Fodor's Expert Review Costão do Santinho Resort

The ocean view from the north-facing rooms is one reason to stay at the island's most sophisticated resort; the surrounding 100-acre Atlantic Forest is another. There are several nearby trails, including one that leads to petroglyphs on the hill. The older buildings have full apartments with mini kitchens that are perfect for longer stays. A more recent addition features traditional hotel rooms with modern decor. All have great ocean views. The list of activities here is almost unending: martial arts, aerobics, surfing, sandboarding (like snowboarding, but on sand), and trekking.