Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel

Really wonderful (almost intangible) vibe which seems to have brought together a lot of different friendly and interesting guests. The staff are very chill and make a real effort to keep everything clean. After a few days, it feels like home

Only one or two of the staff speak English

・The hostel is not far from the city center, and the location was convenient for exploring Mindelo on foot. ・There were a few staff members who could communicate in English. ・Once you check in, you can enter and leave using a key, so it was convenient not having to worry too much about what time you came back. ・The Wi-Fi worked well throughout my stay, and the speed was more than sufficient. ・The room, bed, toilet, and shower were generally clean. ・Noise was not an issue during my stay. Most of the other guests were quiet and respectful, and I never felt uncomfortable. ・There is no air conditioning. I stayed in September, and São Vicente felt cooler than Praia, so I was able to sleep relatively comfortably with just a fan. ・If you are staying in a private room, I would recommend choosing a room on the third floor if possible, as I found it more convenient. ・The income from this hostel also helps support the rescue and care of dogs and cats in São Vicente. I think staying here can be a meaningful way to support their work while traveling, especially if you are aware of the activities they are involved in.

・The private rooms are arranged in a slightly unusual way within the building, so I found the layout a little confusing at first. ・I felt that the level of service varied quite a bit depending on the staff member. Some understood what I needed right away and resolved things quickly, while with others, communication took longer and it was sometimes difficult to move things forward smoothly. ・The dormitory had single-level beds, but the space between neighboring beds was quite limited. ・There were toilets on each floor, although some of them were out of order during my stay. ・Since the toilet and shower are in the same space, it can be inconvenient when someone is using the shower and the toilet is therefore unavailable. ・There was a terrace, but I did not feel that it was particularly well maintained or cleaned. The space was also fairly limited, so when other guests were using it, it could be difficult to use comfortably. I ended up not using it. ・The area around the hostel becomes quite dark at night. It was not noisy, but if you are walking around after dark, I think it is a good idea to stay aware of your surroundings.

Nice and helpful owner, as well as nice ventilated rooms. The hostel is located less than 10-minute walk to beach and to city centre. It also has a nice rooftop for chilling, as well as a kitchen to cook meals. The hostel is also an animal centre which is a great concept.

Location was good and room was clean

Smelt of dogs. Bathroom didn’t feel clean.