Brazil - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 320

HOSTELS AND POUSADAS
Hostel Albergue da Juventude Setor Recreativo Parque
Norte (SRPN) Quadra 2, Lote 2, Camping de Brasília T 61
3343 0531, W brasiliahostel.com.br; map pp.318-319. A bit
of a trek from town (bus #143) but this HI hostel is Brasília's
only decent (for mal) budget a ccomm odation; book well in
advance. Dorms R$55 , doubles R$120
Pousada Canaã 703 Norte (plus two other locations at
703 Sul and 708 Sul) T 61 3536 3620, W pousadacanaa
brasilia.blogspot.com.br; map pp.318-319. A good range
of rooms, dorms to smart double suites, in three different
houses; bare in mind the nice st rooms hav e the higher
price tag. Dorms R$60 , doubles R$100-200
Pousada Harmonia W3 Sul, Quadra 705, Bloco A, Casa 3
T 61 3443 6527; map pp.318-319. This pousada has a
good atmosphere and its own attached barb ershop as
well as gated parking: rooms have cots and fans. R$130
Pousada 705 Sul Bloco M, Casa 184 T 61 3244 6672;
map pp.318-319. Marginally better than surrounding
“low-budget” options but still very basic. A meagre break-
fast is served and a/c costs extra, but the place is clean.
R$100

CLAIMING THE RIGHT OF WAY
Brasília has many cars, few tra c lights
and an endless number of roundabouts.
At most road crossings you'll see a yellow
sign on the asphalt near the curb
depicting an outstretched hand with the
words, “ Dê sinal de vida ”, a prompt to claim
right of way. If you see approaching cars
a fair distance away, do as the locals do
and raise your hand with authority. As
long as you don't do it at the last second,
drivers are well trained to cede the road to
you. Trying this elsewhere in Brazil may be
your last act.

3

make renting a car more trouble than it's worth. If you do
drive, be aware of the speed cameras.
By metrô Unless you're planning on going to one of the
satellite cities (Guarái, Águas Claras, Samambaia, Taguatinga
or Ceilándia) the metrô (R$3.10) is currently only useful for
getting to the end of Asa Sul, though a new line is under
construction to connect the outer reaches of Asa Norte.
Starting from the rodoviária there are seven city stops.
By taxi Metered and expensive (especially at night and on
Sun); expect to pay R$20-25 for quick trips and R$30 wing
to wing.

EATING AND DRINKING
There are great restaurants in Brasília, though they're
certainly pricey. Eating and drinking is often done in
tandem, with restaurants open until at least midnight.
Asa Sul is especially popular, peppered with places
ranging from Mexican and Chinese to Italian or fondue;
good areas are around 206/205, 204/203 and 405/404.
The places listed below are all open daily unless otherwise
indicated.

ACCOMMODATION
The centrally located hostels you'll find everywhere else
in Brazil must be making up for the lack of them in the
capital. The hotel sectors are aimed at diplomats and
expense accounts, though many do offer discounts of up
to 50 percent at weekends (be sure to ask). In general,
the taller the hotel, the more expensive, so go for the
squat, ugly ones. Cheaper pousadas (though often very
poor quality or even semi-legal) are located in the wings.
Easily the best-value accommodations in town are to
be found through private B&B rentals on websites like
W airbnb.com.

RESTAURANTS
A Tribo 105 Norte, Bloco B; map pp.318-319. Excellent
organic/vegetarian food including a por kilo buffet Tues-
Sun lunch only, with a couple of fish/meat options thrown
in. Expect to pay around R$25 including a fresh juice.
Ì Bar é Restaurante Paulicéia CLS 113, Bloco A,
Loja 20 T 61 3245 3031; map pp.318-319. A cheap, local
dive excellent for picanha , salty snacks and for sipping ice-
cold beer as smoke from charring meats wafts over the
patio. Patrons range from old men to students and o ce
workers. Weekend feijoada R$45 for two.
Feitiço Mineiro CLN 306, Bloco B, Lojas 45/51 W feitico
mineiro.com.br; map pp.318-319. Even without the live
music at weekends this place would be worth patronizing
for the food; a buffet of comida mineira , heavy on pork,
beans and vegetables, served the traditional way on a
wood-fired stove (R$30).
Ki-Sabor SHCN 406, Bloco E, Lojas 20/30/34 T 61 3036
8525; map pp.318-319. Popular student self-service lunch
buffet with patio seating. Salads, feijoada, grilled meats
and decent desserts (from R$21).

HOTELS
Alvorada SHS Quadra 4 T 61 3222 7068, W alvoradahotel
.com.br; map p.321. One of the cheapest central options,
a little faded but good value for the area. Can be noisy.
R$200
Aristus Hotel SHN Quadra 2, Bloco O T 61 3328 8675,
W aristushotel.com.br; map p.321. Small, clean rooms
with awkwardly mounte d TVs, 1 970s design and paintings
of boats in the hallways. R$250
El Pilar SHN Quadra 3 Bloco F T 61 3533 5900, W elpilar
.com.br; map p.321. Another standard Brasília “budget”
optio n, it ha is seen better days, but is good value for the
area. R$160