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Reviews of Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel

Avenida Vicente Rendall Leite 13, 1234 Mindelo, Cape Verde

#11 of 21 hotels in Mindelo

Guests' Choice

Review score

Based on 108 hostel reviews

8.1

Score breakdown

  • Cleanliness

    8.1

  • Comfort

    7.8

  • Location

    8.9

  • Facilities

    7.7

  • Staff

    9.1

  • Value for money

    8.5

  • Free WiFi

    7.9

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Showing 1 – 25

  • Reviewed: 1 January 2024

    7.0
    Short but sweet
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    My bedroom didn't have a window (or it did but no way of opening it) so it wouldn't be very nice for a long stay

    I like the fact you're contributing to a charity and it does feel comfy

    Stayed in December 2023

  • Reviewed: 4 December 2023

    9.0
    Warm staff, great place to meet other travelers.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 4 nights

    The only downside was the absence of warm water in the shower, which proved a bit discomforting, especially given the chilly nights.

    It was clean, even in the common bathroom. The bedroom was quiet at night, and the bed was quite comfortable. The roof terrace offered a great view over the city. Most and foremost, it was the perfect location to meet common travelers. I met some great volunteers and made friends for life <3

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 November 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 4 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great localisation. Terrasse with an Amazing view. Clean. Good Price.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 November 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    The dorm on the top floor isn't good deal,as it is next to the terrace where people come to talk and smoke all the time, noisy and cigarettes smokes get into the room.

    Nice location, good facilities, attentive stuff.

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 17 November 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    The terrace is, of course, a smoking space, so we had to keep closing the window to our bedroom to keep the smell out, and it would get SUPER hot. There was almost no space in the fridge and the markers for labelling food weren't working - and then were replaced with markers that didn't work on plastic/packaging.

    Great location, spacious room and well equipped kitchen in terms of cooking tools, plates and cuterly (note that you do need to provide all your own ingredients, down to cooking oil and salt, unless someone has left something behind). There is a cat and at least one dog on premises for cuddles =).

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 14 November 2023

    8.0
    Short but sweet stay :)
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The shower was super clean but hardly any pressure to have a good wash after 15 hours on the boat !!

    We arrived super late after a long boat journey and the team stayed up to welcome us (after hours). We really appreciated it :) The room was clean and functional for our 5 hours sleep !

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 5 November 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    The matrass was sagging a lot My room's window was next to the rooftop terrace, so I could smell others smoke while I was in bed The upstairs shower has no door while hooks are across the room, so when you undress and want to hang your clothes you have to hide in the shower curtain so that people on the terrace don't see you naked. This feels cumbersome and unhygienic to me. An extra door or curtain would be great.

    Overall good vibe, great place to meet people, nice rooftop terrace, good luggage storage in room. Overall, I just love the concept, and for that, I will definitely return. All the animals were great for cuddling!

    Stayed in November 2023

  • Reviewed: 31 October 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It lacked a bit of fridge space for the amount of people.

    Great community of backpackers, animal lovers and volunteers. Fantastic for socialising and getting to know the town. Great staff.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 27 October 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Good place to meet other travelers, close to the beach.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 23 October 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • People with friends
    • Standard Twin Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It's easy to meet fellow travelers and the hostel is putting the money you pay towards the dogs and cats they take care of.

    Stayed in October 2023

  • Reviewed: 11 June 2023

    9.0
    Great place, central and great if you're on your on or with friends. Great hosts!
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    It was my first experience so not much I can add here as I thought it was great value for money.

    It was my first time staying in a hostel and I have to say it was brilliant. Some wonderful people I met there. The hosts were super helpful and accommodating, the hostel was also very close to everything. Everywhere was walking distance from bars, beach and local amenities. Had my own room and it was was spacious with working desk for me to work while I was there. I also loved the the mission of the hostel so will defo be staying here again when back to Mindelo.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 29 May 2023

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights

    Just keep in mind that there is no hot water in the shower. I find the price a little expensive for no hot water, but if all the money goes to the shelter, then it's fine for me :)

    It was a very nice place to start the journey. It allowed me to meet with a lot of nice persons, guests in holidays and volunteers at the shelter. It's clean and there is a kitchen and fridge so you can do your own cooking. There are plenty animals in the house and I liked that.

