Salvador, a gem of a colonial city in Brazil's Northeast. It's not to be missed on any Brazil trip, be it for Carnaval or quieter times, which are not quiet at all in the lively musical semi-African Brazilian city of two million. The choice of good budget accommodation in the historical heart of Salvador, Pelourinho, is limited and can be too noisy most evenings. For this reason I recommend staying a couple of hundred meters south of this area in Ciudad Alta.
Hotel Pousada da Praca is a very quiet, friendly, and good hostel is situated on Rua Rui Barbosa, just opposite Praca Castro Alves. It is reached by aircon minibus in 40 minutes from the bus terminal, which is far away! Try to arrive during daylight hours when the area is safe enough to walk around.
The hostel has two dormitories of eight beds (four bunks) and are nicely tiled and spotlessly clean. They each have their own bathroom and toilet (both spotless). The dorms are rather small though and I was lucky I had the place all for myself. I would not have stayed in the dorm if it had been full with more than five people. There are secure lockers big enough to fit in a big backpack, which is a plus. Breakfast is included and is the usual Brazilean: fruits, coffee, breads, jam, cakes, juices, and sometimes fried or scrambled eggs, all self service/buffet style.
There is a small but nice wooden outside veranda that looks more like a patio because it is surounded by walls from nighbouring buildings. It's a nice spot to enjoy a drink on the warm nights after coming home from sightseeing. There is tv, but only Portuguese programs. The friendly managers and owners speak Portuguese only, but if you have come overland this far that should not be a problem anymore.
The place is not a party place at all and is intended more for mature travellers in my impression. Some long term stayers seem to like the place, and they do have have private rooms which are availble upstairs as well.
The hostel is situated within walking distance from Pelourinho, but take care at night as the police do patrol the historical heart, but not all roads leading to it.
— Exklusive Hostelz.com Übersicht
January 2005
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