Each occasionally, you encounter a hostel the place, the second you stroll by the door, it feels such as you’ve already made buddies 😙🤌 Earlier than you already know it, you’re swapping tales and planning adventures like outdated buddies.
At Lagarto na Banana, you’re not simply reserving a mattress (or a tent!) in a Brazilian jungle by the seashore however becoming a member of a neighborhood. Nestled within the tiny coastal city of Pipa in northeastern Brazil, Lagarto na Banana is a spot the place real connections occur, friendships are shaped and everyone seems to be welcome.
Sounds too good to be true, proper? 👀 However this place delivers on each stage.
We’re chatting with founder Ophir Morad, who’s about to share the story of how Lagarto na Banana turned greater than a spot to remain – and snagged the title of Tradition Champion in HOSCARs this yr 🏆
The lengthy journey of the lizard in a banana
Whereas backpacking Ophir met a man in Thailand and so they immediately clicked. They turned buddies and stayed in contact. A wild concept popped up throughout certainly one of their catch-ups: let’s open a hostel collectively.
When it was time to select the situation of their new dwelling, they performed slightly sport. Each needed to decide three locations with out telling the opposite.
“After we revealed our decisions, we had been shocked. We had each chosen Pipa, regardless that neither of us had ever been there earlier than! We took it as an indication. So, after I completed my research, we packed our luggage and moved to Pipa to deliver this dream to life,” he recounts.
So, why identify your hostel after a lizard in a banana? 🦎🍌 “Earlier than opening the hostel, a buddy made a drawing that appeared like a lizard inside a banana. I requested the way you’d say it in Portuguese and the identify was prepared – Lagarto na Banana. I needed a easy identify that didn’t have a deep that means, however felt enjoyable, comfortable and a bit weird,” Ophir explains.
Sparking connection and creativity
Lagarto na Banana simply took dwelling the HOSCARs Tradition Award – so what’s their secret to creating an unbeatable vibe?
“After I returned dwelling from my travels, I realised that one of the lovely issues I might do was to create an area the place individuals from totally different locations can come collectively and join in a real neighborhood vibe,” Ophir explains.
It’s the way in which they make individuals really feel proper at dwelling that sees travellers prolong their keep 💛 “We skip the pointless guidelines. As soon as individuals perceive the essence of the place, the whole lot flows naturally,” he says.
The concept is that travellers get to precise themselves in numerous methods. Each day is filled with actions organised by workers and volunteers – starting from capoeira and forró, dance and yoga to music and singing, language change, theatre, poetry and portray.
Oh, and let’s not neglect the household dinners: ending the day with good meals and sharing tales across the desk.
Friendships aren’t the one factor to blossom at Lagarto na Banana. Ophir is aware of of no less than 15 {couples} who met on the hostel then obtained married – and so they’ve even hosted two weddings for {couples} who got here again to tie the knot on the place they first met💍
A hidden gem a 1.5-hour hike away
Don’t simply stick across the hostel (regardless that the pool and the seashore are tempting). Pipa is understood for its seashores with clear waters the place you’ll be able to each surf and spot dolphins and marine turtles. The seashores are protected and an area basis displays 42 km of seashores to register and shield the turtle nests.
Whilst you’re in Pipa, make certain to hit up Lagoa Coca-Cola, a gorgeous lagoon with reddish water due to pure minerals a couple of 1.5-hour hike away. Surrounded by dunes, uncommon vegetation and whole silence, you’ll really feel such as you’ve disconnected from civilisation. When you time your keep proper, you’ll be able to be part of the hostel’s full moon tenting journey to the lagoon ⛺ Go away your cellphone behind and join with nature and other people underneath the starry sky.
How will you get in on this?
Listed below are some high tips about how dwell that “lizard in a banana” lifestyle wherever you go:
🪁 Select hostels that supply greater than only a mattress
Some hostels are simply locations to crash, however the most effective ones? You’ll by no means wish to go away. Verify the critiques and their social channels to see if they’ve actions you’d wish to be part of.
🗺️ Embrace the “no plan” strategy
A few of my finest journey reminiscences occurred as a result of I ditched my plans! I’ve ended up in a funk dance-off in Brazil, survived a wildly bumpy boat journey to a nationwide park and swapped tales till dawn on the hostel patio.
🎲Pack slightly one thing to share with others
A deck of playing cards, a favorite recipe, an instrument, a poetry e book – the checklist is infinite. A fast sport or a shared snack may be all it takes to start out your subsequent journey.
