20 Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro

Carnival time at Rio Forrest Hostel

Rio Forest Hostel is one of the best places to stay in Rio if you’re on a budget. This trendy hostel is just a fraction of the price of many other hostels around the city without sacrificing awesome amenities such as a large outdoor pool and rooftop bar!  

Located in Santa Teresa, it is a little far from the beaches but is close to many of the other fun things to do in Rio including the Santa Teresa Tram, the Selarón Steps, and the famous nightlife in Lapa. 

Rio Forest Hostel includes air conditioning, wifi, and breakfast all in the room price. While there are a few private rooms, the hostel is more of a party hostel suited for solo travelers with spacious dorm rooms complete with comfortable beds and large lockers. Their regular pool parties and daily happy hours are perfect for meeting other travelers. When it comes to events such as the carnival in Rio, this is a great place to stay for the party and location! // Hostel recommended by Bailey & Dan from Destinationless Travel

View from Bossa Hostel in Santa Teresa

Bossa hostel which is located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood close to Lapa is a budget hostel that offers all the amenities for backpackers and travelers. Here you’ll get a quality place to stay and some great tips on what to in Rio de Janeiro. Being located within a 5-10 minute walk from the Famous Lapa steps you can get a head start to the attraction.

Start your day after sampling the early morning buffet breakfast offered by the hostel and you’ll inevitably miss the herds of tourist crowds that are prevalent throughout the year. Also, the Santa Teresa tram which passes over the Arcos da Lapa (one of Rio’s oldest landmarks) can be taken with a short walk from the hostel. Be prepared to walk uphill, though, as this hostel is located on one of the city’s many steep inclines. Follow the hill to the top and you will arrive at the bohemian center of the Santa Teresa neighborhood.  // Hostel recommended by Dan from Layer Culture

Patio of Books Hostel | © tripadvisor

If you’re looking for a budget hostel in Rio, the Books Hostel is your best bet! It not only is very affordable, but it also is perfectly located in the heart of the city and just a metro away from the prettiest beaches in Rio.

Namely, this hostel is located between the historic neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa, which is close to plenty of samba bars, family-owned restaurants, and incredible tourist attractions in Rio. They serve free breakfast every morning and the guest kitchen is always open to being used.

If you don’t feel like going to a bar for whatever reason, Books Hostel also has a cool bar open every evening where you can chill and sip on a Brazilian cocktail. // Recommended by Bruna from I Heart Brazil

Photo courtesy of Terra Brasilis Hostel

The Terra Brasilis Hostel is a striking building with a terracotta tiled roof and bright yellow walls in a quiet street in a safe area of Rio. Santa Teresa is gorgeous and the charm and delicious food of the ‘Large dos Guimaraes’ is just a five-minute walk away.

 It’s a great hostel for all kinds of travellers. There are generously proportioned dorm rooms with sturdy wooden bunks and huge private double rooms.

We love the communal areas of the Terra Brasilis. The patio is perfect to watch the sunset from, the large sitting room and dining room space are where homemade stone-baked pizzas are served and movies can be enjoyed.

The outside spaces are simply lovely too! There’s an interesting kitchen garden to poke about in and we were intrigued by the outdoor shower area. On warm evenings guests mingle on the roof terrace gazing at the Rio skyline.

Bar at Che Lagarto Ipanema

The Che Lagarto Ipanema is super close to Ipanema beach and even has a private section with free wi-fi and a bar.

You’ll be staying in an older building with simple décor and basic facilities. A great budget hostel in a fantastic location.

The 24-hour front desk is manned by helpful staff who are thrilled to recommend local tours. They also ensure good levels of cleanliness and any issues are quickly dealt with.

Most guests sleep in dormitory rooms but there are some doubles and triples to book if you prefer more privacy. In the morning, indulge in the plentiful breakfast buffet and prepare lunch and dinner in the well-equipped, pristine shared kitchen.

The welcoming and social atmosphere is great for travellers who are keen to meet new people and have a giggle. You can claim your free caipirinha cocktail every evening to get the fun started – it’s an early bird offer and I made sure I was there on time! // Recommended by Vanessa from Wanders Miles

Photo courtesy of Mojito Hostel and Suites

The Mojito is set back on a calm, tree-lined street 600 metres from the beach. There’s a cool bar area and a TV lounge where you can meet young surfer types and a lovely garden for reading and catching some rays away from the busy beach.

