The Top Hostels to Book in Brazil

The Praia do Forte is one of Bahia State’s most celebrated beaches, thanks in part to the TAMAR project, which protects sea turtles in the area. The region’s remarkable flora and fauna draw many curious travelers, but there are few hostels as welcoming, clean and comfortable as Praia do Forte. The building wraps around a leafy central garden, where guests mingle or lounge in hammocks, whilst dorms are gender-separated.

Brasilia’s Joy Hostel is on another level when it comes to pairing amenities with good value for backpackers in Brazil. The modern design has a sleek precision to it: the wood-panelled dorm rooms have a sense of simple comfort, while the common areas embrace the spirit of traveling life, with Volkswagen campervans protruding from the walls and naked bulb lighting. If you’re wondering how to spend your evening, the hostel runs regular events. This spot is easily among the best hostels in Brasilia, ideal for a short stay.

If you’re looking to style it out during your trip around Brazil, then look up Viva Hostel Design when you get to Sao Paolo. Colorful murals adorn the front and common areas of this hostel, which sits in the city’s bohemian Vila Madalena neighborhood. The bunk beds are constructed with breeze blocks to offer a more private dorm stay, not unlike a Japanese capsule hotel in style.

Looking for a great place to do some coastal hiking or diving? The Queen Hostel is a top choice in Arraial do Cabo, 140km (87mi) west of Rio de Janeiro. Set two blocks away from the crescent-shaped Anjos Beach, the hostel is a cheerful spot to meet other travellers. Private rooms are competitively priced, but the dorms, with their triple-tiered bunk beds, are great value for those on a tight budget.

Located in central Fortaleza, a few blocks from the city’s cathedral and Iracema Beach, Refúgio Hostel is a colorful little island of tranquillity with hammocks swaying in a leafy garden and cozy dorm rooms of up to eight bunks. The staff here are consistently praised by past guests for their above and beyond approach to welcoming their guests, making this hostel a great choice, particularly for first-time visitors to Fortaleza.

Tucked away in a residential neighborhood in the southern corner of Brazil – an area best known for its stunning Iguazu Falls – is Hostel Manga Rosa. It’s an unassuming place from the outside, with its small pool and hammock-draped terrace, but it’s the laid-back vibe set by the manager, Joe, that sets this place apart. Often, guests end up staying much longer than planned. A cinema room and cooking facilities are available to guests here.

For backpackers looking to meet fellow travellers in Salvador, the fun communal vibe of Acai Hostel does the job. It is located in the historic center of Bahia State’s capital city, close to the Unesco-listed district of Pelourinho. Acai’s rooftop terrace is a great place to hang out with fellow travelers before heading off to experience the city’s best local nightlife with the hostel’s manager, Carlos.

Do you fancy staying in a hostel in a national park? Hostel América do Sul offers just that, located inside Jericoacoara National Park, famed for its sweeping sand dunes. The hostel’s owners promote a relaxed atmosphere, often introducing their guests to one another and fostering conversation. There’s plenty of common space, including a hammock area and a barbecue station big enough to feed the entire hostel.