Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel

A very friendly and warm welcome despite my limited English. The place is really charmingly decorated, and the source code helps you find good restaurants and banks, since the ATMs don't always work. Unfortunately, my stay was short. The lack of hot water didn't bother me at all; on the contrary, it was a welcome cool-down and refreshing experience. The tap really needs fixing. Best regards, Pascal

Xavier Benony

Nov 12, 2025

★★★★★

A beautiful place, well located, very good price.

Excellent hostel, good service and facilities.

Francisca Serra

Apr 10, 2025

★★★☆☆

A hostel with an excellent mission and very attentive staff! However, the room was relatively poor for the price (we requested a double room with a private bathroom), it had a very uncomfortable mattress and the bathroom smelled of sewage. During the night there was also some noise of doors banging in the wind.

I would like to give more than 3 stars, as the staff were friendly and the charitable mission with animals is very valuable. The room was clean, but for the price I think it should be considerably better. The bed was quite uncomfortable, there was a strong smell of sewage in the bathroom (which wouldn't be such a big problem if the door could be closed), and there was a lot of noise at night (doors slamming, cats constantly meowing, ...). That said, the staff were friendly and attentive and we had no problems, but I think for similar prices you can get much better in Mindelo. The room was the one with a private bathroom.

Alberto Alves

Apr 4, 2025

★★★★★

Hostel with a purpose to be admired, the reception staff are super friendly and available for any kind of information, even for tips on the other islands.

Very clean, practical and excellent personal ! Thank 💐 you!

A Hostel where a lot off the money goes to shelter dogs and cats -the animals have a lot of space and it is clean - you can visit them or stay there for volunteer🥰- realy nice to be there for a visit in the morning and go out with the dogs or play with them 🥰

The staff accommodated all my requests, even though we had to use a translator to understand each other. In the room, there's a small booklet with restaurant recommendations, hotel rules, and other interesting information. There are pets in the reception area; my biggest complaint is that cats are not allowed in the rooms. 🤣 Thank you to this hotel for working for animal rights.

Rashid Mohammad Hosseini

Jan 14, 2025

★★★★☆

Great location, the bed was a bit creaky, but 100% worth the price. I wouldn't stay anywhere else in Mindelo!

What a wonderful place. The hotel is simple, clean and well looked after by amazingly friendly staff. There is no hot water, but a refreshing cool shower was just the job after a long day in the sunshine.||To get the best out of the trip, make sure you volunteer to help out at the nearby shelter. It involves a short trip in the back of the truck to just outside the city, where you can spend hours walking and socialising friendly dogs.||A truly magical experience - I can't wait to visit again

Very nice place near to the most beautiful white beach. |The manager is very riendly and helped me with all my questions |I met there somenice people. We cooked together and went out in the evening |All the money goes to an animal organsation that helps cats and dogs to survive

Very uncomfortable hostel. Bad beds, no water from the taps, the electricity only works intermittently; we're thinking of leaving even though we've already paid. The location and staff are fine.

unendlichmalnull null

Oct 31, 2024

★★★★☆

Cozy room, nice hostel. It's great that they help dogs and cats (the dog shelter can also be visited!). We would definitely come back!

It's a hostel with an ideal location near the center and Praia da Laginha! They also do excellent work with stray animals. (I recommend visiting the shelter and spending a morning walking the dogs.) But the best thing about Simabo is its team: Ñilza, Jenny, Cynthia, Jackeline, Luna, Anderson, and Jako. Thank you for your professionalism, hospitality, and attention. I'll be back soon!

Regina Sánchez Pizones

Aug 24, 2024

★★★★★

Perfect location, very attentive staff, ideal facilities, room a little warm, but clean and comfortable. A bit pricey for the amenities offered, but we can't complain. Very, very nice terrace!

I stayed at Simabo for a week and I had a really good time, the staff is friendly and always ready to help you, I left alone but thanks to this hostel and their association I met many nice people and thanks to them I never felt truly alone. | ​​If you have the time I also recommend volunteering in their shelter where there are many dogs waiting for your love and I assure you that it will be an extraordinary experience

I stayed at Simabo for a week and had a really good time. The staff is friendly and always ready to help. I traveled alone, but thanks to this hostel and their association, I met so many wonderful people, and thanks to them, I never felt truly alone. If you have the time, I also recommend volunteering at their shelter, where there are many dogs waiting for your love. I assure you, it will be an extraordinary experience.

