Valerie
Los Angeles
I've never been to Rio de Janeiro and I'm a little overwhelmed by all the hotel options. I'd like to stay in a hotel that is central and gives me good sense of what Rio de Janeiro is like. I'd love to know where locals tell their friends to stay when they visit, and why those areas and hotels are special. thanks!
Hi! We live and love Botafogo, near Cobal do Humaitá (we live at Conde de Irajá street). This is the perfect spot to stay in Rio, because it is a 10 min walk to the Lagoa and a 15 min bus ride to the beach. Botafogo is known as new Boho, because of all the excellent restaurant and gastronomic scenary that has putted the neighborhood in the map (Cobal do Humaitá. The subway is a 20 min walk from where we live but the subway has a bus in front of Cobal that is integrated with the subway (and you only pay one fee ticket). it is a much Carioca hood that Ipanema and Copacabana, so fewer hotels are available but you do everything by foot.
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Hi Valerie,
The best places to stay are Leblon and Ipanema. Leblon is very nice and you don´t need to stay near the beach.
You could reach this site to get travel in the know from local and experts.
http://voia.travel/destination/rio-de-janeiro
Most tourists stay in Ipanema or Copacabana their first visit, with the former being a bit more expensive (aside from begin nicer). From either of those places, you can easily venture out to see others as they are very accessible via public transportation or relatively inexpensive taxis. If it fits your budget, try to stay in Ipanema. Independent of where your hotel is, it won't be more than a few blocks away from the beach.
Hello! Choose Leblon or Ipanema. Staying in these places you can easily go to Copacabanaand Lapa for some touristic attractions. Try to do the "Dois Irmãos" hike with some local people to get an idea of a favela is and have a breathtaking overview of Rio.
Enjoy!
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Hi,
the South Zone of São Paulo is the place to be. Please check a short description of some of the areas you may check hotels and it´s pros and cons:
Copacabana - very central to all the tourist attractions and with many options of accomodation and a wide variety of restaurants, shops, etc. Easy access to metro and easy to walk to the beach.
Ipanema - similar to Copacabana, but this is more trendy, so a bit more expensive than Copacabana (in everything - accomodation, restaurants, shops, etc)... BUT the beach is nicer and the landscape there the same. You can also walk to the beach (4 blocks maximum).
Botafogo, Flamengo, Catete- chepaer than Ipanema and Copacabana because you need a cab/bus/metro to go to the beach. Accomodation in general is cheaper, it depends on the benefits and the tangibel they give you. Some access to the metro. Closer to Downtown where you do some of the touristy activities. Equally close to the other main tour attractions (Sugarloaf Mountain, Cristo Redentor etc).
Santa Teresa- very charming and more pictoresque and bohemian area. You can find cheap accomodation but they also have some boutique hotels that are expensive. It´s more charming but not close to the beach and the logistics it´s the worst part. It´s an area in the mountains, bad public transportation ou need a cab for almost everything. Put that on the accounting if you are staying there.
TO make long history short:
Copacabana - the best cost/benefit
Ipanema - the best cost/benefit if money is not an issue
Botafogo, Flamengo, Catete - good cost/benefit and it´s probably the best cheap option you'll find. You can easily get bus or metro to get to the beach and to tour around.
Santa Teresa- if you like architecture and really enjoy a bohemian style, this may be the best.
To think of... some people stay in 2 different areas to combine experiences. For example 3 days in Copacabana and 3 in Santa Teresa..... Enjoy your trip!
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Hi Katie!
I think Copacabana is the best place to stay in Rio de Janeiro, because it is very popular for tourism. There are many hotels, options for transportation, restaurants and their neighborhood is amazing, like Lagoa, Ipanema and Leblon. ;) You can visit Barra da Tijuca , downtown center and other places by subway.
I hope I have helped your choice!
Enjoy!!!
By,
Ana Paula
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Hi, Rio is a really large city, among the ten biggest in the world. You'll want to stay near downtown (which is the central location to all neighborhoods) or in any neighborhood in Zona Sul (Southern Zone).
Where to stay depends a lot on your budget and activities - whether you want to go to the beach, shopping, or just sightseeing. One place I like is Botafogo - good affordable hostels, very close close to the subway station and midway to downtown and all the best neighborhoods in Zona Sul.
Botafogo, though not being as stylish (and expensive) as the best neighborhoods in Zona Sul, also has lots of options for food, shopping and leisure. You may use this brief as a starting point to choose where you want to stay.
Best neighborhood Lapa and Santa Teresa, but many others too. We have a Guesthouse very special in São Conrado. https://paratiguesthouse.wordpress.com/
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Valerie
