When to Visit Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
When you're planning your visit toRio de Janeiro, it's important to remember that seasons are reversed south of the equator. June, July, and August are the coolest months of the year with highs in the low 70s and lows in the mid-60s. These mild temperatures cause hotel prices to skyrocket. Though June sees more precipitation than any other month, rain falls off again in July, August, and September. Less rain means minimal fog and ideal sightseeing for destinations like Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado.
October and November herald springtime in Rio. The weather is dry and warm, but the lack of major festivals makes this a relatively slow season for the city. You'll find some of the lowest hotel prices of the year during these beautiful months.
Rio de Janeiro's peak season hits in December and continues through March, which represents summer for Brazil. This season typically brings highs in the mid to upper 80s. December and March average more than three inches of rain, though January and February are drier.
New Year's Eve, also known as Reveillon, is a huge event in Rio, and on Copacabana Beach in particular. Carnival takes place in February, enveloping the city in music, dance, and spirited celebrations for five days of indulgence before Lent. Carnival is one of the most popular times to visit Rio, so you'll need to book your hotel early to secure a room.
In April and May, Rio's crowds begin to dissipate. You'll find cheaper room rates, particularly after Easter. However, the drop in prices coincides with a peak in humidity. Expect temperatures nearing 80 degrees at the height of the day during Rio de Janeiro's autumn.
Below is a chart of the current pricing seasonality of hotels and motels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil:
Rio de Janeiro by Star Rating
Below are 3 charts demonstrating mean nightly cost trends by star rating class in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. You can use these illustrations to calculate the most cost effective months to book a room in Rio de Janeiro for upcoming travels.
Luxury Hotels in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
4 Star Average Prices: $130.34
If you're looking for luxury, Belmond Copacabana Palace should top your list. This longstanding fixture of Rio has welcomed guests through its elegant Art Deco doors since 1923. The hotel features Rio's largest swimming pool, exclusive beach service, a tennis court, fitness center, boutique, and 13 meeting rooms. On-site dining is available at the Michelin-starred Mee, Hotel Cipriani Restaurant, Pergula Restaurant, and Copacabana Piano Bar. Rooms at the Copacabana Palace are airy and spacious, with many featuring high ceilings or expansive beach views. Amenities include Brazilian slippers, an iPod dock, and a mini-bar.
The Santa Teresa Hotel by Sofitel is another prime choice for opulence and pampering. The rooms offer an extensive list of amenities including slippers, bathrobes, two complimentary bottles of water, free WiFi, and on-demand television. There are plenty of places to relax here with an outdoor pool, sauna, Jacuzzi, and solarium. On-site dining is available at the Tereze restaurant while drinks and aperitifs are on hand at the Bar Dos Descasados.
If you prefer a familiar chain for your stay, the JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro is just steps from Copacabana Beach. Guests enjoy marble bathrooms, plush robes, pillowtop mattresses, a mini-bar, and complimentary bottles of water. You can take your pampering to the next level with an appointment at the Mirante Health Club, offering facials, massages, and foot baths.
Affordable Hotel Options in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
3 Star Average Prices: $113.50
Rio is a great destination if you're looking for bargain priced hotels. If you're comfortable with a room in the heart of downtown Rio, Gamboa Rio Hotel offers some of the lowest prices in the city next to Rio's many hostels. This hotel offers complimentary wireless Internet, air-conditioned rooms, and convenient mini-bars. An extensive complimentary breakfast adds extra value to an already affordable stay.
If you're looking for a hotel where you can do plenty of sunbathing, Rios Nice Hotel features a small rooftop pool where you can soak, sun, and swim. This low-cost hotel also features a complimentary breakfast. It enjoys a convenient location near Rio de Janeiro Cathedral and plenty of shopping destinations.
Hotel Harmonya is just as soothing as it sounds. Careful landscaping and picturesque sunrooms offer plenty of places to lounge. Rooms feature all your essential amenities including complimentary wireless Internet, blackout drapes, and minibars. Complimentary breakfast is available as well, so you never have to head out on an empty stomach.
2 Star Average Prices: $80.00
Best Discounts in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Several hotels in Rio de Janeiro offer special deals and discounts that can help you maximize your travel budget. If you're a member of a hotel rewards program, check with your preferred hotel chain first. Rio is home to many well-known brands that have a presence both in the United States and around the world. You may be able to use or accrue points with your stay in Brazil.
The Sheraton Rio rewards you for longer stays if you book with an American Express card. The hotel also offers special packages for families and couples that let you add little extras to your booking for a truly memorable visit.
The Grand Hyatt Rio de Janeiro offers spa packages and romance packages so you can include plenty of pampering in your visit. Hyatt Gold Passport members have the opportunity to earn extra points here with qualifying stays, or cash in on a fourth night free.
At the Hilton Barra, you'll find discounted rates for AAA, CAA, and AARP members. If you're looking to add extra perks to your stay, the Breakfast and Wi-Fi package gives you a daily breakfast and free Internet. Try the Samba Package for unique local flavor. This pick adds a Brazilian dinner, samba show, and private samba class to your stay.
Best Value Options in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio's best value hotels offer mid-range prices and standout amenities. These smart picks will give you a comfortable place to stay with some welcome perks that you may not find elsewhere in the city.
Porto Bay Rio Internacional enjoys a prime location on Copacabana Beach. Head out to the sand and enjoy private beach service, or take your towel up to the roof-top pool for some sun. You'll also find a pool bar, fitness center, saunas, and a massage room at the top of the hotel. Guest rooms are awash in soothing neutrals, from the wood floors to the crisp white linens. Amenities include complimentary WiFi, slippers or sandals, and a mini bar.
