Casas do Cupe, a beach house in Brazil

São Paulo-Based Studio MNMA Create A Laid-Back Castaway Vibe In Porto de Galinhas

On a quiet stretch of coastline between the well-known Brazilian beaches of Muro Alto and Porto Galinhas sit Casas do Cupe, are a set of beach houses designed by São Paulo-based architect studio MNMA. With their lush gardens and sea breeze, the houses are easily a destination in themselves, and guests can spend all day hanging in either interior or exterior hammocks, cooking in the fully-equipped kitchen, and playing with kids in the garden. The ocean is literally steps away.

Built in 2018, this set of beach houses designed by São Paulo-based architect studio MNMA, have quickly become the darlings of design mags, and it's pretty obvious why. The two homes offer a laid-back castaway vibe - palm trees, sea, sand and gently swaying hammocks. But they also have all the trappings of modernity - fully-equipped kitchens, luxurious bathrooms, wifi and cable.

Both homes are beautifully simple blends of contemporary minimalism and a lazy day at the beach. The white, open-plan structures, with their strong yet soft-edged lines, contrast with the rough-hewn branch slats and palapa roofing, which cast dramatic shadows throughout the houses.

We particularly like the luminous ochre foundations that extend through the houses and into the garden. Other great features are the inset shelving cubes, the little rivers of pebbles separating spaces, the huge doorways and windows, the elegant wooden furnishings, and the very cool sunken living rooms.

The two beach houses can be rented together or separately. Each has two suites, and sleeps up to six guests.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

The houses have air conditioning, beach towels, kitchen amenities, washing machines, beach umbrellas and beach chairs. Daily cleaning, shopping and cooking (part time or full time) are available at additional cost (R$60 for 4 hours). The cook/housekeeper is like part of the family and great with kids.

AROUND

These beach house rentals in Brazil feels like they're many miles away from the rest of the world, but are actually conveniently located less than an hour from Recife airport by car. They're also just minutes from Porto de Galinhas, one of the most famous beaches in Brazil, but manage to feel gloriously isolated. It is just as verdant, but offers more privacy than its more crowded neighbors.

The house is close to several bars and restaurants, and within easy distance of the centers of Porto de Galinhas and Maracaípe. The region is a great mixture of beach, nature and gastronomy, and is filled with attractions such as sea and mangrove raft rides, buggy rides, diving and more.

Although Porto de Galinhas has been voted one of Brazil's best beaches, it still manages to retain its natural beauty and compared to other beach towns has little traffic and relatively little nightlife. It is noted for its natural tide pools full of fish, and its ecological trails.