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The pousada in Brazil is essentially a bed and breakfast or inn where you can land, or "pousar". Whether you're bedding down in happening Rio de Janeiro or near the crystal waters of Fortaleza, you'll find rest and respose in the varied, eclectic types of Brazilian pousadas available.

A pousada can offer any of a number of different structures and experiences. The concept of "pousada de charme" has risen to refer to places that go the extra mile to make their rooms particularly unique for visitors. You'd stay at a pousada because it's small, and the attention you receive is mirrored by the establishment's more personal size.

Pousadas are found in both Brazil and Portugal, but there's a key difference between them. Portugal pousadas are historic, handsome, and often luxurious – you'll find them housed in romantic palaces or azulejo-fronted mansions. In Brazil, pousada refers to all sorts, from small, cozy homestays in the colonial heart of Salvador, like in at Pousada Beija Flor, to the larger guesthouses of Paraty, to the marvelously differentiated pousadas of Campos de Jordao.

Between the kaleidoscope of local and luxurious stays, it's possible to find this sort of accommodation to suit all budgets. In Brazil, cheap pousadas mean skipping on private pools, but still mean staying somewhere that oozes vernacular charm. What's more, the cost of pousadas will vary greatly with the seasons, so be ready for bargains when the rains fall in beach-fringed Fortaleza.

Just search as you normally would for a hotel or a vacation rental and select the right filter in the property type section. That will limit your results to pousadas big and small. And you can pinpoint particular districts and regions, using our map feature to seek out pousada stays in places as buzzing as Sao Paulo.

Pousadas are great places to rest and recuperate between surfing sessions in Recife or sightseeing around Buzios. Rooms range from B&B-style stays to more luxurious (but always personal) suites with balconies. The service often includes a filling, homecooked breakfast. And you can make the most of all the in-the-know tips that come courtesy of local, independent owners.

It should be clear to see the moment you arrive at one of these classic inns. It's about the personalized welcome. It's normal for pousadas to have just a few rooms, with guests able to dine together and to mingle on the patios and in shared spaces.

Are you eager to find the closest Brazilian or Portuguese pousada? Search for a pousada nearby using Expedia's intelligent accommodation wizard and you can pick from the top-rated stays in your vicinity. You can even use the nifty map tool to discover pousada-style accommodations all around the globe, from cool Ipanema to the wave-washed Algarve