A short distance along the beach from the picturesque village of Canavieras in South Bahia, Casa Beija Flor is one of the most idyllic rental properties in Brazil combining an unbeatable beach front location, hugely comfortable accommodation, proximity to a pretty local village with good restaurants, while at the same time affording guests a feeling that they have discovered a new corner of the world, years before the arrival of mass tourism.

Set back from the beach to ensure privacy, the house is set amid the shade of the mature coconut trees of a former plantation en enjoys two hundred meters of beach-frontage on a completely virgin beach. The sound track of house is provided by the waves and sea breeze blowing through palm fronds.

There are four identically sized bedrooms on the ground floor, which are forty-two square meters with en suite bathrooms. The rooms have polished, non-slip white cement floors, private balconies (two give onto the sea and two onto the garden); large well-aired bathrooms with power showers and air conditioning. Upstairs is the master suite, which is a huge airy room with large private terrace with great sea views, and there is a huge bathroom. The property is suitable for young children and family groups. There is an open plan living and dining room, a hard wood deck with teak loungers around the infinity pool. There is an enclosed kitchen with larder and cellar, home theater with DVD library and another inside sitting room and deck swathed in hammocks. The house has dial-up Internet and laptop, air conditioning, a garden with organic fruit and vegetables and there is a fishing boat available.

Three maids live on the property, a local cook and gardener and English-speaking host and night watchman. There is one maid for evening service. Additional baby-sitting and maids are available and paid for locally. Private transfers can be made from Ilheus and car hire is recommended but not essential. A welcome hamper of drinks and snacks ins included in the cost of the rental, as are household essentials and basic cleaning products but to make your arrival at the property as relaxing as possible the kitchen and fridge can be stocked up before your arrival.

Even in Brazil few people have heard of the little coastal village of Canavieras and, of those who have, many will know it for the quality of the local seafood. The original port dates from the Nineteenth Century when it was used to ships cacao from this part of South Bahia. Coupled with this strikingly picturesque water-front, dotted with a few good seafood restaurants and bars, is clear golden-sanded beach that stretches on for kilometres along the length of the Atalaia Island that is connected to the mainland by a small humped-back bridge. The beach is ideal for beachcombers, kite surfers and surfers learning to catch their first waves and to relax after a great little beach restaurant. The brightly painted single story houses that line the waterfront feel like they may have been set up for a film-set and are almost too picture-postcard perfect to be real, in the style of a mini Havana. Any visitor to Canavieras who ahs read the novels of Jorge Amado will recognize the scene instantly.