Bright white double rooms with comfy beds and lots of storage space are perfect for couples on a sunshine break. Alternatively, the dorm rooms with shared bathrooms suit solo backpackers who are just passing through.

It’s not a huge place, but it has that cosy feel and the staff has lots more time for each guest. The small kitchen and dining room are tidy and clean. You get clean bedding every day, which is unusual, and breakfast is free!

The Mojito offers an airport transfer, laundry service, currency exchange. It’s fab for solo travellers and people who are new to backpacking.

Pool at Ipanema Beach House

The Ipanema Beach House is a great party hostel, it is a place that can get loud! During the day, splash in the small pool or stretch out on a wooden sun lounger in a shady part of the grounds. The cute little pool bar serves excellent cocktails, cold beer, and ice cream.

Sick of the sun?! Head inside to the reading room, snooker room, or well-designed kitchen area with bright red retro appliances and dark, polished wood units.

The buffet breakfast table is packed full of fruit, pastries, and delicious coffee. If you miss it due to a heavy night, supermarkets and local shops are within a short walking distance.

Rustic furniture, hardwood floors, bold feature walls and painted windows make the Ipanema Beach feel like a budget hotel that is loved rather than a cheap hostel. There’s a homely feel which guests love.

El Misti Hostel Ipanema | © tripadvisor

Stay at El Misti and spend time soaking up the bohemian atmosphere of Ipanema. There are lots of accommodation options for all kinds of travellers.

Guests are often lured to the hostel by the one-minute walk to an exclusive part of Ipanema Beach. Digital nomads can use the free seaside wi-fi while solo travellers will appreciate the secure tent in which to leave their things while they swim and explore.

It’s the wonderful staff who man the hostel’s front desk that makes the El Misti special. They are there 24-hours a day ready to answer every question imaginable in a multitude of languages.

A mouth-watering breakfast buffet is available every day, but it is expensive! Remember that there are some great little food shops nearby if you want something different and cheaper.

View from Vila Carioca Hostel

As a female solo traveller, you have to choose your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro wisely, and although the Hostel Vila Carioca is not an outstanding place, there is one crucial factor that makes it the perfect place to stay: Its location.

Staying in the district of Botafogo is perfect for various reasons. For once, you are just one metro stop from the Copacabana and minutes from the central business district. But there is also a big mall right next to the beach in Botafogo. Yes, there is a beach about five minutes from the hostel, albeit not a dreamy one.

As you step out of the hostel and look down the street, you see the Sugarloaf mountain. Turn your head, and all the way up the street, you spot the Cristo Redentor – need I say more about this very spot?

The hostel as such is going for a boho-artsy-vibe. They have dorms and also private rooms. In the morning, you can help yourself to a basic breakfast. At the large communal area, you can hang out and meet fellow travellers.

A final huge plus is the proximity of the bus and subway stop Botafogo from where you reach basically all places of interest within minutes. // Recommended by Renata from Bye:Myself

Private bedroom at Injoy Hostel

Botafogo is a frenetic part of Rio and the Injoy Hostel is an oasis of calm down a peaceful cul-de-sac. It’s a renovated colonial building that is now modern, neat, and clean. A stay here, amongst the white bedding and colourful plastic furniture, would suit older solo travellers and couples.

The rooms are funky, each themed with photos of a different city. Much of the furniture is plain and slightly clinical so, if you want traditional or sophisticated décor, then this is not the holiday accommodation for you. That said, the owner designed and built the unique bunkbeds himself!

The TV room is the main communal area, and it is clean and calming but I preferred to relax in the small garden that the private rooms are set around.

The traditional Brazilian breakfast of fresh, locally sourced, fruits, cheese, bread, and yoghurt is excellent value and delicious. // Recommended by Vanessa from Wanders Miles

© do Samba Hostel

Your first view of Do Samba is the bold mural and colourful signage on the front of the building. It’s a jolly and warm welcome that sets the tone for a fun stay.

The amount of space in the bedrooms is impressive. Choose from big dormitory rooms with single beds and two-tier bunk beds or good-sized double rooms for couples.

Shared bathrooms are generic and cramped but they are clearly cleaned a lot so there were no complaints from us.

