Top 10 regenerative experiences in Brazil /

Sustainable practices play a fundamental role in society by creating a synergistic balance between a modern lifestyle and the conservation and maintenance of natural resources. The luxury hospitality industry is not left behind: in line with the pillars of ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance), the experiences offered to guests include practices committed to preserving the environment and biodiversity through actions involving employees and involve the local community.

Check out the top 10 innovative hotels and lodges below that transcend conventional boundaries with accommodation experiences that reaffirm their commitment to well-being and respect for nature and regional cultures.

Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge – North Region, AM, Novo Airao

Immersed in the heart of the Amazon rainforest, Anavilhanas Jungle Lodge encourages guests to participate in a community-based travel experience to explore the daily life of riverine communities that live on fishing, farming and handicrafts. The hotel has a remarkable commitment to the local population by contributing to the renovation of a school, monitoring the school program, implementing solar energy and healthy meals. In addition, it transforms 100% of the organic waste from its kitchen and bars into compost to promote organic and regenerative agriculture in the region. The idea is to offer farm-to-table food to guests and the community.

Barracuda Group – Northeast Region, BA, Itacaré

Located on the sunny beach of Itacaré (Bahia) since 2013, Barracuda is an ideal destination for those looking for tranquility and comfort. The “Rumo ao Lixo Zero” (Towards Zero Waste) project is a daily practice committed to regenerating natural resources on site. It also encourages the elimination of plastic by using bamboo or stainless steel straws, paper bags, and glass or ceramic bottles and jugs. The hotel has its own water purification system, solar panels for shower heating and LED lighting. It has its own line of refillable vegan amenities and encourages guests to reuse towels and linens. When it comes to dining, the hotel emphasizes local ingredients from small producers in the countryside, as well as fish and seafood from the fishing community of Itacaré.

Casa dos Arandis – Northeast Region, BA, Maraú Peninsula

Located 100 km (62 mi) north of the town of Ilhéus, in Maraú, Bahia, Casa dos Arandis implements a variety of sustainable practices. One of them is the “Povos da Mata” (Forest People) initiative, awarded in 2018 by the Banco do Brasil Foundation as the best agroecological association in Brazil, made up of 750 indigenous families of different ethnicities committed to growing organic food. The hotel has also reduced the use of plastic bottles by providing filtered water in glass bottles for nearly a decade. By embracing solar energy, the property has become a carbon neutral operation and has a treatment system to improve the pH and alkalinity of the water consumed. With the “Vila Circular” (Circular Village) project, aimed at sustainable waste management, the hotel cultivates its own organic vegetable garden. These actions have earned the hotel the Condé Nast Awards for Best Green Practices and Sustainability in 2022 and 2023. Casa dos Arandis is involved in the “Coração de Tartaruga” (Turtle Heart) project, working to protect newly hatched turtles along the more than 40 km (25 mi) of coastline of the Marau Peninsula. Guests are invited to witness and participate in the activity by bringing newborn turtles to the beach.

Txai Resort – Northeast Region, BA, Itacare

Also in Itacaré, South Bahia, Txai Resort Itacaré has become an oasis in the middle of nature and a benchmark in sustainable hospitality. The resort has several ESG projects to protect the environment and biodiversity and promote socio-economic development in the region. Instituto Companheiros do Txai (ICT) was founded 21 years ago with the aim of helping to protect nature on the Costa do Cacau (Cocoa Coast) by working directly with local families, creating jobs and providing better living conditions. In terms of marine life, it manages the Txaitarugas Initiative to ensure the protection of sea turtles and engages guests and the community.

