Arrived on ilha grande without a hostel booking. Decided to check this place out after hearing about it from an argentinian couple and being mentioned in our guide book.
Private double with ensuite cost 80 reals a night.
The owner, Fred, speaks perfect english (he has a daughter in cambridge) and actually owns aquario, che lagarto and a couple of other che lagartos run by other people.
He told me that aquario was more like his home and that was evident in that he was usually to be found on the sofa watching the euro 2012 footie and eager to chat away about stuff to do. He offered advice about what activities to do dependent on the weather and about surfing.
(We did a great boat trip with an argentinian guy who came round the hostels. It was 75 reals for the whole day which is more than the big boat trips but this was definitely much better value for money as he spoke great english and had an extensive knowledge of the history of the island. Plus the BBQ at lagoa azul was phenomenal - chicken, sausages and steak - tons of the stuff.)
The room itself was clean, bathroom was fine. Nothing spectacular. the ocean pool is more of a cool feature rather than a pool you would want to paddle around in - bit too rocky.
The hostel is well located if you like great sunrises and...Arrived on ilha grande without a hostel booking. Decided to check this place out after hearing about it from an argentinian couple and being mentioned in our guide book.
Private double with ensuite cost 80 reals a night.
The owner, Fred, speaks perfect english (he has a daughter in cambridge) and actually owns aquario, che lagarto and a couple of other che lagartos run by other people.
He told me that aquario was more like his home and that was evident in that he was usually to be found on the sofa watching the euro 2012 footie and eager to chat away about stuff to do. He offered advice about what activities to do dependent on the weather and about surfing.
(We did a great boat trip with an argentinian guy who came round the hostels. It was 75 reals for the whole day which is more than the big boat trips but this was definitely much better value for money as he spoke great english and had an extensive knowledge of the history of the island. Plus the BBQ at lagoa azul was phenomenal - chicken, sausages and steak - tons of the stuff.)
The room itself was clean, bathroom was fine. Nothing spectacular. the ocean pool is more of a cool feature rather than a pool you would want to paddle around in - bit too rocky.
The hostel is well located if you like great sunrises and the waves just outside your window. However it was at the far end of the beach which was a bit of a walk into town with all your luggage. But thats the sacrifice you make to be right on the beach.
Be warned that they do have party nights here where the entire island congregates till the early hours. so if you want sleep, best to avoid it on a party night... otherwise we felt lucky to be able to crawl into our room at the end of the night!
Verdict - nice place with good location if a little removed
Moved to El misti for a couple of days after our stay here as we met a bunch of people and it was cheaper and in town with a nice indoor chill out area for when the weather turned nasty.More
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