda and sweeping ocean views. Evenings here mean locally caught fish paired with flawless caipirinhas, with private dining on the property’s torch-lit island available for a truly romantic escape.
Alagoas | Off the Grid:
Where the Jungle Meets the Sea
Occupying a remote, pristine stretch of Brazil’s northeastern coastline, this destination sits where the Atlantic meets a protected natural reserve, with no modern development in sight. The Curator’s Choice: Kenoa Resort. Offering just nine exclusive suites and villas, this boutique property features private plunge pools crafted from Balinese stone. It is the ultimate destination for clients who want to disconnect entirely from the world without sacrificing a single creature comfort.
Rio de Janeiro | The Electric Icon:
The Energy of Copacabana
Rio anchors any Brazilian itinerary, and Copacabana—the famed beach that serves as a neighborhood, a gathering place, and a grand spectacle all at once—is where the city’s vibrant energy concentrates.
The Curator’s Choice: Fairmont Rio de Janeiro Copacabana. Positioned in a prime location directly above the sand, its views stretch dramatically across the water to Sugarloaf Mountain. It consistently impresses with its luxury beach club and an infinity pool that transforms into a sophisticated live-music venue at night.
Destination II: Uruguay’s Refined Enclaves
Punta del Este | The Social Circuit:
Sleek Architecture & Vibrant Evenings
World-class dining and a vibrant social scene draw South America’s elite here every summer, peaking with legendary New Year’s celebrations. The Curator’s Choice: Hotel Fasano Punta del Este. This property brings the brand’s iconic, sleek design sensibility into the Uruguayan countryside, with minimalist bungalows scattered across open terrain just a short drive from the coast. With a private golf course, horseback riding, and a breathtaking pool carved directly into natural rock, it is the perfect base for clients who want social energy by day and a quiet, refined sanctuary by night.
José Ignacio | The Modernist Dream:
Bohemian Spirit & Sculptural Design
For a quieter, more intimate rhythm, we steer clients toward this exclusive enclave. Once a simple fishing village, it has evolved into one of South America’s most sought-after summer retreats while maintaining its easygoing, unpretentious character.
The Curator’s Choice: Playa Vik. A modernist masterpiece sitting directly on the beach, featuring suites designed as individual sculptures and residences facing the sea. Its 75-foot cantilevered pool in black granite—featuring a fiber-optic floor that maps the Southern Hemisphere sky—is a design marvel that stops travelers mid-sentence.
