The 6 Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro (Updated 2024)

Founded by the Portuguese in the 16th century (although several indigenous groups have lived in the area for thousands of years), rio de janeiro is the second city Brazil.

It is also one of the most visited cities in the Southern Hemisphere, with over 5 million people passing through it every year. The majestic natural landscape of lush mountains embracing the sea has been a powerful source of creative inspiration for centuries. Many art movements and styles were born here, including bossa nova (a style of samba).

It’s no surprise that Rio de Janeiro has no shortage of exciting cultural and natural attractions to explore, including the world-famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue (one of the New Wonders of the World), Sugar Island Love Mountain and many fascinating attractions. Museums and more.

The city’s lively energy makes Rio de Janeiro particularly popular with backpackers and partygoers (especially during Carnival), which means there are plenty of hotels to choose from.

Below you will find my list of the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro. But, before we get into that, I want to share four things to remember when choosing a hotel:

1. Place – Rio de Janeiro is huge, so take this into consideration when looking for a hotel. Choose a neighborhood near the things you want to see and do.
2. price – This is true everywhere, you get what you pay for. If you choose a very cheap hotel, you may end up choosing one that is small, crowded, and doesn’t offer great service.
3. Amenities – Every hotel in town offers free Wi-Fi, and most have self-catering facilities so you can cook your own meals. Many (but not all) offer free breakfast, so be sure to do your research to find the one that best meets your needs.
4. staff – All the hotels listed here have excellent staff who are very friendly and knowledgeable. Even if you don’t end up staying at one of the places listed below, be sure to check out the reviews so you can find helpful and friendly staff. They can make or break a hotel!

Here is my list of the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro. If you don’t want to read the longer list below, here are the best in each category:

Want to know the specific conditions of each dormitory? Here is my breakdown of the best hostels in Rio:

Price legend (per night)

• $ = under 75 reals
• $$ = 75-100 reals
• $$$ = more than 100 reals

1. Lame watercolor painting

This hotel is just blocks from world-famous Copacabana Beach, with its 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) of sand and promenade. This is the perfect choice for tourists who want to enjoy a quiet time in Rio, away from the hustle and bustle of the city center. However, the hostel itself remains quite social, with enthusiastic staff often organizing group activities (such as tours and hikes), and there is a hostel WhatsApp group for making friends and planning outings. It really feels like living here with family (there’s even a dorm dog!).

The pod-style bunk beds come with privacy curtains (which I always appreciate), individual reading lights and sockets, and large storage cabinets, and each room has an attached balcony. There are also female-only dormitories and everything is kept spotlessly clean.

There are a variety of common areas, including a co-working space and a gym (a rare perk, but definitely one I love). There is also a rooftop terrace with stunning ocean views. If you’re on a budget, the hotel also offers a fully equipped kitchen and a free breakfast buffet (including homemade bread).

The only downside is that the hotel is on top of a very steep hill, but if you don’t want to walk there are always cheap motorcycle taxis waiting at the bottom to take you to the top.

Aquarela do Leme Overview:

• $$$
• Super close to Copacabana beach
• Free breakfast and fully equipped kitchen
• Gym, co-working space and rooftop terrace

Beds start from R$107, private rooms start from R$462.

Book here!

2. Explore the hostel

Housed in a restored colonial building, this award-winning hotel is ranked year after year as the top hotel in not only Rio de Janeiro but all of Latin America. It’s conveniently located, with a metro station at the end of the block and the vibrant Lapa neighborhood (famous for its nightlife) just down the road.

The super friendly hostel staff organize evening activities, so if you want to meet friends and party, this is the place for you. It’s easy to save money here too, as there’s a huge breakfast buffet in the morning and happy hour in the evening.

Many rooms have triple-height bunk beds (so try to avoid them), but all have privacy curtains and individual lights and sockets. Another plus? The water pressure is really good. But the Wi-Fi isn’t always the best, so it’s not an ideal place to stay if you work on the road.

Explore the hostels at a glance:

• $$
• Strategic location, close to the subway, very convenient for travel
• Fully equipped kitchen
• The social hotel has a bar and hosts events throughout the week

Beds start from R$95, private rooms start from R$246.

