🇧🇷 Salvador, Brazil
Hostel do Rasta
📍 Rua Marques de Monte Santo, 290, Salvador, 41.940-330
Photo: official website
Your stay — Hostel do Rasta
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Salvador.
The Property — Hostel do Rasta
Hostel do Rasta in Pelourinho is a budget crash pad, not a boutique dream. Its central square location means you stumble straight into Salvador's colonial core, but the vibe is basic backpacker: functional dorms, a small pool, and reggae blaring from a street-level bar. The USP is the rooftop view of the Bay of All Saints, but the service is thin and rooms are worn. Suits solo travellers on a shoestring who prioritise location over comfort.
Chronicles of Salvador
Salvador was founded in 1549 by the Portuguese as Brazil's first colonial capital, built on a bluff overlooking the bay. Wealth from sugar and slaves shaped the Upper City's baroque churches and pastel mansions, while the Lower City held the port and markets. After independence, the city declined economically, but Pelourinho's crumbling architecture was restored in the 1990s, making it a Unesco World Heritage site. Today, Salvador is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture: Candomblé temples, capoeira circles, and the bloco-afro rhythms that explode during Carnival. The city's identity is raw, loud, and defiantly black in a country that often fails to recognise it.
Best Time to Visit
Full Salvador guide →Best months
September to November: sunny, dry, and humidity drops; Carnival crowds are gone, and hotel rates soften. You get the best of both weather and space.
Peak / festival surge
February (Carnival) is absolute chaos: Salvador's street parties draw 2 million revellers. Hostel do Rasta triples its dorm price, and you book six months ahead. Forró and trios elétricos rule the streets.
Budget shoulder season
May and June are the budget sweet spot: hotel prices halve, rain is manageable, and you catch the Festas Juninas with street food and bonfires.
Weather & packing
Salvador is tropical year-round, but July is winter so you might get a cool drizzle. Pack a light waterproof jacket and a quick-dry towel – the hostel's supplies are unreliable.
Live City Briefing — Salvador
- Salvador's new VLT light-rail line (Linha Azul) is partially open, connecting the airport to the city centre with fewer delays than buses – but check if your section is running.
- Pelourinho's pedestrian plaza is being repaved through mid-2026, so expect some street closures and noise in the afternoons. The main church, Igreja de São Francisco, remains open.
- The city marked a 15% drop in street crime in 2025 after community policing initiatives, but Pelourinho still gets pickpocketing at night – keep your phone out of sight.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hostel do Rasta, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the third floor or above, facing the inner courtyard (away from Rua Marques de Monte Santo). Upper floors reduce street noise and offer better ventilation in Salvador's humid climate.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas — these get foot traffic noise and less privacy. Also avoid rooms facing Rua Marques de Monte Santo directly, as this street has delivery vans and motorbikes from early morning.
Best views
From upper-floor rooms facing the courtyard, you get a glimpse of local rooftops and the occasional palm. Street-facing rooms look onto Rua Marques de Monte Santo — a busy residential-commercial road with some colour but no landmark views.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are quietest, being furthest from the street-level bustle and above the hostel's common areas.
🔊 Noise notes
Rua Marques de Monte Santo is a secondary arterial road in Salvador's Rio Vermelho neighbourhood. Expect motorbikes, delivery trucks, and occasional bus rumble from 6am. The hostel's own bar/common area adds noise until late on weekends.
Insider tips
1. If you have heavy luggage, note there may not be a lift — request a low floor if mobility is an issue. 2. Bring earplugs for weekends; the hostel's social area can get loud, and Salvador's street parties (like in Rio Vermelho) spill onto the road.
- 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 — Hostel do Rasta
Free WiFi (about 15 Mbps down) with password provided at check-in; works reliably in common areas but less so in rear rooms.
No lift. All rooms on first floor accessible only by stairs.
No printed or digital newspapers. No building heritage quirks.
Check-in from 14:00 to 22:00. Early bag drop available after 10:00. Late checkout until 12:00 costs R$25, subject to availability.
Free luggage storage in a locked room, accessible during reception hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free access. Entrance has two steps; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathrooms.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park is Estacionamento Rio Vermelho on Rua da Paciência, 24-hour rate R$40. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: No advance deposit required for standard bookings. A refundable R$50 incidental hold per room at check-in, released at checkout.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Igreja de Amaralina (230 m · ~3 min walk)
- Church: Igreja Universal do Reino de Deus (596 m · ~7 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mikero (610 m · ~8 min walk)
- Place of worship: Mikero (625 m · ~8 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Shopping Yemanjá — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
Praça dos Ex-Combatentes — 188 m · ~2 min walk
A Casa do Rio Vermelho — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Casa Rosa — 1.7 km · ~22 min walk
Fantástica Fábrica — 1.1 km · ~14 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Banco do Brasil — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk
Multimais — 535 m · ~7 min walk
Shell Select — 453 m · ~6 min walk
Estação Pedrinhas — 1.6 km · ~20 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Brazilian Real, BRL
Use ATMs from Banco do Brasil, Bradesco or Itaú for decent rates; avoid exchange counters at Salvador airport and tourist offices, which give poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in supermarkets, restaurants and pharmacies; contactless and mobile pay work in most modern terminals.
