Do you have a trip planned and haven’t decided where to stay in Rio de Janeiro yet? Knowing the best neighborhood to stay in is very important for any trip, whether to be close to the tourist attractions you want to visit or to take good memories of the trip with you. That’s why we’ve selected the best areas and hotels to stay in Rio de Janeiro (RJ).
The best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Editor’s Choice
After traveling to the destination several times, I have chosen Barra da Tijuca as the best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro. This is because the neighborhood is one of the safest in Rio de Janeiro and features a beautiful beach with kiosks and beach clubs. Additionally, the area offers excellent beachfront hotels and an avenue, Avenida Olegário Maciel, filled with bars and restaurants.
Rio de Janeiro is a destination with a wide variety of tourist attractions. However, it’s not just these landmarks that draw attention to the city. Its culture and cuisine are key factors that often influence the decision to visit.
When choosing where to stay in Rio de Janeiro, you should keep in mind that this is a large destination with diverse regions and neighborhoods for accommodation. Thus, you should take into account the best neighborhood, the tourist attractions you wish to visit, and safety considerations.
The best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
The capital of Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities in Brazil and offers several regions and stunning beaches to stay in, as well as a wide selection of hotels with excellent infrastructure for all types of travelers.
The main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro are in the South Zone, which has many neighborhood options to stay in and excellent hotels. In this region, the most sought-after neighborhoods to stay in are Ipanema, Copacabana, Leme, and Leblon.
On the other hand, the Central region of Rio de Janeiro boasts attractions such as the Real Gabinete Português de Leitura (Royal Portuguese Reading Room), Museu Nacional de Belas-Artes (National Museum of Fine Arts), Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow), Escadaria Selarón (Selarón Stairway), and Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches). In this area, two neighborhoods are interesting to stay in: Lapa and Santa Teresa.
Barra da Tijuca, our favorite neighborhood to stay in Rio de Janeiro, is located in the West Zone, also being the preferred neighborhood for Cariocas (people who were born in the state of Rio de Janeiro) to live in. The other neighborhoods and areas of the city are not recommended for tourists to stay in.
Below, we explain the advantages and disadvantages of staying in each of these regions, along with tips on the best hotels in Rio de Janeiro. This way, you can choose the option that best suits your travel style.
1. Barra da Tijuca: best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro
The best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro is Barra da Tijuca, as the area features a beautiful beach with excellent infrastructure, where you will find beach bar, beach clubs, and hotels.
This is one of the safest neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro and boasts exceptional hotels and seaside restaurants, or ones very close to the shore. On Avenida Olegário Maciel, there are also a variety of restaurants and bars with amazing lunch and happy hour deals.
The downside of staying in Barra da Tijuca is that the main tourist attractions of Rio de Janeiro (Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Mureta da Urca, among others) are farther away, as most of them are located in the South Zone. However, the area has other amazing attractions and beaches to explore, such as Pedra da Gávea (Gávea Stone) and Joatinga Beach.
Amazing hotels to stay in Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro:
- Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro: Located in the heart of Barra da Tijuca, this 5-star hotel is nestled between the sea, a lagoon, and mountains. It offers a pool, spa, sauna, and gym.
- Mercure Barra da Tijuca and Ibis Barra da Tijuca: These two chain hotels share the same structure and are located next to each other in a beachfront building.
- Windsor Marapendi Hotel: With an impressive beachfront infrastructure, the 5-star hotel offers all the amenities you need on a trip.
See more hotels in Barra da Tijuca.
2. Ipanema: a neighborhood close to the tourist spots
For those who want to stay close to everything, Ipanema is an excellent choice for accommodation in Rio de Janeiro. The neighborhood boasts restaurants, shops, and all kinds of commerce, in addition to the beloved Ipanema Beach and Arpoador Stone, a popular spot to watch the sunset in Rio de Janeiro.
Ipanema is situated between Copacabana and Leblon, other interesting options for staying in Rio de Janeiro, which we will discuss further ahead. In Ipanema, you will find everything from luxurious accommodations to more affordable hotel options.
The downside of staying in this neighborhood is the current increase in muggings and robberies in Rio de Janeiro, especially the famous “arrastões” (when a group of criminals robs everyone) on the beaches.
