Barracuda Hotel & Villas

Perched on a clifftop above the jungle in Itacaré's surf-town sprawl, this boutique hotel earns its Michelin Key with an infinity pool open to the Atlantic, suites built by local carpenters, and a design that somehow makes Brazilian and Scandinavian feel like the same instinct. The rooftop bar at sunset with a caipirinha is the kind of moment that makes you miss your flight on purpose. Freestanding villas add private pools and kitchens for longer stays.