We came here for a voluntary work as vets. The Italian owner gave us another room which was A LIVING HELL with the smell of 10000 cats which we had to pet and take care while she was taking money from us. NOT EVEN TOILET PAPER WAS AVAILABLE!!! Stay away from this type of people!

Simabo is a very cozy hostel, small, good location close to the beach and center, in a safe, quiet neighborhood, and the best part is that the proceeds go to the foundation that takes care of animals in São Vicente.

I have an amazing memory from this place, Silvia and the rest of the working people are super friendly and helpful with any question. <3 Really recommend to book the room is Simabo! Have a good time in Cape Verde!

This place is filled with kind-hearted souls. What a beautiful initiative and I applaud anyone who dedicates their time to help the animals.||Apart from that, the hostel has everything you need with a big kitchen, living room, and a roof terrace. The place is cozy and clean and the staff is friendly.

This place is filled with kind-hearted souls. What a beautiful initiative and I applaud anyone who dedicates their time to help the animals. Apart from that, the hostel has everything you need with a big kitchen, living room, and a roof terrace. The place is cozy and clean and the staff is friendly.

Great place to stay as a solo traveller, very social place and has a great feeling to it. Very easy to relax on the roof terrace, and it's nice and clean and well kept. |Silvia is a star too, she's very helpful and friendly and full of advice. |I'm already looking forward to going back.

Jean Baptise Leclerc

Mar 10, 2024

★★★★★

Sylvia was very welcoming and gave good advice.

Great place to stay as a solo traveller, very sociable place and a move roof terrace. Silvia is very likeable and very helpful, as is Cinthia!

Aleksandra Lechwar

Mar 10, 2024

★★★★★

Amazing place in Mindelo! I was there twice already and would be more than happy to come back again. The hostel has a great selection of rooms, dorms and privates. Common kitchen and living room and it really has a homely atmosphere. The people working there are lovely and always happy to help. And the best part is the animals. They have a shelter where all the profit goes to. You can adopt an animal and friends of mine that did could not be more happy. I can't recommend this hostel highly enough!

Even if the price is low the quality and the experience wasn’t great for us! - Our room was very basic and was just next to the shared bathroom but as it’s in the ground floor everyone was using it so you always had noise and it’s not clean at all in the end - in the shower there is no hot water and it wasn’t mention anywhere. And when I asked how to put hot water because I thought I didn’t find how to do it, the guy from the reception just laughed at me saying there is no hot water. Other people were heating water in the kitchen to have a proper shower which was super long and you just waited so long to have your turn in the bathroom and to have a cold water - the charity for animals is great but at some point it was becoming overwhelming you have barking dog the cat meowing outside your door in the middle of the night. It smells dog and cat in your room, our window was in front of the place where 2-3 dogs slept so you almost can’t open your window to breathe in So all in all really deceptive for us

I've stayed a couple of nights at Simabo's hostel the last week and was also here a year ago. The hostel is close to the beach, restaurants, the ferry port and groceries. The spacious kitchen enables you to cook and meet up with other guests. The rooftop terrace is perfect for enjoying a view across Mindelo or having a drink. The staff is very friendly and all profits of the hostel support the animal shelter on the island. I recommend staying here and hopefully I'm coming again.

A very helpful animal charity in Mindelo. Please note: the manager requires a bank transfer before your stay, but you lose your nights even if your flight is canceled.

Overall, a poor experience. If your flight is delayed or delayed, be aware that they will charge the full price of the room, with no discount or negotiation possible (unlike all our other guests during our stay). The owners don't give you any information about good deals, and even when it comes to accessing the room's balcony, they don't give you the keys because they don't think you're independent enough to lock it yourself before leaving the room. If you're wondering, the smell of animals is very present in the common areas. The only thing that can't be faulted is the location, which is really convenient.

Jonathan Piludu

Feb 15, 2024

★★★★★

Perfect place to stay if you are a pet lover, not only because the in house cats are just adorable but also because of the "concept" and story behind this place! The location is perfect, near to laginha beach and to the centre (praça amilcar cabral etc etc) at the same time! The staff is very nice and supportive from the moment you make the booking! During the carnival week, as they were fully booked, they even went the extra mile and find another solution for me! Much appreciated! Highly recommended!!!

