May 12, 2011

Uxua Casa Hotel in Trancoso has become a symbol of luxury travel on this strectch of Southern Bahia coast since its opening in 2009. Made up of ten casas (pronounced CA-zas), the hotel features the artistry of Wilbert Das, former creative director of Italian fashion house Diesel, and expresses his love for Trancoso, its people and traditions.

Das, who first visited the area in 2004, celebrates local characters in the names and the look of the Uxua casas, fosters capoeira and the preservation of local mangroves, and, in 2011, was invited to be festeiro (main host) of the São Braz festival, a centuries-old tradition.

Seu Irenio, the latest addition to the group of houses set amidst lush gardens by the Quadrado, the grassy center of Trancoso life, continues essential Uxua themes: the use of eco-friendly materials and local building techniques, architectural solutions which make the most of tropical breezes, natural light and beautiful views, objects made by members of the local Pataxó indigenous group in the décor, and smart design elements such as flat screen TVs embedded in vintage travel trunks.

The richness of Bahia culinary, present in the hotel's life since its creation, has recently become more hands-on for guests thanks to lessons packed with insider's tips on food and culture, offered by local women or the resort's professional chef.

See photos of Uxua Casa Hotel and learn more about each one of its casas and its amenities.

Uxua Casa Hotel website: www.uxua.com.br

Uxua Casa Hotel on Kayak

The Uxua Praia Bar on the Barra do Rio Trancoso beach, a seven-minute walk from the Quadrado, has a bar set inside a fisherman's canoe and a beach lounge by the Trancoso River.

Besides being all built from renewable resources, the Uxua Praia has roped an area with native vegetation and mangroves and taken responsibility for keeping the mangroves and the beach clean.

For a busy fun time on the beach, guests can go sea kayaking, play volleyball, and practice capoeira on the sand with local pros.