Hostel Yes Brasil

As an American from the United States who has lived in upscale neighborhoods in California and New York, I will be very honest: It was an incredible experience to stay in one of the safest favelas (not all favelas are dangerous) in Rio and interact with the local Brazilians (who genuinely want to interact with you even though most do not speak English)! This hostel is not for everyone, but if you keep an open mind and willing to get out of your comfort zone, you'll have one of the best experiences in Rio! Here are some awesome things that I enjoyed during my 5-night stay at this hostel: ✰ Watch the local kids kite surf! The view from the rooftop of the hostel is SPECTACULAR (the locals living in favelas might be poor but they have the BEST view of RIO!). The local kids and teens would love for you to join them in kite surfing! ✰ Take boxing classes! During my first day at the hostel, I learned the hostel owner's husband is a famous boxer in the community, having won many awards in his lifetime. He teaches boxing. So I took a class. And I joined the locals in boxing class! ✰ The beach is 2 streets from the hostel (10 minute walk to Copacabana Beach)! You can workout by running or walking up and down the STEEP hill where the hostel is located! (When your uber or taxi drops you off, that's the bottom of the steep hill you must climb to reach the hostel. It's a good workout!) ✰ Eat CHEAP Brazilian food made fresh when you order it! Try Brazilian cuisine in local restaurants within the favela and eat with the locals. They will try to practice English with you and this is your chance to learn some Portuguese! Warning: the food portions are HUGE! ✰ Walk around and make a friend! Despite the trash and smell, there are so many supermarkets and hotels nearby this hostel. There are also other hostels within the favela nearby. The police precinct is near and the police presence is everywhere just for added security.

No place is perfect, but here are some room for improvement: ✰ To prevent germs and illness spreading from person to person, having antibacterial soap and a hand towel in the bathroom is highly suggested! I had hand sanitizer with me, but it bothered me that some of my roommates used the restroom but did not wash their hands afterwards! ✰ This is the first hostel I've visited where toilet paper is not included in the bathroom. While the cost to purchase it is inexpensive, it can be an inconvenience having to make this purchase at the hostel or at a supermarket. ✰ The rooftop kitchen can be improved with a useful stove to cook a meal while enjoying the views of the city and dishwashing soap to properly wash dishes. The microwave and refrigerator can come in handy! ✰ Although the people in the favela are very kind and friendly (such as the AMAZING owner and staff at the hostel) and I never once felt unsafe, I didn't like seeing drug dealers openly carrying guns to protect their assets. Like everyone else in the neighborhood, be aware and ignore it as that business has nothing to do with you. And, as a tourist in their neighborhood, they never once bothered me or any of the Italian, French, German, Arab and Asian tourists I saw around.