With its enchanting landscapes and vibrant culture, Rio de Janeiro is a must-see when visiting Brazil. Home to the beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana and monuments such as Christ the Redeemer, it offers a wide variety of experiences for all types of travelers. However, this diversity can make it difficult to know where to sleep in Rio de Janeiro.
To help you make the most of your stay, this accommodation guide describes the different sectors and their specific features. To help you choose the accommodation that’s right for you, depending on your length of stay, your budget or simply your preferences, find out the advantages and disadvantages of each area so you can make the best choice of where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Things you need to know
Before going into the description of the neighborhoods to target when selecting accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, here are the essentials you need to know to get a better idea of the city from a tourist point of view.
Our favorite places to stay
If you’re in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Rio de Janeiro:
- $ this hotel is in the historic center, in north of Rio
- $$ this one is in the luxury zone of Ipanema and near to the ocean
- $$$ this upscale establishment is in Copacabana, one of the best places where to stay in Rio de Janeiro if your budget allows it
Map of different areas to stay in Rio de Janeiro
We’re sharing the map on which you can find our recommendations for hotels or apartments where to stay in Rio de Janeiro. This map will also enable you to locate the different geographical areas we’ll be covering in this guide.
We’ve used the following color code: green for budget hotels, blue for mid-range hotels and red for luxury hotels.
Rio de Janeiro accommodation essentials
Areas where to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Rio de Janeiro.
Centro:stay in Rio history heart
Centro is both the historical and business center of the city. Home to the majority of Rio de Janeiro's major museums and monuments, this is the area to discover Rio's culture. Mainly commercial and touristy, it's ideal for travelers wishing to stay in one of the city's oldest areas.
Here you can see:
- Rio de Janeiro Municipal Theater : located in the heart of Centro, the architecture of this theater was inspired by the Opéra Garnier in Paris.
- Catedral de São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro: the atypical architecture of this cathedral can be disconcerting at first glance. Reminiscent of pre-Columbian pyramids, it has a surprising interior, with immense stained-glass windows covering 4 of its facades.
- Museu do Amanhã : or Museum of Tomorrow in French, this is a scientific museum offering exhibitions on the sustainable future through art, science and culture.
- Museum of Modern Art : located to the south-east of Centro, this museum offers exhibitions of Rio de Janeiro's modern art.
Located north of the tourist area, Centro is the perfect compromise between relaxation and cultural discovery. The area is quiet yet offers a number of restaurants and shopping venues, and the hotels are affordable. Perfect for visitors looking for a quiet place to sleep in Rio de Janeiro.
our recommended accommodations
€
This accommodation, located close to RJ Santos Dumont airport, offers comfortable rooms and access to a fitness room.
€
This ideal accommodation, located between three of the neighborhood's major points of interest, offers a host of modern rooms and access to an outdoor swimming pool.
€€
This 4-star hotel near the airport offers rooms and suites with panoramic sea views and breakfast included.
Ipanema & Leblon:accommodation in the chic zone
Those who prefer large stretches of white sand to city life will prefer the Ipanema and Leblon areas. Located to the south of the city, these two adjoining areas offer an upscale, peaceful and trendy setting. It's an ideal area for travelers looking for accommodation in Rio de Janeiro's best neighborhoods.
Bordered by Ipanema, one of Rio's most famous beaches, they attract many visitors in search of relaxation, swimming and sunbathing. As a result, the area is quite lively and safe. There are, of course, a large number of restaurants, bars and boutiques.
What's more, these are areas that are open to their surroundings. With metro lines running from west to east, and the Botanical Gardens to the north of Leblon, it's easy to discover the rest of the city.
Highly touristy, these areas are counted among the safest in Rio de Janeiro. They are home to a large number of high-end hotels all along the beach and lively alleys. These are the ideal areas for visitors looking for a comfortable and lively place to sleep.
Our recommended accommodations
€
This aparthotel in the heart of Ipanema, near Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, offers a range of lofts, studios and apartments. Ideal for travelers looking to stay close to the action at an affordable price.
