completely wild through the reintroduction of native plants and animals. There is also a programme called the Big 5 of The Atlantic Forest which focuses on the reintroduction of tapir, the conservation of deer, brown jaguars, maned wolves and muriqui.
‘Comuna do Ibitipoca is an immersive experience of conservation, nature, community, and art. Venture out of the reserve to explore the stunning waterfalls and rock formations.’
Kiwano Gift On Booking: A complimentary class, learn how to cook like a local.
Overview
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Highlights
From $222 USD per night
5,000 hectares of protected land
Witness incredible, unique, local art
Feel at ease in the outdoor hot tub
Authentic Brazilian cuisine
With no less than 4 restaurants
Read Tripadvisor Reviews
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Top Tip
‘Don’t miss the yoga classes in the mornings. Where you can expect Toucans (birds) to interact with you’
Eco Activities
Guests have the unique opportunity to visit the Muriqui project to see the endangered monkeys. Explore the hidden forest where parrots fly free. Enjoy these incredible animals in their natural habitat.
The formation of the garden of Bromelias is a very special place to visit. An area of high altitude in the Atlantic Forest. Bromelias are relatives to Pineapples.
There are more than 50 waterfalls to discover across 200km of private trails. Explore the biggest and most impressive waterfall, Mogol.
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Rooms
There is a wide variety of choice for accommodation. The centerpiece is an 18th-century farmhouse called Engenho Lodge, it houses 8 suites. There are also a handful of remote houses spread across this vast reserve.
Unique bespoke design mixing local, rustic heritage
Decorated with locally handcrafted furniture
The spacious bathrooms with heated floors
The spectacular lake views from your room
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Meet your Host
Meet Claudia, the general manager at Comuna do Ibitipoca. She is from the local area but lived in London for a short while to learn English.
When she was offered a job on the nature reserve, she was so happy that she could work closer to her home and spend more of her time outdoors close to nature.
‘The reserve originally began to help the local people living in the Ibitipoca State Park. The people living in the Atlantic Forest can have a hard life, it’s very mountainous so it’s not good for growing food. We brought the land that they live on, but we wanted to preserve their homes, their cultures, and traditions, and help the forest too.’
Discover more with Behind the Green here.
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Need to know
The eco approach here means no red meat is served on the menu and there are no soft drinks at the bar.
It’s a four-hour drive from Rio, but in a country as large as Brazil, that’s not bad. You can always fly in on a helicopter.
There is a conservation fee for guests who choose to use their own car in the property grounds.
April – September is the best time to visit; winters are dry and cold while summers can be rainy.
Take me to the Tripadvisor Reviews
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Location
Comuna do Ibitipoca is situated in the heart of the 3,000-hectare Ibitipoca Reserve, in the state of Minais Gervais. The landscape is unique and varied with pristine hidden waterfalls around every corner, wet sand dunes and tropical forests.
How to get there
The nearest airport is Juiz de Fora Airport which is a 1h 40 min drive. It’s 3.5 hours drive from Rio de Janeiro. There is the option to use a private airstrip or arrive by helicopter. Guests can choose to offset their emissions in the hotel’s zero print initiative.
Gallery
Leaf Rating
1-leaf status
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EnergyEvery building on this 17th century farm is fitted with solar power to generate clean energy.
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WaterSome of the buildings capture rain to provide water which can then be reused for maintaining the lake and watering the garden. The sinks are also equipped with aerators to reduce the flow of water so that there is less wastage.
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Waste100% of the organic waste on the property is composted, whilst non-organic waste is sorted and recycled. They also have ‘reduce’ policies in place to avoid generating unnecessary waste.
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ConservationComuna do Ibitipoca is committed to its local environment and even has its own dedicated conservation team. They currently run a ReWild project which aims to keep 99% of the area...
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FoodThe restaurants on the site use only local, seasonal food, with the main goal being to grow 90% of their own produce to save on transportation and packaging.
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Engage GuestsComuna do Ibitipoca was an environmental reserve before opening up to tourism, so conservation is at the heart of everything they offer. Guests can go on tours on specially...Read More >>
designed circuits that allow them to see something new with every trip, and to be immersed in the history of the local area. Morning yoga classes are offered and guided excursions on foot to explore the Reserve’s waterfalls, caves, and natural pools.
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ArchitectureAll of the construction, restoration and maintenance at Comuna do Ibitipoca is undertaken with the principle of maintaining original architectural features of the colonial...Read More >>
style of the Minas Gerais region so that the local culture and history have been valued. The buildings were constructed by local workers, using mainly recycled materials sourced in the local area. As well as this, furniture to decorate the hotel was mostly sourced-second hand, with traditional antiques being used throughout.
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HousekeepingThe oils used in the spa are 100% natural, made from herbs and plants that can often be found on the property itself.
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Kiwano BonusBecause forest fires have become a threat in the forested area, the property has its very own fire brigade which is assisted by and works to protect the local communities and forests...Read More >>
Comuna do Ibitipoca supports Casa do Sol, a community association where theatre, embroidery, ceramics and other projects showcase the local traditions and provide extra income for the local women. As well as this, they run the ‘University of Wisdom’, a project that offers a full schedule of training, courses, lectures and seminars, among other practices, for the local communities. They aim to empower the locals and encourage responsible entrepreneurship.
Reviews
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"One of the best places we ever slept"This 17th-century farm has all you would want....the place is magical so incredibly tastefully done. The food is mostly homegrown and delicious and the atmosphere is enchanting. So are the surroundings where you go for walks with experienced guides.
Hans, TripAdvisor, June 2019
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"Recommendable for all those people who like nature"
It is really situated in a very unique place. It is a very special ecological Fazenda, with the Fazenda like 100 years ago, but equipped with all the comfort that you expect these days. Many sites to visit during the day by foot, horse or if needed by 4x4.
Andries, Booking.com, March 2019
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"A very special place"
This is truly a very remarkable and special place. The Lodge is exquisite with lots of comfy places to sit and relax, read or just soak up the views. The smell of woodsmoke along with the lovely smell of cooking from the kitchen just adds the experience.
Lila, TripAdvisor, September 2018
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