Mango Tree Ipanema - Hostel

We were welcomed so warmly by Nicola, who gave us great tips for things to do around town and was engaging and kind at the bar. The hostel is right in the heart of Ipanema, about a two-minute walk from the beach, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. We also went to a football game with Rodrigo. He was wonderful, full of energy and friendly, and a great guide before, during, and after the match.

Michelle and the rest of the staff were the BEST :) The place was clean, the beds were comfy, and the location was great. Highly recommend for anyone traveling solo in Rio.

I had a private room for about four nights at the mango tree. It was convenient, quiet at night, and had air conditioning and warm shower water. The beach is very nice and just a five-minute walk away. What didn't work for me was the atmosphere. It felt more like a hotel or retirement home than a hostel, with very few social activities, no music at the bar, and the bar open only a few hours a day. The price was close to a hotel's, and socializing matters a lot to me, but I found it extremely hard to make connections. If you want peace and quiet right by the beach, this could suit you. Just don't expect much in the way of social activities.

I stayed at Mango Tree Hostel from February 18th to 22nd during Carnaval. This was my first hostel stay. I usually travel solo or with friends and choose a hotel or Airbnb, but with those dates and events, a hostel was the most economical choice. Expectations matter here: it's a hostel a block from one of the world's most famous beaches, not a five-star luxury hotel. I arrived around 2100 and a very friendly receptionist greeted me. I'm terrible with names, so I don't remember theirs. Before heading to my room, I mentioned two concerns. I'd booked the wrong departure day and couldn't fix it online, but they extended my stay without any trouble. I was also worried by a previous review mentioning theft. I asked about lockers and was told I could buy a lock for R20, which I did. You can bring your own too. From traveling, I've learned to keep valuables with me or somewhere secure, especially in a hostel with lots of people coming and going. My reservation was for a shared six-bunk room. It was right by the bathroom and a balcony, and I got two sheets, a blanket, and a pillowcase. Some roommates were there already; we chatted a bit, then shared a beer and a smoke on the balcony. A shared room is a good way to meet people and make friends, and it's much cheaper than a private room. I picked the available bottom bunk for easier access. The room had key-card entry and was divided into two sections by a door. The bunk was surprisingly comfortable, though smaller than a twin mattress. I'm not very big, so it was fine for me, but I can see it being an issue for taller people. Each bunk had a light, a wall plug with a light socket, USB and USB-C ports, and a locker. The USB-C port didn't work, but I had another charger. I went to bed soon after because I had an early tour, and everyone was pretty respectful of quiet hours. The men's bathroom was inside the main building, while the women's was in the patios outside. I think there may have been other bathrooms I didn't find. The one I used had a toilet in a closed stall, two showers (one with a curtain and one with a door), two sinks, and an electronic hand dryer. Shower water temperature was fine. Bring your own towel, though you can buy one at reception for R10 and exchange it when needed. I didn't spend much more time at the hostel, since I had plans with friends I made. There's a small bar in the dining area, and the drink I bought was pretty good. People were friendly and approachable, and the hostel had lots of activities planned that I didn't attend. Given everything, I thought it was pretty good and would stay again. I'm not sure what makes a five-star hostel.