Not very clean

Difficult living/sleeping conditions. Weak cleanliness, very narrow rooms, no hot water is provided, any private space nor in the bathrooms, no fans although high temperatures. To avoid. The owner is nice anyway.

Maria Costa

Mar 18, 2023

★★★★★

Hostel with a good atmosphere and a very friendly owner. The hostel's purpose is for the money charged to go towards the protection and neutering of dogs and cats. This action is very commendable given the number of dogs and cats that still roam around Mindelo and the rest of the island of São Vicente.

Ivete Azevedo (Brilho do Erro)

Jan 29, 2023

★★★★★

Excellent!!! Welcoming and helpful service, impeccable cleanliness and organization. I wish I could find a SimaBo in every place I go...

Jeroen Tahey

Jan 25, 2023

★★★☆☆

The room is clean, but very basic. No warm water, squeaking bed, sink that does not drain and (bad luck) a dripping ceiling due to a 'water management problem'. But keeping in mind that this is a low cost place, it's just acceptable; although a bit of maintenance is something you can plan and 'just do it' and not a farce majeur...

Aksel J. Jensen

Jan 23, 2023

★★★★★

Very nice and chill hostel in center. Very helpful staff, helping with transport around the island and accommodationif you wanna explore more of the islands around. There is a kitchen you can use to make meals. A balcony at the top with a good view over the town.

Well located, allows for international meetings with guests of all ages. Exchange of experiences about Cape Verde. Friendly staff.

Noemi Fenyvesi

Dec 8, 2022

★★★★★

Absolutely loved staying here, Sylvia is such a lovely and warm personality. The rooftop terrace has an awesome vibe. The hostel is a charity so it all goes for the street dogs and cats. Really loved staying here. Thank you

My room was huge, with a bathroom and a private patio. Silvia is super kind and warm, and her staff is super friendly and welcoming. Very good location, quiet and very close to the beach.

Anja Mutschler

Nov 19, 2022

★★★★★

Perfect backpacker hostel with big kitchen and great roof terrace. Don't expect too much comfort but its very clean and each room is designed individually. The italian host Silvia is very kind and can help with advice and connections. Cap Verde is great and for discovering Sao Vicente and Sao Antao the Simabo is perfect to stay/start.

I had an amazing experience at the Simabo Backpackers Hostel. The staff is super nice and spending time at the hostel really feels like home. I was traveling alone and it was the perfect environment to meet other travelers and have the most wonderful time!

Cali

Jun 10, 2022

★★★★★

Simabo’s was the perfect place to stay for the couple of nights I spent in Mindelo! Sylvia was extremely helpful and hospitable for anything I needed. The hostel is easy walking distance to the port and the beautiful beach. Simabo’s is also an organization that helps take care of the neglected animals on the island and get them adopted.. so when you stay here, you’re also contributing.

nice place! great people! make you feel at home :)

I have stayed at Simabo for 1 week. I loved every moment of my stay. The building is pretty new, all rooms are well decorated and include all the services.||Some of the rooms have shared toilet, I found them always clean. ||Silvia and Paolo, the 2 presidents of the association are 2 marvelous persons, always smiling and good hearted. They helped me with to put on a map all the things to visit and they contributed to have an amazing experience in Sao Vicente.||Also, the Simabo is shelter for cats and dogs and I enjoyed cuddling the little kittens in the morning :-)||Thank you for your kindness. Forever appreciated :-)

Excellent location, excellent cleanliness, kind and attentive staff.

Very clean, friendly service, well located, and a great place to make friends. And if you like animals, you'll be helping the association since the money you pay will contribute to its upkeep.

This place is a really good choice for inexpensive accomodation in Mindelo! It is close to the port and to the city centre, as well! What I also found absolutely interesting and caring is that they are in charge of a place that looks after stray animals of the city. If somebody has spare time can also volunteer with them!

Clement FREMONT

Mar 25, 2022

★★☆☆☆

The manager and staff were very welcoming. The location in Mindelo is good, and the price is attractive. However, there was no hot water for the shower when we tried to use it, and the sanitary facilities were in a very unpleasant state (regardless of the owners).

A truly authentic hostel, perfect for meeting other travelers and sharing experiences and meals. Clean, beautiful, and well-located. Silvia is a sweetheart, and the hostel's profits go to an association for stray dogs and cats in Mindelo. I can't imagine visiting Mindelo and staying anywhere other than Simabo.