Amazing hotels to stay in Ipanema:
- Hotel Arpoador: Located 100 meters from Ipanema Beach, the best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro, the hotel features a rooftop pool, restaurant, bar, and breakfast.
- Hotel Fasano Rio de Janeiro: The hotel features a spa, restaurant, sauna, gym, bar, and a rooftop with an infinity pool. One of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
- Sol Ipanema: A hotel with excellent infrastructure, situated facing the sea. Therefore, the hotel features an outdoor pool, gym, restaurant, bar, and breakfast.
- Mar Ipanema Hotel: Located just a few meters from the beach, it offers exceptional infrastructure with a gym, restaurant, and a rooftop with a view of Christ the Redeemer.
3. Copacabana: a tourist neighborhood with bustling activity
Located near Ipanema, Copacabana is an equally attractive neighborhood for those looking to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. The proximity of the neighborhoods allows you to move from one beach to another on foot or by bike.
Copacabana is a tourist neighborhood with bustling activity, where you’ll be close to restaurants, tour agencies, currency exchange offices, and everything you need. The neighborhood offers various accommodations, ranging from luxurious hotels to simpler options.
And due to the variety of accommodations, you can find better deals.
The downside of staying in Copacabana is also the increase in violence in Rio de Janeiro, especially muggings and robberies. Additionally, Copacabana Beach is one of the busiest. During the high season and weekends, it’s always very crowded.
Amazing hotels to stay in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro:
- Copacabana Palace: A 5-star hotel offering luxury rooms, a spa, and restaurants facing Copacabana Beach.
- Rio Othon Palace: A hotel with a restaurant, bar, gym, rooftop pool, and view of Sugarloaf Mountain, located in one of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
- Miramar Hotel by Windsor: With a rooftop pool overlooking Rio de Janeiro, the hotel has excellent infrastructure and accepts pets.
- Ibis Copacabana Posto 5: A hotel with good value for money, located 500 meters from Copacabana Beach.
See more hotels in Copacabana.
4. Leme: the quietest neighborhood next to Copacabana
Leme is a quieter area to stay in the South Zone, even though it is located right next to Copacabana. The neighborhood’s tranquility doesn’t stop it from offering the vibrant Carioca energy, with a beautiful beach, lively kiosks, and attractions for entertainment.
Additionally, the neighborhood has a metro station and several bus lines, making it easy to get to other areas. In Leme, you can visit the Forte do Leme (Leme Fort), its beautiful beach, the Mureta do Leme (Leme Wall), and the statue of Clarice Lispector, which is located on the beach promenade.
The downside of staying in this neighborhood is also the lack of security, which you find in most neighborhoods in Rio de Janeiro. And when staying in Leme, I recommend only the beachfront hotels, where all the tourist infrastructure is located.
Amazing hotels to stay in Leme:
- Arena Leme Hotel: A beachfront hotel featuring an outdoor pool, gym, restaurant, and bar. An excellent choice for where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
- Windsor Leme Hotel: A beachfront hotel with views of Rio de Janeiro’s beauty and great infrastructure.
- Novotel Rio de Janeiro Leme: A 4-star hotel with mountain views, outdoor pool, gym, and restaurant.
5. Leblon: non-touristy neighborhood
Leblon is a residential and less touristy neighborhood, adjacent to Ipanema, with limited accommodation options. I recommend this neighborhood for those planning a longer stay in Rio de Janeiro, as the area has many vacation rental apartments available.
For your entertainment, Leblon offers bars, beach, restaurants, shopping, and much more. And at the end of Leblon Beach, you’ll find another postcard from Rio de Janeiro, the Morro Dois Irmãos (Two Brothers Hill).
Despite having some amazing hotels, the downside of staying in this neighborhood is the limited availability of beachfront accommodations. And to visit the main tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, you still need to travel to other areas or book tours.
Amazing hotels to stay in Leblon:
- Sheraton Grand Rio Hotel & Resort: A 5-star beachfront resort that offers excellent infrastructure.
- Hitz Leblon Hotel: Located 200 meters from the beach, the hotel features an indoor pool, gym, restaurant, and wellness center.
