Hostels in Guarda do Embaú, Brazil

Guarda do Embaú is situated in the municipality of Palhoça within Santa Catarina state, southern Brazil. It is a quaint beachside village of a few hundred residents, among them mostly surfers and fishermen. A lot of tourists from nearby states and countries like to spend a bit of time on its beach, which is a quasi-island nestled between the Madre River and the Atlantic Ocean.

Guarda do Embaú’s town square is located inland and includes several restaurants, shops, boutiques, and accommodations including hostels and pousadas. At night, there are even venues featuring music such as rock and reggae. Cute signs point the way to the beach and other locations. In order to reach the beach, you have to walk to the river and cross it via a boat ride. Some beachgoers choose to swim across or take the forest and rock trail on foot. Once you have traversed the river, you have arrived on the beautiful sands of Guarda do Embaú Beach. With the river behind you, you are now faced with some of the best ocean waves any surfer could dream of. There is also a lagoon, ideal for visitors with children or just looking for a calm body of water to dip into.

If you are in search of extreme tranquility, you might want to stroll over to Pinheira Beach. You can access it by either ambling along the waterfront or walking along the hilltop, Guarda do Embaú Morro. After about an hour or so, depending on your speed, you will encounter one of the most paradisal beaches of all South America. Here your eyes will set their sight on the idyllic white sand, transparent aqua-colored water, and the big rocks. Your face will feel the divine touch of a constant wind chasing the heat away. The waves and current can be a bit rough, so be sure the lifeguard is in his station in case you want to go for a swim. Otherwise, just enjoy lazing the day away in the serene paradise. If you brought an umbrella, it will allow you to stay longer as you enjoy the blissful shade.

When looking for the perfect souvenir, head uphill to Pedra do Urubu. Standing on this humongous rock wall, you have the most gorgeous photo opportunities allowing you to create the perfect picture souvenir of your Guarda do Embaú vacation.

Once you are ready to retire for the day, head back into the little town and look for a hostel for a good night’s sleep. While pousada is the Portuguese word for hostel, these establishments are a bit different than the typical hostels. In the pousadas, there are usually no dormitory sleeping options. However, if you are traveling in a group of three or more, sharing one of the rooms in a pousada will end up costing you about the equivalent of the price of a hostel stay. Those accommodations generally also provide kitchens and grills in order to prepare your own food and stretch your budget even further. Then again, spending your lazy days soaking up the sun on the Guarda do Embaú Beach is the most budget-friendly vacation deal imaginable!