Pousada Zen Caraiva

The friendly guy from Rio was one of the few people who really made us feel welcome, and he was so helpful and lovely. The women in the kitchen, by contrast, weren't sociable, and breakfast was a huge letdown. Reviews had praised it, so maybe I just got unlucky and had to eat whatever was available on two days. The basic rooms might bother someone fussy. They're very bare bones, though I personally liked the location. It's between the river and the sea, next door to the bakery, which is really good. I wouldn't suggest it for older people because there's a longer walk to get around. Caraíva is paradise, so the stay didn't live up to my expectations. For the price, though, it's not bad.

The breakfast was a highlight, all healthy, and the girls made tapioca, omelets, or crepioca for us on the spot. Camila at reception and the breakfast staff were excellent, and the sheets and towels were good. It’s a simple, very welcoming inn close to everything, so we walked everywhere. Padoca next door has delicious snacks and meals. A few things could be improved, though they wouldn’t stop us from staying again: the room could use a TV and more hooks for hanging things, and the shower could be better. When we arrived, we used a toothbrush to clear the little holes so more water would come through. We’d recommend the inn and would come back if we can.

Camila at reception and the kitchen staff were exceptional, helpful, and kind. The outdoor area is great, and the location is excellent. The room itself made for a very poor night. The bed was soft and sagging, the toilet barely flushed even for pee, and the bathroom smelled bad. Wi-Fi was unreliable. Something seemed to move around in the roof lining at night, and bits of wood, possibly from termites, kept falling onto the beds. There was termite debris all over the bed, as shown in the photos. The other receptionist smoked at the inn constantly, leaving such a bad cigarette smell that we had to keep the window closed.

We went to Caraiva and decided to stay overnight. Pousada Zen was a lovely surprise. It’s simple but cozy, and the breakfast was decent. They welcomed us very warmly.