Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro? The 6 Best Areas & Places to Stay

Rio de Janeiro is the city of Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and some of the world’s most famous beaches. Between the mountains and the sea lie neighbourhoods that are worlds apart, which is why deciding where to stay in Rio de Janeiro matters more than in most other big cities.

So where should you stay in Rio de Janeiro? For most people the answer is Zona Sul, the southern part of the city with Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon, where the beach, the metro and the restaurants are all close by. Here you’ll find my six picks of areas, honest safety advice and three hotels in each area, from luxury to budget.

Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro: The Best Areas

• Copacabana - best area for first-time visitors
• Ipanema - best area for beach life and restaurants
• Leblon - best area for luxury and families
• Botafogo - best area for local life and budget stays
• Santa Teresa - best area for boutique hotels and art
• Barra da Tijuca - best area for families with a car and surfers

Below I go through the areas one by one with a map, transport, price level and three hotels in each. The prices come from a search for a weekend in May for two people, and 1 real is worth roughly 15p. Four of the six areas are in Zona Sul, and around New Year and Carnival in February or March, prices rise sharply across the whole city.

1. Copacabana - best area for first-time visitors 🏖️

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Centro is about 10 km to the north, and the journey takes around 15 minutes by metro.
• 🚇 Transport: Metro Line 1 has three stations in the neighbourhood, Cardeal Arcoverde, Siqueira Campos and Cantagalo, and you’ll find the map of the whole metro network at MetrôRio.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: About 40 minutes to an hour by car, depending on traffic.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three hotels below cost roughly 490 to 1,190 reais (around £75 to £175) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: The well-lit streets are lively in the evening, but bag snatching is common. Walk on the pavement along Avenida Atlântica rather than down on the sand after dark, and never let your GPS send you up the hill behind the neighbourhood.

Copacabana is the roughly four-kilometre curve of sand that made Rio famous. Along the beach runs Avenida Atlântica with its hotels, kiosks and wave-patterned mosaic pavement, and behind it lies a densely built neighbourhood of supermarkets, juice bars and restaurants where the locals live. At the northern end the beach is called Leme, and at the southern end stands the old fort, Forte de Copacabana, with views over the whole bay.

The bay is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site covering Rio’s landscapes between the mountains and the sea, and this is where most people set off on trips to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain. If you want to tick off both in one day with hotel pick-up, you can take a day trip to Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the Selarón Steps with lunch from about 422 reais (around £65).

See hotels in Copacabana here.

I would stay here if it’s your first trip to Rio, or if you want the most for your money close to the beach. Copacabana has the most hotels in every price range, the metro runs right beneath the neighbourhood, and from the northern end it’s a short hop to Botafogo and Sugarloaf Mountain. On New Year’s Eve the city throws its big party with fireworks on the beach, and the hotels are booked up well in advance.

The downside is that Copacabana is run-down and noisy in places, and the neighbourhood sits right up against favelas on the hillsides behind it. The beach is also a well-known spot for theft from tourists, so only take what you can afford to lose down there. If you’d prefer a smarter and quieter neighbourhood, look towards Ipanema.

Hotels in Copacabana

Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro - five-star hotel with a rooftop infinity pool in Leme

The Hilton is on Avenida Atlântica at the northern end of the beach by Leme, and the upper floors look out over the whole of Copacabana. There’s a rooftop infinity pool, a spa and a gym, and it scores 8.2 from over 2,200 reviews. Breakfast isn’t included in every rate, and several guests say the hotel is getting worn and can be noisy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The hotel is really close to everything: the beach, the tourist attractions, the restaurants and so on.”

See photos and book Hilton Copacabana here.

Windsor California Copacabana - beach hotel with a rooftop pool in the middle of Copacabana

Windsor California sits on Avenida Atlântica in the middle of the beach, with a rooftop pool and bar, a sauna and a gym. It has the highest score of my three picks here, 8.9 from over 3,700 reviews. The pool and terrace are smaller than many expect, and the hotel doesn’t allow guests to bring visitors up to their rooms.

