One of the most iconic cities in the world, Rio de Janeiro has a world-class blend of urban life and culture mixed with gorgeous landscapes and beaches.
Rio is nothing short of a premium destination. But premium destinations come at a premium price.
This is the exact reason we wrote this insider guide to the 20 best hostels in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro is one of the most expensive cities in South America, and accommodation costs can quickly add up. If you are traveling to Rio, the best way to save money is by staying in hostels.
With the help of this list of the best hostels in Rio, you’ll be able to quickly find a hostel that suits your travel style.
Rio is truly a massive city. To get the most of your time here you’ll have to find your hostel-mate (the hostel equivalent of a soul-mate). If that metaphor was a bit of a stretch for you, dig this: I want you to find the best hostel in Rio de Janeiro. For every traveler, what constitutes best is subjective.
In order for you to find the right place I have assembled all of the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro candidates as follows…
We’ve taken the best hostels and organized them by different travel needs. So whether you are looking for the best party hostel in Rio, the best hostel in Rio for solo travelers, or just the best budget hostel in Rio – we’ve got you covered!
Let’s dive right in…
Quick Answer: The Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro
- Overall Best Hostel in Rio de Janeiro – Discovery Hostel
- Best Hostel for Couples in Rio de Janeiro – Che Lagarto Suites
- Best Party Hostel in Rio de Janeiro – Books Hostel
- Best Cheap Hostel in Rio de Janeiro – Solar Hostel
- Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Rio de Janeiro – Lemon Spirit
The 20 Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro
If you’re backpacking Brazil, there is absolutely no way around stopping over in Rio. In order to be well-rested for your next adventure, you’ll need a good place to rest your head. Check out the best hostels in Rio below.
Rio isn’t necessarily a small city, so knowing where to stay in Rio de Janeiro can be a big advantage when it comes to booking your accommodation. You don’t want to end up far away from the hotspots you want to explore!
Discovery Hostel – Overall Best Hostel in Rio de Janeiro
No doubt about it, the overall best hostel in Rio de Janeiro is Discovery Hostel; this place it lit! Voted as the best hostel in Rio de Janeiro in 2019 by HostelWorld, Discovery has it all. With onsite bar and cafe with cheap food and drinks deals daily, Discovery is the kinda hostel that you could just move in to forever. Discovery is budget friendly and offers free WiFi and a cracking free breakfast for all. The mattresses are thick and squishy, no pokey springs and bed bugs here! Discovery is a belter of a Rio de Janeiro backpackers hostel and you’ll leave with a whole new group of travel buddies and a heap of incredible travel tales.
Mambembe Hostel
Certified ‘Diva Proof’ by HostelWorld, Mambembe could just be the best hostel in Rio de Janeiro for you. An intimate affair, Mambembe has just 4 dorm rooms which creates just the right amount of buzz without feeling too chaotic and overcrowded. As a highly recommended hostel in Rio de Janeiro Mambembe gives backpackers access to free WiFi throughout their stay and a decent breakfast too. Nestled away in the cultural hub of Santa Teresa, Mambembe is within walking distance of bohemian Lapa. Culture vultures should flock to Mambembe for sure!
Che Lagarto Suites – Best Hostel for Couples in Rio de Janeiro
The best hostel for couples in Rio de Janeiro is Che Lagarto Suites. This highly recommended hostel in Rio de Janeiro deserves all the praise that it gets and is the perfect place for couples to retreat. You will find Che Lagarto Suites right in the heart of the action, literally a matter of metres from world-famous Copacabana Beach! The suites themselves are not only super affordable but light, clean and really rather modern. The beds are comfy AF and will break your fall after a long day exploring Rio. If you and bae want a piece of the flashpacker lifestyle without the price tag Che Lagarto Suites is the place for you.
Books Hostel – Best Party Hostel in Rio de Janeiro
Books Hostel has it all and is without a doubt the best party hostel in Rio de Janeiro. Books Hostel has its own pumping bar but is super close to Rio de Janeiro’s best bars and clubs; giving you the best of both worlds. Books Hostel is a phenomenal youth hostel in Rio de Janeiro and is in part due to their amazing staff. Attracting a party focused crowd Books Hostel gets pretty pumping. They have great drinks deals throughout the week but guests are welcome to BYOB. Who doesn’t love saving money on booze?! Books have all the facilities you could wish for; free WiFi, guest kitchen, laundry machine and A/C. It’s time to see why Rio is one of the best party cities in the world!
