Recanto Do Pontal Camping

Up for self-paddled boat trips, or maybe a round of golf or two? A nearby outdoor activity centre (15 minutes' drive) has a host of open-air activities for young and old. Of course, if you're heading to this part of Brazil, you'll want to make sure to pack your cossie, towel and flipflops – Pontal beach and sailing club are a 20-minute walk from base. If you're heading beachwards after a hearty meal on site, make sure to save room for a refreshing ice cream from the waterside café. For more coastal capers, Ilha Grande is on hand for island explores. Set sail for this car-free tropical hotspot by driving 20 minutes down the road and catching a ride on the ferry at Angra dos Reis. Stick around in this mid-sized seaside town for a historic convent, religious art museum and more beauteous beaches.  Up for something a little different? Boffins and laymen alike will find plenty to marvel at if they swing by the nearby Nuclear Observatory museum (30 minutes), where interactive screens and kid-friendly displays help explain the ABC of atom-smashing.