Great place and staying there helps all street animals on the island - so obviously a great opportunity for sustainable travel. It is okay value for money, but since it is a hostel it can be a bit loud - especially near the kitchen or on weekends. Showers are only cold, but wifi works well. The owner is extremely friendly and it is lovely to meet nice people in the hostel itself. If you do actually wanna see the rescue dogs, you'd have to go out to the shelter. There are only cats staying in the hostel, so it's great if you're a cat person.

Sylvia, with all her energy, will give you a warm welcome! And by staying here, you'll be helping to improve the lives of dogs and cats.

Tito Correia

Nov 21, 2021

★★★★☆

Cozy space, I liked it!

I stayed at this hostel last September. It is a very well located place; near the center and 200 meters from the beach. It's clean, the staff is nice and there's a great atmosphere; a good place to meet people if you travel alone and want to share a beer or a snack with someone ... a place without luxury but highly recommended, with the incentive that the benefits obtained go to Simabo organization that protects dogs and cats from the streets of San Vicente. The best value in Mindelo.

Isabel Escude

Oct 12, 2021

★★★★★

Very clean and very decent hostel. They're doing a great job! A 15-minute walk from the city center and a 5-minute walk from the beach.

Simabo Hostel is the ideal place to stay in Mindelo; if you're traveling alone, you'll always find someone to share a coffee or a beer with. It's a quiet and well-located hostel, close to the police station and just 200 meters from the beach. The atmosphere is very pleasant, and everything is clean and well-organized! The perfect place to enjoy your stay in the city. Plus, all the hostel's profits go to the Simabo association, which rescues and cares for stray dogs in São Vicente.

I stayed at Hostel Simabo this past September and I already miss it; I loved it! The atmosphere is wonderful, and if you're traveling alone, you can always find someone to go out with for a coffee or a beer. The location is perfect; very close to the police station and the city center, and only 200 meters from the beach. The hostel is clean and quiet, perfect for enjoying your stay in Mindelo. Furthermore, the profits from the hostel support the Simabo association, an animal shelter that rescues animals from the streets of Cape Verde.

Mircea Oana

May 3, 2021

★★★★★

Really a nice place, with a name for each room😊, clean , close to the beach, not far from centrum, perfect for animals lovers 😊😺🐶. 🌄😉Happy holidays 😊

I was here for exactly a month. In my opinion, the price-quality ratio is very good! The staff is very nice and helpful. Overall, the hostel exudes a cozy atmosphere. The common areas are cleaned daily, and the rooms are also very neat and clean upon arrival. In my opinion, the location is perfect. The hostel is close to the beach, a small supermarket, a police station, a medical center... and the city center is not far away either. Simabo not only has a hostel but also a veterinary clinic and dog shelter in Mindelo. What I also consider a great added value is the fact that the profit made by Simabo Hostel goes entirely towards this cause. The only downside I personally experienced is that there is no hot water. This can be a disappointment if you like taking hot showers. Personally, I didn't mind this too much, as the cold water is quite refreshing in this warm climate!

Elvis Dias

Mar 19, 2021

★★★★★

This is a place that makes it a pleasure to live because it's full of good people and it's a very well-kept place.

Great location, a 5-minute walk from the beach and the city center. Clean space and very friendly staff. And most importantly, the hostel helps fund the work of a non-profit animal protection organization! I highly recommend it.

I spend a few lovely weeks in Mindelo at the Simabo hostel. The rooms were always clean, the breakfast delicious, the stuff was really helpful and you always met interesting people from all over the world. I highly recommend to visit the dog shelter to see the work Simabo is doing on Sao Vicente.

I had the worst experience with Simabo’s Backpackers hostel, I got attacked by 2 men of the hotel one night and reported them to the direction. The staff told me to not say anything because it would cause problems and ruin the hotel reputation, then they forbid me to go in the public spaces of the hotel. I showed them my bruises and they told me that I must have fallen on the stairs and that no one would believe that they hit me. I am shocked and extremely disappointed of every one of the staff, I am an 18 year old girl and clearly this hotel is not a safe place for women. I had never seen a place that dishonest and unsafe. Run away !

Just 5 minutes from the beach... Excellent value for money. Sylvia and her team work for animal welfare in Mindelo... It's not luxurious, but the atmosphere is great and you always meet interesting fellow travelers.

Davy Jimenez

Jan 28, 2020

★★★★★

We spent several days with our daughter and were very comfortable. The backpacker atmosphere was great and everything was clean. We especially enjoyed the breakfast prepared by an Italian woman.