From one review: “The staff are extremely attentive and always willing to help.”

See photos and book Windsor California here.

Hotel Diplomata Copacabana - simple hotel with breakfast at the northern end

Diplomata is a small two-star hotel at the northern end of Copacabana near Leme, less than a kilometre from the beach. Breakfast is included, and it was the cheapest of my three picks here when I searched, but there’s no pool. Some guests mention traffic noise and beds that aren’t particularly good.

One guest highlights: “Excellent location, the staff were lovely and friendly, and the room was very nice and comfortable.”

See photos and book Hotel Diplomata here.

2. Ipanema - best area for beach life and restaurants 🌅

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Ipanema is around 13 km from Centro, and the metro takes 20 to 25 minutes.
• 🚇 Transport: Line 1 terminates at General Osório at the eastern end, and Line 4 has Nossa Senhora da Paz station in the middle of the neighbourhood.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: Around 45 minutes to an hour by car, depending on traffic.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to very high. The three hotels below cost around 495 to 4,715 reais (roughly £75 to £700) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: One of the safer neighbourhoods in Zona Sul, but theft on the beach happens here too. Leave your valuables at the hotel, and don’t walk on the beach after dark.

Ipanema sits just west of Copacabana, and everything here is a little smarter, pricier and more laid-back. The beach is divided up by the lifeguard towers, known as postos, and each stretch has its own crowd, from families to young people playing footvolley. Behind the beach are the streets Visconde de Pirajá and Rua Garcia d’Ávila, with shops, cafés and some of the city’s best restaurants, and the streets stay lively until late in the evening. Around Posto 9 and Rua Farme de Amoedo the atmosphere is young and LGBT+ friendly.

At the eastern end is the Arpoador rock, where people gather to watch the sun set behind the Dois Irmãos mountains and applaud as it disappears. Every Sunday there’s a craft market, the Feira Hippie, on Praça General Osório, and behind the neighbourhood lies the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon, with a path all the way round that’s great for a run or a bike ride.

See hotels in Ipanema here.

I’d stay here if you want the best combination of beach, restaurants and safety, and if your budget can stretch to it. Ipanema suits couples and anyone who wants to be able to walk to most things, and you have both the metro and Copacabana within walking distance. On Sundays and public holidays, one side of the beachfront road is closed to cars, so you can walk, run and cycle all the way to Leblon.

The downside is the price. The hotels right on the beachfront are among the most expensive in the city, and there are few good budget hotels, so many people opt for an apartment. The hill between Ipanema and Copacabana is covered by the Cantagalo favela, and you should stay away from the steps leading up there.

Hotels in Ipanema

Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro - design hotel with a rooftop pool facing Arpoador

Fasano is on Avenida Vieira Souto at the eastern end of Ipanema, right across from the beach and close to Arpoador. The hotel was designed by Philippe Starck and has a rooftop pool overlooking the whole beach, plus a spa, restaurant and bar. It’s the most expensive hotel in this guide, the rooms are small for the price, and breakfast costs extra.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Wonderful stay! Excellent and attentive service.”

See photos and book Hotel Fasano here.

Ipanema Inn Hotel - four-star hotel one block from the beach

Ipanema Inn is on Rua Maria Quitéria in the middle of Ipanema, around 130 metres from the beach. It scores 8.8 from over 1,200 reviews, and the restaurants on Visconde de Pirajá are just round the corner. There’s no pool, the rooms are small, and breakfast costs extra and can be slow when it’s busy.

From one review: “Location, location, location, breakfast and staff.”

See photos and book Ipanema Inn here.

Injoy Lofts & Studios Ipanema - small studios at a lower price

Injoy Lofts is on Rua Joana Angélica, around 700 metres from the beach, and you stay in a small studio rather than a classic hotel room. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched, and it scores 8.6 from 870 reviews. There’s no breakfast, pool or lift, and the rooms are very small.

One guest highlights: “Great location close to restaurants and Ipanema Beach.”

