{"id":1825,"date":"2025-12-04T13:42:57","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:42:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/awasi.com\/?page_id=1801"},"modified":"2026-11-13T16:20:00","modified_gmt":"2026-11-13T16:20:00","slug":"our-story","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/awasi.com\/santa-catarina\/our-story\/","title":{"rendered":"Our Story"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\tAwasi Santa Catarina: A Story Shaped by the Sea\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\tBefore it became Awasi Santa Catarina, this quiet corner of Brazil's Emerald Coast had a story of its own.\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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On a forested peninsula in Governador Celso Ramos, the former Ponta dos Ganchos resort has welcomed travelers since 2001. Here, the Atlantic Forest descends toward a sheltered bay, with the Tr\u00eas Ilhas archipelago on the horizon. The sea sets the pace, but the people give the place its character.<\/p>\n

When Awasi became part of that story, we brought with us a belief in privacy, intuitive service, and meaningful exploration. What we found was a place where those values already felt at home.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\"Aerial\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tOur Story Through the Years\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t2001\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Beginning of Ponta dos Ganchos\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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On the southern coast of Santa Catarina, Brazil, Ponta dos Ganchos first welcomed guests in 2001. Surrounded by forest and overlooking the Atlantic, the retreat offered a sense of seclusion without losing its connection to the nearby community.
\nOver the years, guests returned, friendships formed, and a dedicated team helped shape the property’s identity. Some of those who welcomed its earliest visitors are still here today, carrying memories and traditions that have become part of the place itself.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t2008\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tA Deeper Connection to the Land\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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In 2008, an organic garden began supplying the kitchen with fresh produce and flowers, strengthening the relationship between the property and its natural surroundings.
\nThat commitment has continued to grow. More than 15,000 native tree seedlings have been planted across the peninsula, while less than eight percent of the land has been developed. That same respect for nature extends to the architecture of the villas, where reforested wood, green roofs, and thoughtful design allow each structure to blend into the coastal landscape.
\nCaring for the land is part of the property’s history, and an essential part of its future.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\"Secluded\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t2025\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\tA New Chapter on Brazil's Coast\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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In 2025, Ponta dos Ganchos joined the Awasi collection, bringing more than two decades of history into a new chapter.
\nThe peninsula already had a character all its own, shaped by its natural setting, local traditions, and the people who had cared for it since the beginning. Our vision was to honor that history while introducing the personalized exploration and attentive care that define Awasi.
\nToday, Awasi Santa Catarina brings these stories together. Guests experience the seclusion of a forested peninsula alongside the freedom of tailor-made excursions, with a dedicated guide and 4\u00d74 vehicle to explore the region at their own pace.
\nA familiar place has entered a new chapter, with its original spirit very much intact.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tUncountable Talents\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t300+ people, 17+ nationalities, a world of perspectives \t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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The people of Awasi Santa Catarina bring something no itinerary can replicate: a deep understanding of this coast and its traditions.<\/p>\n

Many grew up in the surrounding communities. Others have been with the property since its earliest years, welcoming returning guests with the warmth of an old friend. Their knowledge lives in the details, from the fishing traditions they share to the local flavors and lesser-known places they introduce along the way.<\/p>\n

Across the Awasi collection, our teams bring different backgrounds and skills to a shared purpose: making every guest feel genuinely understood. In Santa Catarina, that begins with people who have long called this coastline home.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\tInternship at Awasi Santa Catarina\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
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Our connection to the local community goes beyond the experiences we share with guests. It also shapes how we welcome and develop new talent.<\/p>\n

Through our internship program, students from surrounding communities gain hands-on experience across different areas of the lodge, including guest services, guided excursions, the kitchen, and wellness<\/span><\/a>. Working alongside experienced team members, they develop practical skills, discover their strengths, and explore career opportunities.<\/p>\n

For some, that first opportunity has become a permanent role at Awasi Santa Catarina. These relationships strengthen our team while creating meaningful career paths for people with close ties to the region.<\/p>\n

Each new opportunity strengthens the connection between the lodge and the community that has always been part of its story.<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\tA Meaningful Exploration Centered Around You\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
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The story of Awasi Santa Catarina continues beyond the peninsula, through the landscapes, traditions, and people of Brazil’s southern coast.<\/p>\n

With a private guide, every day is yours to shape. Follow shaded trails through the Atlantic Forest. Discover secluded beaches accessible only on foot or by boat. Explore the waters surrounding Arvoredo Island, where exceptional marine biodiversity makes for unforgettable snorkeling and diving experiences. Or spend an afternoon discovering the fishing villages and coastal traditions of Governador Celso Ramos.<\/p>\n

Back at the lodge, that connection to place continues. Chef Dani Damasceno celebrates Brazil’s culinary heritage through seasonal ingredients, local seafood, and contemporary interpretations of regional dishes. As a member of Relais & Ch\u00e2teaux, Awasi Santa Catarina honors the distinctive flavors and traditions that make this corner of Brazil so memorable.<\/p>\n

Beyond the coast, the Awasi story<\/a> reaches across South America. From the deserts of Atacama to the wilderness of Patagonia, the rainforests of Iguaz\u00fa, and the vineyards of Mendoza, our five lodges each reveal a different character of the continent.<\/p>\n

Every destination has a story to share. We invite you to discover where yours leads.<\/p>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tPlan Your Santa Catarina Stay\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\"Green\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWestern Argentina\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tMendoza\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t View More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\"Wide\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNorthern Argentina\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tIguaz\u00fa\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t View More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\"Three\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tNorthern Chile\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tAtacama\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t View More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\"Mountain\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tSouthern Chile\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\tPatagonia\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
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\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t View More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n\n
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