The Thrill of Brazil: Life's a Beach Party

Brazil has more to it than football, beaches and the supermodel Gisele Bundchen - its property is tempting, too. Indeed, it seems to be helping the country ride out the global recession.



It's got the finest beaches in the world, the most robust economy in South America and a rapidly expanding middle class,' says Paul Irvine, of Dehouche, which seeks out South American travel and investment opportunities.

One of the so-called four ‘BRIC’ nations (Brazil, Russia, India and China) that are predicted to experience an economic explosion in the years leading up to 2050, Brazil should show positive growth even in 2011, albeit by a small percentage.

Its hefty middle class fuels the country's demand for steel, coffee, beef, oil and even car manufacturing.

And according to the World Tourism Organization, Brazilian tourism increased by 170 per cent between 1995 and 2005 - three times the global average - which is good news for buyers. Holiday homes tend to partner tourism and many European investors have been attracted to £50,000 beach properties in the Natal region in the relatively accessible north-east of the country - eight to nine hours flight away.

This affordable part of the country has seen price rises of 20 per cent a year, but now a growing luxury sector is attracting top names in the hotel business.
Anyone who is anyone in the hotel world is trying to get into Brazil at the moment,' says Mr Irvine.

Brands said to be interested include the Four Seasons, Mandarin Oriental and Banyan Tree. Dehouche will find buy-to-let new-builds in the economic powerhouse of Sao Paulo, penthouses in Rio, or beach properties. It will also help procure mortgages, which are not generally available for foreigners, although it is possible to get 80 per cent loans on a case-by-case basis (through HSBC).

The best neighborhood in Rio is Leblon, which enjoys views of Ipanema beach and the statue of Christ the Redeemer crowning Corcovado Mountain.



Beachfront apartments sell for £1,200 to £1,500 per square meter and designer Calvin Klein has just bought a £4 million penthouse there.

With good international schools and a more laid-back feel than Sao Paulo, Rio is popular with expats, many of whom have second homes on the nearby Costa Verde.

This lush-green corridor of virgin rainforest between Rio and Sao Paulo - with its huge frigate-birds lending it a Jurassic Park feel - has attracted interest from Amanresorts, as has the north-eastern state of Alagoas.

Alagoas is selling itself as a 'six-star' destination, turning down all-inclusive hotel brands in favour of top names such as Amanresorts and Six Senses Resorts, according to Felipe Cavalcante, president of ADIT Nordeste, which advises investors in the tourism and property sectors.

It has escaped the speculators and mass market tourism development of Natal,' he says. Bahia (a state farther south in Brazil) may be the most exclusive destination in Brazil, but it lacks premier brands.

Indeed, those after a more rustic brand of luxury head to the remote fishing village of Trancoso in Bahia, favoured by Naomi Campbell, Gisele Bundchen and Leonardo DiCaprio.

Beachfront cottages in the 'St Barts of South America' - which has its own landing strip - typically cost between £1.3 million and £2.5 million, and can sometimes costs even more.

Almost all our clients are European - golden boys from London, Russians, Israelis, Swedes, including the royal family, Spanish and Italian,' says Philippe De Smedt, of Brazil Estates.

Beachfront villas can rent for £2,000 to £3,500 a day, but most buyers are motivated by capital appreciation - prices have been going up steadily - and the lifestyle. Brazil's all about living life to the full.

And, with 7,000 miles of beach, an average temperature of 2771C and that famously laidback lifestyle, it certainly lives up to its reputation.



Visit Dehouche, to know more about Luxury Brazil Honeymoon

Let Dehouche, arrange your luxury boutique hotel and enjoy a whole host of insider tips on where to truly escape from it all on your honeymoon.

Dehouche S.A.,
Leblon,
Rio de Janeiro ,
Brazil.
www.dehouche.com

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