Go
the Distance
Yes, it's far. But land prices are great; the resort is spectacular;
and the ambiance is -- well, Brazilian. Most of the guests are from
Brazil: which means that Costa do Sauipe is a safe, no-hassle way to
sample Brasilia.
Breezes
Costa do Sauipe: Beach
 Behold
an endless sweep of unspoiled beach. To the left are lounge chairs and a
beach with fine waves for boogie-boarding or, with calmer seas, wind-surfing with
free instruction. To the right is a sheltered area suitable for small kids. The beach for
the Costa do Sauipe complex extends over five miles.
(click pictures for larger images)
Breezes
Costa do Sauipe: Land Activities
Land fun on-property includes
Breeze's signature activity, trapeze (with
instruction). For teens and grown-ups, fitness classes rock to
salsa rhythms, and even little kids can jump around on the sidelines.
Also for grownups: a spa with very reasonable rates. Try a massage in an
open-air pagoda at night.
 Daily activities might include: a demonstration of capoeira (Brazilian martial
art), "bouncy boxing", aquasize, and evening entertainment.
Bikes are free of charge: guests can walk or bike the oceanside path
past the four other resorts in the
Costa do
Sauipe complex.
More
Activities at the Costa do Sauipe Complex
 Beyond
these resorts are the shops, restaurants, and "pousada" inns of the
Vila Nova da Praia "village". During a visit at Easter, guests
thrilled to a free outdoor concert by a well-known performer; Costa
do Sauipe frequently features name-brand entertainment. Return to your
resort by (free) horse-drawn cart or bus shuttle.
Across from Vila Nova
lay temptation: a giant plastic ball with two padded seats
inside. Kids rapidly cadged $5 from parents to cannonball down a ramp
inside the ball.
The
Costa do
Sauipe complex also has:
- Equestrian
Center, with horse-riding outings and lessons.
- Nautical Center.
Rent a rowboat, canoe or paddleboat, and tour the large lake. Or try
the "flying fox" zip line, or the climbing wall.
- a Kids' Club at
the Vila Nova village, open from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m. (-no relation to Breezes'
kids' program.)
- 18-hole golf
course.
≈$40US
for 18 holes.
- sports center
with soccer fields.
- tennis center for
all ages, with 15 courts.
Activities here aren't
all-included in your Breezes vacation, but prices are modest.
(Photos
of activities.)
Breezes Costa do Sauipe: Kids' Zone
 Breezes
Costa do Sauipe welcomes babies with a nursery located near the pool and
Tropical Restaurant. Beside the nursery is a kids' club with daily
programs. Portuguese is the language spoken, but an English-speaker is
always available. See
picture and schedule.
Breezes Costa do Sauipe:
Outings
Bahia Adventure is the prominent tour company serving Costa do Sauipe:
"eco-tours" can be booked through the resort, or at the Bahia Adventure
office in Vila Nova.
We sampled "quardriciclo",
better known to North Americans as all-terrain vehicles, that romped
noisily down dirt lanes through trees on an old plantation. Hard to tell where the "eco" was in this adventure,
but the trip was fun and included a dip in a cool river.
Our second
eco-tour
was a canoe trip on the Sauipe river: a lovely outing, though North
Americans may expect more education about flora and fauna. Our guide was fluently bilingual and the
trip included a swim at a deserted beach.
We also took a
private trip with a driver to the sea turtle project (Projecto Tamar) at Praia da Forta:
an interesting outing. Praia do Forte is a popular beach area and a good
place for shops and restaurants.
Out'n'About: Salvador
 The
historic city of Salvador can be reached either by an inexpensive
shuttle from the resort (approx. $6) or by an escorted tour on an
air-conditioned bus. (Photos
from tour.)
Salvador has centuries of history: the tour includes the photogenic Pelourinha colonial
zone with many restored buildings, and is a good introduction to this large city of more than 3 million people, which was Brazil's
capital for 214 years.
 Back to the
resort: grounds are well-maintained, buildings are attractive.
Our room was spacious with a small table and sitting area.
Rooms are located in a six-storey poolside building midway between the
poolside Tropical Restaurant, kids club, and fitness center, and the main
building with lobby, buffet restaurant, and spa. (Photos
of grounds.)
As for food...
 Breezes
Costa do Sauipe far surpasses many Caribbean resorts where flavors are often "dumbed down"
for fear that a guest will find a dish "too spicy". At Costa
do Sauipe, the
clientele is 90% Brazilian. Expect flavor, and dishes you haven't tried before. Lunch
by the pool should never
be missed: giant paellas; cauldrons of feijoada, scrumptious pork and
black beans over rice; huge dishes of moqueca de camarao (shrimp stew,
Bahian style) on which you sprinkle farofa, toasted manioc flour
(-delicious.)
Expect masses of seafood; gigantic lobster tails, for
instance, at Jimmy's Buffet (which is a pleasant, airy restaurant.)
At Pastafari, the Italian restaurant, gorge on the elaborate table of antipastas,
order a pasta course, and you may have no room for the main course at all. The Munahani
Japanese restaurant, meanwhile, serves delicious sushi, tempura, and teppanyaki cooked right at your table.
The
Marketplace
serves a dazzling array of Mediterranean cuisine.
In two words: Food- Fabulous. And don't miss the caipirinha cocktails
with lime plus cachaca liquor made from sugar-cane.
Breezes Costa do Sauipe: Price
The land price for Breezes Costa do Sauipe is surprisingly modest.
In April 2003, a family with two adults, two teens, had paid
$775 for 5 nights all-inclusive.
Check Family
Travel Bargains at Travel With Kids for promotions; or check the Superclubs
site. Not all promotions make it onto the web site, though; you're best
advised to call Superclubs at 1-877-GO-SUPER (1-877-467-8737.) You may
find a special package including airfare.
Keep in mind when you travel to Brazil:
- citizens of the US and Canada need a visa. This is
an inconvenience and an expense (approx. $90 per person,
plus you must also have a passport.) Apparently this policy
is based on reciprocity, i.e. the US and Canada require that Brazilian
visitors have visas, so-- tit for tat. Check here for up-to-date
Visa information.
(Here for
Canadians.)
- you may find it difficult to cash travelers checks.
- ATM machines are scarce, and not all
machines work with all bank cards. Tip: use machines on arrival at the airport.
- fortunately, credit cards are widely accepted even at small
shops.
Continue
to
Breezes Costa do Sauipe
photos & tips:
land activities
|beach
activities |
restaurants
|
Kids Zone
|
outings
|
Salvador
|
grounds, pool, Costa du Sauipe complex
| 
Reasons to Visit:
