Your stay — Poussada e Hostel da 13
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The Property — Poussada e Hostel da 13
The Poussada e Hostel da 13 is a cheerful, budget-friendly guesthouse a short walk from Olinda's historic centre. Its walls are painted in bold, tropical colours, and the communal courtyard has hammocks and potted plants. It suits solo travellers, backpackers, and couples who want a sociable, no-frills base without the noise of the main tourist strip. The lobby feels like someone’s well-loved living room: mismatched furniture, guidebooks piled on a shelf, and a friendly receptionist who will mark up a map with favela tours or the best nearby acarajé stall.
Chronicles of Olinda
Olinda was founded by the Portuguese in 1535 and quickly became one of colonial Brazil's richest sugar-milling centres. Its hilltop layout and abundant churches earned it UNESCO World Heritage status in 1982. The city was sacked and burned by the Dutch in 1630, then rebuilt in the ornate Baroque style that defines its skyline today. Contemporary Olinda is known as a hub of visual arts and music, especially the elaborate giant dolls and frevo dancing of its pre-Lenten Carnival. Its steep, cobbled streets are lined with ateliers, galleries, and small museums that keep the 16th-century street pattern alive.
Best Time to Visit
Full Olinda guide →Best months
September to November: the tail end of the dry season (and also the south-hemisphere spring) brings warm, sunny days, lower humidity, and thinner crowds after the July school holidays.
Peak / festival surge
February or March (Carnival): Olinda’s free street party with giant puppets and frevo orchestras draws hundreds of thousands. Hotel rates often double or triple; book six months ahead. The whole historic centre becomes a 24-hour block party.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are Olinda’s cheapest months: fewer tourists, hotel discounts of 30-40%, and mild temperatures (24-28°C) despite higher rain risk. You'll share sights with locals, not tour groups.
Weather & packing
Because Olinda is just 6 metres above sea level on a coastal strip, humidity hovers near 80% year-round. Pack no more than three changes of quick-dry, light linen or cotton clothing — and definitely bring a waterproof jacket or compact umbrella even in the ‘dry’ months.
Live City Briefing — Olinda
- The Rua do Amparo cobblestone renewal project finished in early 2025; the street is now fully pedestrianised on weekends — good for evening strolls but expect detours for delivery vans.
- A new direct bus line (Olinda Circular) launched in March 2025 connecting the historic centre to the bus station and to Recife’s Boa Viagem beach; it runs every 30 minutes until 11pm.
- The 2026 São Bento Monastery restoration (façade and bell tower) is scheduled for completion by June 2026 — scaffolding will be down by your July stay, so you'll get a clear view of the 17th-century tilework.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Poussada e Hostel da 13, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the courtyard (away from Rua 13 de Maio). These are high enough to avoid street-level noise but have access to the lift.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those facing the street (Rua 13 de Maio) — they get direct pavement noise, and the hostel reception area can be busy early and late.
Best views
A courtyard-facing room offers a view over the old town rooftops; street-facing rooms see the Rua 13 de Maio action — lively but loud.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest, as the lift stops at all floors but guest rooms on these floors are set back from the street.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel sits on a main pedestrian street in Olinda's historic centre, so expect street music, festival noise (especially during Carnival), and hostel social chatter. Windows are likely single-glazed in a colonial building.
Insider tips
1) Park outside the historic centre (Olinda's narrow streets are often closed to cars) and walk in — the hotel has no parking. 2) Check in early, as the front desk can get chaotic with hostel guests; request a quiet room during booking confirmation.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Poussada e Hostel da 13
Free Wi-Fi throughout property, average speed 15 Mbps, no login or password needed (open SSID)
No lift (2-floor colonial building, stairs only; no historic wing exemption)
No complimentary newspaper or digital newsstand; building is a restored 19th-century townhouse with original azulejo tiles in the breakfast room
Check-in from 14:00; early bag-drop allowed from 10:00 if room not ready; late check-out until 12:00 free, after 12:00 charged BRL 50 until 18:00
Free for guests before check-in and after check-out; open 07:00–22:00
No step-free access; entrance has 3 steps, no ramp, no wheelchair-accessible rooms – not suitable for guests with limited mobility
No on-site parking; nearest public car park is Estacionamento Olinda (Rua do Amparo, 180) at BRL 25 per night; no EV charging
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Olinda does not levy a separate city tax; all taxes included in rate)
Deposit & card hold: 50% of total stay charged at booking; incidental hold of BRL 100 on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Capela de São Pedro de Advíncula (302 m · ~4 min walk)
- Church: Igreja São Salvador do Mundo (433 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Boa Hora (473 m · ~6 min walk)
- Church: Igreja da Misericórdia (476 m · ~6 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Praça Laura Nigro — 224 m · ~3 min walk
Museu do Mamulengo Espaço Tiridá — 192 m · ~2 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Matias de Albuquerque — 1.4 km · ~17 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Brazilian Real, BRL
Use ATMs from large banks (Banco do Brasil, Bradesco, Santander) for best rates; avoid airport exchange kiosks and tourist-area currency exchange shops which add poor rates and high fees.
Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in shops and restaurants; contactless (tap) is common; mobile pay (Apple Pay, Google Pay) works at most terminals; carry some cash for small purchases and street markets.
Restaurants: 10% service charge is often included on the bill; if not, rounding up or leaving 10% is fine. Taxis: no tip expected, but rounding up is appreciated. Hotel staff: R$5-10 per bag for porters; R$10-20 per day for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Cafézinho (small strong black coffee) at a local bakery or corner café — about R$5-7.
Prato feito (set meal of rice, beans, meat, salad, farofa) at a simple restaurant — around R$20-30.
A main dish at a casual pizzeria or local churrascaria rodízio — roughly R$35-50.
For cheap eats, head to the main square (Praça da Matriz) or local street fairs on weekends; pastel de feira (fried pastry with fillings) and coxinha (chicken croquettes) cost R$8-12 each.
Common budget supermarket chains in this area are Assaí, Carrefour Bairro, and Atacadão.
For affordable clothes, visit the Lojas Americanas or Marisa chain stores, or the outdoor street market (feira livre) near the town centre for casual items and local crafts.
The cheapest way around town is on foot or by local bus (R$4-5 per ride); from the nearest city (Campinas/São Paulo airports), take a regular interstate bus to Olinda (around R$60-90) rather than expensive taxis or ride apps.
1. Drink tap water is not safe — buy large 5L bottles at supermarkets (R$5-8) instead of paying for small bottles at tourist spots. 2. Eat at local lunchtime buffets (por quilo) where you pay by weight — a full meal costs about R$25-35. 3. Skip expensive guided wine tours; buy wine directly at local Vinícolas or supermarkets for a fraction of the price.
Good to know — Olinda
Type C/N · 127/220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ R$5.11 · BRL
Emergency Contacts
OlindaFor general emergencies in Olinda, dial 190 for police, 192 for ambulance, or 193 for fire service. The city's tourist police number is (81) 3429-3300. For non-urgent help, call the municipal Civil Defence on (81) 3439-2679.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Olinda, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Poussada e Hostel da 13
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
GRU Airport Bus Terminal (Terminal 1/2) → Olinda, Praça do Carmo
💡 Take the 'Recife' line (São Geraldo or Guanabara). Get off at Praça do Carmo—it's a 10-min walk uphill to Casa de Artistas. Buy your ticket at the airport counter, not online, to avoid dynamic pricing.
São Paulo Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) → Airbnb Casa de Artistas, Olinda
💡 Pre-book via the 99 app a day before; avoid taxis from the airport queue as they can double the price. Agree the toll route (Rodoanel) with the driver upfront.
Recife Bus Station (TIP) → Olinda, Av. Presidente Kennedy
💡 Use bus 101 (Setúbal/Recife) or 203 (Rio Doce). Sit on the right side for views of the colonial skyline. Have exact change in reais; driver won't break notes above R$20.
Recife City Centre or Boa Viagem → Casa de Artistas, Olinda
💡 Hail a 'taxi comum' (white with blue stripe) from a taxi stand—never from the street at night. Ride-app taxis (Uber) are cheaper but wait times can be 15 mins in Olinda's narrow cobbled streets. Request a 'Paratodos' jeep-taxi if you have luggage—they handle the steep hills better.
About Olinda
Wikipedia ↗
Olinda (Portuguese pronunciation: [ɔˈlĩdɐ]) is a historic city in Pernambuco, Brazil, in the Northeast Region. It is located on the country's northeastern Atlantic Ocean coast, in the Metropolitan Region of Recife, the state capital. It has a population of 349,976 people, covers 41.681 square kilome...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
Request a room on floors 2 or 3 facing the courtyard (away from Rua 13 de Maio). These are high enough to avoid street-level noise but have access to the lift.
Which rooms should I avoid at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
Avoid rooms on the ground floor, especially those facing the street (Rua 13 de Maio) — they get direct pavement noise, and the hostel reception area can be busy early and late.
Is Poussada e Hostel da 13 noisy?
The hotel sits on a main pedestrian street in Olinda's historic centre, so expect street music, festival noise (especially during Carnival), and hostel social chatter. Windows are likely single-glazed in a colonial building.
Which rooms have the best views at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
A courtyard-facing room offers a view over the old town rooftops; street-facing rooms see the Rua 13 de Maio action — lively but loud.
What are insider tips for staying at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
1) Park outside the historic centre (Olinda's narrow streets are often closed to cars) and walk in — the hotel has no parking. 2) Check in early, as the front desk can get chaotic with hostel guests; request a quiet room during booking confirmation.
What time is check-in at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
Check-in at Poussada e Hostel da 13 is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Poussada e Hostel da 13 have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout property, average speed 15 Mbps, no login or password needed (open SSID)
Is there a city or tourist tax at Poussada e Hostel da 13?
None (Olinda does not levy a separate city tax; all taxes included in rate)
Where can I eat cheaply near Poussada e Hostel da 13?
Prato feito (set meal of rice, beans, meat, salad, farofa) at a simple restaurant — around R$20-30.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Poussada e Hostel da 13?
The cheapest way around town is on foot or by local bus (R$4-5 per ride); from the nearest city (Campinas/São Paulo airports), take a regular interstate bus to Olinda (around R$60-90) rather than expensive taxis or ride apps.
When is the best time to visit Olinda?
September to November: the tail end of the dry season (and also the south-hemisphere spring) brings warm, sunny days, lower humidity, and thinner crowds after the July school holidays.
Top Attractions in Olinda
💡 Entry to the church is free; the small museum upstairs costs R$5. Weekday mornings are quietest—escape the tourist trail here.
💡 Look for the house number 67—it's a cooperative space with rotating open studios. Go on a Saturday morning when most workshops are active and the owners chat freely.
💡 Free on Tuesdays, but the permanent collection is always gratis. Check the schedule for temporary shows—some may have a small fee (around R$5).
💡 Come just before sunset to claim a spot on the low wall—street vendors sell cold coconut water and grilled cheese for a few reais.
💡 Bring your own towel and snacks—there are no rentals. The best spot is near the rocks at the south end, where locals fish for small fry.