When looking for a place to stay in Rio it really pays to get some local advice. You’ll pay a hefty premium to be close to the beach and often you’ll get a far better deal (and a higher standard of service) if you avoid the seaside tourist traps.

Here we present our favourite places to stay in Rio. We include a range to suit all budgets – from luxurious boutique hotels and mid-range guesthouses to budget hostels where you can meet like-minded travellers. We only list places that we genuinely like – we visit the location, chat with the owners and staff and get a proper feel for the place before we consider listing it.