Okay, so talk of Zika is everywhere. Carnival is over. And the Olympics are still a few months away. Stop right there … and just chill. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is still the perfect February escape thanks to long, sunny days and average temps well into the 90s. While you could go all out with a $2,300/night beachfront pad in Copacabana, whole-house rentals in the city average around $150/night, and you can even find some decent places for under $50. Here are 10 of our favorite low-cost Airbnb rentals in Rio de Janeiro.
Paste’s Airbnb columnist Erica Jackson Curran is a former alt-weekly editor turned moonlight freelancer based in Richmond, Virginia.
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This colorful flat is on a quiet side street in Lapa, a neighborhood that's popular with Cariocas (i.e. locals) and known for its energetic nightlife. The recently updated space has a modern kitchen, air conditioning, WiFi and a 24-hour doorman. It's five minutes from the metro, and 10 minutes from the beaches of Copacabana. Bonus: the average rate is only $39/night.
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Soak up the dramatic ocean view from this beachfront apartment near the posh beach neighborhood of Leblon. Located on the top floor of the owner's home with a separate entrance (and no elevator), the apartment has a bedroom as well as a sofa bed, air conditioning and an external shower on the wide terrace.
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Whether you're a sun worshiper or surfer, this one-bedroom smack dab between Ipanema and Copacabana is a beach lovers' paradise. Take a nap in the hammock with a view of the mango tree outside, where you might spot a few monkeys playing. Host Rafael, who also lives in the building, is ready with plenty of nearby recommendations, including restaurants, clubs and surf shops.
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This
lovingly decorated studio is a block from the metro and four blocks from Copacabana beach. Located in an art deco building in a safe, quiet neighborhood, the completely renovated apartment has a small but well-stocked kitchen, a rainshower and a balcony. You can rent bikes nearby using the BikeRio app.
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With two bedrooms and a sofa bed, this
Arpoador apartment has plenty of room for larger groups of travelers. Past guests have praised the apartment's filtered water, strong wi-fi, proximity to the metro, and host Paloma's helpfulness.
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See what it's like to stay in an art gallery at this
artist's studio in Copacabana, in an area close to the beach and subway. It has a basic kitchenette, a sitting area, and a double bed.
Airbnb
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This
lush garden studio in the artsy Santa Teresa neighborhood boasts a view of the city skyline. A local cell phone is provided along with basic necessities like soap and access to a laundry area. The hosts, a Brazilian-Canadian couple, recommend the nearby Parque das Ruinas and beloved hangout Bar do Serginho, where you can drink capirinhas with the locals.
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This
Leblon loft is so cute it was featured in a local magazine. Host Richard calls the neighborhood the perfect blend of "chill n joy," with a bucolic vibe and bars, restaurants, malls, and the beach and lagoon just a few steps away. Past guests have noted welcome treats like snacks, beer, and coffee, plus thoughtful extras like beach towels and local maps.
Airbnb
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Spacious and bright, this
whitewashed Leblon flat has an efficient and roomy (by Rio standards) kitchenette, a dining area, a bedroom with a large closet and a sofa bed. Host Claudio has stocked the space with guidebooks, an espresso machine, and snacks.
Airbnb
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Wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling windows give this
spa-like space a panoramic view of Rio, Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the iconic Corcovado statue. Built by the architect and designer couple that lives downstairs, the apartment has a luxurious rainshower and a large bed from which you can watch the sunrise.
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