Escape to Paradise: Ilha Grande's BEST Hostel (Che Lagarto!)
Escape to Paradise… with a Grain of Sand (Che Lagarto Ilha Grande Review - From Someone Who Actually Went!)
Right, so you're thinking about Ilha Grande? And you're seeing Che Lagarto Hostel pop up? LISTEN UP. Because I've BEEN THERE. I've sweltered in the humidity, gotten sand EVERYWHERE (seriously, it's unavoidable), and downed way too many caipirinhas. And yeah, I stayed at Che Lagarto. This is my unfiltered, slightly-rambling, possibly-biased review. Brace yourselves, because it ain't gonna be perfect. Just like my tan after a week on that island. (and the hostel has way more to offer than just the view)
Metadata Stuff (Gotta appease the Google Gods):
- Title: Escape to Paradise: Che Lagarto Ilha Grande Hostel Review - The Good, The Bad, and the Sandy!
- Keywords: Ilha Grande, Che Lagarto, hostel, Brazil, travel, review, accommodation, backpacker, island, Rio de Janeiro, accessible, Wi-Fi, food, activities, cleanliness, safety, amenities, budget travel
- Meta Description: My honest review of Che Lagarto Hostel on Ilha Grande. I dish the dirt on accessibility, food, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and the all-important vibe. Unfiltered opinions from a real traveler – plus, some serious sand-related drama!
Accessibility: The Struggle is Real (Sometimes)
Okay, let's be real. Ilha Grande is not the easiest place to get around if you have mobility issues. It's an island, with dirt tracks and steep hills. Che Lagarto, like most places, isn't perfectly accessible. I didn't personally use a wheelchair, but I did notice limitations. There's an elevator, which is AMAZING for such a remote area. However, some areas might still prove challenging but generally accessible. RATING: 3.5 / 5 Stars (Consider your needs carefully!)
Cleanliness and Safety: Keeping it Real (and Germ-Free-ish)
Listen, I'm a bit of a germaphobe, okay? I was relieved to see all the measures they took, especially post-pandemic. There was hand sanitizer everywhere. The staff were genuinely trained in safety protocols. The rooms themselves felt clean; it's easy to be paranoid so I really wasn't worried about cleanliness. Also, it's just a generally safe place, and not just because of the visible security. They had:
- Anti-viral cleaning products
- Daily disinfection in common areas
- Hand sanitizer
- Rooms sanitized between stays
- Professional-grade sanitizing services
- Staff trained in safety protocol
- Sterilizing equipment
- Daily housekeeping (amazing)
- First Aid Kit
- Smoke alarms and fire extinguishers
And seriously, I saw the staff wiping down the railing repeatedly. The rooms were not perfect, I'd describe as acceptably clean. The laundry didn't seem to do the best job, and I did get someone else's hair on my clothes. RATING: 4.5 / 5 Stars (For effort and trying to do well!)
Dining, Drinking, and Snacking: Fueling the Adventure (and the Hangover)
Okay, this is where Che Lagarto honestly shines. They know how to feed a weary traveler. The breakfast buffet alone is worth the price of admission! So much variety! You could load up on fuel for all the adventuring you could ever need. They had:
- Asian breakfast
- Breakfast [buffet]
- Coffee/tea in restaurant
- Desserts in restaurant
- International cuisine in restaurant
- Poolside bar
- Restaurants
- Snack bar
- Vegetarian restaurant
- Western breakfast
- Western cuisine in restaurant
- A la carte in restaurant
- Alternative meal arrangement
- Buffet in restaurant
- Coffee shop
- Happy hour
- Poolside bar
- Room service [24-hour]
- Salad in restaurant
- Soup in restaurant
- Bottle of water (a lifesaver!)
- Kids meal
- Asian cuisine in restaurant
- Bar
- Breakfast takeaway service
- Desserts in restaurant There's a great bar for pre-dinner drinks, and the poolside bar is basically paradise. I wasn't blown away by the dinner options, but I was very happy with the breakfast and the other bar options. RATING: 4 / 5 Stars (Because who doesn't love a good breakfast?)
Rooms and Comfort: Basic, But Functional (and Air-Conditioned!)
The rooms are… hostel rooms. Let's be clear. They are not the Four Seasons. However, they had everything you need. Air conditioning, thank GOD. Especially in the middle of the summer you'll really understand this. The rooms had:
- Air conditioning
- Additional toilet
- Alarm clock
- Bathrobes
- Bathroom phone
- Bathtub
- Blackout curtains
- Carpeting
- Closet
- Coffee/tea maker
- Complimentary tea
- Daily housekeeping
- Desk
- Extra long bed
- Free bottled water
- Hair dryer
- High floor
- In-room safe box
- Linens
- Mini bar
- Mirror
- Non-smoking
- Private bathroom
- Reading light
- Refrigerator
- Satellite/cable channels
- Seating area
- Separate shower/bathtub
- Shower
- Slippers
- Smoke detector
- Socket near the bed
- Sofa
- Soundproofing
- Telephone
- Toiletries
- Towels
- Umbrella
- Visual alarm
- Wake-up service
- Window that opens
The beds were comfy enough, the showers worked, and the air conditioning saved my sanity. There's also a couple's room option. RATING: 3.5 / 5 Stars (It's a hostel, people! Manage your expectations!)