    Stayed in May 2023

  • Reviewed: 28 March 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night

    very helpful owner, conveniently located, safe

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 9 March 2023

    9.0
    Easy and happy stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Double or Twin Room with Private Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Great backpacker with good spacious bedroom. Sylvia is a great host and she arrange everything for you and advice you. Beach and center 5 min walk. Good kitchen to cook. The only thing which was hard at first but we got use to it is the cold shower. Thank you and I recommend

    Stayed in March 2023

  • Reviewed: 21 February 2023

    8.0
    Pro's and cons, depending on what you search
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    I would not come back because - the beds were terrible hard (the worst we had during our 2 week trip) - the room/balcony was not very cosy (I saw bigger rooms which looked nicer though) - for me the place in the city was noisy with cars. Especially with open window or door (which we wanted to open bcs it was warm in the room) - the curtains are very thin, so early sunlight coming in

    I would come back because -it's easy to feel at home (there is a common space with sofas and a table fe), - the owner is so friendly and helpful, -I like it a lot that they provide medical care and homes for cats and dogs, - it was the best spot in Kaapverdië (São Vicente and Santo Antão) where we stayed (5 in total) where we got information how the city/country works, tourist information,... - perfect for singles or when you arrive

    Stayed in February 2023

  • Reviewed: 6 February 2023

    7.0
    Good
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Triple Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights

    Loved the host.

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 26 January 2023

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    If they would provide coffee/ tea ☕ would be great addition

    I can't thank enough Sylvia who is an expert in Cape Verde and helped me with planning both my visit to Sao Vicente and organised my trip to Santo Antao. Also the place is charity, extra reason to support their work with stray animals. I booked a private room with shared bathroom, I had a very comfortable stay

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 16 January 2023

    9.0
    nice hostel
    • Leisure trip
    • Group
    • Triple Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    beds could be more comfortable

    very sweet hostel, good to meet people. Have everything you need - bathrooms, kitchen and informations for the island. good located, only 5 minutes to the beach and city. The owner’s are so helpful with everything you need to know (for example trips to santo antao). would come back :)

    Stayed in January 2023

  • Reviewed: 12 December 2022

    9.0
    Superb
    • Leisure trip
    • Couple
    • Standard Double Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    toilets didn’t work too well

    it belongs to foundation rescuing stray dogs. okay room, nice roof terrace, very friendly and helpful owner

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 12 December 2022

    7.0
    Simple hostel for a short stay only.
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 2 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Dorm like 2 rooms into 1 room (a connecting room) and I couldn't sleep at all, no breakfast, very long and unprofessional check in by the owner and her strange/even impolite behavior towards me at the hostel and in a public restaurant. It's a bit far away from the center and located on the hill...

    Simple hostel for a short stay, kitchen, living room.

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 24 November 2022

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Single Bed in Mixed Dormitory Room
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    Perfect location, close to the Port, beach and center. There are no (lockable) lockers in the dorm room and I felt uncertain because of valuable items I had with me but the owner was friendly and willing to provide me another solution

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 16 November 2022

    8.0
    Decent, cheap place for a short overnight stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No hot shower

    It was cheap

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 16 November 2022

    8.0
    Decent cheap place, perfect for a short overnight stay
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 1 night
    • Submitted via mobile

    No hot shower

    It was cheap

    Stayed in November 2022

  • Reviewed: 16 November 2022

    8.0
    Very good
    • Leisure trip
    • Solo traveller
    • Standard Single Room with Shared Bathroom
    • Stayed 3 nights
    • Submitted via mobile

    Partly dog poo and pee on the floor

    Nice hostel, great possibility to meet other travellers

    Stayed in November 2022

Showing 1 – 25

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