Pura Vida Hostel

The 6 Best Hostels in Rio de Janeiro (Updated 2025)

"Situated between Ipanema and Copacabana Beaches, this is a full-on party hostel with tons of organized events (karaoke nights, boat tours), a gregarious staff, and an always-busy hostel bar that makes it very easy to meet people. There’s a huge communal kitchen and a small breakfast available for an extra fee, but the metal bunks are basic — no privacy curtains, reading lights, or individual outlets — and dorms lack air conditioning (private rooms do); there are female-only dorms as well. Important to note: it’s located right at the entrance to one of Rio’s favelas, so conditions and safety can vary and I recommend taking extra precautions when returning at night, ideally not alone." - Matthew Kepnes