Services and Conveniences: Making Life Easier (Thank Goodness)
They've got you covered. I could check on a cash withdrawal, get my clothes sent to the dry cleaning and there was a convenience store. Helpful stuff. The concierge can help you with booking tours and just generally getting around. They have:
- Air conditioning in public area
- Audio-visual equipment for special events
- Business facilities
- Cash withdrawal
- Concierge
- Contactless check-in/out
- Convenience store
- Currency exchange
- Daily housekeeping
- Doorman
- Dry cleaning
- Elevator
- Facilities for disabled guests
- Food delivery
- Gift/souvenir shop
- Invoice provided
- Ironing service
- Laundry service
- Luggage storage
- Safety deposit boxes
- Smoking area
- Terrace
RATING: 4 / 5 Stars (They make your life easier)
Things to Do and Ways to Relax: Paradise Found… Eventually!
This is where Che Lagarto really shines. They have a great pool overlooking the ocean, and you can basically spend all day lying out. Seriously, the pool with a view is a huge selling point. However, there's so much more available:
- Pool with view
- Swimming pool
- Swimming pool [outdoor]
- Bar
- Gym/fitness
- Happy hour
- Massage
- Steamroom
- Spa/sauna
- Steamroom
- Things to do
- Ways to relax
- Spa
- Sauna
- Fitness center
- Body scrub
- Foot bath
- Body wrap There wasn't much around to do in terms of night life or evening activities, but the hostel itself was a good time. I did enjoy the bar. RATING: 4.5 / 5 Stars (Paradise potential achieved!)
Internet: Praise the Wi-Fi Gods! (Mostly)
Let's be honest, Wi-Fi on islands can be a gamble. However, Che Lagarto came through! There's free Wi-Fi in all rooms which is incredible. They also had:
- Internet access
- Internet [LAN]
- Internet services
- Wi-Fi in public areas
- Wi-Fi for special events
I was able to post those Instagram stories (because, priorities!), and do some basic work. It wasn't lightning-fast, obviously. The internet was definitely adequate for the essentials so you may need to manage your work and content requirements. RATING: 4 / 5 Stars (For island internet, it's a miracle!)
Important Notes:
- The Sand Factor: You will find sand everywhere. In your shoes, your bed, your… well, you get the picture. Embrace it!
- Party Vibe: It's a hostel, so expect a social atmosphere. Perfect if
Okay, buckle up, buttercups, because this Che Lagarto Hostel Ilha Grande itinerary is less "concise travelogue" and more "slightly unhinged diary of a backpacker who probably needs more sleep and less caipirinhas." Prepare for rambles, questionable decisions, and the occasional existential crisis. Let's DO THIS.
Day 1: Arrival & That First Breath of Paradise (and Chlorine)
- Morning (ish): Arrived in Rio. Holy hell. The energy! The chaos! The sheer humidity! Got ferried to Angra dos Reis. The boat was supposed to be the "fast boat," turns out, it was "slightly less slow boat." Sea sickness began to creep in. I, a seasoned traveler, was reduced to a green-faced, sweaty mess. Ugh.
- Afternoon: Finally, finally stepped onto Ilha Grande. Whoa. The jungle! The beaches! The fact that my hostel was, like, a five-minute walk from the pier? Divine intervention, I swear. Checked into Che Lagarto. Met a guy named Ricardo who looked like he'd been stranded here for a decade. He gave me a slightly judgmental look when I asked for the Wi-Fi password. "Just… relax," he grumbled. Okay, Ricardo, I get it.
- Early Evening: Found the hostel bar (priorities, people!). Caipirinha No. 1. Bliss. Met a Dutch couple who were obsessed with finding a decent vegetarian meal. I think they spent the entire evening mapping out possible restaurants. Bless their hearts.
- Night: Dinner at a churrascaria (because, Brazil!). Accidentally ate way too much meat. Regretted it almost immediately. Stumbled back to the hostel, completely stuffed. The mosquito situation was already getting serious. Found a hole in my mosquito net. FML.
Day 2: Beach Days, Snorkeling Shenanigans, and the Curse of the Sunburn
- Morning: Woke up with a pounding headache (curse you, caipirinhas!). Dragged myself to Lopes Mendes beach (the "best beach in the world," they say). Fine, it was pretty amazing. The sand was like baby powder. The waves were perfect. But the sun… the sun, she burned.
