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 on any trip, whether to be close to the tourist spots you want to visit or to take with you good memories of the trip. We have selected the best areas and hotels to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
The best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Editor’s Choice
After traveling several times to Rio de Janeiro, I’ve chosen Barra da Tijuca as the best neighborhood to stay in. This is due to the fact that the neighborhood is one of the safest in Rio de Janeiro and has a beautiful beach with beach clubs. The area offers great seaside hotels and a boulevard, Av. Olegário Maciel, filled with bars and restaurants.
When deciding where to stay in Rio de Janeiro, you should consider that it is a large city with different regions and neighborhoods to stay in. You should take into account the best neighborhood, the tourist attractions you want to visit, and the issue of safety.
The best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro
Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
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. I do not recommend other neighborhoods and regions of the city for tourists to stay in.
1. Barra da Tijuca – The best neighborhood to stay in
The best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro is Barra da Tijuca, as the area has a beautiful beach with excellent infrastructure, where you can find 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 good 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, and Urca Wall) are further away from this neighborhood, as most of them are in the South Zone. However, the region has other incredible 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, the 5-star hotel is nestled between the sea, 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 the ideal neighborhood to stay in. It has restaurants, shops, and all kinds of commerce, as well as the beloved Ipanema Beach and Pedra do Arpoador (Arpoador Stone), a highly sought-after spot to watch the sunset in Rio de Janeiro.
Ipanema lies between Copacabana and Leblon; there are other interesting options to stay in Rio de Janeiro, which we will discuss further ahead. In Ipanema, you have everything from luxurious options to simpler hotel accommodations.
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 has a spa, restaurant, sauna, gym, and bar, as well as a rooftop terrace with an infinity pool to enhance your stay even further.
- 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 close to Ipanema, Copacabana is equally appealing for those who wish to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. The proximity of the neighborhoods allows you to walk or bike from one beach to another, making the area an excellent option for where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
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 neighborhood to stay in the South Zone, despite being located next to Copacabana. The tranquility of the neighborhood doesn’t stop it from offering all the Rio de Janeiro hustle and bustle, with a beautiful beach, beach bar, and attractions for entertainment.
The neighborhood has a subway station and several bus lines, making it easy to get around to other areas. In the area, you can visit Forte do Leme (Leme Fort), its beautiful beach, Mureta do Leme (Leme Wall), and the statue of Clarice Lispector, located on the beach promenade. Therefore, it is an exceptional option of where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
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: Oceanfront hotel with outdoor pool, gym, restaurant, and bar.
- 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 non-touristy neighborhood, neighboring Ipanema, with few lodging options. I recommend this neighborhood for those planning a longer trip to 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
Looking to enjoy a more bohemian neighborhood and love bars and nightclubs? I recommend staying in Lapa to experience the lively nights of Rio de Janeiro.
Lapa is one of the best places to stay in Rio de Janeiro, as it offers exceptional accommodations and you’ll be close to some of Rio de Janeiro’s main tourist attractions, such as the Selarón Stairway and Lapa Arches.
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 region of the city, next to Lapa. Its access is through slopes or staircases, with the Selarón Steps, one of the best tours in Rio de Janeiro, being one of its entrances.
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 availability of accommodations, and you are a bit far from the main beaches of the destination, such as Ipanema Beach and Copacabana Beach. Additionally, you should be cautious about your safety in the area.
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 seeking an experience with the favelas, Vidigal, located next to Leblon, is certainly an interesting option of where to stay in Rio de Janeiro. Vidigal Favela is pacified and attracts many tourists who visit the area to hike to Morro Dois Irmãos and get to know the community better.
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.