The Hostelz.com Review
If The Backpackers Share House Floripa is not the liveliest hostel on Florianópolis -- and we're pretty certain it must be -- it has to be one of the friendliest, both in the people that run it and help you out wherever they can, and the crowd they seem to attract.
The Location
This hostel is in the prime location of Barra De Lagoa, a delightful fishing village on the eastern coast of Florianópolis. This is not a former fishing village that has sold its soul for tourism, either -- fishing is Barra De Lagoa's mainstay, particularly in winter when the spend-happy tourists from Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro dry up. This becomes evident when you see the biblical pile of two-foot-long fish that miraculously appears on the beach after the local men have been successfully plundering the sea for hours.
Most of a traveler's needs can be met in Barra De Lagoa, although for those that can't, as well as for most of the nightlife, the bustling centre of Lagoa town is only a bus or short taxi ride away. The beach itself at Barra De Lagoa is stunning, although the roaming dogs, however friendly they may be, can become a nuisance; during winter the beach closed to surfers for the fishing season. Backpackers Share House has arguably the best view of both this beach and the sunset in the village, and is only a two-minute walk away from the sand. Kayaks can be borrowed for free and dipped straight into the clear waters of the estuary -- which incidentally is great for snorkeling -- and paddled out to sea from the hostel's grounds. There is no ATM in Barra De Lagoa, but this doesn't prove a huge problem, as everything at the hostel can be put on a tab -- make sure you bring cash just in case.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms are the standard bunk beds -- eight beds for the cheapest option -- and well spaced out, although with possibly the softest sheets ever. A laundry service is available and if it turns out anything like the sheets, we highly recommend it. Lockers are provided with a key so owning a padlock is not a worry. The private rooms and some dorms are en-suite but most have to use the partially outside showers downstairs (in keeping with the hostel's multi-level beachbum's sharehouse design). There are a few hooks and some space to change but those who take their privacy very seriously may find them a bit awkward to maneuver around. The showers themselves are warm and have a decent flow.
Common Spaces
Common space is not an issue in this hostel -- there is the inviting bar and kitchen area with its magnificent views, large wooden benches, and ability to play DJ on the laptop that controls the music. The bar has an honesty system when not manned, meaning you take what you want from the bar fridge and mark it on the daily tab you settle when you leave. The daily activities and suggestions are on the board here too. Tucked away in the corner is a large, raised indentation in the wall containing a mattress, duvet, pillows, beanbags, and other such items designed so the moment you roll in here you fall unconscious. For those wanting to relax in the sunshine, there are two roof terraces with tables, chairs, and hammocks. As well as the free kayaks, there are surf-, body-, and sandboards along with every type of ball you could need, all free to borrow. There is of course free Wi-Fi as well as computers.
Every night here provides a very large, very strong, very tasty, and most importantly very free caipirinha for all guests. Luckily the non-free drinks are some of the cheapest you'll encounter in Brazil as well. The well-priced meals most nights ensure nobody goes hungry either; the churrasco BBQ night is particularly good. The breakfast here -- hands down the best free hostel breakfast we have encountered outside of the Pacific Islands -- is made of amazing pancakes, bread rolls, various jams, cheese, ham (and a toastie maker), tea, coffee, juice, apples, bananas, oranges, and a freshly cut selection of fruit (usually pineapple, papaya, and watermelon).
Summary
The mantra "Just One More Day" scrawled in paint on the bar's wall epitomises the general feeling in this hostel, especially in high season. It is the liveliest and most popular hostel on Floripa for a reason, and although some of the facilities may be more in keeping with the beach house style than the Ritz, this attitude makes the hostel what it is. You certainly get your money's worth, if only from those caipirinhas!
The Location
This hostel is in the prime location of Barra De Lagoa, a delightful fishing village on the eastern coast of Florianópolis. This is not a former fishing village that has sold its soul for tourism, either -- fishing is Barra De Lagoa's mainstay, particularly in winter when the spend-happy tourists from Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro dry up. This becomes evident when you see the biblical pile of two-foot-long fish that miraculously appears on the beach after the local men have been successfully plundering the sea for hours.
Most of a traveler's needs can be met in Barra De Lagoa, although for those that can't, as well as for most of the nightlife, the bustling centre of Lagoa town is only a bus or short taxi ride away. The beach itself at Barra De Lagoa is stunning, although the roaming dogs, however friendly they may be, can become a nuisance; during winter the beach closed to surfers for the fishing season. Backpackers Share House has arguably the best view of both this beach and the sunset in the village, and is only a two-minute walk away from the sand. Kayaks can be borrowed for free and dipped straight into the clear waters of the estuary -- which incidentally is great for snorkeling -- and paddled out to sea from the hostel's grounds. There is no ATM in Barra De Lagoa, but this doesn't prove a huge problem, as everything at the hostel can be put on a tab -- make sure you bring cash just in case.
Rooms and Bathrooms
The dorm rooms are the standard bunk beds -- eight beds for the cheapest option -- and well spaced out, although with possibly the softest sheets ever. A laundry service is available and if it turns out anything like the sheets, we highly recommend it. Lockers are provided with a key so owning a padlock is not a worry. The private rooms and some dorms are en-suite but most have to use the partially outside showers downstairs (in keeping with the hostel's multi-level beachbum's sharehouse design). There are a few hooks and some space to change but those who take their privacy very seriously may find them a bit awkward to maneuver around. The showers themselves are warm and have a decent flow.