I highly recommend this guesthouse. It's clean, charming, and in a great location. The hosts are friendly. And last but not least, the proceeds from your stay will go to charity. Make sure you read everything they do!

Even if I arrived relatively late at night because a delayed flight, they waited for me and communication was always great :) they are very friendly and the building is amazing! I wish I had stayed more days...

Great vegan options!!

My partner and I had the pleasure of spending a few nights at the Simabo Hostel... what can I say? We had a fantastic time! The rooms are very simple but cozy and have everything you need for a great stay. The kitchen, terraces, and other common areas allow you to make friends and chat with other guests and the hostel managers, who are always available to offer advice and suggestions of all kinds. All proceeds from the hostel go to the Simabo association, which cares for the island's stray and sick cats and dogs: wonderful! Definitely recommended.

This hostel is located in a quiet area, very close to the beautiful Laginha beach and the center of Mindelo. The rooms are very nice and clean, and the common areas are also very pleasant. It has a fabulous terrace, a little paradise where you can relax in the evenings! Plus, all proceeds go to the Simabo association, which takes care of the stray dogs and cats of São Vicente! The owners, Silvia and Paolo, are very kind and helpful. Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel is definitely worth a stay.

giulia mencattelli

Oct 23, 2019

★★★★★

We spent 5 nights at simabo hostel. We stayed in a cozy and bright double room. We could enjoy the fresh wind and nice view of Mindelo from a spacious balcony. The hostel is well located, few minutes far from the nice laginnha beach and 10 minutes walking from the city center. The neigborhood is quite and safe. The hostel is clean, quite, you can use the well equipped kitchen, and it is nice to meet and talk to other guests and simabo volunteers. The atmosphere is warm and cozy… It is possible to ask Milena for preparing delicious vegan breakfast and lunch – and we are not vegan… We had the pleasure to meet Paolo, Simabo president, who gave us very usefull tips about Mindelo and Sao Vicente island. The organization and the work they have been doing is impressive and very important to improve everyone living conditions in Sao Vicente. So, it is good to know all income from our staying will contribute to a good cause. We defenetly reccomend it! Thanks to all Simabo staff..see you soon!! Giulia&Luca

We were welcomed by Silvia when we were looking for a room at the last minute. | Backpacker hostel with good vibes and a great rooftop terrace! | We immediately felt very comfortable there :) | Bonus: the hostel helps fund their animal welfare association. | Don't hesitate

Very pleasant hostel run by a charitable organization for helping animals. Staff and volunteers are the best, rooms are great. Animals hang out in the office, but in the hostel area there was only a cat. Cleanliness was high enough my cat allergies didn't bother me. As is usual in CV, don't expect heated showers, though the property has installed solar showers that are warm at appropriate times of day. Highly recommended.

Very good value for money, clean and very welcoming

Great place beautiful rooms awesome vegan food Available. Great value for money highly recommended

Paola Cecuk

Mar 30, 2019

★★★★★

Very beautiful hostel with an amazing cause, all the money goes in their animal shelter and animal care for the island. Highly recommended, host are extremely nice and you can feel like at home in Mindelo!

The rooms are airy and bright (we tried two), the shared kitchen is spacious and well-equipped, and there are several terraces for relaxing in the shade, as well as a spacious, cool and welcoming living area on the ground floor. The hostel's strong point is the lovely, international and friendly atmosphere: lots of people from all over the world, but without any hustle and bustle. The rooms are spotless, and most importantly, all proceeds go to the running of the kennel and veterinary clinic run by Simabo! You can also visit the kennel and volunteer there: we did it every weekend for a month and it was a wonderful experience!

The hostel, located a few minutes' walk from Laginha Beach, was super clean and well decorated. It has a well-equipped kitchen where I was able to prepare all my meals. The most incredible thing is that the hostel's proceeds go towards funding an animal protection association on the island of São Vicente!

The hostel has some very nice rooms, but unfortunately, despite booking in advance, we were given a connecting room without a window, through which the guest staying behind us had to walk. The price was the same as for the nicer rooms. Since this supports animal welfare in Mindelo, it was okay, but for us, at least an offer of a price reduction would have been appropriate. The hostel also smells like a vet's office, even though the animal shelter is in the next building. It's very close to the beach and the ferry terminal. Quiet location.

