Every once in a while, you stumble upon a hostel where, the moment you walk through the door, it feels like you’ve already made friends 
Before you know it, you’re swapping stories and planning adventures like old pals.
At Lagarto na Banana, you’re not just booking a bed (or a tent!) in a Brazilian jungle by the beach but joining a community. Nestled in the tiny coastal town of Pipa in northeastern Brazil, Lagarto na Banana is a place where genuine connections happen, friendships are formed and everyone is welcome.
Sounds too good to be true, right? 
But this place delivers on every level.
We’re chatting with founder Ophir Morad, who’s about to share the story of how Lagarto na Banana became more than a place to stay – and snagged the title of Culture Champion in HOSCARs this year 
The long journey of the lizard in a banana
While backpacking Ophir met a guy in Thailand and they instantly clicked. They became friends and stayed in touch. A wild idea popped up during one of their catch-ups: let’s open a hostel together.
When it was time to pick the location of their new home, they played a little game. Both had to pick three places without telling the other.
“When we revealed our choices, we were shocked. We had both chosen Pipa, even though neither of us had ever been there before! We took it as a sign. So, after I finished my studies, we packed our bags and moved to Pipa to bring this dream to life,” he recounts.
So, why name your hostel after a lizard in a banana? 
“Before opening the hostel, a friend made a drawing that looked like a lizard inside a banana. I asked how you’d say it in Portuguese and the name was ready – Lagarto na Banana. I wanted a simple name that didn’t have a deep meaning, but felt fun, happy and a bit bizarre,” Ophir explains.
Sparking connection and creativity
Lagarto na Banana just took home the HOSCARs Culture Award – so what’s their secret to creating an unbeatable vibe?
“When I returned home from my travels, I realised that one of the most beautiful things I could do was to create a space where people from different places can come together and connect in a true community vibe,” Ophir explains.
It’s the way they make people feel right at home that sees travellers extend their stay 
“We skip the unnecessary rules. Once people understand the essence of the place, everything flows naturally,” he says.
The idea is that travellers get to express themselves in different ways. Every day is packed with activities organised by staff and volunteers – ranging from capoeira and forró, dance and yoga to music and singing, language exchange, theatre, poetry and painting.
Oh, and let’s not forget the family dinners: ending the day with good food and sharing stories around the table.
Friendships aren’t the only thing to blossom at Lagarto na Banana. Ophir knows of at least 15 couples who met at the hostel then got married – and they’ve even hosted two weddings for couples who came back to tie the knot at the place they first met
A hidden gem a 1.5-hour hike away
Don’t just stick around the hostel (even though the pool and the beach are tempting). Pipa is known for its beaches with clear waters where you can both surf and spot dolphins and marine turtles. The beaches are protected and a local foundation monitors 42 km of beaches to register and protect the turtle nests.
While you’re in Pipa, make sure to hit up Lagoa Coca-Cola, a beautiful lagoon with reddish water thanks to natural minerals about a 1.5-hour hike away. Surrounded by dunes, rare plants and total silence, you’ll feel like you’ve disconnected from civilisation. If you time your stay right, you can join the hostel’s full moon camping trip to the lagoon 
Leave your phone behind and connect with nature and people under the starry sky.
How can you get in on this?
Here are some top tips on how live that “lizard in a banana” way of life wherever you go:
Choose hostels that offer more than just a bed
Some hostels are just places to crash, but the best ones? You’ll never want to leave. Check the reviews and their social channels to see if they have activities you’d want to join.
Embrace the “no plan” approach
Some of my best travel memories happened because I ditched my plans! I’ve ended up in a funk dance-off in Brazil, survived a wildly bumpy boat ride to a national park and swapped stories until sunrise at the hostel patio.
Pack a little something to share with others
A deck of cards, a favourite recipe, an instrument, a poetry book – the list is endless. A quick game or a shared snack might be all it takes to start your next adventure.