€€
Just a stone's throw from the seafront, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms and suites. Despite a high price tag due to its geographical location, it is well suited to visitors wishing to stay in the heart of the bustle.
€€€
This 5-star accommodation offers spacious, luxurious rooms in Leblon. Located right on the beach, it offers panoramic sea views. Ideal for travelers looking for comfortable accommodation.
Copacabana:hotels near beaches
Undoubtedly one of Rio de Janeiro's best-known districts, Copacabana attracts visitors with its enchanting scenery. A lively, friendly and well-served area, it is home to a large number of restaurants and bars. It's the perfect area for those who want to stay in a picture-postcard paradise.
- Copacabana Beach: one of the world's most famous beaches. At 4.5km long, it borders the Copacabana area with its mosaic-covered promenade. Great for bathing, sunbathing or just strolling.
- Copacabana Fort: a military base located to the south of the beach, it can be visited today to visit the military history museum or the fort itself.
A popular tourist destination, Copacabana boasts a large number of hotels, most of them quite luxurious. Lively enough, you'll find plenty of bars and restaurants where you can spend a pleasant moment by the beach. Open to the surrounding area, it's the ideal place to stay for your first visit to Rio de Janeiro.
Our recommended accommodations
€
Located in the heart of Copacabana, this accommodation has affordable rooms with pool access, offering great value for money. Ideal for travelers on a budget who want to stay in an attractive space.
€€
With comfortable rooms and suites right on the beach, this hotel has plenty to offer. What's more, access to the swimming pool with panoramic sea views is included. Visitors looking to sleep just a stone's throw from the sea will be delighted.
€€€
This grand 5-star hotel offers luxurious rooms and suites with impeccable service. Located on the seafront, it's ideally placed for travelers looking for comfortable accommodation in the heart of paradise. All services at the top, for one of the most beautiful and luxurious hotels in the area.
Lapa:stay in dynamic neighborhood
A sub-district of Centro, Lapa is renowned for its lively nightlife and colonial architecture. With its restaurants, bars and nightclubs, it's a noisy, festive area in the heart of old buildings. Travelers in search of a wild night out will find the perfect place to stay when they return late from their parties.
There are a number of points of interest to discover here, including :
- Escalier Selarón: connecting Lapa and Santa Teresa, this 215-step stairway is covered with colorful tiled mosaics. It was installed for the 1994 Football World Cup.
- Aqueduct: a remnant of the colonial occupation, this aqueduct, which runs through the Lapa area, is now used by the tramway linking Centro and Santa Teresa.
Lapa is a lively and festive area, with plenty of low-cost accommodation. Located in the Centro district and at the foot of Santa Teresa hill, it's ideally situated for discovering the surrounding culture while enjoying the nightlife. Ideal for visitors looking for affordable accommodation close to Carioca life.
€
This 4-star accommodation features rooms right in the heart of lively Lapa. Several services are included, such asaccess to the swimming pool and breakfast. Ideal for travelers seeking accommodation close to the festivities.
€
This 4-star hotel offers a range of comfortable rooms with breakfast included. From its roof top, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the surrounding area. Perfect for those wishing to sleep in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.
€€
This youth hostel near the Aqueduct offers very good-value rooms and dormitory beds. Ideal for visitors who prefer to sleep close to the hustle and bustle of the district.
Santa Teresa : the Montmartre of Rio de Janeiro
Situated on a hill to the west of Centro, Santa Teresa offers a bohemian, artistic ambience like a small village in the middle of the city. The winding alleyways decorated with street art offer a calm and serene setting away from the high tourism of the rest of Rio de Janeiro. Because of its altitude, Santa Teresa offers many panoramic views of the city below. Ideal for travelers looking for a quiet area to stay.
There are many things to see here, including
- The Bonde: linking Santa Teresa with the city center, this tramway is an iconic feature of Rio. With its distinctive yellow color, it winds its way through the neighborhood streets and over the Lapa Aqueduct, offering unique views of the rest of the city.
- Parque das Ruínas: a small public and cultural park. Here, the ruins of an old mansion have been modernized to offer a superb panoramic view of Centro and Guabanara Bay.
