5 best hotel areas and tips in Rio de Janeiro

With so many accommodatio options in one of Rio’s most famous neighborhoods, it can be difficult to choose where to stay in Copacabana.

But if you’re planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro, Copacabana is a destination that can’t be missed. With its iconic white sand beach and gentle waves, Copacabana attracts tourists from all over the world looking for sun, sea and lots of fun.

In this post, we will compare 5 different parts of the neighborhood and suggest some good value accommodation options in each of them.

Finding the best areas of Copacabana to stay is not easy, especially for those visiting the Marvelous City for the first time. But we are here to help you plan your vacation in Rio de Janeiro in the best possible way.

5 best areas of Copacabana to stay

To help you choose where to stay in Copacabana, we will divide the neighborhood, which is huge, into 5 different areas. This way, we can help you find the best accommodation according to your preferences and budget.

Each of these areas has its own unique characteristics. All have easy access to the Avenida Atlântica promenade and Copacabana Beach and offer accommodation options at a range of prices to suit all types of travelers. You just need to do your research to find the perfect option for your trip.

The best places to stay in Copacabana are:

1. Post 6 (General Osório subway)
2. Post 4 and 5 (Cantagalo subway)
3. Station 2 (Cardeal Arcoverde subway station)
4. Rudder
5. Station 3 (Siqueira Campos subway station)

Now that you know which are the most important areas to stay in Copacabana, let’s explore each of them in more detail and discover the best accommodation options in this true postcard of Rio de Janeiro!

1. Post 6 (General Osório subway station)

If you are looking for one of the best accommodation options in Copacabana, the area of ​​the neighborhood close to the General Osório subway station is the perfect location to stay.

This area of ​​Copacabana Beach is located at the southern end of the neighborhood, right in front of Copacabana Fort, and offers easy access to the neighborhood, Arpoador and Ipanema Beach, which are neighbors.

As for public transportation, the General Osório subway is one of the busiest in the city and can quickly take you to other areas of Rio. However, because it is such a popular area for tourists, accommodation prices can be higher in this area compared to other parts of Copacabana, especially due to its proximity to Ipanema, where accommodation prices are often higher.

Compared to other areas of Rio de Janeiro, this stretch of Copacabana is quieter and safer than average, even at night.

Hotels near Copacabana Fort

In this area of ​​Copacabana Beach, our main recommendations for accommodation with good value for money are:

• Orla Copacabana Hotel: Located on Avenida Atlântica, the hotel has modern rooms with panoramic views of the beach and the sea.
• Rio Design Hotel: On the beach block, on the corner of Rua Francisco Sá, the hotel’s highlight is the rooms with a different design on each floor.
• B&B HOTEL Rio Copacabana: It is on the same block as Rio Design, but facing Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana.

2. Post 4 and 5 (Cantagalo subway)

Booking your stay in the Postos 4 and 5 region is the solution for those who want to stay in Copacabana in a place that is within walking distance of Ipanema, but without paying the price that the proximity to the neighboring neighborhood demands.

The area around Cantagalo Station offers a variety of restaurants, bars and shops on the surrounding streets. The area is also very busy during the day and at night, so there is always something going on there!

Compared to the other areas on our list, accommodations in Posto 4 and 5 tend to be more affordable. However, this area can also be very popular during peak season or long weekends. So, if you’re planning on staying here during your trip to Rio de Janeiro, it’s worth booking well in advance.

Accommodation tips near Cantagalo subway station

In this region, the hotels we can recommend are:

• Ritz Copacabana: Boutique-style hotel with comfortable accommodations almost on the seafront. Located on the corner of Rua Xavier da Silveira, very close to the Cantagalo subway station.
• Selina Copacabana: Hostel with private and shared rooms. It has a coworking space and a rooftop bar with panoramic sea views.
• Ibis budget RJ Copacabana: the most economical option of the Ibis chain in Copacabana.

3. Post 2 (Cardeal Arcoverde subway)

For those planning a trip to Rio de Janeiro and looking for more economical accommodation options in Copacabana, Posto 2 (Cardeal Arcoverde subway station) could be a good choice.

This part of Copacabana is an area of ​​contrasts – as is common throughout Rio de Janeiro.