- Promenade Palladium: Located 400 meters from the beach, the hotel features a gym, restaurant, and outdoor pool.
6. Lapa: area with bars and nightclubs
Want to enjoy a more bohemian neighborhood full of bars and nightlife? I recommend staying in Lapa to experience Rio de Janeiro’s lively nights.
Lapa offers good accommodation options, and you’ll be close to some of Rio de Janeiro’s main tourist attractions, such as the Selarón Stairway and the Lapa Arches. From this neighborhood, you’ll also have easy access to transportation, whether public or private.
The downside of staying in Lapa is the violence in Rio de Janeiro, which you should be very careful about, especially when going out at night. Additionally, you’ll also be farther away from the beautiful beaches of the destination.
Amazing hotels to stay in Lapa:
- Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro: a hotel just a few meters from Lapa, offering a structure with an outdoor pool, gym, restaurant, and bar.
- Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro: a Panamanian chain that blends hotel and hostel. The accommodation offers great infrastructure facing the Lapa Arches.
7. Santa Teresa: bohemian neighborhood in the uptown area
Santa Teresa is a bohemian neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro located in a higher area of the city, next to Lapa. Access to the neighborhood is via hills or staircases, including the iconic Selarón Stairway, a must-visit attraction in Rio de Janeiro.
From the top of the neighborhood, besides interesting tourist spots like the Parque das Ruínas (Ruins Park) and the Bondinho (tram), you’ll have a privileged view of Rio de Janeiro. Therefore, we consider it an excellent option of where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
The downside of staying in this neighborhood is the limited accommodation options, and you’ll be somewhat distant from the main beaches like Ipanema and Copacabana. Moreover, extra caution regarding safety in the area is advised.
Amazing hotels to stay in Santa Teresa:
- Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – MGallery: A boutique hotel located in the Historic and Cultural Center. It features an outdoor pool, spa, and restaurant.
- Chez Georges: Located 1 km from the Selarón Steps, in one of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro, the hotel offers an outdoor pool, covered terrace, barbecue area, and garden.
- Mama Ruisa Boutique Hotel: a hotel overlooking Guanabara Bay, offering an outdoor pool and bar.
See more hotels in Santa Teresa.
8. Vidigal: pacified favela with beautiful view
If you’re looking for an immersive experience with local communities, Vidigal, located next to Leblon, is certainly an interesting option for where to stay in Rio de Janeiro. The Vidigal Favela is pacified and attracts many tourists who visit the area to hike the Morro Dois Irmãos trail and gain a deeper understanding of the community.
The downside of staying in Vidigal is that the accommodations in the neighborhood are mostly hostels. Additionally, I only recommend staying in the area for those who want to get to know the favela better, and for that, I suggest booking a tour.
Amazing hotels to stay in Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro:
- Mirante do Arvrao: Located at the top of Vidigal, the accommodation features a deck with panoramic views of Rio de Janeiro. It offers a restaurant, covered terrace, bar, and laundry facilities.
Liked our tips on where to stay in Rio de Janeiro? Check out our must-see tips on where to stay in Búzios and enjoy an amazing trip.
Explore other destinations with our tips on cities to visit in Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO RIO DE JANEIRO
Book your hotel in Rio de Janeiro in advance
To ensure the best stay in Rio de Janeiro, we recommend using Booking or Hotels.com, reservation sites we trust for all our trips. With a wide selection of hotels and the best available rates, you will find the perfect option for your stay, ensuring an incredible and economical travel experience. Our favorite hotels in Rio de Janeiro are:
- Copacabana Palace (Capital of Rio de Janeiro)
- Pousada Literária (Paraty)
- A concept Hotel (Búzios)
- Hotel Fasano (Angra dos Reis)
For greater convenience, rent a car in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is a wonderful destination to explore by car, offering stunning landscapes and charming cities. If your plan is to explore more than one city and maximize your comfort and freedom, renting a car is the ideal choice. The companies we recommend for car rentals are Discover Cars and Rental Cars.
Book your tours and experiences
Planning your tours in advance can save you a lot of time during your trip. Imagine being able to book all your activities directly from the comfort of your home and even pay with your credit card. The companies we use and recommend for booking tours and buying tickets are Viator, Civitatis, and Get Your Guide.