Santa Teresa's elevated position in relation to its surroundings can make it rather difficult to access. And with less tourism in the area, it's not recommended to stroll around after dark. However, the area is home to a number of high-end hotels, and offers a calm, authentic atmosphere ideal for travelers seeking accommodation away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
€€
Pleasant rooms and suites in the heights of Santa Teresa for this small 4-star hotel. Several benefits are included, such as breakfast and jacuzzi. Visitors looking for accommodation in a quiet area will find what they're looking for.
€€€
Pleasant rooms and suites in the heights of Santa Teresa for this small 4-star hotel. Several benefits are included, such as breakfast and jacuzzi. Visitors looking for accommodation in a quiet area will find what they're looking for.
€€€
Overlooking Rio de Janeiro, this 5-star accommodation offers luxurious suites with panoramic views below. With its swimming pool and spa, it's ideal for travellers who want to sleep in absolute comfort.
Botafogo: sleep in the middle of it all
Located between the beaches of Copacabana and the city life of Centro, Botafogo is a lively and popular area.
Dotted with trees, restaurants and cinemas, it's a pleasant area to stroll during the day, away from the big tourist areas.
In the evening, Botafogo is quite lively and offers many possibilities for going out. Crossed by two major metro lines, it's theideal place for travellers looking for accommodation in the middle of it all.
A must-see feature of the area is its proximity to Sugarloaf (or Pão de Açúcar in Portuguese). Accessible by cable car, this mountain, located between the beaches of Botafogo and Copacabana, offers panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro, its bay and the surrounding area.
You can also visit a number of museums, includingthe Indian Museum, which traces the country's pre-colonial history, and the Fundação Casa de Rui Barbosa, the drafter of the Brazilian Constitution.
Less touristy than its surroundings, Botafogo offers affordable accommodation. Despite the lively nightlife, it is advisable to exercise caution when going out at night. It's an ideal area for visitors looking for a quiet, inexpensive place to sleep.
€
This aparthotel in the heart of Botafogo offers rooms and apartments at reasonable prices, providing excellent value for money. Ideal for travelers on a budget.
€
Located in the heart of the area, this accommodation offers comfortable rooms at a reasonable price. Nothing to complain about for the price, and a good choice for sleeping close to the city's various points of interest.
€€€
This 5-star hotel near Botafogo beach offers comfortable, luxurious rooms with panoramic views of Sugarloaf and the Bay. Luxury and comfort, the ideal choice for accommodation in Botafogo if your budget allows.
Neighborhoods to avoid: safety in Rio
Brazil has a reputation for being a high-risk destination.
Despite this, many safety improvements have been made in recent years.The areas described above are a case in point.
Considered tourist destinations, they are well policed and safe to visit. However, it is advisable to follow a few rules to avoid bad experiences, such as:
- Do not display valuables such as jewelry, electronic devices, etc. ...
- Avoid strolling in less-frequented areas at night.
- Avoid certain neighborhoods such as the favelas, the northern zone or Catete and Gloria. Less touristy, they are more insecure, especially for tourists, who are easy and conspicuous targets.
Summary
Rio de Janeiro is a very large city, and depending on your criteria and preferences for your stay, it can be difficult to determine where to stay. To choose where to stay in Rio, you need to determine your priorities:
- To discover the city’s history and culture, we recommend staying in Centro or Lapa. With its many monuments and architecture, sleeping there allows you to immerse yourself in Rio life.
- Travelers looking for beaches, lively areas and nightlife will prefer to stay in Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon. Filled with bars and restaurants, it’s easy to get out and about. What’s more, the beaches in these areas offer postcard-worthy scenery.
- Finally, if you’re looking for a quieter, more tranquil place to stay, we recommend Santa Teresa or Botafogo. Their location away from the hustle and bustle of tourism means you can stay in a relaxing, comfortable setting.
With its many and varied spaces, Rio de Janeiro offers something for everyone. Don’t hesitate to discover this lively city, rich in culture, history and legendary beaches.