Oh Madalena Hostel

I loved the samba bar downstairs. This feels more like sharing an apartment than staying in a typical hostel, since there isn't a reception, though a volunteer and the cleaning staff are around if you have questions. There's a terrace, and the rooms have AC. The dorm bunks have three beds and privacy curtains. The kitchen is very basic, with just one working burner. It's in a great spot near Beco do Batman, so getting back quickly at night was easy.

I had a lovely stay, and the crew were so kind. They also offer a discount at the bar and restaurant. I'll definitely stay there again ❤️

A great place, with friendly staff and a handy kitchen. The rooftop patio is a nice spot to relax, and the location near all the fun in Madalena is excellent. Recommended!

The Wi-Fi worked well, and there was live samba downstairs one night, which was really nice. Lulu and Bruno were attentive, and Lulu was a pleasure to talk to. They made the stay better. Before that, though, it really wasn't what I was looking for. It felt like an apartment converted into a dorm, with most things self service and hardly any staff around. The kitchen was just a sink and two hot plates, there was no atmosphere, the entrance was confusing, and the place felt dirty and run down. Their booking process also seemed to have a problem and was overbooked, so someone slept on the living room couch. A lot of the guests seemed to have moved to São Paulo and didn't mind, but if you're traveling and want to meet people and explore the city, there are better options.