La Ferme de Georges

Reaching this quiet corner of Brazil’s northeastern coast takes some effort due to its remoteness, but it’s worth it once you see what awaits you at La Ferme de George. Set on two acres of palm trees and white sand close to the kite-surfing hub of Atins, this chic coastal retreat borders the spectacular Lençóis Maranhenses National Park. A 380,000-acre expanse of rolling, lunar-like sand dunes, the landscape becomes even more breathtaking during the rainy season when small lagoons spring up in the valleys and troughs.

La Ferme de Georges knows people come to Atins to get away and escape into nature, which is why they only have seven bungalows to provide an intimate, relaxed stay. Scattered throughout the grounds, most of the bungalows are stylish thatch-roof huts, with white-washed facades, airy interiors, and canopy beds. The exception is the Tree Lodge, whose dune-top perch gives you panoramic views from the outdoor decks or the attached watchtower with 360-degree wrap-around windows.

Embrace the breezy, easy-going Brazilian beach lifestyle, devoting long hours to lounging in the shade of cashew trees by the pool or going for refreshing swims. Balance leisure with outdoor thrills like kitesurfing at the beach, hiking across the out-of-this-world dunes of the national park, and going for boat rides into the mangroves of the Preguiças River where birdlife and native fauna flourish.

But it’s at mealtimes that you discover the true heart of the La Ferme de Georges experience; after all, La Ferme means “farm” in French. The estate is home to its own organic gardens, which produce all-natural, seasonal goodness for fresh, flavorful dishes. Their secret recipe for unforgettable meals is they’re best enjoyed outdoors with good company.