Tucano House, Brazil review: Island treat is a real deal

There are no such problems at Tucano House, where the gregarious multi-lingual staff are always on hand with suggestions on how to enjoy Ilha de Santa Catarina on a shoestring budget.

Based in a large house on a quiet residential street five minutes' walk from the pretty Lagoa de Conceicao, Tucano has garnered an enviable reputation on the budget travellers' circuit since opening in November, 2007.

It draws a laid-back bunch of twenty- and thirtysomething backpackers, who huddle into the four dormitories. The better choice for holidaying couples, though, are the doubles, especially the ensuite room in the loft.

It's light, airy, peaceful, comfortable and,atjust 90 real a night, exceptional value formoney.

Tucano has several communal areas, including a garden and veranda, both of which are strewn with hammocks, making siestas, not surprisingly, blissfully enjoyable here. Tucano's appeal will be further boosted by the completion of an outdoor swimming pool later this month.

FREE STUFF The buffet breakfast bread, cakes, toast, cheese, ham, honey and jam, plus fresh mango and fruit salad, orange and pineapple juices, coffee and tea is so filling you could skip lunch.

Internet use, including Wi-Fi, is free. So is bicycle hire. A word of warning, though: if you're going to cycle around Ilha de Santa Catarina, the southern half of the island is far less hilly and less developed than the northern side and much more pleasant to navigate on two wheels.

ADDED BONUS Each evening, there are bargain meals for guests. Some nights, it's a traditional Brazilian seafood feast, others it's pasta or an Indian curry. I never paid more than 15 real a time and it's a case of quality and quantity here, as you can have seconds, thirds and fourths if you're really hungry. Then, just to ensure you're full, there's dessert as well. The best-value tipples at the on-site bar are the ultra sweet (4 real) caipirinha cocktails. Tucano has links with local nightspots and can organise discount entry for you a must considering how pricey most places are.

If you prefer to save your energy for the daytime, Mole and Joaquina, two of the island's best beaches, are a 10-minute bus ride or a 45-minute walk away. Sunbathe, surf, sand-board and indulge in some (beautiful) people-watching while sipping energy-boosting sugar cane juice.

Spread across the island are a network of picturesque hikes, some of which lead to rustic fishing villages and secluded bays. Even closer to Tucano is the Conceicao Lagoon itself, where it's possible to windsurf, kitesurf and kayak. Whatever you do, by sunset you'll probably be curled up in one of Tucano's irresistible hammocks.

DETAILS Tucano House, Rua das Araras, 229, Lagoa da Conceicao, Florianopolis, SC, Brazil. Phone +55 48 3207 8287, see tucanohouse.com.