Where to Stay in Rio
We’ve had excellent experiences with local accommodations and are here to help you find the perfect place. Check out the options below and refer to our map that highlights the recommended area along with each accommodation location.
Hotel Suggestions
When booking a hotel, we recommend using Booking.com to check reviews and ensure the best experience. Here are our top picks:
Highlights: Very popular and accessible to the beach, though on the pricier side
Windsor Leme Hotel
(not Windsor Plaza)
Highlights: Closest to the best beach area in Rio. It requires a bit of walking, but you can enjoy a pleasant stroll along the boardwalk
Highlights:
Charming spot with pool
Features a rooftop reading area with a fantastic view
Located next to the beach
Additional Recommendations
Airbnb Suggestions
We’ve found Airbnb to be a great option, especially if you have rented an Airbnb before. We’re happy to help you find a place if you need assistance. Here, we have a few listings we've personally stayed at and enjoyed.
Capacity: Up to 2 people.
Highlights: Ideal for anyone who loves the beach, great nature, and a quiet atmosphere.
Capacity: Best for 2 people with a shared bed; can host up to 4 people using a pullout couch.
Highlights:
Spacious and great for longer stays.
Suitable for working remotely.
Excellent location.
When to Stay
Wedding date - Sunday, July 20th
International Guests Dinner - Saturday, July 19th
We’ll organize a paid dinner for guests arriving from abroad.
Extended Stays - July 16th–21st
Planning a mixture of adventurous activities like hiking, paddle boarding, and some tourist favorites like Christ the Redeemer and riding the Bondinho (cable car) up Sugar Loaf mountain.
Flying to Rio de Janeiro
We suggest looking for flights on Skyscanner or on Google Flights and we'd suggest always booking directly with the airline.
We've flown LATAM, GOL, American Airlines, Copa Airlines, Azul, and Delta.
AVOID Avianca because they do not provide basic food or water on their long flights.
For a rough estimation, we would expect costs for a round-trip flight from Kansas City, Missouri to Rio to be around $1,400 typically. Today (Monday Feb 2nd) we see 14h + 12h LATAM + Delta flights from NYC to Rio for $1,400 which is quoted as "lower than usual" cost by Google. They will always try to get you with the bags, though.
If you're trying to optimize for the best deal, look at the prices multiple times over the course of a week and consider putting a Google flights price tracker on your preferred flight. We usually look at prices on Tuesdays or Wednesdays and we try to book directly through the airlines' websites (e.g. directly with American Airlines, LATAM, etc)
If you like any other advice, please feel free to ask us!
Getting a Visa
In a move toward reciprocal travel arrangements with countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan, the Brazilian government has decided to reverse a waiver that was put in place in 2019.
Under the new policy, all U.S. citizens traveling to Brazil for tourism or business will need to apply for an electronic visa (e‑visa) before their trip. The entire application process is digital and must be completed online through the official Brazilian government site (brazil.vfsevisa.com). The e‑visa generally offers a 10‑year validity and permits stays of up to 90 days (with the possibility of a one‑time extension, not exceeding 180 days within a 12‑month period). Travelers are advised to apply at least 15 days ahead of their intended departure, as processing times can take up to two weeks.
I've gathered a lot more information about the topic for anyone needing more information at the Brazil eVisa page.
