This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Nova Friburgo.
Originally colonized in the 19th century by the Swiss, Nova Friburgo is famous for being Brazil’s national capital of lingerie – but there is more to a stay in this city than simply shopping for intimates. A popular destination for ecotourists, the booming tourism industry in Nova Friburgo offers plenty of opportunities for visitors to get out and explore the Brazilian rainforest.
With waterfalls, lookouts, abundant wildlife, and environmental reserves, the area around Nova Friburgo is a paradise for explorers eager to see what this beautiful part of the world has to offer. A walk down the road Teresópolis-Friburgo showcases a selection of giant sculptures created by Jardim do Nêgo, which the artist carves in gullies along his property near the road.
Accommodation here is wide ranging, with resorts, bed and breakfasts, hostels, and hotels. Many of the tourists that come to experience the environmental diversity in the region stay in some of Nova Friburgo’s hostels, so a stay there will give visitors the chance to connect with other travelers and perhaps organize activities outside of the town. Excursions can take tourists on hiking or biking trails, river-rafting, rock climbing, and more.
The German influence from the time of the city’s settlement is still present in the local cuisine. The gastronomic district of Nova Friburgo, Mury, is home to a variety of restaurants that specialize in this area’s most delicious heritage – fondues and racletes. However, no matter what you order, most local eateries will provide you with plenty of beer to wash it down.
Nova Friburgo is located within the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro, and tourists can take domestic or international flights to the Rio airport before catching a bus to their hostel or hotel in Nova Friburgo. A bus trip from Rio to Nova Friburgo will take approximately two hours.
Written by local enthusiast for Nova Friburgo hostels
Jakob Lombardi