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Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is one of the biggest parties in the world. Millions of people from all over the world come to Rio to celebrate carnival to the rhythm of samba, street parties and enjoy the tropical climate of the country.
A good tip for staying in Rio is to arrive at least one week before carnival. This way you can adjust to Rio and make the most of carnival. See the statue of Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana beach, and visit the Rocinha, the largest favela in Brazil.
For a great experience at the Rio de Janeiro carnival, it is necessary to know some important tips about where to stay. In this article, we are going to talk about the best places you can stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Places to spend the night
At this period of the year, hotels are fully booked. Therefore, if you plan to participate in the Rio de Janeiro Carnival, make your reservation in advance. Be sure to choose the best option for you:
Hostel
A hostel can offer you rooms to spend Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro for a much more affordable price. You pay only for your bed and the rest of the room is shared, a good option for those who want to pay less than other options.
Hotel
Perfect if you want privacy. There are great hotels in Rio de Janeiro, of course, the price is a little higher, along with their comfort. We will talk a little more about them later.
Airbnb
This is also a very cool option and can give you a ‘stay at home’ vibe, as the platform makes apartments and houses available for you to rent.
Couchsurfing
If you are part of this community it is also great and it is free. These are houses and apartments of people who make space for travelers from all over the world to stay.
Places to stay in Rio during Carnaval
Here are some of the many neighborhoods you can choose when looking for places to stay when you come to enjoy the carnival in Rio de Janeiro. We have separated some of the most famous neighborhoods, not only to spend the carnival in the city but also for their culture and history, let’s see:
Botanical Garden
There are about 8,000 plant species in Rio’s Botanical Garden. If you want a bit of a cultural boost, stop by or look for lodging in the bohemian neighborhood of Jardim Botânico, where you can find a wide variety of street art, galleries, and restaurants.
To escape the noise for a while, you can take a break to the center of the neighborhood, where you will find the botanical gardens that gave this area its name. This is a very popular neighborhood for tourists to spend Carnaval.
Lapa and Santa Teresa
Arcos da Lapa is an impressive example of architecture and engineering. There are some things that you simply cannot miss in Rio de Janeiro when enjoying the city’s carnival, and one of them is the Lapa aqueduct.
Take a traditional streetcar from downtown to Santa Teresa via the Arcos da Lapa, it is also worth looking for accommodation to spend carnival in the city because of the agility and proximity to train stations.
The aqueduct is to transport water from the Santa Teresa neighborhood to the city center and can be seen in numerous postcards of the city.
Ipanema
Ipanema borders Copacabana in the south of Rio. This neighborhood is known for its endless parties, but in this part of town, you will also find universities, art galleries, and elegant restaurants, as well as trendy nightclubs and cafes when choosing this location for your carnival lodging.
Copacabana
As most people know, Copacabana is one of the most famous places in Rio de Janeiro, millions of people seek this neighborhood to stay not only for carnival but also to enjoy the beautiful beaches.
Good areas, considering safety and distance from the main attractions, and especially to spend the carnival. In all of them, you will find a wide range of prices, from first-class to cheaper hotels, and they all have metro stations nearby.
Best hotels to stay at for carnival in Rio de Janeiro
Belmond Copacabana Palace
Originally opened in 1923, this impressive property is the most traditional and luxurious hotel in Rio.
The 226 rooms and suites at this Belmond property, are tastefully decorated and are spread throughout the main building and the tower wing. Each is decorated with period furniture and original artwork, but also with modern touches such as iPods and Wi-Fi.
The hotel has a wonderful large outdoor pool, spa, and rooftop tennis court. It also has some great restaurants, including Cipriani, which is one of the best places to eat in town, helmed by Celebrity Chef Ken Hom.
The restaurant is poolside and serves classic dishes from Thailand, Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, China, and Japan in a contemporary Asian-inspired dining room.
Fasano
One of the most elegant hotels in Rio, Fasano is located on Rio de Janeiro’s trendy Ipanema Beach and is one of the most famous places and searched by tourists and travelers especially at the beginning of the year when the carnival is on.
Designed by Philippe Starck, the elegant interiors give a modern touch to the retro style of the 1950s and 1960s. All rooms and suites feature a terrace, high-speed Wi-Fi, TV, and marble-tiled bathrooms. Deluxe rooms have views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Santa Teresa Hotel RJ
This hotel is located in the heart of the historic district of Santa Teresa and offers a wonderful view of Guanabara Bay.
There are 44 rooms in total and its tropical design is reflected in the ambiance of the entire hotel where natural materials are used, doors are built with the seven noble kinds of wood of Brazil, and elements such as the bedding, limestone, and Portuguese tiles evoke Brazil’s colonial era, another great hotel to stay at in Rio de Janeiro for carnival.
Vila D’Este
With a view of the famous João Fernandes beach, this beautiful inn is perfectly situated near the center of town, but in a privileged position with spectacular views of the bay. Another great hotel to stay at in Rio during carnival.
Hotel Casa Turquesa
The Casa Turquesa hotel is lovely, situated on the cobblestone streets of Paraty by the sea.
The property has a sophisticated yet relaxing feel, making it a little more welcoming for its guests. With only nine rooms, Casa Turquesa is intimate in size, and the design is contemporary with the facade of an 18th-century townhouse. The rooms have views of the bay of Paraty itself, rooftops of the historic center, and the mountains.
It is also one of the most popular places to stay in Rio during Carnival.
Mama Ruisa hotel
The owners of this amazing property believe that personalized service is key to maximizing the Brazilian experience during a stay in Rio de Janeiro, and especially for the country’s carnival.
This is a wonderful, luxurious mansion situated on the hillside of the bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, offering stunning views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. It is only 15 minutes from Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, 10 minutes from Rio’s historic center and Lapa, the heart of samba bars.
So what now?
With all these tips above on how to choose the best place to stay during carnival in Rio de Janeiro, we hope you can find the best place and the one that meets all your expectations.
Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is amazing and we are sure that by joining our tips, you will spend amazing days in this wonderful city.
About the author
Hi! I'm Breno, a Brazilian digital nomad, and I'm super excited to show you my country. My passion is to travel and here I talk all about Brazilian places for you to go with no fear.