Laranjeiras Hostel

The hostel itself was okay. But don’t book a tour with Armando. He runs the Condomble & boat tours, and he changed the itinerary half an hour before we were due to leave, even though I didn’t agree to it. He wouldn’t refund my money, and the staff didn’t do anything about it. He charges tourists twice what locals pay, just so you know. It gives real Brazilians a bad name.

Getting around from this central spot is easy, and the prices are reasonable. hostel laranjeiras is in Old Town, among historic buildings, and the hostel itself is in an old building that’s been renovated for guests. The dorms and rooms were clean and quiet, though you do have to climb stairs. Breakfast was fresh and tasty, with local jams, plenty of coffee, and chocolate. Best hostel in the area.

The breakfast was good, and our triple room was more than adequate. We were in a police cordon, with a policeman stationed outside who told us which streets were safe to walk on, but hungry locals kept asking us for money. The safety situation was so bad that we cut our stay short. Be warned, taking the bus with a suitcase is too dangerous. Uber is cheap and reliable. The location is great for exploring Pelourinho.

We ended up making this our regular stop for coffee and internet. The staff were friendly and helpful, the coffee was great and well priced, and the WiFi worked really well for getting work done. It’s a lovely little place right in the historical centre, 'Pelourinho', with a great spot for people watching. Recommended for coffee or working.