The living room style chill-out space is classic hostel living with soft and squishy sofas to sink into while drinking a beer from the vending machine and watching new travel buddies playing pool.

A courtyard garden provides a welcome relief from the hot sun. We spent many a happy post-lunch hour planning our next adventure here.

Live Samba music and Carioca parties are often staged at Do Samba Hostel. There is lots of singing and dancing in the evening and the staff holds amazing BBQ nights.

Private rooms @ Gaia Comfort Hostel

The Gaia is a budget hotel in an awesome location, very close to the cultural centre of Botafogo.

Pick from shared bunk rooms that feel a little sparse or more luxurious private rooms with skylights that let the sunshine flood in. All have great air-con and are surprisingly spacious.

High ceilings, white walls and steel staircases create a cosy and calm interior décor. The lounge area is modern and with splashes of green and red to add energy to the room.

The kitchen has modern, good quality appliances with a huge fridge to store your personal food stash. If you choose to eat breakfast provided by the hostel, we promise will be pleasantly surprised. It was one of the best hostel breakfasts we’ve ever had.

Check out the tiny courtyard garden that offers fresh air but is shaded from the sun. It’s a cleverly designed use of a small outside space.  

Views of Selina Lapa Hostel

Selina Lapa’s reputation as a clean, safe, beautifully-designed place to stay has made it hugely popular with digital nomads. It’s built into the restoration of an old hotel that looks like it’s straight out of a Brazilian movie, but inside everything is as modern as you’d expect from the boutique Selina collection.

The main reason this is such a great spot for digital nomads is the top-floor coworking space, which not only has sofas, booths, and meeting rooms, but also a large balcony that looks out over stunning views of Lapa and Centro. It’s a perfect spot to end your working day.

Selina Lapa is not only fantastic on the inside, but its location makes it highly sought-after. It’s a mere 1-minute walk away from the colourful steps of Escadaria Selarón, and right next to the Lapa Arches of the Carioca Aqueduct, past which you’ll find all sorts of restaurants, samba bars, and nightclubs. // Recommended by Lozzy from Cuppa to Copa Travels

Por el Mundo Hostel | Photo © Booking.com

Pura Vida Hostel was built to mimic a European castle. It is wonderfully quirky with lots of interesting architectural features. There are also contrasting surfer vibe touches such as the Tiki beach bar and graffiti-style wall mural.

The rooms are attractive and well looked after. Private rooms all have balconies and the dormitories of either single beds or bunks are painted in jolly colours. A girls-only room is available, just ask the friendly staff. 

The Pura Vida is a party hostel full of happy, friendly travellers. That does mean it can be noisy though, so take earplugs if you want a restful stay. On your rest days settle down to read, chat, or play cards in the big dining space or lounge area with TV.

This is one of the most beautiful hostels in Rio. Throughout the living areas, there is lots of glossy, dark wood panels and big windows and an elegant inside stairwell boasts stained glass turret windows and a stunning chandelier.

Photo courtesy of Discovery Hostel

This converted family house feels like a home from home with blonde wood, smiley staff, comfortable sofas, and cosy private bedrooms. The Discovery feels pleasingly traditional with Spanish style details such as ornate tiled floors and bright blue, yellow, and orange colour palettes.

Kick back in the cool bar area that looks ace when light up at night. It’s a great place to meet people from the local area and the rest of the world.

A basic continental breakfast is available and there’s a compact kitchen in which to prepare your own food. It’s a little dilapidated but it’s clean with lots of cooking kit.

The staff is always happy to chat and make sure that there is a full list of activities for hostel guests to enjoy. The Discovery is only 50-metres away from Gloria Subway station so it’s an ideal base from which to explore this incredible city.

PLAN AHEAD FOR RIO DE JANEIRO

Useful links for your trip to Rio de Janeiro

• Find the best hostel & hotel deals in Rio de Janeiro on Booking.com, Tripadvisor and Hostelworld 
• Get your bus or private car transfer booked from the airport
• Organise travel insurance to suit your needs with World Nomads or SafetyWing

Book a cool tour of Rio 

• Rio de Janeiro: Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups
• Tijuca Rain Forest Tour by Jeep from Rio de Janeiro
• Rio: Historical Walking Tour
• Rio: 4-Hour Urban Arts Walking Tour