Common Spaces
Common space is not an issue in this hostel -- there is the inviting bar and kitchen area with its magnificent views, large wooden benches, and ability to play DJ on the laptop that controls the music. The bar has an honesty system when not manned, meaning you take what you want from the bar fridge and mark it on the daily tab you settle when you leave. The daily activities and suggestions are on the board here too. Tucked away in the corner is a large, raised indentation in the wall containing a mattress, duvet, pillows, beanbags, and other such items designed so the moment you roll in here you fall unconscious. For those wanting to relax in the sunshine, there are two roof terraces with tables, chairs, and hammocks. As well as the free kayaks, there are surf-, body-, and sandboards along with every type of ball you could need, all free to borrow. There is of course free Wi-Fi as well as computers.
Every night here provides a very large, very strong, very tasty, and most importantly very free caipirinha for all guests. Luckily the non-free drinks are some of the cheapest you'll encounter in Brazil as well. The well-priced meals most nights ensure nobody goes hungry either; the churrasco BBQ night is particularly good. The breakfast here -- hands down the best free hostel breakfast we have encountered outside of the Pacific Islands -- is made of amazing pancakes, bread rolls, various jams, cheese, ham (and a toastie maker), tea, coffee, juice, apples, bananas, oranges, and a freshly cut selection of fruit (usually pineapple, papaya, and watermelon).
Summary
The mantra "Just One More Day" scrawled in paint on the bar's wall epitomises the general feeling in this hostel, especially in high season. It is the liveliest and most popular hostel on Floripa for a reason, and although some of the facilities may be more in keeping with the beach house style than the Ritz, this attitude makes the hostel what it is. You certainly get your money's worth, if only from those caipirinhas!
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
July 2011
Their Description
The Backpackers Share House Floripa Details
|
|
(To add or correct information for this listing, please use the Listing Update Form.)
Map Location/ContactHow is The Backpackers Share House Floripa rated on other websites?
No reviews yet.
The Backpackers Share House Floripa Reviews on Other WebsitesHostelz.com Guest Reviews
Words can´t explain! Backpackers Share House, amazing stay, relaxing vibe from the locals, the culture, the village, if you can be there for long weekend, you will experience it all! The village comes alive, the families get together celebrating their big three-day party on the beach, local bands. Amazing stay! — Brendan Nugent , Australia (2009-09-17) Good hostel we spent two nights in a triple room there. The room was small but very cool. There is a lot to do in this hostel. They organize dinners and going out together with their other hostel backpacker sunset, so you can meet a lot of other travelers. The staff are very nice and helpful. The location is maybe a hundred meters to the beach. You can use some beach equipment for free. we unfortunately could use only the DVD collection there, it was very cold and raining (july). There is also internet to use for free. Maybe the only one minus was the cold and no heating in the room (which is common in Brazil) but they gave us some extra blankets. I can recommend it! — Kas , PL (2009-07-28) First class all the way! Probably the most beautiful hostel Ive ever seen, overlooking a great beach. I was here for Carnival 2009 and this place did not disappoint. Run by a young Brazilian girl (who is awesome!), there is a good vibe here. They have an honesty system for drinks and food, but dont worry, the most we had to pay as a group was 1 or 2 reals for the people who stole (or just forgot to mark it down). Very honest people work here, would highly recommend it! — Scott , Canada (2009-05-15) Excellent fun I stayed here four years ago and I had the best time ever. I always wish I could go back but I think I am a bit too old now as it is definitely a party hostel. The staff were really friendly and helpful, and I loved the unique honesty sharehouse system and "mi casa su casa" attitude. — Gina , UK (2008-09-03) Too expensive and too much attitude for such a chill place as floripa. the hostel is in a really unique building with cool decor, unfortunately some of the staff isnt so friendly or welcoming. they advertise hot showers but there are only about 4 of them for a 40 bed hostel and if all of them are occupied at the same time, all the power shuts off for the hostel! also, you cant use the kitchen 4 nights a week between the hours of 7-10 because they cook a dinner, which if course they want you to buy, pretty inconvenient for a backpackers budget. there is no luggage room, so make sure you dont leave your bag there over night if your going away for a day or two, or they will charge you 20 reals for ¨day use¨ even if you havent been there all day. but that being said, free surfboards are a plus and you cant beat the location or the view. i would stay in an apartment though, as you can get them for half the price with out the smell, hidden fees, or attitude. — nuria , usa (2008-04-10) It looked awesome from the outside, like a castle on the water. This is definitely a party hostel. People from all over the world were here and it's a great place to meet new people who like to party while traveling. If you are looking for a hostel where there's always something going on, there's tons to do, and you don't mind sleeping on one-hundred-year-old pieces of foam, come here. Watch out for geckos in your bed! We aren't the party type of travelers so this wasn't ideal for us, but it was still great to have free use of surfboards, boogie boards, kayaks, and whatnot. Right on the beach and lots of friendly stray dogs to keep you company! — travelbug143 , Canada (2008-02-15)