Top picks: our annual survey reveals the best places in Latin America to work or rest

Latin Trade, Feb, 2005

The complex covers more than eight kilometers of virgin tropical beach and its sports complex includes an 18-hole PGA golf course and club; 15 tennis courts with a center court for tournaments; courts and fields for sports like basketball, paddle, squash and soccer; an equestrian center; and water-sports facilities that include harnessing up for a thrilling ride across a lake on something called the Flying Fox zip-line, which culminates in landing with a thud on the beach. There is also a small farm where you can learn how to milk a cow or slop pigs.

Located along Brazil's ecologically rich Atlantic Ocean coast in a 202-hectare environmental protection area, the mega resort is 80 kilometers north of Salvador, Bahia, off the Linha Verde highway and one hour from Luis Eduardo Magalhaes International Airport. Costa do Sauipe was developed along a section of the 190-kilometer-long idyllic stretch of beach called the Coconut Coast, named for the thousands of coconut palms that line its shores and hide behind sand dunes. But beaches are not the area's only attraction., nearby is the Tamar turtle protection project, located at the end of what was once an old fisherman's village, and inland are quiet rivers, lakes and protected areas for birdwatching, canoe rides and hiking trails.

With each year, Costa do Sauipe becomes more innovative. The resort has its own version of Brazil's famous street festival, Carnival. Held in September, it is called, Saulpe Floria, and while it is no competition for Carnival in Rio or Salvador, it is a fun happening, giving guests an opportunity for a taste of Carnival in a totally protective environment that even kids can safely enjoy--just join the crowd following the bands in the big trucks and dance and sing along.

Costa do Sauipe's hotel complex consists of SuperClub's Breezes' all-inclusive resort; Marriott Resort & Spa; Sofitel Conventions & Resorts; Sofitel Suites & Resort; and Renaissance Costa do Sauipe Resort. Guests at all of the resorts have access to the Costa do Sauipe's optional attractions at a nominal cost. Transportation within the Costa do Sauipe is by resort van, horse and carriage, bicycle or walking--also at no cost. Private cars are not allowed. The resort has a welcome desk at the airport for anyone needing information or assistance with transportation or accommodations. www.costadosauipe.com.br

BEST CRUISE LINE

If you see a big, white boat on the horizon or parked at a port in Latin America or the Caribbean, chances are pretty good it's a Carnival Cruise Lines ship. The Miami company controls the brands Carnival, Holland America, Princess Cruises, Cunard and Costa Cruise lines, among others, hitting the high seas as far north as Alaska and south to Panama, west to Hawaii and east to Europe and, of course, all over the relaxing, postcard-perfect Caribbean, the line's bread and butter (industry-wide, the islands represent 46% of the business, according to the Cruise Line Industry Association). That adds up to big chunk of a multibillion-dollar business, which has grown tremendously in just the last few years as U.S. vacationers took to cruises like never before. Carnival has responded by offering a little bit of everything for everybody, from kid-friendly ships with babysitters, parties and teen activities, to adventure-travel shore excursions, cooking classes, round-the-clock buffets and pampering all the way up to full-on spas. You can get married on a Carnival ship, hold a corporate meeting, even plan a golf vacation with stops at courses along the way. Part of the marketing power is constant attention from attentive staff that sticks with the customer from beginning to end. Carnival's marketing focus, too, has been to create "floating resorts" that provide for every need, all the while adding ports and destinations to increase the reasons to cruise--exotic, international experiences without the hassle of land and air travel in-between. www.carnival.com