If you want to stay in Rio but avoid the bustle of the city, Le Relais de Marambaia is a breathtaking choice. The hotel features a mindful design that emphasizes minimalism. The hotel features seven distinct rooms, each with noteworthy features and unique decor. The Marambaia Spa offers extra pampering including whirlpool baths, massages, beauty treatments, and wellness rituals.
Pestana Rio Atlantica is another value-packed option in Rio. This hotel offers a rooftop pool and deck bar that are ideal for Brazil's hot parties. A fitness center, jacuzzi, and beach access round out the on-site perks. Rooms include iPod and iPhone docks, cable television, and Natura amenities.
Acting Like a Local in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Rio de Janeiro is a popular tourist destination, so you won't be the only visitor looking a little lost on the streets. However, there are several perks to navigating the city like a local. You're less likely to attract unwanted attention when you're well-prepared for your visit, and a little thinking ahead can go a long way to ensuring a smooth stay here.
One of the most important things to know is that the national language of Brazil isn't Spanish as some people assume, but Portuguese. If you're brushing up on local phrases, make sure you have the right language. Plan your route through the city before you leave your hotel, and step off the street into a boutique or coffee shop if you need to look up directions. A paper map is safer than an iPhone or other smartphone that's easily snatched.
If you want to look like a local, avoid cutoff shorts, brightly printed shirts, or beachwear any place other than the actual beach. Jeans make for excellent tourist camouflage if you can bear it, as most visitors find these pants a bit too stifling for the tropical weather.
If you're looking for an unforgettable Brazilian vacation that combines wild parties, lazy days on the beach, and unique cultural highlights, you'll find everything you're after in Rio de Janeiro. Don't be surprised when you find one visit isn't enough.
A visit to Rio de Janeiro Recapped
Rio de Janeiro is, without doubt, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Although it is not Brazil's capital, the city attracts the most number of tourists. To the international community, Rio de Janeiro is simply known as Rio, but for the proud locals, Rio is known as the Cidade Maravilhosa, or Marvelous City. Rio is marvelous in every right. It is the southern hemisphere's most visited city, where balneario beaches, Bossa Nova, samba, carnival celebrations, and natural wonders attract tourists from all over the world. Any feature of Rio would first focus on one of the Seven Wonders of the Modern World, the Christ the Redeemer, a gigantic statue and religious symbol that towers all over Brazil. Guests can choose from the dizzying choices - riding the Sugarloaf cable car to the Corcovado Mountain, exploring downtown at the Guanabara Bay, and sunbathing along Copacabana Beach's shore. There's so much to see in Rio, as its landscape is being geared to cater the influx of tourists for 2013's World Youth Day, 2014's Fifa World Cup, and 2016's Summer Olympics.
'They have a joy for life in Brazil unlike any country I've ever seen, says Morena Baccarin; Rio De Janerio-born actress and model.
Perhaps this joy for life is what makes Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro's most energetic and diverse locality. With incalculable attractions for local people and guests, it is one of the most populated regions in entire country. It would be only correct to say that it's very much a city inside of itself. The stunning coastline is the top point of interest for tourists which visit the place from all corners of the globe. Apart from that, it has fabulous dance club, eateries, boutiques, and the trademark walkways are all that could possibly be needed to enrapture anyone. As one goes strolling around and finds the parks, squares, sights, and particularly the general population, the individual will end up being a fan forever.
Which Budget Hotels in Copacabana Can Travelers Access?
There are many cheap hotels in Copacabana that would easily fit under a low budget. Most of them are hostels which offer a cozy and warm setting for guests to relax and have a good time. COPA HOSTEL is one of such places which always are in high demand. What makes it an enticing option is the fact that it is just 3 minutes walk from the stunning Copacabana beach. Other Copacabana hotels in the category are Praia Lido Copacabana Hotel, which has old-school rooms and Hotel ibis budget Rj Copacabana, which offers very cheap rooms on rent. Rio Rockers hotel is another option worth going for, if traveling on a low budget.
Which Luxury Hotels in Copacabana Can Travelers Access?
An interesting factor is that most of the luxury hotels in Copacabana are located on beach front. Belmond Copacabana Palace is a luxury five star hotel that offers the finest services to its guests with rooms that overlook the scintillating coastline of magical Copacabana. JW Marriott Hotel Rio de Janeiro is another hotel from the category that is just 3.5 miles away from both Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro and Sugarloaf Mountain. Hotel Rio Othon Palace and Porto Bay Rio Internacional Hotel are Parisian style hotels in Copacabana that bring the flavour of Europe into the Latin American region with class.
What All is There to Experience in Copacabana?
If Rio De Janerio is deemed as a city which never sleeps, then Copacabana is only 10 steps ahead in comparison. Copacabana Beach is the place to spend New Year's Eve, a gathering that pulls in over two million individuals from all corners of the globe. The spectacle begins with firecrackers celebration and the stages with unrecorded music shows are a major also, however the Cariocas are the principle fascination. Most everyone dresses in white, a convention to bring peace and good fortunes. The cosmopolitan Copacabana horizon highlights Pedra da Gavea in Sao Conrado and Morro dos Dois irmaos in Ipanema. Tourists can wake up ahead of schedule and watch the sun ascend out of the Atlantic Ocean. The first clump of crisp heated bread is prepared available to be purchased at many pastry kitchens, and bouncers of Lido dance club are at long last throwing in the towel. It indeed is a paradise where party never ends.
FAQs about hotels in Rio de Janeiro