Nobile Hotel Copacabana Design Best value
Next to the metro and close to Avenida Atlântica.
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Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro on a budget: the best neighborhoods and hotels
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For most trips, the best choice is the South Zone (Zona Sul), close to a metro station. It combines beaches, safety and transport to the main sights. In this guide you'll find the four neighborhoods most worth it, with pros, cons and the best-value hotels in each one.
Where to stay in Rio by travel style
- First time in Rio
- Nobile Hotel Copacabana DesignCopacabana, next to the metro
- Tightest budget
- Petit Rio HotelCatete, near the metro
- Hostel by the beach
- CabanaCopa HostelCopacabana
- Pool and ocean view
- Atlantis Copacabana HotelBetween Copacabana and Ipanema
- Bars and restaurants on foot
- ibis Rio de Janeiro BotafogoBotafogo, near the metro
- Ipanema without the high price
- Injoy Lofts IpanemaIpanema, near the metro and the lagoon
In this guide
Neighborhood and metro map
The four neighborhoods in this guide sit side by side on metro Line 1. Staying near one of these stations saves the most time and ride-hailing money.
How we choose the hotels
Every hotel in this guide was chosen on three criteria: location (near the metro or the beach), good guest reviews and a fair price for the area. We use two categories:
- Budget hostels and simple hotels, for spending as little as possible.
- Best value fuller-service hotels that charge fairly for what they offer.
Copacabana
The neighborhood with the most places to stay in Rio. It has the beach, three metro stations and shops everywhere, which makes good prices easier to find.
Pros
- Beach on your doorstep and three metro stations
- Lots of supply, so more chances of a deal
Cons
- Very busy and touristy
- Prices soar around New Year's Eve
Atlantis Copacabana Hotel Best value
Pool, ocean views and easy access to Copacabana and Ipanema.
CabanaCopa Hostel Budget
For spending little and still staying in Copacabana.
Botafogo
It sits between the South Zone beaches and Downtown, with the metro and many bus lines. It's the neighborhood for bars and restaurants.
Pros
- Right in the middle of everything
- Usually cheaper than Copacabana
Cons
- The local beach isn't good for swimming
- You need the metro or a bus to reach the beach
ibis Rio de Janeiro Botafogo Best value
Near the metro, with chain-hotel standards and good transport links.
Aurora Hostel Rio Budget
A simple, cheap option if you just need a good place to sleep.
Flamengo and Catete
Usually the cheapest way to stay in the South Zone with the metro nearby. Good if you're out all day and only come back to sleep.
Pros
- Lower nightly rates
- Metro, Flamengo Park and close to Santos Dumont airport
Cons
- No good swimming beach in the area
- Less charm than Copacabana and Ipanema
Hotel Regina Best value
Near the metro and Flamengo Park.
Riale Imperial Flamengo Best value
Has a pool and is near the metro.
Petit Rio Hotel Budget
In Catete, about two blocks from the metro.
Ipanema
Rio's most famous beach, with a calmer feel than Copacabana. It's pricier, but lofts and hostels help you save.
Pros
- Iconic beach and a pleasant area to walk
- Metro and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon nearby
Cons
- Higher nightly rates
- Few truly cheap options
Injoy Lofts Ipanema Best value
Lofts near the metro and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon.
Mojito Hostel & Suites Budget
For staying in Ipanema without hotel prices.
Where to avoid on a first visit
- Barra da Tijuca: has beautiful beaches and good hotels, but it's far from the main sights and has no metro. What you save on the room goes on transport.
- Lapa at night: it's lively and has cheap hotels, but you need to watch your safety. If you stay there, prefer chain hotels and avoid walking alone late at night.
What it costs and how to pay less
Room rates in Rio change a lot with the season. New Year's Eve, Carnival and long holiday weekends are the most expensive; outside them, the same hotels can cost much less. Always check the current price on each hotel's link.
- Avoid peak dates if you can choose when to travel.
- Book with free cancellation: lock in a price early and keep watching. If a deal appears, cancel and rebook.
- Stay near the metro: a slightly pricier room near a station often works out cheaper than a distant hotel plus ride-hailing fares.
- Compare breakfast rates: sometimes the rate with breakfast included costs less than eating out every morning.
Plan your trip to Rio
The services we use to plan a trip on a budget:
Flights
Compare flights across airlines and check flight + hotel packages, which are sometimes cheaper.
Search flightsTours and tickets
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and guided tours with guaranteed tickets.
See toursTravel insurance
Covers medical emergencies and baggage problems while you travel.
Compare insurance