Restaurants add 10% service charge to the bill – optional but expected; taxis round up; hotel staff get a few reais for baggage or cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A small espresso or filtered coffee at a local bakery: around R$4–R$6.
A prato executivo (set lunch with rice, beans, protein, salad and farofa) at a simple restaurant: R$15–R$25.
A main dish like moqueca or a meat-and-rice combo in a casual place: R$25–R$40.
Acarajé stalls along the Barra and Rio Vermelho beaches; also tapioca and pastel carts in the main squares and markets.
Supermarkets such as Assaí, Atacadão and Pão de Açúcar in this area; for basics, local mercados.
Rua Carlos Gomes and Open Shopping rua de lojas in the centre for budget clothing; street markets (feiras livres) in neighbourhoods for casual wear.
The cheapest way around is the municipal bus (R$4.10 single); from Salvador airport, take the Executive bus (airport–Barra line) for about R$5.50 – avoid expensive taxis unless sharing.
Eat lunch at budget restaurants (prato feito) instead of dinner menus; use buses or UberPool not taxis; buy groceries and street food rather than sit-down dinners every day.
Good to know — Salvador
Type C/N · 127/220V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ R$5.16 · BRL
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Salvador, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Hostel do Rasta
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Banco do Brasil — 1.2 km · ~15 min walk — pharmacy · Multimais — 535 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Santo Antônio Além do Carmo (Plano inclinado do Carmo) → Comércio (lower city) — then ferry to Itaparica or bus
💡 Not for airport use, but essential for local trips to the lower city markets. From the pousada, walk 3 mins down the hill to the funicular — it drops you at Modelo Market. The Elevador Lacerda nearby is a quicker option (same cost).
SSA Airport (stop outside arrivals) → Terminal da Lapa (then walk 15 mins or taxi to Villa Carmo)
💡 Buy a reloadable Salvador card (Cartão Integração) from the driver — it lets you pay for both this bus and the local buses. At Lapa, do not walk alone at night; take a short taxi (R$ 12) to the pousada.
Aeroporto Station (connected to airport) → Lapa Station (then transfer to bus or taxi)
💡 Works well for day arrivals — the station is right below the airport. At Lapa, catch the 'Pelourinho' bus to the Carmo stairs. Avoid this after dark as Lapa square can feel sketchy.
Deputado Luís Eduardo Magalhães International Airport (SSA) → Pousada Villa Carmo, Santo Antônio Além do Carmo
💡 Prepay at the official taxi booth in arrivals to avoid haggling. The fare includes the shuttle over the bay — drivers take the ferry to Itaparica if you're staying on the island, but for the Pelourinho area, they go via the mainland bridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Hostel do Rasta?
Request rooms on the third floor or above, facing the inner courtyard (away from Rua Marques de Monte Santo). Upper floors reduce street noise and offer better ventilation in Salvador's humid climate.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hostel do Rasta?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception or common areas — these get foot traffic noise and less privacy. Also avoid rooms facing Rua Marques de Monte Santo directly, as this street has delivery vans and motorbikes from early morning.
Is Hostel do Rasta noisy?
Rua Marques de Monte Santo is a secondary arterial road in Salvador's Rio Vermelho neighbourhood. Expect motorbikes, delivery trucks, and occasional bus rumble from 6am. The hostel's own bar/common area adds noise until late on weekends.
Which rooms have the best views at Hostel do Rasta?
From upper-floor rooms facing the courtyard, you get a glimpse of local rooftops and the occasional palm. Street-facing rooms look onto Rua Marques de Monte Santo — a busy residential-commercial road with some colour but no landmark views.
What are insider tips for staying at Hostel do Rasta?
1. If you have heavy luggage, note there may not be a lift — request a low floor if mobility is an issue. 2. Bring earplugs for weekends; the hostel's social area can get loud, and Salvador's street parties (like in Rio Vermelho) spill onto the road.
What time is check-in at Hostel do Rasta?
Check-in at Hostel do Rasta is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hostel do Rasta have Wi-Fi?
Free WiFi (about 15 Mbps down) with password provided at check-in; works reliably in common areas but less so in rear rooms.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hostel do Rasta?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near Hostel do Rasta?
A prato executivo (set lunch with rice, beans, protein, salad and farofa) at a simple restaurant: R$15–R$25.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hostel do Rasta?
The cheapest way around is the municipal bus (R$4.10 single); from Salvador airport, take the Executive bus (airport–Barra line) for about R$5.50 – avoid expensive taxis unless sharing.
When is the best time to visit Salvador?
September to November: sunny, dry, and humidity drops; Carnival crowds are gone, and hotel rates soften. You get the best of both weather and space.
Top Attractions in Salvador
💡 Haggle firmly but politely for half the initial price; the best deals are on leather and lace, not tourist trinkets.
💡 Go early on Sunday mornings for the quieter streets and impromptu drumming circles at Terreiro de Jesus.
💡 Free on Tuesdays; otherwise 10 reais. The on-site restaurant is overpriced, but the picnic benches outside are perfect for lunch.
💡 Bring your own towel and cold drinks—beach-chair rentals are steep. Swim near the lifeguard posts only.
💡 The ride costs about 15 centavos, but skip the queue by using the free staircase next to it if you're fit.