See photos and book Injoy Lofts here.

3. Leblon - best area for luxury and families 🥂

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Leblon is about 15 km from Centro, and the metro gets you there in roughly half an hour.
• 🚇 Transport: Line 4 has two stations in the neighbourhood, Jardim de Alah and Antero de Quental, with connections to Ipanema, Copacabana and Barra da Tijuca.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: Around 50 minutes to an hour and a quarter by car.
• 💰 Price level: High. The three places below cost roughly 590 to 3,940 reais (around £85 to £585) a night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Leblon is considered one of the safest neighbourhoods in the city. The Vidigal favela sits on the hillside at the end of the beach by Avenida Niemeyer, and you shouldn’t walk up there.

Leblon is the westward continuation of Ipanema, separated from it by the canal at Jardim de Alah, and it’s the city’s most exclusive beach neighbourhood. The beach is calmer than Copacabana and ends at the Mirante do Leblon viewpoint beneath the Dois Irmãos mountains. Inside the neighbourhood you’ll find quiet tree-lined streets, playgrounds and a large shopping centre, and on Rua Dias Ferreira the restaurants sit side by side. By Posto 12 is Baixo Bebê, a corner of the beach with a playground where local families gather.

Behind the neighbourhood lie the lagoon and the Jardim Botânico botanical garden, founded in 1808 and known for its long avenue of royal palms. You’ll find opening hours and ticket prices on the garden’s own website. In the morning the beachfront promenade is full of runners and cyclists, and in the evening the locals, the cariocas, gather in the bars of Baixo Leblon.

See hotels in Leblon here.

I’d stay here if you’re a family, if you want the safest and quietest neighbourhood, or if you have a big budget and want to eat well every evening. Leblon feels like a well-off suburb by the beach, and it’s easy to get around on foot.

The downside is that Leblon is the most expensive neighbourhood in this guide, and there are hardly any cheap hotels, so my budget pick below is an apartment. It’s also further from Centro, Santa Teresa and Sugarloaf Mountain, so expect more Uber rides when you go sightseeing. Many of the hotels are also a few blocks back from the beach, so there are few places with sea views at a reasonable price.

Hotels in Leblon

JANEIRO Hotel - adults-only five-star hotel right opposite the beach

JANEIRO is on Avenida Delfim Moreira, right opposite Leblon Beach, and is for adults only. There’s a pool, a spa and a restaurant, and it scores 9.1 from just under 370 reviews. Breakfast costs extra, and some guests find the restaurant service slow and the communal areas small.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was fantastic. The staff were super friendly and always willing to help.”

See photos and book JANEIRO Hotel here.

Promenade Palladium Leblon - four-star hotel with a pool and breakfast

Promenade Palladium is on Avenida General Artigas, about a five-minute walk from the beach, and breakfast is included. There’s a pool, a spa and a happy hour for guests, and it scores 9.0 from over 850 reviews. A few guests feel the hotel is overpriced and that the facilities need updating.

From one review: “The location was fantastic, and the food at breakfast and happy hour was delicious.”

See photos and book Promenade Palladium here.

Leblon The best of Brazil - private apartment with breakfast close to the beach

Leblon The best of Brazil is a private apartment on Rua Almirante Guilhem, about a seven-minute walk from the beach, and breakfast is included. It was the cheapest place in Leblon when I searched, and it scores 9.7 from just over 70 reviews. There’s no pool and no hotel-style reception, and the apartment gets booked up quickly.

One review says: “Fantastic location! Fantastic breakfast!”

See photos and book Leblon The best of Brazil here.

4. Botafogo - best area for local life and budget stays 🍻

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Botafogo is about 6 km from Centro, around 10 minutes by metro. Copacabana is just on the other side of the tunnels.
• 🚇 Transport: Botafogo station is on metro lines 1 and 2, and buses run from here to the whole city.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: About 30 to 50 minutes by car. Santos Dumont, the domestic airport, is around a quarter of an hour away.
• 💰 Price level: Low to mid-range. The three hotels below cost around 320 to 1,190 reais (roughly £45 to £175) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Safe in the busy streets around the metro and the bay. Take an Uber home from the bars late at night rather than walking through quiet side streets.