This part of the neighborhood is home to the most famous hotel in the city (and in all of Brazil). This part of Copacabana is also home to some hostels and accommodations with more affordable prices. And, above all, this part of Copacabana is home to the largest number of low-cost studio and studio apartments rented via Airbnb.

The location is excellent for those who want to be close to Copacabana beach, but do not want to pay exorbitant prices for it and want to have easy access to public transport, staying close to the subway at Cardeal Arcoverde station.

However, it is important to note that some blocks in this area, especially those on Avenida Princesa Isabel and Avenida Prado Junior, are not very inviting to walk at night. This is Rio de Janeiro after all.

Well-recommended hotels in this part of Copacabana

If you prefer a quieter place to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the nightlife, you might want to consider other areas. If saving money is your priority, it’s worth researching the options available here in depth.

For those who want more comfort, the best recommendations are:

• Copacabana Palace: it is impossible to recommend hotels in Copacabana without mentioning this one. Managed by the Belmond Hotel, staying at the Copa can be a dream come true for many.
• Royal Rio Palace Hotel: Located on Rua Duvivier, close to Cardeal Arcoverde station.
• PortoBay Rio de Janeiro: Also on Duvivier, but facing the sea, the hotel offers rooms with views of Copacabana beach and a private balcony in some units.

4. Leme: quiet and less crowded accommodation options in Copacabana

If the hustle and bustle of Copacabana isn’t your thing, the solution may be to find accommodation in Leme, which is a great alternative.

Located at the beginning of Avenida Atlântica, Leme offers a calmer and more relaxed atmosphere compared to other areas of Copacabana. In addition, Leme has the advantage of being located close to Morro da Urca and Praia Vermelha, which are two popular tourist attractions in the area.

Access to public transportation in Leme is not so easy: there are few bus lines that pass through the area and the Cardeal Arcoverde subway station is a few minutes’ walk away. Staying in Leme will probably mean that you will use Uber and taxis more frequently during your stay in Rio de Janeiro than in other parts of Copacabana.

Hotel tips in Leme

Despite being a small neighborhood, Leme is home to many hotels, most of which have sea views.

In Leme our hotel tips include:

• Hilton Copacabana Rio de Janeiro: Hotel that has sophisticated rooms with incredible sea views.
• Arena Leme Hotel: It is located close to Mureta do Leme, in the quietest part of Avenida Atlântica.
• Windsor Leme Hotel: Also well located in Leme, the hotel is a more economical alternative with modern rooms, some of which have stunning views of the beach.

5. Station 3 (Siqueira Campos subway st

When we talk about the Copacabana neighborhood, the image of the area around Rua Siqueira Campos is what immediately comes to mind. This part of Copacabana is located at Posto 3 on Copacabana Beach, near Praça Serzedelo Corrêa.

This area is the major commercial center of the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. Here you can find shops, bars and restaurants that cater to all tastes. Because of this, it is always a very chaotic area, with plenty of shops and crowded streets.

On the positive side, staying near Posto 3 gives tourists access to the Siqueira Campos subway station, which easily takes them to the city’s main tourist attractions. Another advantage is the proximity to neighborhoods such as Botafogo and Urca, where the Sugarloaf Mountain is located.

However, the main negative point of this location is the noisy and tumultuous environment, even at night.

Compared to other areas of Copacabana, the Siqueira Campos area offers a good variety of dining and shopping options for guests. However, visitors looking for peace and quiet or who prefer to stay closer to less busy parts of the boardwalk may find better alternatives in other areas.

Hotel tips near Rua Siqueira Campos

When searching for a place to stay in Copacabana, most of the offers, whether a hotel room or an Airbnb-type vacation apartment, will be located in this area.

With a wide range of options, it is easier to book something with good value for money here, but the selection process can take longer until you find a place with the comfort and price you want.

In this part of the heart of Copacabana, our recommendations are:

• Mercure Rio Boutique Copacabana: Ideal hotel for travelers who want to stay by the sea and have an exclusive view from inside the room.
• Windsor Palace Copacabana: Located on Rua Domingos Ferreira, the hotel has rooms with partial sea views, but offers an outdoor pool and rooftop terrace.
• Américas Copacabana Hotel: a more economical hotel – and further away from Copacabana beach – located on Rua Barata Ribeiro.