Solar Hostel – Best Cheap Hostel in Rio de Janeiro
If you are looking for a basic AF, cheap and cheerful hostel in Rio de Janeiro, head to Solar Hostel. As the best cheap hostel in Rio de Janeiro Solar has cut the frills but not the facilities. You have access to free WiFi, a basic kitchen and the dorms have A/C. Hallelujah! We all know that when in Rio de Janeiro the hostel is pretty much just a place to crash out and freshen up which is why Solar Hostel is so great. Within easy reach of Corcovado, Sugar Loaf, Ipanema Beach, Solar is a great budget hostel in Brazil. The staff are super helpful and will point you in the direction of all the touristy hotspots.
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View on Osprey View on REILemon Spirit – Best Hostel for Solo Travellers in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is probably one of the best cities in the world for solo travellers to find friends; with such a phenomenal party atmosphere you’re part of the family the moment you step off the plane. Lemon Spirit is the best hostel for solo travellers in Rio de Janeiro as it takes the community vibe to the next level. Located in the super safe neighbourhood of Leblon, Lemon Spirit has a smiling face and welcoming hug for all. As a top hostel in Rio de Janeiro Lemon Spirit has its own hostel bar which gets pretty pumping, especially during the Carnival, one of the most famous festivals in the world. Did we mention free buckets of caipirinha every Saturday night?
Kaza Rio
Solo nomad on a shoestring budget? Say hello to Kaza Rio, the top hostel in Rio de Janeiro for budget solo travellers. Sitting right next to an estació station Kaza Rio makes life for the solo traveller super easy and stress-free. There is a real laid back vibe at Kaza Rio and you genuinely feel right at home the moment you walk through the door. FYI, if you wanna meet your hostel buddies your best bet is to head up to the rooftop bar and get chatting! The staff at Kaza Rio could not be nicer if they tried. Holla if you need a hand!
Ocean Hostel
Ocean Hostel is the best budget hostel in Rio de Janeiro, especially if you want to stay around Ipanema. As you would expect from a cheap hostel Ocean Hostel keeps it simple. The staff are helpful, the place is clean and bright and you are just 2 blocks from the beach. What more could you ask for?! Ocean Hostel may be basic but they are not lacking on amenities; A/C, laundry facilities and a little guest kitchen too. There are dozens of great places to eat and drink close to Ocean Hostel. Look out for the hipster juice bars of Ipanema. Super fresh and super healthy.
Alma de Santa Guesthouse
Should you and your lover be on the hunt for a home away from home in Rio de Janeiro, look no further than Alma de Santa Guesthouse. Customer experience is at the heart of everything the Alma de Santa team do. They’ll give you a rundown on how to stay safe in the city, where to visit first and arrange every last aspect of your trip if you so desire. Some of the private rooms at Alma de Santa even have a balcony which is just charming and lovely really. There is something quite classy about Alma de Santa. Not short on welcoming hostel vibes, there is calmness that shrouds Alma de Santa Guesthouse that will make you feel right at home.
Walk on the Beach
Brilliant bar, awesome staff and fantastic value for money; Walk on the Beach is one of the best party hostels in Rio de Janeiro. If you want to party by night but chill out during daylight hours it doesn’t get better than Walk on the Beach. The WOTB bar is where the action is at! Should you find yourself a tad hungover in the morning though, you are more than welcome to spend a day curled up in the TV lounge flicking through the hundreds of channels they have on offer. If you wanna get out and about then the WOTB team are always on hand to give you directions, book taxis and arrange entry tickets to Rio de Janeiro’s hottest attractions.
Terra Brasilis – Best Hostel for Digital Nomads in Rio de Janeiro
The best hostel for digital nomads in Rio de Janeiro is Terra Brasilis Hostel. Digital nomads are generally on the lookout for a hostel with a great community vibe but that doesn’t get too rowdy and distracting, Terra Brasilis is just the ticket. Whether you book a dorm or one of their super affordable private suites you will be welcomed into a calming and productive space. The Terra Brasilis rooftop bar makes for a great office and with views out over Rio de Janerio, you will not be short of inspiration. If anything, the view will make you even more motivated to get the workload smashed so you can get out and explore! Terra Brasilis has a self-catering kitchen and laundry facilities too; two essentials for the modern digital nomad.