Botafogo sits on the bay of the same name, with the classic postcard view of Sugarloaf Mountain and the sailing boats right on your doorstep. It’s a lively residential district with offices, small bars and restaurants, and in the evening locals fill the pavements around Rua Voluntários da Pátria and the Cobal do Humaitá food market next door. The beach is mostly used for walks, football and volleyball, as the water in the bay is rarely clean enough to swim in. From the top floor of the Botafogo Praia Shopping centre, you get a view over the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain.

The neighbouring district of Urca lies at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain, and the cable car runs from Praia Vermelha via Morro da Urca to the summit. A cable car ticket costs 205 reais (around £30), and the ride is at its most beautiful in the hour before sunset. Afterwards, you can do as the locals do and buy a cold beer on the Mureta da Urca wall by the water.

See hotels in Botafogo here.

I’d stay here if you’re travelling on a budget, if you want to stay among the locals, or if you’d like a night out without paying beachfront prices. The metro gets you quickly to both Copacabana and Centro, and Sugarloaf Mountain is close by. It’s also only a short taxi ride to the train up to Christ the Redeemer in Cosme Velho.

The downside is that you don’t have a swimming beach on your doorstep, and the area is dominated by traffic. The road along the bay has many lanes, and the hotels facing the water can suffer from road noise. If you want to lie on the beach every day, you’ll need to take the metro or an Uber to Copacabana.

Hotels in Botafogo

Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro, Tapestry Collection by Hilton - five-star design hotel with a pool overlooking the bay

Yoo2 is on Praia de Botafogo, facing the bay and Sugarloaf Mountain. There’s an outdoor pool, a terrace and a bar, breakfast is included, and Botafogo metro station is about a kilometre away. It scores 8.4, but the rooms are small, and several guests miss bedside tables and a coffee machine.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “Great location in Botafogo with easy access to the rest of Rio and the metro close by.”

See photos and book Yoo2 here.

Novotel RJ Praia de Botafogo - mid-range hotel on the bay with breakfast

Novotel is also on Praia de Botafogo, just under 700 metres from the metro station, and breakfast is included. There’s a gym but no pool, and it scores 8.1. Several guests find the hotel plain, and say both the facilities and the breakfast are basic.

From one review: “Convenient location by Botafogo beach.”

See photos and book Novotel Praia de Botafogo here.

ibis budget RJ Praia de Botafogo - cheap and simple hotel close to the metro

ibis budget is on a small square by Praia de Botafogo, about 500 metres from the metro station. It was the cheapest hotel in the whole guide when I searched, and with over 5,700 reviews and a score of 8.0, you know what you’re getting. The rooms are small and very basic, and there’s no pool.

One guest highlights: “Cheap, functional and clean.”

See photos and book ibis budget Botafogo here.

5. Santa Teresa - best area for boutique hotels and art 🎨

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Santa Teresa sits on the hill just above Centro and Lapa, about 2 km from the centre, but it’s around 8 to 10 km to the beaches in Copacabana.
• 🚋 Transport: The yellow tram, the bondinho, runs from Centro across the Arcos da Lapa and up into the neighbourhood. Otherwise you’ll use Uber or a taxi, as there’s no metro up here.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: About 30 to 45 minutes by car.
• 💰 Price level: Low to high. The three places below cost around 470 to 3,200 reais (roughly £65 to £440) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Santa Teresa borders several favelas. Walk around Largo dos Guimarães in daylight, always take an Uber or taxi in the evening, and don’t walk down the steps towards Lapa after dark.