Ronisa Dias

Feb 3, 2019

★★★★★

Simple, but pleasant. Family atmosphere.

Rosemary Papadopoulou

Jan 27, 2019

★★★★★

I was made most welcome by Sylvia and also Paulo, also beautiful dogs and cats. I stayed in a dorm room upstairs - fine. Only cold water shower and only curtain in shower room, no door. I had a comfortable stay. Hostel is near the police station, fairly central. Thank you Sylvia.

Very good guest house, they are very friendly and welcoming.

Beautiful place for a vacation in Mindelo. The beach and main square are just steps away. The hostel is always full of guests, so you can hang out, cook, and eat together. You can rent a scooter to explore the island.

We (Dutch couple) stayed at Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel in December 2018 for two weeks. Very hospitable and helpfull team. The hostel is cleaned every day, and even our room was cleaned several times during our stay. The location of the hostel is great! Just five minutes from the cozy centre of Mindelo and the beatiful beach Praia da Laginha. We also visited the shelter a few times and walked the dogs, who were all so friendly and enthusiastic. We will be back soon! Thank you soo much Silvia, Pauolo and team!!!!

Cozy and clean place. Spacious kitchen and living room. ||Like being in your own home.||The location is very good, between the center and the beach, with shops and all services less than 5 minutes walk away.||Paolo and the rest of the team treated us wonderfully and gave us very good recommendations.

Geronimo Virgilio

Nov 27, 2018

★★★★☆

Great people, clean hostel, close to the beach and centre, good price, proper kitchen, WiFi and awesome cause. If the beds were better I would give it 5 Stars.

This hostel is very well located in Mindelo, with large, clean, and bright rooms. The common areas (including a fully equipped kitchen where you can actually cook) are welcoming and practical. There's no hot water, but it's not a problem given the outside temperature!

Melanie Van de Velde

Nov 19, 2018

★★★★☆

Excellent welcome and very clean spaces!

John Westhoff

Nov 15, 2018

★★★★★

Top hostel 5 minutes from the beach and city center. Your vacation contributes to a better life for (stray) dogs and cats. Earn karma points!

I stayed 2 weeks in the Simabo's Backpackers' Hostel and it has been one of the best time of my life. I made life time friends and the people of the Hostel helped me have an amazing time while really feel the authentic Caboverdian culture. High quality with very low price

Sergio Machado

Nov 1, 2018

★★★★★

Calm

Jonathan O'Farrell

Oct 26, 2018

★★★★★

A very comfortable hostel. Clean with many pleasant parts and a nice shady courtyard garden. Money goes to help this organisations 365 days a year work with vulnerable dogs and cats on the island of Sao Vicente.

We found simabo hostel randomly on Booking and actually loved the concept of using all profits to help the shelter and vet clinic. It is a modest hostel but remains one of our best memories in cabo verde. We met very nice and devoted people there, loved to help at the shelter, and Silvia works so hard for this association. Please think about Simabo if you go to beautiful Cabo Verde !!

A clean, spacious, and very welcoming place, with a shared kitchen and dining area. The value for money is perfect. Close to the beach and the city center. || The hosts, Silvia and Paolo, as well as the hostel staff, are lovely. I stayed for a week and felt as comfortable as in my own home.

Mr Smile Adventurer

Sep 25, 2018

★★★★★

Thanks to Paolo and Silvia for this amazing Hostel and to their cause for the abandoned animals in Mindelo. By staying there one is contributing for their cause of taking dogs and Cats of the streets of amazing City Mindelo. Thanks Simabo. Second stay there and looking forward tomorrow for a third very soon.

This coming November, I am traveling to Mindelo for the third time and will be staying at SIMABO hostel again. Primarily because the hostel is located in a nice neighborhood, 5 minutes from the beach. The rooms and communal balconies are very neat but simple. Because you share the kitchen and a large communal living room with other travelers, it is always a pleasant atmosphere.||||This organization, which has its office further down the street, runs an NGO that shelters stray dogs and cats and provides medical care for pets. If you are interested, there are good opportunities to help as a volunteer, for example by joining the dog shelter for half a day and taking them for walks. If that is not your thing, no problem, it is optional...||||The staff is helpful and can assist you with tips and information about Mindelo, the island, and potential trips to Santo Antao. The ferry departs a 10-minute walk from the Hostel. In short, for a stay in Mindelo, SIMABO is a no-brainer for me, and I highly recommend this place!

