5 Best Places to Stay in Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
Santa Teresa is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Rio – it has everything, from stunning city views to vibrant local culture.
I got to know the area better because I actually got married there earlier this year! That’s why I visited and stayed in countless hotels in the area to find and recommend the absolute best places to stay in Santa Teresa to my guests – and now, to you!
TL;DR? Here are the best places to stay in Santa Teresa:
🏛️ Best luxury: MGallery Hotel in Santa Teresa
🎒 Best budget: Jo&Joe
🏙️ Best view: Gerthrudes
🏡 Best homestay: Casa Vermelha
🪩 Best vibes: Armazém São Joquim
Why to stay in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is one of the best places to stay in Rio, and here’s proof:
1. The views
The views are INSANE! Hotels in Santa Teresa always have an interesting view, whether that’s of the iconic Christ the Redeemer, the Sugarloaf Mountain, the Tijuca forest, or a high up view of the city.
2. The nature
Santa Teresa is very green and quite close to the Tijuca forest, which attracts birds (including toucans) and monkeys to the region!
The neighborhood is an amazing place to relax and connect with nature. Some hotels and spas, like the MGallery Hotel, take full advantage of the surrounding nature to create a calming vibe.
3. The culture
Santa Teresa is a cultural hub in Rio. It is bohemian, it is trendy, it has the iconic cable car, and last but not least, it has bars… MANY bars!
Whether you’re looking for authentic samba, food, and people, Santa Teresa is the place to be.
The neighborhood has weekly fairs, art galleries, and historic buildings worth exploring…and spending the night in!
4. The location
Santa Teresa is in a prime location in Rio – close to pretty much everything you’d like to do in town.
Also, Santa Teresa is one of the safest areas to stay in Rio!
If visiting during Rio’s carnaval, you’ll be just by the sambódromo where the parades take place.
If visiting any other time, you’ll still be a quick Uber ride away from the beach (Copacabana & Ipanema), Christ the Redeemer, the Botanical Garden, and much more!
The 5 best places to stay in Santa Teresa
Best luxury: MGallery Santa Teresa Hotel RJ
The MGallery Hotel in Santa Teresa is one of the best luxury hotels in Rio. This small boutique hotel differentiates itself from the other luxury offers in Rio because of its zen vibe executed to perfection.
Despite being in the vibrant city of Rio, the hotel has the feel of a Four Seasons in Asia, including a stunning pool with city views and a world-class spa!
The hotel’s bar and restaurant are well known in Rio and make for a really good date spot!
Architecturally, the building is full of character. The hotel sits in what used to be a coffee farm dated to the 1850s, and that history shows through in their immaculate interior design and signature coffee blend!
Best budget: Jo&Joe Rio
Jo&Joe is my absolute go-to when visiting Rio – I’ve stayed there more times than I can count! Though just outside Santa Teresa, it is a stylish accommodation that deserves a high place on this list.
They offer both private suites and hostel beds at an unbeatable price during regular dates.
Their building is a recently restored historic mansion with lots of stunning architectural features. Beyond the amazing preservation work done in the hostel, each room also counts with wall art created by local street artists.
The hostel spans a giant area and has multiple pools, of which one is heated, open late, and has a view of Christ the Redeemer! The hostel’s restaurant is also delicious, and very reasonably priced.
Monkeys are a common sight at Jo&Joe, considering that the hostel is adjacent to the Tijuca Forest!
The area surrounding the hostel is relatively safe to walk around during the day. Within walking distance you can reach some of Rio’s tourist attractions such as Christ the Redeemer and Instituto Casa Roberto Marinho.
Best view: Gerthrudes
Gerthrudes is a beautiful and unique B&B in Santa Teresa where each room is unique and decor is full of style!
They have a beautiful pool with city views, and the breakfast area (and food) is really out of this world!
Staying in Gerthrudes really made me feel like a cool girl, not only because of the unique interior design but also because of the location near some of Santa Teresa’s best-known bars.
Though I loved Gerthrudes and would stay there again, it is important to note that it a B&B and therefore not the best accommodation for those who plan to party the night away! They do not have doorman service late at night, so I was not comfortable going in or out during the night.
Best homestay: Casa Vermelha
Casa Vermelha is a B&B owned by a lovely a family friend and her daughters. The hosts are incredibly kind and will surely make you feel at home during your stay in Rio!
The historic red home from the 1930s is cozy and a true representation of what many families from Santa Teresa live like.
The house is surrounded by nature and has a very calming and comforting vibe. Their small swimming pool is just the cherry on top!
Best vibes: Lobie Armazém São Joaquim
Armazém São Joaquim is actually a very cool bar – with a few rooms on the second floor! It is an affordable and cool place to stay for those who enjoy partying and are keen to experience Santa Teresa’s bar culture!
Though I’ve never stayed at Armazém, I heard many good things about it from locals and plan to try it out in my next trip to Rio.
Where to stay in Santa Teresa FAQ
Is Santa Teresa a favela?
Santa Teresa is a very large neighborhood, and some parts of it are trendy, safe, and well developed while others are favelas.
When staying in Santa Teresa, it is crucial to pick a trusted accommodation, like the ones mentioned here, to avoid accidentally booking in a favela.
In fact, I once booked a stunning Airbnb in Santa Teresa that turned out to be in the entrance of a favela – though the listing and reviews did not mention that.
Is it safe to walk around Santa Teresa?
I like to be conservative and argue that walking outside for more than 5 minutes in any part of Rio is a no-go.
The nicer parts of Santa Teresa are as safe as Copacabana or Ipanema during the day – though I follow the safety recommendations ingrained in me by my Brazilian family and avoid wandering outside as much as possible.
Is it worth staying in Santa Teresa, Rio?
Staying in Santa Teresa is absolutely worth it!
The neighborhood has insane views, a prime location close to all the main sights in Rio, and an authentic culture that you won’t find in the more touristy neighborhoods of Copacabana and Ipanema or in the quiet haven that is Barra da Tijuca.
For safety, just make sure to do your research on where to stay in Santa Teresa, as some patches of the neighborhoods are quite dangerous.
Best hotels near Santa Teresa: Copacabana
Santa Teresa has a very limited number of hotels, so if you’re looking for standardized chains or a beachfront stay your best bet is Copacabana, an iconic neighborhood nearby that has a huge selection of hotels!
If your budget allows, staying a night in the historic Copacabana Palace is a memorable experience to have (and brag about) in Rio!
The wrapup: Best places to stay in Santa Teresa
Santa Teresa is an amazing experience, and staying there is an authentic way to travel to Rio – I hope you’ll love it as much as I do!
Recap of where to stay in Santa Teresa!
🏛️ Best luxury: MGallery Hotel in Santa Teresa
🎒 Best budget: Jo&Joe
🏙️ Best view: Gerthrudes
🏡 Best homestay: Casa Vermelha
🪩 Best vibes: Armazém São Joquim
If you’re planning a trip to Rio, make sure to check out our other helpful guides!
✅ Is Brazil safe? A travel safety guide
✅ The 6 Best and Safest Areas to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
✅ Best luxury hotels in Rio (and the ones not worth the money)
✅ Best books about Brazil: top 3 books to read before traveling