- Afternoon: Snorkeling time! Rented some gear. Saw some fish. Lost my mask. Swallowed half the ocean. Managed to look somewhat graceful afterward.
- Later Afternoon: The sunburn kicked in. Holy mother of pearl! My back felt like it was on fire. Spent the rest of the afternoon hiding in the hostel's shaded hammock area, nursing a bottle of aloe vera. Seriously, the sunburn was so brutal that even the lizards avoided me.
- Evening: Ate a pizza (comfort food is crucial when you’re basically a lobster). Attempted to learn some Portuguese. My attempts mostly involved sounding like a confused parrot. Made friends with a cat outside my dorm window. He had the right idea about life. Sleep. Eat. Repeat.
Day 3: Hike of Despair and the Epiphany of Acai
- Morning: Determined to "conquer" Pico do Papagaio (parrot peak). This hike was the bane of my existence. The incline, the bugs, the sheer sweat. I started questioning every life choice that led me to this moment.
- Mid-Hike Meltdown: Almost gave up. The view, though, was pretty spectacular once I made it to near the top.
- Afternoon: Reward time! Went to an acai parlor. I order a large acai bowl, topped with granola, banana, and honey. It was the most glorious thing I'd ever tasted. Seriously, acai is life. I swear to god, I was near to tears of joy. This bowl of purple joy was worth every sweaty step of that hike and so, so much more.
- Evening: Went to another restaurant. Ordered grilled fish. Realized I missed my own culture. Listened to other people who seemed to understand the word "rest." Ordered wine. Became friends with a table of Brazilians. Attempted to sing along to a local band. Made a complete fool of myself. No regrets. Eventually, I was so tired I just gave up and crashed in my room, hoping I remembered to put the mosquito net up.
Day 4: Island Exploration and a Surprising Encounter
- Morning: Explored the town. Wandered into a tiny artist shop - picked up a hand-painted map. (Too many caipi's, I think). The little shops and hidden alleyways, I loved it.
- Afternoon: Decided to take a boat trip to some of the other islands. The water was so clear, I could practically see the fish judging my questionable swimming skills. Snorkeled more. Spotted a family of sea turtles! Amazing.
- Evening: Back at the hostel, I met a girl who looked utterly lost. She was a solo traveler too. We started talking, and after a couple of hours, realized we were kindred spirits. We spoke about our lives, hopes, and fears while swapping travel stories. She also happened to have a stash of emergency peanut butter, which was a gift from the gods. We ended up staying up late, laughing, and sharing our weirdest experiences in Brazil. This girl made the whole experience so much more enjoyable.
- Night: Drunkenly decide to stay until the end of time.
Day 5: Departure, and the Sigh of a Thousand Memories
- Morning: Woke up feeling surprisingly okay. Started packing. The reality of leaving Ilha Grande sunk in. I didn't want to go.
- Mid-Morning Had a final breakfast, trying to savor every bite. Walked around the pier one last time, just breathing it all in.
- Afternoon: The boat ride back was smoother this time. I spent the whole ride thinking about everything.
- Evening: Arrived in Rio. Ready to go home, but sad to leave. I looked back at Ilha Grande and smiled, my heart filled with mixed emotions.
- Night: Reflecting on the trip—the sunburn, the caipirinhas, the hikes, the friends, maybe one day I'll return. Goodbye, Ilha Grande. You were messy, beautiful, and utterly unforgettable.
Things to Note:
- Mosquitoes: They are relentless. Bring EVERYTHING.
- Sunscreen: Apply religiously. And then reapply. And then reapply again.
- Caipirinhas: Delicious, but proceed with caution.
- The People: The Brazilians are incredibly warm and welcoming. Embrace it!
- Relax: Seriously, just relax. Ilha Grande is a place to let go.
And that, my friends, is my honest, slightly chaotic, and gloriously imperfect experience at Che Lagarto Hostel Ilha Grande. Embrace the mess, the sunburns, the questionable food choices, and the moments of pure, unadulterated joy. It's all part of the adventure. Now go make some memories!
Escape to Paradise: Your Private Indoor Pool Awaits in Maasduinen!
Escape to Paradise: Ilha Grande (Che Lagarto!) - The Uncensored FAQ
Okay, real talk: Is Ilha Grande *really* paradise, or is it just Instagram hype?
Why Che Lagarto? Is it even good, or just the 'default' choice?
What's the vibe like at Che Lagarto? Is it a party hostel, a chill-out zone, or something in between?
The rooms – are they clean? Do you get any personal space? And oh god, what about the dorm beds?!
What about food? Is the hostel food any good, or should I eat elsewhere?
Okay, but the *real* question: what's there to *do* on Ilha Grande? And does Che Lagarto have good recommendations?
Is Che Lagarto good value for money?
Any insider tips for surviving (and thriving!) at Che Lagarto and Ilha Grande?
