Darn Good Digs Review - Editors' Choice

Artjungle, Itacaré, Bahia, Brazil
Nominated By: Alison McGowan, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October '09

Price Range: (breakfast included) # of Rooms: 8 Kid-Friendly: yes

What makes Artjungle so Darn Good? Artjungle’s tree and stilt houses remind you of Tarzan and Jane, but with a bit of luxury and a lot of style. This is a place which is beautiful enough to be used for photo shoots by the likes of Gisele Bunchen and attract visitors like Jade Jagger and Sean Penn, but it is also a non-profit environmental, social, and cultural project. The prices are a fraction of what you would expect to pay for somewhere like this, and I will definitely be going back!

Location: Set in a sculpture park surrounded by Atlantic rainforest, Artjungle is just a couple of miles down a dirt road from the buzzy beach surfing village of Itacaré in Bahia, and boasts superb views over the Rio das Contas and out to the ocean. While Itacaré has plenty of nightlife, the pousada itself is super-quiet, with only the sounds of the birds, the roar of the ocean, and the lone cock crowing in the morning.

Rooms: Artjungle has eight bungalows altogether, including two tree-houses, five stilt-houses, and one apartment which is completely open to a view over the river. All have en-suite bathrooms with solar powered showers, comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton linens, and iceboxes for cold drinks. The lodge also has a large swimming pool with sun loungers overlooking the river.

Food: Artjungle serves a fabulous breakfast of bread, fruit, cold cuts, cake, and amazing juices, all included in the price, and beautifully presented. For lunch or dinner, guests will find a range of excellent restaurants in nearby Itacaré.

Keep in Mind: Most of the bungalows do not have electricity and internet access is intermittent. Also, ArtJungle is near, but not on the beach, so a car is helpful, although taxis are plentiful.

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