Etnia Casa Hotel Trancoso: A Design Pousada Near the Quadrado

Photo: Robert Miguel / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0); destination context image; it does not depict the property.

Jet Set LatAM · Designer Hotels and Quiet Luxury

Trancoso is the Brazilian village that made barefoot a synonym for luxury, and Etnia Casa Hotel Trancoso is one of its most recognizable addresses: a pousada hidden in the Atlantic Forest a few minutes’ walk from the Quadrado, created by Italians Corrado Tini and André Zanonato, both from the worlds of fashion and design. It opened on New Year’s Eve 2001 and has been a favorite of fashion shoots, design magazines and travelers who prefer the shade of trees to a front-row beach lounger ever since.

Themed villas among the trees

The property spreads across roughly 7,000 square meters of native forest, and architect Gabriel Garbin designed the villas around existing trees rather than felling them. Each suite or villa takes its theme from a place in the world — from Goa to Morocco or Kyoto — and somehow manages to mix global references without slipping into costume. The larger villas work like small houses, with living rooms and kitchens, ideal for longer stays.

Fashion is in Etnia’s DNA

Etnia launched with its own boutique and a very editorial take on Bahian living: Brazilian pieces, objects with history and the relaxed elegance Trancoso does better than anywhere. The shop now lives on the Quadrado, so a visit fits naturally into the evening stroll.

Trancoso, unhurried

Mornings by the pool and in the hammock; midday at a different beach each day — Nativos and Coqueiros are close; back for a siesta and then, at sunset, the Quadrado with its little white church and candlelit colored houses. Trancoso is for walking slowly and dining late. Three nights is a sensible minimum: getting here means a flight to Porto Seguro and a road transfer.

Who Etnia is for

Couples and small groups who want design with personality, privacy and the option to walk into the village. If you need sand at your door, note that the hotel is not on the beach — part of the charm, but worth knowing.

What to pack for Trancoso

Linen, sandals and zero rush, from our ShopMy edit:

• FARM Rio printed linen maxi dress — pure Brazil for the Quadrado
• Alexandre Birman Clarita block heel — Brazilian design for dinner
• Wool & Oak compression packing cubes — so linen arrives without drama

How to book Etnia Casa Hotel Trancoso

Trancoso’s high season runs from December through Carnival, with higher rates and minimum stays. When booking, confirm the villa type (some have kitchens and several bedrooms) and ask about transfers from Porto Seguro.

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Frequently asked questions

Who founded Etnia in Trancoso?

Italians Corrado Tini and André Zanonato, who came from fashion and design. The pousada opened at the end of 2001.

Is Etnia Casa Hotel on the beach?

No. It sits in the Atlantic Forest a few minutes’ walk from the Quadrado; Nativos and Coqueiros beaches are nearby.

How do you get to Trancoso?

Most travelers fly to Porto Seguro and continue by road to Trancoso.

What is the Quadrado in Trancoso?

The village’s historic grassy square, lined with colorful houses, restaurants and boutiques around a small white church — the social heart of Trancoso.

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