Butterfly House Bahia
Rustic-chic eco-luxury with a bohemian Moroccan-French-Brazilian design mash-up. Very much off-grid in spirit, even if the pool and beach bar keep things comfortable.
Book the Almirante Supreme Bungalow for families — 55m² with a king bed plus two singles and a private winter garden
Why It Matters
One of the very few quality eco-luxury properties on the almost entirely undeveloped Maraú Peninsula. Tablet Hotels listed. The building itself is a sustainability statement — Colombian eco-treated bamboo, recycled demolition wood, and a bio-fertilizer sewage system. Humpback whales migrate right past the front beach in September.
Butterfly House Bahia is an eco-boutique pousada sitting directly on a wild, uncrowded stretch of Atlantic beach on the Maraú Peninsula, about 250km south of Salvador. Getting here takes real commitment — think some combination of Jeep, bus, speedboat and truck — but the reward is 8 bungalows and 3 suites carved from bamboo, salvaged timber and thatched grass roofs, surrounded by Mata Atlântica rainforest. A British founder spent nearly a decade building it by hand without damaging the jungle, and the result is genuinely one-of-a-kind: Moroccan plaster walls, French antique ceramics and Indian artefacts sitting inside structures that blend almost invisibly into the trees.
Where You'll Stay
12 room types available
Deluxe Bungalow — Atlas
One of two Deluxe Bungalows. Eco-built structure with thatched roof. Moroccan/French décor with Indian objets d'art. Private entrance, balcony, parquet floors, and a private bathroom with shower.
Deluxe Bungalow — Esmeralda
One of two Deluxe Bungalows. Named Esmeralda ('emerald'). Décor is Moroccan and French in influence — high thatched ceilings, timber floors, smooth Moroccan plaster walls. Modern bathroom with private entrance. Private veranda with garden views.
Suite — Aurora
One of three suites in the main building. Balcony views toward the ocean or pool. Same eco-luxury standard as the other suites — parquet floors, private bathroom, air conditioning, minibar.
Suite — Coruja
One of three suites in the main building. Same tier as Lua — balcony with pool or ocean view, parquet floors, private bathroom, air conditioning, minibar.
Suite — Lua
One of three suites in the main building, with balcony. Features parquet floors, private bathroom with shower, private balcony with garden views, minibar. The suites overlook the pool area and ocean.
Suite Pescador
A newer room category listed on the official website (Portuguese navigation). Details are limited, but it appears to be a dedicated suite option with beach or fisherman's-cottage theming. Contact the hotel directly for specifics.
Supreme Bungalow — Almirante
The largest and most family-friendly unit, at 55m². Moroccan/French decor, a private winter garden (jardim de inverno), private veranda, king-size bed and two single beds. Blue-stuccoed walls, cylindrical indoor shower and an enclosed outdoor shower. Timber floors, thatched ceiling. Good for up to 2 adults and 2 children.
55 sqmSupreme Bungalow — Anna
One of three Supreme Bungalows. Named after the owner's daughter (as is the restaurant). Same eco-bamboo and salvaged-wood construction with thatched roofing. Boho-luxury interiors with Moroccan rugs and French/Indian antiques.
Supreme Bungalow — Bella
One of three Supreme Bungalows. Constructed from eco-treated bamboo and salvaged wood with a thatched grass roof. Decorated in warm Moroccan and French style with South American rustic touches. Features large glass-paned walls with garden or sea views.
VIP Bungalow — Kokopu
Part of the VIP Bungalow tier. Eco-bamboo and salvaged wood structure with thatched roof, decorated in shades of blue and green to echo the surrounding nature. Private entrance, private balcony with garden views, parquet floors.
VIP Bungalow — Opah
One of three VIP Bungalows. Same eco-construction and bohemian décor with a mix of South American rusticity and Moroccan/French/Indian antiques. Private entrance, garden-view balcony.
VIP Bungalow — Quimera
One of three VIP Bungalows. Eco-bamboo construction with high thatched ceiling. Bohemian interiors in blue and green tones. Some units in this tier come with outdoor showers for stargazing.
The Property
Eat & Drink
1 venue on property
Restaurant
Spa & Wellness
Treatment Menu
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Bicycles available for hire from the hotel. Quad bikes are a popular way to explore the coastline. Combined quad-then-boat day trips include walks to hilltop viewpoints over the coastal forest.
Dozens of trails begin directly from the lodge through world-heritage-listed tropical rainforest. Marmosets, anteaters, armadillos, parrots and hummingbirds are common sightings. Guides are available on-site 24/7.
Humpback whales migrate past the front beach annually from roughly July to October, peaking in September. The hotel arranges boat excursions. Guests have reportedly watched whales breach just offshore without leaving the beach.
Day trips by traditional boat to the cluster of islands around the bay, including private picnic options on remote islands.
The waters around the Maraú Peninsula hold an estimated 2,000 species of tropical fish. The most celebrated site is Taipu de Fora reef, widely considered one of Bahia's most beautiful underwater spots. Night diving in the natural pools is also popular.
SUP boards available for exploring the calm waters near the hotel.
There's a well-shaped wave directly in front of the hotel. Private surf lessons can be booked through the property.
Available on site given the property's exposed beachfront location.
A popular excursion to the waterfall where the Maraú River meets Camamu Bay. There's a small restaurant at the waterfall.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Direct access to a quiet, largely deserted stretch of Atlantic beach with lounge chairs and beach towels provided.
Available in all rooms and public areas.
On-site playroom for children.
Poolside bar serving drinks and snacks throughout the day.
Open-sided beach bar on a wooden deck jutting onto the sand, with hammocks and a large timber throne chair. Serves cocktails, international and Brazilian beers, and light snacks.
Included for guests. Homemade breads, jams, granola, fresh tropical fruits, juices, tapioca, eggs on demand, acaí and caramelised bananas.
All rooms and bungalows have air conditioning.
All rooms and bungalows come with a minibar.
Extensive gardens with hammocks and bamboo recliners scattered throughout.
Palm-enshrouded pool set in the tropical garden between the lodge and the beach. Includes poolside loungers and a pool bar.
On-site private parking, no reservation needed.
Multiple massage modalities available on-site by qualified therapists: Ayurvedic, LomiLomi, Shiatsu, Swedish, Lymphatic drainage, Kalari.
Two dedicated outdoor yoga decks — one facing the beach, one facing the preserved freshwater lagoon.
BUILD YOUR BUTTERFLY HOUSE BAHIA PLAN
Rooms, dining, spa, and resort experiences — organized into one trip plan.
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