Pousada Vento Vinte is located in northeast Brazil on Emboaca Beach, about two hours from the city of Fortaleza and Pinto Martins – Fortaleza International Airport. The pousada (Portuguese for a small, family-run inn) offers unique architecture and 367 feet of Atlantic Ocean beach frontage. On the south side of the pousada is a convenient state highway and, on the north side, are dunes protected by one of Brazil’s environmental laws.

The property’s bungalows are located about 95 feet from the beach with unobstructed views of the sea. A small oceanfront restaurant and bar belonging to Pousada Vento Vinte is part of the complex. For adventurous travelers looking for a different type of vacation, this is the place.

© Igor Ribeiro

Brazil-based architectural firm Lins Arquitetos wanted to preserve the entire building site, a coconut grove, so they constructed guest bungalows and a small reception building below and between the coconut palms, taking advantage of the entire landscape by integrating the manmade structures into the natural surroundings.

The 10 bungalows (two more will open soon) are located on the eastern portion of the land, while parking and a guest services building is located on the western portion. For privacy, the property is enclosed by a 4-foot-high fence made from quince, a native wood found in the region.

© Igor Ribeiro

Designers created circular buildings for bungalows and a guest services building with an  elliptical reception area, and all guest bungalows were placed facing the dominant winds, allowing sea breezes to enter the buildings on one side and flow through the open windows for cross ventilation.

The northeast region of Brazil is tropical, with a rainy season from January to July and a dry season from August to December. Moderate winds blow from the ocean, which reduces the sensation of heat. The year-round average temperature is 76 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit.

A balcony covered in cariri (a Brazilian limestone) is at the entrance to each guest bungalow, and becomes a place for social gatherings while watching the sea. Every bungalow has its own bathroom, and private showers are nearby.  A curving staircase in the bungalows allow for 360-degree views.

© Igor Ribeiro

Bungalows are constructed entirely of rafter slab, a type of foundation system that is essentially a slab of concrete resting on soil or sand that has columns, walls or steel reinforcing and supporting it with a polished finish on its upper part, forming the floor of the bungalow. The exterior masonry is made of solid ceramic brick, plastered and painted, with glass windows framed by muiracatiara (solid Brazilian hardwood from the Amazon region).

Breakfast is included in the overnight rate of about $130 for two persons. Affordable and delicious Brazilian lunch and dinner meals are served in the pousada’s restaurant. Small towns nearby, like Guajiru, are just 6 miles (12 minutes) away by car along the coast and also offer several good restaurant options. Pousada Vento Vinte opened in 2023.

© Igor Ribeiro

Activities for adults and children at Pousada Vento Vinte include grabbing a surfboard and hitting the beach, or taking kitesurf and wing foil lessons with local instructors. There are also buggy tours for guests wishing to explore the surroundings. An on-site massage by a professional masseuse is available. In the warm, sultry evenings, guests socialize with each other by sitting on their balconies, listening to bossa nova sounds, and enjoying cold Brahma beer or a Caipirinha, all under a star-filled sky.