Rio de Janeiro Hotels

Avid tanners, cocktail-sippers and high-rollers flock to the area of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil situated between Copacabana and Ipanema beaches. These are the sexiest sandboxes in the city, and with the influx of tourists comes a range of accommodations.

Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach tends to be overrun by bikinis and Speedos, so those looking for a quieter beach should scout for lodging in Ipanema. Ipanema has both plush and affordable accommodations threaded through its relatively safe streets. Leblón, another beach area, provides many other safe, clean hotels that are close to shopping, transportation, parks and salt water.

Cleanliness will not be taken for granted here. All those tales people tell you about bed bugs in Rio de Janeiro hostels may have a bit of biting truth to them. Be wary of the hostels that look sketchy or be prepared to sleep with a bug swatter in hand.

Although the favelas (poorer neighborhoods that climb up hills within the city) aren’t safe for tourists to wander, a few hostels tucked into the hills are interesting options and others offer home stays with families that live in Rio de Janeiro. Accommodations on the hill come with a great view, plus you can save some of your diminishing cash.

Because Brazil’s currency has increased in value in the past few years, don’t expect to get a steal-of-a-deal in the city. Prices are especially high from December to February when Rio’s summer attracts international visitors. During the Carnival (the four-day Mardi Gras celebration in February) be sure to reserve your sleeping digs in advance, as most Rio de Janeiro hotels and hostels are booked weeks before the festivities begin

Other Hotel pages in Rio de Janeiro that may be of interest: Copacabana Hotels, Leblon Beach Hotels and Copacabana, Ipanema Hotels.