Santa Teresa is Rio’s artists’ quarter on the hill above Centro, with cobbled streets, old 19th-century villas and views over the bay. Its heart is the square Largo dos Guimarães, with small restaurants, bars and galleries, and from Parque das Ruínas, a former mansion that is now a park and cultural centre, you can look out over Centro and Sugarloaf Mountain. Down the hill is the colourful Selarón Steps, which link the neighbourhood with Lapa. The Chácara do Céu art museum is set in a villa with a garden in the upper part of the neighbourhood.

Christ the Redeemer is close by too. The train up Corcovado leaves from the station in Cosme Velho, a short taxi ride from here, and tickets cost from 139 reais (around £20) on the official website. The ride goes through the rainforest of Tijuca National Park, and it’s worth catching one of the first trains in the morning, before the clouds and the crowds arrive.

See hotels in Santa Teresa here.

I’d stay here if you’ve been to Rio before, or if you’d rather stay in a small boutique hotel with a garden and a view than in a high-rise by the beach. It’s also a good choice for couples who want peace and atmosphere around them. Many of the places are in old houses with just a few rooms, so you get a completely different experience from a chain hotel.

The downsides are safety and distances. The neighbourhood is quiet in the evening, the streets are steep, and in several places it borders favelas, so you’ll need an Uber every time you go out after dark. It’s also a long way to the beach, so Santa Teresa works best for a couple of nights combined with a stay in Zona Sul.

Hotels in Santa Teresa

Santa Teresa Hotel MGallery - five-star hotel with a garden and a pool with a view

Santa Teresa Hotel is on Rua Almirante Alexandrino, the neighbourhood’s main street, a few minutes’ walk from Largo dos Guimarães. There’s a garden, a pool with views over the city, a spa, a restaurant and a bar, breakfast is included, and it scores 9.1 from over 440 reviews. Some guests mention noise from outside, that the pool is cold and that the bathrooms need some maintenance.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The most beautiful place ever with very helpful and charming staff.”

See photos and book Santa Teresa Hotel here.

Casa Beleza - small bed and breakfast with a pool and a view

Casa Beleza is a small bed and breakfast on Rua Laurinda Santos Lobo with a pool and a view, and breakfast is included. It scores 9.2 from over 170 reviews. The house sits on a slope with lots of steps, so it’s not a good fit if you have limited mobility or heavy luggage.

From a review: “Everything! The house is beautiful, and the location is great, close to bars and restaurants.”

See photos and book Casa Beleza here.

Casa SAMAMBAIA - simple apartments with a plunge pool and a view

Casa Samambaia is on Rua Aarão Reis, a little further up in the neighbourhood, and you stay in an apartment with access to a shared plunge pool and a view. It was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched, and it scores 9.0 from just under 290 reviews. There’s no breakfast, the steps are hard work with luggage, and some guests have felt unsafe in the surrounding streets.

One guest highlights: “Beautifully decorated home with a fantastic view and pool.”

See photos and book Casa Samambaia here.

6. Barra da Tijuca - best area for families with a car and surfers 🏄

• 📍 Distance to the centre: Barra is around 30 km west of Centro and 15 to 20 km from Ipanema. Allow half an hour to an hour by car to Zona Sul.
• 🚇 Transport: Metro line 4 terminates at Jardim Oceânico at the eastern end of Barra, and from there the BRT buses continue along the coast. Otherwise, you’ll be getting around by car or Uber.
• ✈️ Time from Rio Galeão Airport: Around 45 minutes to an hour and a quarter by car.
• 💰 Price level: Mid-range to high. The three hotels below cost around 440 to 1,975 reais (roughly £65 to £295) per night when I searched for a weekend in May.
• 👮 Safety: Quiet and modern, with lots of gated residential complexes and shopping centres. Distances are long, so you’ll rarely walk around in the evening, and you should park your car somewhere guarded.

Barra da Tijuca is Rio’s modern district to the west, with wide roads, high-rises, big shopping centres and a beach that is far longer and less crowded than the beaches in Zona Sul. The water is clearer and the waves bigger, and the eastern end at Jardim Oceânico has restaurants and bars within walking distance. Further west is Praia da Reserva, where there’s hardly any development along the beach. Much of the 2016 Olympic Games was held in Barra, and the Olympic Park is now used for big concerts.

