Home away from home is the best way to describe Vila Carioca. Right from the minute you enter this hostel, the staff will make you feel absolutely comfortable. The cozy rooms named after the beaches in Rio, colourful living room, and sunny kitchen make it an extremely cheerful atmosphere. The locals who run the hostel really give you a taste of Rio at this quaint place. The owners are Capoeristas (Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art form) and musicians and hence, one can get to experience the local culture even without stepping out.
Located extremely close to the Botafogo metro and just five minutes by walk from the Botafogo beach, this hostel is perfect if you want to be in the midst of all the action. In less than thirty minutes, you can reach the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana as well as tourist attractions of Sugar Loaf, Christ the Redeemer (Corcovado train station), the Botanical Garden, the Centro and Bohemian neighbourhood of Santa Teresa. There are multiple guidebooks and brochures that you can pick up at the hostel for the same.
The hostel has an option of private rooms for those who want to spend and dorm rooms for the budget traveler. The rooms have good ventilation. There are showers on every floor, but not adequate for the number of travelers. You may have to wait a bit for a morning shower. Apart from the wait, one may also have to brave cold water as the showers do not give hot water all day.
Breakfast of bread, cheese, fruits, and coffee is included in the package. The hostel also provides a common fridge and kitchen, in case you want to cook. The common room offers internet access for a charge. There is also an entertainment area where you can choose to watch movies from the DVD collection or play some music, as they have a wide collection of musical instruments.
Other positive aspects include the cleanliness of the hostel and the security. Since the hostel is located in a private road, it has a twenty-four-hour security guard, making it completely safe. Not far away from the hostel, you can also find large shopping malls like Botafogo Praia Shopping, bank ATMs, laundry service, bars, cafes, and restaurants.
In spite of all the positives double check your reservation before arriving at the hostel. Even if you have made an internet booking, it may be advisable to call and confirm your reservation. With multiple staff at the hostel, there are times that internet reservations get missed.
Stay at Vila Carioca for a local experience and rest assured, you will meet some interesting travelers as this hostel does attract the culture vultures from different parts of the world.
— Informe exclusivo de Hostelz.com
November 2008
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