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 Porto Alegre.
A melting pot of a multi-cultured society, and streets lined with beautiful violet jacaranda trees, are what defines the city of Porto Alegre, Brazil. This important port city in South Brazil is the capital of Rio Grande do Sul, and is also known as the Smile City, primarily due to its wonderful, hospitable people. Pay a visit here and you’re sure to be treated like royalty. For accommodation, hostels in Porto Alegre, Brazil, are located at key locations within the city, so that you can access major sites easily.
Sticking to its hospitable nature, the city offers visitors with a wide range of services that ensures a comfortable stay. Get any information you need from the Tourist Information Service, and explore the city with a bus tour or a car. Opt for the guided open double-decker bus tour to enjoy a different perspective of the city. The tour will take you to main historical attractions in the city or to more natural surroundings, stopping at primary locations.
To know more about the history of the city, visit the Açorianos monument, a seventeen-meter-high monument constructed in memory of the first settlers of the city, and the Museu Histórico Júlio de Castilhos, which is a typical nineteenth-century home that houses gaúcho artifacts. If you love art, drop by the Museu de Arte do Rio Grande do Sul, a neoclassical building for the works of regional artists, or the Iberê Camargo Foundation that has a collection of works of the Portuguese architect, Iberê Camargo.
If you want to enjoy some more neoclassical architecture, pay a visit to the Catedral Metropolitana. Its domes, stained glass, and delicate architectural work make it an art lovers' paradise. Divert your attention from concrete to nature and visit the Guaíba Coastline or the Ipanema beach. Enjoy the boat tours, sunset, nightlife, and the delectable cuisine ranging from Italian to Brazilian, and Portuguese. While reveling on the Ipanema beach, be sure to plan a visit to the Nossa Senhora Mãe de Deus Sanctuary, where you can get a three-hundred-sixty-degree view of the city.
The city of Porto Alegre has a perfect mix of gauchos, Brazilian, Portuguese, and Spanish cultures to make it a rare place of diversity. However, to experience this with your own eyes, wait until Sunday and visit the largest park in the city, the Parque Farroupilha or Redenção Park. On Sundays, this park houses a flea market called Brique da Redenção, which attracts people of diverse cultures who enjoy performances from musicians and capoeira players, and some delicious Bahia and Arabian food. You can even do some shopping and get souvenirs of handicrafts, paintings, sculptures, and antiques made with high-quality goods.
The list of things to explore and enjoy in this city is huge. Plan your visit carefully and extensively. Do an advance booking in one of the many comfortable hostels in Porto Alegre, Brazil, and have an enjoyable holiday.
Written by local enthusiast for Porto Alegre hostels
Aaron Barboza