Book here!

3. Pura Vida Hostel Rio de Janeiro

If you’re looking for a party hostel, Pura Vida, located between Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, is another great option. With plenty of organized activities from karaoke nights to boat tours, friendly staff and an always busy hostel bar, it’s easy to have fun and make friends here. There is also a huge communal kitchen where you can cook your own meals and a small breakfast is provided daily (for an additional fee).

The metal beds are basic and there are no privacy curtains, reading lights or individual sockets. But, then again, this isn’t really a place to stay if you want to sleep. There is no air conditioning in the dormitory rooms either, but the private rooms do. There are also female-only dormitories.

Notably, it is located at the entrance to one of Rio’s many attractions slumurban slums where crime rates often increase. Conditions and safety vary greatly from slum to slum, but it is still important to take extra precautions around slums. Be alert when returning here at night and preferably not alone (here are some recommendations Brazilian safety advice Generally speaking).

Pura Vida Hostel Rio de Janeiro at a glance:

• $$
• The party hotel hosts events every night and has a bar where you can meet friends
• Kitchen facilities and BBQ area
• Breakfast provided (small charge)

Beds start from R$90, private rooms start from R$316.

Book here!

4. Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro

Selina is a hotel chain known for being more like trendy boutique hotels with coworking spaces. There are plenty of common areas: a huge rooftop terrace, restaurant, cocktail bar (where you get a free welcome drink), kitchen, movie room, and, like all Selina locations, coworking space.

All rooms are super clean, stylish, modern and air conditioned. The bed is new and the mattress is very comfortable. There are individual lights, power sockets and lockers under the bed. There’s a reason they’re one of the top chains!

There is also a Selina in Copacabana with almost the same facilities.

Selina Lapa Rio de Janeiro at a glance:

• $
• huge roof terrace
• coworking space
• Stylish hostel with hotel-like atmosphere

Beds start from R$63, private rooms start from R$240.

Book here!

5. Mabebe Hostel

Mambembe is a cozy and artistic guest house located on a quiet street in the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. This old mansion-turned-inn is a quirky place, with eclectic décor, art on the walls, a music room filled with instruments, and resident cats that add to the ambience. It’s on top of a steep hill, though, so keep that in mind if you don’t like walking uphill.

All bunk beds come with lockers, privacy curtains, individual power sockets and lamps, but keep in mind that some dorm rooms have triple bunk beds. The friendly hotel staff keeps everything clean and tidy.

There are plenty of indoor and outdoor shared spaces (with hammocks!), including an indoor TV lounge and an outdoor sundeck where you can relax and meet other travelers. This is a social venue, but not a party hotel.

Mabebe hostel overview:

• $$
• Located in the artistic Santa Teresa neighborhood
• Fully equipped kitchen and free breakfast
• Many common areas including outdoor terraces and sundecks

Beds start from R$89, private rooms start from R$228.

Book here!

6. Book Hotel

Books Hotel, also in Santa Teresa, is a lively party hotel with an artsy vibe (there are murals all over the interior). It’s definitely a party crowd of (mainly British) people staying here and everyone is very open and happy to meet other travellers. There are plenty of shared spaces to make this easy, including a communal BBQ area, kitchenette, library and TV room with Netflix and PS4. The party starts every night with happy hour at the bar downstairs, and in the morning a delicious free vegetarian breakfast is served.

When you do want to sleep, the sturdy wooden bunk beds are very comfortable and the pillows are great. Other than that, they are very basic, with no privacy curtains, individual lights or sockets. Most rooms have air conditioning and the water in the showers is always hot (not always the case in Rio de Janeiro). Perhaps most importantly, despite the amount of people coming in and out of the hotel, the hotel was always clean!

List of book hotels:

• $$
• free breakfast
• Fully equipped kitchen
• Youth hostel bar, enjoy happy hour

Beds start from R$76, private rooms start from R$226.

Book here!

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rio It is a charming city with so much to see and do that you can easily spend a month here without getting bored. By choosing a quality hostel, you’ll ensure you get the most out of your trip, allowing you to enjoy this vibrant, vibrant destination.