Close to the center, close to the beach, close to the port, a great price for a stay in a very nice place, furnished with recycled materials, with a touch of whimsy, very cheerful, with outdoor spaces where you can enjoy a bit of relaxation, clean, the owners are helpful and kind, most importantly, the proceeds go towards supporting the SIMABO' association, which sterilizes stray cats and dogs on the island and raises awareness about the problem of stray dogs and much more. I would say it's all positive to stay in a nice place at a low price while helping an association!!!

Rose Rose

Sep 7, 2018

★★★★★

Nice place, good location, I love it because you can go cuddle cats and dogs if you ask the owner to, she always say yes. Maybe someone can say that it's not perfect, but they are helping lots of animals with this projects, they save cats and dogs, they need our contribution, is good if our holyday can also be a contribution for the good of the animals, I reccomend it

The hostel is well-run, and at this price, it's a good deal. But most importantly, the funds go towards financing the shelter and its activities. Silvia and her volunteers do an admirable job caring for the dogs and cats in need. Don't hesitate to go.

The rooms, each with a balcony, are spartan but adequately furnished. The mattresses on the beds are a bit worn, and when the wind blows and the windows are open, the doors sometimes rattle. The kitchen and common room are lovingly designed. The roof terrace is quite nice and a great place to relax. The shared bathrooms are so-so. It's a short walk to the city center, and you can also quickly reach the beautiful beach. The facility also supports an animal welfare project. Considering the price, it's an alternative to expensive hotels.

Francisco Miguel

Jan 27, 2018

★★★★☆

Best value for money in Mindelo!

Arthur Henrique

Jan 16, 2018

★★★★★

Great location in Mindelo, near Laginha beach! And the hostel was created to fund animal rescue and adoption work... it was great to visit!

Ninke van Leeuwen

Nov 12, 2017

★★★★★

Clean and spacious rooms for low price. Excellent value for money. Very friendly staff. Good location, on walking distance from old city center.

We had a room with a private bathroom next to the kitchen, so people often came into our bathroom. Unfortunately, it wasn't always possible to close the door. The lack of hot water was fine, but sometimes it only trickled from the showerhead. Since it's an animal welfare organization, they took in a few dogs after our second day. I found the howling and barking rather annoying. However, the room and the entire hostel were very clean, and the owners, especially Silvia, were very helpful and friendly. If you're looking for something cheap and centrally located, and you don't mind barking dogs, it's really good!

Guilherme de Gusmão

Sep 5, 2017

★★★★☆

Good value for money

Nice people, good location, clean rooms, comfortable beds, absolutely good value for money. But... if you don't like dogs that much, I wouldn't recommend this place. I also found the kitchen (especially the fridge) dirty. But they are in the process of moving to the new building; everything is clean and new there, and there isn't a dog or cat to be found.

Milli Maiorano

May 29, 2017

★★★★★

Excellent accommodation, located near Laginha Beach and the city center. It's managed by SIMABO, an association that sterilizes stray cats and dogs and raises awareness about this problem. This provides a sense of solidarity, helping the association continue this important project. Plus, you can cuddle the kittens and puppies that live on the property, all at a very reasonable price. I highly recommend it.

Bad room, terrible mattress. Bad shower.

Excellent welcome, always kind and attentive. Everything was in line with the hostel's offer. Two very sweet dogs roamed freely in the common areas, not at all intrusive, and perfectly in line with our expectations. We'll be back!!!

The rooms are large. Shared bathrooms; admittedly, there wasn't much water in two of them, but it was fine. They provide towels and toilet paper. You have to bring your own soap. The cats are on separate terraces and the dogs upstairs. They didn't bother me at all. The people who greeted me were very friendly.

The owner's concern in finding us a taxi to take us to and from the airport was the best part of our stay. We were told the house belonged to an animal protection association and asked if we minded animals on the premises. We said we didn't mind, that we liked animals, but to our surprise, they weren't just on the premises, they were living in the building. There was a room for cats, water bowls in the hallways, dogs in the courtyards and on the roof, and one dog lived in the communal kitchen all day long. From the moment you entered the house, the smell of animals was overwhelming. We spent three nights barely able to sleep because of the cats barking and fighting. The shower water was dripping; we'd turn on the tap, not the showerhead, and pour the water by filling our fists. When we arrived, all three bathrooms in the house were out of toilet paper, and soap was practically nonexistent.