Bonita Ipanema
Are you a digital nomad who is more of a flashpacker than a backpacker? What is great about earning an income while you travel is that once in a while you can splash out on a fancy hostel and Bonita Ipanema is just the ticket. Whether you want to work at the hostel bar, in the communal dining room-come-office or even by the poolside, Bonita Ipanema offers the perfect environment for digital nomads. Ipanema is a hip and happening area of Rio de Janeiro so there is no shortage of great coffee bars and juice joints to work in if a change of scenery is in order. The rooms are spacious and comfortable and guests have free use of the communal kitchen and laundry facilities.
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Hide Yo’ Money!More Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro
Gaia Hostel
Modern, spacious and bright Gaia Hostel is a great mid-budget hostel in Rio de Janeiro. Modern hostels can often feel sterile but not Gaia, this place has character aplenty. The dorms are roomy which means you can totally unpack if you wish. The tiny sun trapped courtyard is the perfect spot to get planning your onwards travels from Rio de Janeiro with thanks to Gaia Hostel’s free WiFi. The staff are really helpful so if you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask! Sandwiched between Copacabana and Flamengo, Gaia Hostel can be found in bohemian Botafogo.
Villa 25 Hostel
Free breakfast, a hostel bar and a swimming pool…when can we move in! Villa 25 is a top hostel in Rio de Janeiro with a boutique feel without the boutique price tag. Offering mixed, male-only and female-only dorms, as well as luxury suites Villa 25 has something for everyone. Warm and welcoming Villa 25 has a modern design, is super clean and very well maintained. The staff are great, happy to help and on hand 24/7 should you so require them. Although Villa 25 is in a more residential area the sights and sounds of Rio de Janeiro are only a subway stop away. It’s a win-win really!
Ghetto Rocinha Hostel
New kid on the block Ghetto Rocinha Hostel is creating quite the stir and is set to become one of the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro in the not too distant future. With just three rooms Ghetto Rocinha Hostel is cosy and intimate, ideal for travellers who like to retreat at the end of a long day exploring. That’s not to say there is no atmosphere here, far from it. Simply that travellers are free to do their own thing, there is no pressure to socialise if you don’t want to. The rooftop terrace at Ghetto Rocinha Hoste is the perfect place to hang out, catch up on the travel journal or simply take in the view. A genuine home from home.
Kariok Hostel
Kariok Hostel is a highly recommended hostel in Rio de Janeiro that can be found in the city’s historical centre. Within easy reach of all the must-visit sights and attractions, Kariok Hostel is what we would call a good all-rounder. Their free breakfast and free WiFi only serves to increase the epic value for money you get by staying here. Kariok Hostel offers guests use of the guest kitchen and the common room too. Not a party hostel but not lacking on the laid back Rio-vibes either, Kariok Hostel has something for everyone.
Cafe Rio Hostel
Cafe Rio is a great youth hostel in Rio de Janeiro that is not only super affordable but really accessible too. You’ll find Cafe Rio in the Laranjeiras district where traditional Rio de Janeiro meets the modern world. Being in Laranjeiras district means that Cafe Rio is often overlooked by travellers, unfairly so. This is a safe neighbourhood with great transport links. The staff here consistently go above and beyond for their guests. Need last minute carnival tickets? Done. Need a lift to the airport? Sorted. Dorms are basic but comfortable and cosy.
Dezenove Guesthouse
What a find! Denzenove Guesthouse is a total hidden gem! Digital nomads, Insta-addicts and flashpackers listen up, Denzenove Guesthouse is quite possibly Rio de Janeiro’s best-kept secret. This place oozes charm and is fantastically chilled out and welcoming. Each room of the guesthouse has been lovingly designed and is super photogenic. Both the dorms and the private rooms are clean, spacious and have incredibly comfy beds. Reflecting the bohemian nature of the neighbourhood in which is it placed, Botafogo, Denonve is the kinda place where you can grab a beer or two and settle down for an evening of travel story exchanges and adventure planning with your hostel cohorts.