Caiman, Pantanal – Center-West Region, MS, Pantanal

Located in Mato Grosso do Sul and covering 53,000 hectares (131,000 acres), Caiman has a mission to protect the fauna and culture of the Pantanal. Guests are invited to get a first-hand insight into that goal. They can go on observation safaris to spot more than 500 animal species living freely in the ecological refuge and rest assured that their habitat is protected. They can also take tours designed by innovative local conservation projects, such as Onçafari (for jaguars) and Instituto Arara Azul (for hyacinth macaws), which recognize Caiman as an ideal setting for their studies and research. Sustainable actions take place daily on this authentic Pantanal farm, such as the use of composters and a technology known as a banana circle, which purifies kitchen water from the workers’ village.

Botanique Hotel & Spa – Southeast Region, SP, Campos do Jordão

Located in the heart of the Serra da Mantiqueira, in Campos do Jordão, on 283 hectares (699 acres) of lush Atlantic forest, Botanique Hotel Spa has sustainability in its DNA. All experiences offered to guests suggest a reconnection with nature and the context in which the property is placed. One of the most interactive activities takes place in The Lab, a space dedicated to drying produce from the hotel’s own garden. The activity is open to the public in the form of a workshop, where participants learn to make bath salts, exfoliants, moisturisers and massage sachets. It is worth noting that everything is grown without the use of pesticides or agrochemicals in order to preserve the fauna and diversity of insects essential to the ecosystem.

Ibiti Project – Southeast Region, MG, Conceição do Ibitipoca

In the Serra da Mantiqueira, in the town of Conceição do Ibitipoca, Minas Gerais, Ibiti Projeto is an area for reforestation, natural regeneration and repopulation of the native fauna. During the tours, guests immerse themselves in restorative forests and learn about programs to reintroduce wild species, such as tapirs and rhea. They can also witness cougar monitoring and visit the Muriqui House. The property also features a warehouse for storing recyclable materials and transforming glass bottles into cups. Composting is done via compost heaps and composters. To reduce waste, no plastic or packaging is used in the rooms.

Rio de Janeiro Hotel – Southeast Region, RJ, Rio de Janeiro

Opened in 2018 on Leblon Beach in Rio de Janeiro, the Janeiro Hotel aims to offer experiences under the concept of “new luxury”, aligning practices and services with design, ethics and aesthetics through the implementation of sustainable actions. With the ASAP (As Sustainable As Possible) project, the hotel uses materials with a lower environmental impact, such as reusable glass bottles, laser-printed wooden communication and 100% compostable take-away packaging. Metal caps are supplied to the Ecotampas project for reuse, and bags are made from old fishing nets to promote the social inclusion of fishermen, while a co-operative of seamstresses produces bags for hair dryers and fabric labels for all rooms.

Ronco do Bugio – Southeast Region, SP, Piedade

Surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, in the city of Piedade, São Paulo, Ronco do Bugio produces 100% of its energy from solar panels. The buildings do not interfere with the native vegetation and are largely built with recycled materials from other buildings. In addition to using natural cleaning products, detergents and insect repellents, the water is treated before it is returned to the environment without contamination. The uniforms of the employees are made of organic cotton and natural dyes. All the waste produced is properly disposed of: organic material becomes compost and returns to nature, while recyclable waste is sent to the Mato Limpo NGO.

Exclusive Resort Ponta dos Ganchos – South Region, SC, Governor Celso Ramos

Ponta dos Ganchos Exclusive Resort is located north of Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, on a peninsula with clear, emerald green waters on the Costa Esmeralda. The hotel recycles 100% of its waste and the water from the sewage treatment plant is reused for gardening. Rainwater is used for washing cars, on the street and in the launderette. Organic waste undergoes a composting process and turns into fertilizer for the garden, where fresh ingredients and seasonal herbs are harvested. The 25 bungalows are sustainably designed with cross ventilation, solar panels, green roofs and reforested wood. In addition, the hotel is leading a reforestation campaign in the area, planting more than 10,000 native tree seedlings.

Simone Scorsato is Executive Director of the Brazilian Luxury Travel Association. BLTA’s main goal is to promote and strengthen Brazil as a travel destination in the global luxury market.

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