Hotels in Rio de Janeiro

Located in the south-east of the country, Rio De Janeiro is one of the most prominent and famous cities in Brazil. It is the capital of the state that shares its name and is the second largest city in the country.

Part of the city has been designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, it has hosted a Foot World Cup and a Summer Olympics and is known for its fabulous beaches and also some of the world’s most famous landmarks including the statue of Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Mountain.

There is an abundance of cheap and affordable hotel accommodation in Rio De Janeiro.

Neighbourhoods of Rio De Janeiro

The most popular and interesting parts of the city for visitors are:

• Copacabana: Surely the name most synonymous with Rio thanks in part to Barry Manilow’s song! With a spectacular beach on one side and the black and white wave promenade along which there is a parade of luxury hotels and tourist buildings on the other, it is the beating heart of Rio’s seafront.
• Santa Teresa: This is an area away from the beaches and bronzed bodies that can show you some of the old quaint history of Rio. It boasts lovely cobbled streets that are lined with colonial architecture and small boutiques and has a lovely boho and hippy vibe.
• Ipanema: Yet another district made famous by a song, Ipanema is another part of Rio that features beautiful beaches, luxury hotels and award-winning restaurants. It is also the latest favourite hippest part of town for nightlife.
• Lapa: This is the traditional nightlife enclave centred on the mains street of Avenida Mem de Sá. The neighbourhood is home to the iconic mosaic steps, the Escadaria Selaron and Rio’s most famous nightclub, Rio Scenarium.

What to see and do in Rio De Janeiro

There are so many things to do and see in Rio, you’ll need to make time away from the beaches. Though visible from anywhere in the city, it is worth going up Corcovado Mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer statue because of the breath-taking views. Another mountain trip is the cable car up to the top of the Sugar Loaf Mountain. For more urban pursuits, head to the neighbourhood of Saúde to Pedra do Sal, the birthplace of samba. A tour of the Favelas enables you to get up close and personal with life in Rio or you can take a tour of the Maracanãfootball stadium. You can enjoy a leisurely stroll in the Jardim Botânico or visit the church on Ilha Fiscal.

What to eat in Rio De Janeiro

Rio is a city that has a strong and storied food and drink culture. Some of the dishes that are most instantly recognisable as being classically Rio include Brazilian feijoada which is a national type of bean stew, codfish cakes which are a traditional type of fish appetizer, and picadinho which is another type of stew, this time made with braised beef, carrots, potatoes, and chayote.

Typical events and festivals in Rio De Janeiro

The most famous event in Rio – if not the world - is the Rio De Janeiro Carnival in February. There are also the Festas Junina which is a celebration that takes inspiration from both old Europe and the New World every June, and the Rio International Film Festival that attracts the best in the business every November.

How to move around in Rio De Janeiro

The main form of public transport in and around Rio De Janeiro is the extensive and wide-reaching bus service. The bus network provides a cheap form of travel across the majority of the key locations within the region, and as of the 2016 Olympic Games, there is also a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system for even faster travel. Rio is also connected by train to other urban centres.

The climate in Rio De Janeiro

Rio’s weather is warm and humid all year round. The hottest and most humid period is between November and March when temperatures often rise into the low thirties, and even the in so-called ‘colder’ months of June, July and August temperatures rarely fall under the high teens. The peak time for travel and tourism in Rio De Janeiro is most definitely December to March.