Expert comments on Rio de Janeiro hotels

Editorial Tonkosti

Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest cities in Brazil and a popular tourist center, so it is not surprising that there are options for accommodation for every taste and purse - from student hostels to chic "five-stars". The city is divided into 4 main districts:

• Centro is the financial and business center of the city with many interesting historical sites; it includes the Lapa and Santa Teresa districts,
• The southern zone (Zona Sul) is the most popular tourist area with luxurious beaches and main sights; This includes the areas of Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon and Flamengo. The southern zone is separated from the central and northern coastal mountains. The dominant feature of the local landscape is the wide golden beaches and light tall buildings, a harmonious line lined up along the coastline, the
• Northern Zone (Zona Norte) and the Western Zone (West Zone) are rarely visited by tourists. In the Western zone are almost all city stadiums, and in the West - the poorest neighborhoods of Rio are adjacent to the areas of the rich. In the Western zone, in the Barra da Tijuca area, there is the longest beach in Rio - its length is 18 km

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

South Zone

Most tourists, arriving in Rio, stops in the area of ​​Copacabana, adjacent to the eponymous beach . Here it is easy to find a quality "treshka" or "four" at the appropriate level of service price . In general, Copacabana offers a variety of accommodation options - from simple hostels to the most luxury hotels . But be prepared for the fact that the streets in this area ayone are crowded with tourists and enterprising local people who are trying to profit by all means at the visitors . In Copacabana life is in full swing, the quarter is on the move around the clock - no matter whether you like it or not . In the adjoining Copacabana from the opposite side of Ipanema, , and the beach is the same .

Ipanema is undoubtedly the most fashionable area of ​​Rio de Janeiro, and the local beach is the most hanging place in the city . For the pleasure of unpacking a suitcase in one of the local hotels you need to be ready to shell out a considerable sum of money . Aparthotels in Ipanema, as a rule, offer a more chamber atmosphere than hotels in Copacabana, but also pay for relative privacy will be about one-third more expensive . In Ipanema are the best shops, restaurants and bars - there is everything to spend a holiday at the highest level . The only thing, what can not be done here is to get acquainted with the traditional way of life of the inhabitants of Rio (carioca), in local bars usually spend time emigrants or tourists .

Right behind Ipanema, Leblon is located - another fashionable urban area. Here the choice of accommodation facilities is more modest and there is no metro station, but Leblon boasts several of the best restaurants in the city and the beach is not inferior to the beauty of the Ipanema shoreline.

Flamengo, Catete and Gloria are areas along the coast between Botafogu and the historic center . Cathete and Flamengo were once considered areas for the rich, but now this is a noisy, democratic place where you can find a lot of small, inexpensive but cozy hotels and hostels. In nearby Gloria you can meet girls of easy virtue, but in general it is a safe area.

There are surprisingly few traditional hotels in Botafog, but there are many hostels. The advantages of living in the area: the beaches are convenient to get by bus or metro; this is one of the best places in Rio to have a snack in a pleasant atmosphere; and finally there are both busy highways and quiet green streets here

Historic Center

In the historical center of Rio, businessmen who come to Rio on business . prefer to stay here from here to Santos Dumont Airport, and various institutions and offices of companies are concentrated here . The city theater, the National Library, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Tiradentes Palace, the cathedral and the Pedro-Ernesto Palace . are listed from the sights in Centro. But with evening entertainments and good restaurants we are not so good - in search of catering establishments of decent level and nightclubs, the guests of Rio, staying at the historic center, leave for Santa Teresa .

In the Lapa quarter, famous for its vibrant nightlife and an abundance of samba schools, there are several small cozy hotels. Those that are located on the border with the historic center are the ideal place to be in the thick of the February carnival.

In the bohemian quarter of Santa Teresa, located above Lapa and Gloria, travelers who are interested in the history and culture of the city prefer to live here . They are attracted by the local elegant buildings, the picturesque surroundings, atmospheric restaurants, colorful bars and everything that makes this area one of the most enjoyable to live . Local hotels are usually high-end, and their rooms are often strikingly different from what you used to see in most hotels . A lot of cute o B & B (bed and breakfast) - another argument in favor of the choice of Santa Teresa . Staying in Santa Teresa, you will also find yourself in the heart of the carnival .

Accommodation in Rio de Janeiro

In general, we can not say that within a year in Rio there is a shortage of accommodation facilities, except that budget options are not always enough for everyone. But in the days of the famous carnival, to take part in which hundreds of thousands of tourists from all over the world come together, the demand considerably exceeds the offer. The quality of hotel rooms in hotels in Rio is quite on the level. Budget hotels have to compete with hostels, the number of which is constantly growing, this makes them constantly improve and reduce prices.

In addition to the standard "treshkas" and "fours," Rio has built a number of luxury hotels that provide a service comparable in level with service in the best "five-stars" of the world . In the prestigious districts of the city there are more and more designer hotels, the distinctive features of which are a stylish interior and the desire to satisfy the desires of the most demanding ostia . Rio luxury boutique hotels are often located on the slopes of the hills off the coast, so that the rooms offer a stunning view . But at the same time on trips to the beach and back, you will have to waste time .

For unassuming travelers in Rio appeared a large number of hostels, many of them located within walking distance of the main city attractions . The most expensive hostels in Copacabana and Ipanema - in areas of Lapa, Gloria, Catete and Botafogu range prices are much wider with comparable quality of services . When choosing a hostel, it is worth asking for the availability of IYHF (International Youth Hostel Federation) or other similar association .. Many hostels offer common rooms displacements in the single and double rooms .

cost of living in hotels in Rio de Janeiro

The cost of living in hotels and apartments Rio - the highest in the whole of Brazil. Given the limited offer of low-cost options, we recommend you to book a suitable one at a price in advance. Throughout the year, prices in hotels fluctuate strongly. For New Year's Eve and Carnival days, the cost of living increases almost threefold.

In general, cases you can find a standard double room with air conditioning for a price of 70 to 120 USD depending on the area. The average price for a double room in a 3 * or 4 * hotel in Copacabana is 150-200 USD. An approximately equivalent number in Ipanema will cost 200-250 USD. Hotels in the class above offer accommodation in a double room for 300-700 USD per night. Accommodation in a boutique hotel will cost at least $ 600 per day

In a low season it makes sense to ask for an additional discount, many hotels are going to reduce prices to 30% - especially if you are willing to pay in cash. Avoid settling in cheap boarding houses in the north of the city center at the central railway station. It's not safe there

The bed in the hostel's shared room costs from 25 to 45 USD depending on the location and number of people in the room. Usually in each hostel there are several separate rooms for the price from 80 to 130 USD. If you are traveling in a company of 3-4 people, pay attention to triple and quadruple rooms in hotels. It is often cheaper to rent such a room than the corresponding number of beds in the hostel.

Features of booking in high season

The high season in Rio de Janeiro begins with the celebration of the New Year, continues in January, when most Brazilians leave, and ends with the last echo of the samba at the notorious carnival in February . During the New Year holidays and in the days of the carnival, the prices for accommodation take off three times . But even so, those wishing to rent a room in the hotel or apartment are missing - her reservation . Increases the minimum period of stay . So, most hotels will not settle you for less than 5 days during the carnival or 3 days for the New Year (that is, you can, of course, stay for one night only, but pay anyway for the entire package) . And even private apartments rented for less than two weeks (instead of the usual one) at this time will not work .