From here it’s a short trip to Pedra Bonita and the beach at São Conrado, where the hang-gliders land. If you fancy trying it yourself, you can book a tandem hang-gliding flight over Rio from around 1,250 reais (about £185). If you’re getting around on your own, you can compare prices on car hire at Booking.com, but choose a hotel with guarded parking.

See hotels in Barra da Tijuca here.

I would stay here if you’re a family wanting a pool, space and a big beach, if you’re coming to surf, or if you’re going to a concert or event in the western part of the city. Plenty of Brazilian families holiday out here too.

The downside is that Barra doesn’t feel like the Rio you’ve seen in the pictures. It’s a long way to Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer and Santa Teresa, and without a car you’ll spend a lot of time in traffic. If it’s your first trip, I would choose Zona Sul and come out here on a day trip. If you’re flying home from Galeão, allow plenty of time for the traffic too.

Hotels in Barra da Tijuca

Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro - five-star resort hotel opposite Praia da Reserva

The Grand Hyatt is on Avenida Lúcio Costa far to the west, right opposite the quiet Praia da Reserva beach. There’s an outdoor pool, spa, kids’ club and several restaurants, and it scores 9.1 from over 1,900 reviews. It’s around 7 km to the metro at Jardim Oceânico, and some guests find the pool area noisy.

One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location is absolutely the best.”

See photos and book the Grand Hyatt Rio here.

Windsor Oceanico Hotel - four-star hotel with a rooftop infinity pool close to the beach

The Windsor Oceanico is in the eastern part of Barra, around 100 metres from the beach and 1.7 km from Jardim Oceânico metro station. There’s a rooftop infinity pool, sauna and restaurant, and with over 7,000 reviews and a score of 8.7 it’s a safe choice. Breakfast isn’t included in every rate, and several guests find the pool small.

From one review: “The room, the breakfast and the location were absolutely incredible.”

See photos and book the Windsor Oceanico here.

Entremares Hotel - budget hotel with free parking near the metro

Entremares is on Avenida Érico Veríssimo, around 500 metres from the beach and 800 metres from Jardim Oceânico metro station. Parking is free, and it was the cheapest of my three suggestions here when I searched, but there’s no pool. Some guests mention old wardrobes with an unpleasant smell.

One guest highlights: “The location, the breakfast, the staff and the clean rooms.”

See photos and book Entremares here.

Where not to stay in Rio de Janeiro?

Don’t stay in Centro if you want to make the most of your evenings. The city centre is busy on weekdays but empties out after office hours and at weekends, and the streets quickly become deserted. The same goes for Lapa, where the samba and bar scene is fun to experience, but where there are lots of pickpockets and noise all night. Take an Uber there and back again the same way.

Never book a flat or hostel in a favela either, however tempting the price and the view. The Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises against all travel to the favelas and points out that in Rio they border tourist areas such as Copacabana and Ipanema. Also avoid hotels by the Rodoviária Novo Rio bus terminal and in Zona Norte, which are a long way from what you’ve come to see.

If it’s your first trip to Rio, I would stay in Copacabana, or in Ipanema if your budget stretches to it. Leblon is for families and anyone wanting the safest and most upmarket option, and Botafogo is for those on a budget who want to stay among the locals. Santa Teresa is the choice for couples after a boutique hotel with a view, while Barra da Tijuca suits families with a car and surfers.

A few practical tips apply to the whole city. Use Uber, 99 or a registered taxi in the evening, take only a cheap phone and a little cash to the beach, and withdraw money from cash machines inside banks or shopping centres. If you’re travelling around New Year or Carnival, book early and ideally choose a booking with free cancellation.

Many connections from Europe to Rio go via Lisbon or Madrid, and if you have time for a stopover on the way, you can read my guide to where to stay in Lisbon or my guide to where to stay in Madrid.

Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇

• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers

Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?