Pousada Mare Mansa

Pousada Maré Mansa is a small pousada in Bombinhas, built around the useful things that matter when you are travelling with family or carrying the aftermath of a long day outdoors: air conditioning, a private bathroom and a kitchen you can actually use. You also have a balcony or terrace, with mountain views rather than a television screen pretending to be scenery.

The arrangement suits you if you prefer a self-contained stay to a full-service hotel routine. There is a garden, outdoor furniture and free WiFi, while private parking is available on site. The atmosphere is practical and informal, with space to sit outside and barbecue when you would rather keep the evening simple.

You stay in Praia do Cantinho, in the Enseada de Zimbros area of Bombinhas, Brazil. Praia de Zimbros is a two-minute walk away, so reaching the beach does not require a timetable, a vehicle or a heroic expedition in flip-flops. Cardoso Beach is about 0.4 miles away, while Lagoa Beach is about 0.8 miles away.

For a change of scene, Praia de Morrinhos is about 1.2 miles away by the mapped route, and Praia Triste about 1.5 miles away. Monkey Hill is about 2.6 miles from the pousada, with Praia Mariscal about 2.7 miles away. The nearest international airport, Ministro Victor Konder International Airport, is about 29 miles away by road; Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport is about 51 miles away.

The accommodation is arranged as a one-bedroom apartment sleeping up to four people, with a separate living area and sofa bed. That gives you a sensible option for a small family or a group that wants to share an address without sharing one bed. The kitchen includes a dining table, hob, microwave, refrigerator and kitchenware, which is useful when you want breakfast before heading out or a late plate of food without turning the evening into a restaurant search.

Air conditioning and a fan cover the basics for warm nights, while the private bathroom has a shower or bath, toilet and towels. A wardrobe, clothes rack and drying rack keep the practical clutter under control. The apartment has a private entrance and either a balcony or terrace, with mountain, landmark or inner-courtyard views depending on the space.

You should pay attention to the access arrangement when choosing your stay: some accommodation is on the ground floor, while upper floors are reached by stairs only. A cot is available for children aged two or under on request, but extra beds are not available. Children of any age are welcome, and children aged six or over are charged as adults under the property rules.

This is a kitchen-led stay rather than a hotel built around a restaurant. Your apartment has the equipment for straightforward meals, cold drinks and the sort of post-water food that does not need a tasting menu: a refrigerator, hob, microwave, kitchenware and a dining table. You choose the hour, which is handy when the day has been governed by tides, boats or simply your own appetite.

Outside, the pousada provides an outdoor dining area, furniture and barbecue facilities. You can take your meal into the garden or onto the terrace, where the format is pleasantly uncomplicated: buy what you want, cook it your way and sit down without changing out of beach clothes. Restaurants are also within reach, including Restaurante Camarão da Praia at about 0.9 miles and Berro d'Água at about 1.1 miles.

The useful leisure space here is outdoors rather than programmed. A garden, patio and terrace give you somewhere to sit with a book, dry off in the air and let the day slow down. The nearby beach is the main diversion, and Praia de Zimbros is close enough for an unplanned stroll rather than a formal excursion.

You also have the option of doing very little, which is sometimes the correct answer. Use the sofa and flat-screen TV indoors, sit outside with a coffee or organise a barbecue for the evening. Monkey Hill and Praia Mariscal are both nearby for a change of scenery, while the several surrounding beaches give you alternatives when you want to move on from the same strip of sand.

Check-in takes place from 15:00 to 20:00, and check-out is by 11:00. Ministro Victor Konder International Airport is about 29 miles away by road, with a journey of around 57 minutes by car; Florianópolis-Hercílio Luz International Airport is about 51 miles away and around 1 hour 11 minutes by car. Free private parking is available on site, with no reservation needed.

WiFi is free throughout the property, and security includes key access, an alarm and 24-hour security. Pets are allowed on request. The pousada accepts children of any age, with no age requirement for check-in. Payment before arrival is made by bank transfer, and you should keep cash available for extras once you arrive.

The property is closed for maintenance until 5 September. Check the dates carefully before planning the journey, particularly if you are building the stay around flights or booked dives.