Hostel Review: Geko Hostel in Paraty, Brazil

In Paraty, Brazil, you will find a hostel that is more like a paradise than a budget accommodation.

The Geko Paraty Hostel & Pousada is located directly on Praia do Pontal Beach, and whether you want to nurse a hangover, get a tan, or just take in some beautiful scenery you are literally steps away.

Free Perks

When choosing a hostel for a solo trip to Brazil, I think it’s important to look at what’s included in the price. Free extras can go a long way, especially for long-term travel.

Luckily, Geko gets this right with tons of free perks for travelers. Although the bus station is only a 10-minute walk from the hostel, it can be a hassle with a big backpack and the sun beating down on you.

Geko offers free bus station pickup for those who don’t feel like making the trek. Other freebies include Wi-Fi, luggage storage, book exchange, linens, a free welcome Caipirinha (Brazil’s national cocktail), and, best of all, a free Brazilian breakfast on the beach where you can lay on a hammock and enjoy meats, cheeses, cakes, toast, spreads, fruits, juice, and coffee.

Rooms Offered

The hostel offers a range of room options, from dorms to private accommodation. For dorms, which all have private bathrooms, there is a 6-person mixed, a 10-person mixed, and a 6-person female.

For the private rooms, which all have private bathrooms and garden views, there are twins, doubles triples, dorms, and quads.

Social Life

This hostel makes it really easy to meet others, so solo travelers should definitely think about staying here.

Along with having a bar on the beach, the hostel has a shared kitchen as well as social dinners each night.

Common lounges, hammock areas, and TV rooms also make for social hubs, as well as tour booking areas.

Colonial Paraty

This hostel has more to offer than just its beachfront location (although, I have to say that is the best part!).

It’s also less than a mile from the Historic Centre, where no cars are allowed and the streets are made of cobblestone. It feels like a completely different world from the beach but is actually not far at all.

For a bit of history, visit the various colonial buildings, like Casa de Cultura, a UNESCO World Heritage site from the 18th century, Rua Matriz, which is one of the oldest of the buildings, and the various churches.

My Overall Impression

When staying somewhere, I think customer service is the most important factor. I’ve been known to opt for more expensive accommodations over cheaper ones because of how the staff treated its guests.

At Geko Paraty Hostel & Pousada you will have no trouble finding friendly staff to help you plan your stay in the city and give you great recommendations of where to go out.

That combined with the fact that the hostel is literally on the beach made me feel like I was staying at a resort, which is always a plus, especially when it’s for a budget price.