Maracana Hostel
Maracana Hostel is a classic Rio de Janeiro backpackers hostel that has something for everyone. Offering guest access to free WiFi, the brilliant hostel bar, a community kitchen and tours and travel desk, Maracana Hostel has it all. No curfew means that you can stay out until the early hours partying Rio-style and roll home whenever you are ready. Do heed the Maracana staff’s warnings on safety though. Rio de Janeiro is an amazing city but you’ve gotta keep your wits about you. You can’t leave Maracana’s without trying their homemade Acai sorbet. To. Die. For.
BotaHostel
Newly renovated and a highly recommended hostel in Rio de Janeiro, there is a lot to love about BotaHostel. Location wise BotaHostel is one of the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro for it is within walking distance of Copacabana Beach, Sugar Loaf and Botafogo Beach. #Winning! The free breakfast is a total bonus, as is the free WiFi. Once your adventures of the day are over be sure to hang out at the BotaHostel bar, get chatting to your dorm-mates and get planning tomorrow’s big day out! Drinks are cheap and the vibe lit…it’s pretty darn brilliant to be fair! The dorms are cosy and comfortable, good night’s sleep guaranteed!
What to Pack for your Rio De Janeiro Hostel
Pants, socks, underwear, soap?! Take it from me, packing for a hostel stay is not always quite as straightforward as it seems. Working out what to bring and what to leave at home is an art I have perfected over many years.
Ear Plugs
Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.
Hanging Laundry Bag
Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.
Sea To Summit Micro Towel
Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.
Monopoly Deal
Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.
Grayl Geopress Water Bottle
Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!
Check out our definitive Hostel Packing list for our top packing tips!
Why you should travel to Rio De Janeiro
There you have it! The 20 best hostels in Rio de Janeiro!
We know that this is the most definitive list on the web, and it’ll make finding a hostel in Rio de Janeiro a piece of cake.
As you have gathered by now, the Rio hostel scene is pretty full on. You are now in full possession of all of my top picks for the best hostels in Rio de Janeiro.
On any backpacking adventure, where you choose to sleep might not seem like a big deal, but honestly is matters immensley. Price matters! Location is super important! Hostel vibes are crucial: nobody want to stay at a Rio bummer hostel.
Point being, Rio has lots of different neighborhoods, each with different hostels. Some are far better than others. Furthermore, the most popular ones book out fast. Especially around the time of Brazil’s biggest festival, Carnival!
The best hostel in Rio de Janeiro is now at your finger-tips. The choice is yours!
I hope you have a fantastic trip exploring this super cool part of the world… Good Luck!
So which one are you going to book? The best hostel for Digital Nomads? Or the best hostel for solo travelers?
Still can’t pick one? I understand, just go with Discovery Hostel – my top pick for the best hostel in Rio de Janeiro in 2024.
FAQ about Hostels in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some questions backpackers ask about hostels in Rio de Janeiro.
How much does a hostel cost in Rio De Janeiro?
The average price of hostels in Rio De Janeiro can range from $13 – $18+ per night. Of course, the private rooms are on the higher end of the scale than the dorm beds.
What are the best hostels in Rio De Janeiro for couples?
Our favourite hostel for couples in Rio is Che Legarto Hostel Ipanema.
What is the best hostel in Rio De Janeiro near the airport?
Discovery Hostel, an epic overall best hostel in Rio de Janeiro, is 2.5 km from Santos Dumont Airport. It offers airport transfer for an additional fee.
Travel Safety Tips for Rio De Janeiro
ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing.
They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.
SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!
Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.
More Epic Hostels in Brazil and South America
Hopefully by now you’ve found the perfect hostel for your upcoming trip to Rio De Janeiro.
Planning an epic trip all across Brazil or even South America itself?
Don’t worry – we’ve got you covered!
For more cool hostel guides around South America, check out:
Over to you
By now I hope our epic guide to the best hostels in Rio De Janeiro has helped you choose the perfect hostel for your adventure!
If you think we’ve missed anything or have any further thoughts, hit us up in the comments!
- Check out our extensive guide to backpacking in Brazil for a wealth of info!
- Check out the best places to stay in Rio De Janeiro before you arrive.
- Prepare for your trip with our backpacking packing list.
- Get ready for your next destination with our ultimate South America backpacking guide.
And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!
