Vila dos Pássaros - Casa I

There are too few bathrooms for the number of people, and the toilets constantly smell of sewage. Some don't work properly, including a bowl where the water won't flush. Even brushing my teeth came with the stink of sewage or an old, uncleaned toilet. With hygiene like that, any good points would feel beside the point.

The common areas have a cozy, friendly feel, and the hostel is right downtown, close to the beach. I was concerned by earlier comments about the kitchen, but it was new and well equipped with a gas stove, oven, toaster, microwave, blender, fridge, plates, and utensils. The dorm rooms were a little chaotic and cramped, though still manageable. 👍🏽👍🏽

I lasted two hours before packing up and moving to another hostel. I left my money behind because there was nobody on staff to talk to, and even checking in meant waiting almost ten minutes before I had to ask someone to notice me. The place was empty, but it felt like anyone off the street could wander into the rooms. The room seemed very sketchy. Bedside outlets didn't work, and some looked broken and dangerous, so charging a phone by the bed wasn't possible. The bathroom and shower lights and locks were completely out of order. I had to shower with the door open for light, though luckily the room was empty. There was one fan for the room, aimed at a single bed, and that bed looked ready to fall apart. As a backpacker, this was probably my worst hostel experience. 0/10.

The decor is nice, the location is good, and the staff speak English. But the dorm is damp and poorly ventilated, and the fan doesn't help. Wi-Fi doesn't reach into the dorm room, so you have to go outside.