Home > Rio Vacation Rentals: Basic Rules

We all know that vacation rentals in Rio have proven to be a winning proposition for local and international tourists who seek for fun, quality, security and privacy in Rio de Janeiro. The major reason apart from fair prices is that hotels do not allow guests or private invitees in their facilities while in beach rentals you are able to live the spontaneous life of a native Brazilian. But do you know what the basic rules are when renting a vacation rental in Brazil? If you don't, read this article in order to familiarize with the local guidelines. If you have a rough idea, a review is always beneficial. This is why we I decided to write a simple checklist on the most important issues so that you can research in advance your stay and avoid unnecessary problems.

The first thing you need to know when renting a vacation apartment in Rio is that it's a legal well established business within the tourist industry in Brazil. Many Brazilians and even foreigners buy apartments in Rio exactly for this purpose. Investors commonly buy used apartments and renovate them to offer the best comfort as beach rentals. Let's now discuss the main points you should be note when selecting an apartment.

Prices: prices in vacation rentals in Rio can vary significantly. Generally the more luxurious, the more expensive are the apartment prices. Beachfront apartments also carry a premium in their prices. Another rule is obvious, the greater number of rooms, the pricier it gets. Prices are normally charged by number of nights. That is, if an apartment costs US$ 100.00 p/day, 10 nights will be US$ 1000.00. Discounts can be considered above 30 days rentals. Prices per day can decrease for longer periods, since a longer stay will be booked. How much per day? Usually fair vacation rentals can be found starting at US$ 90,00 a day. Two bedrooms apartments in Ipanema or Leblon, all beach neighborhoods can vary from US$ 150 to US$ 300 a night, on average. If the apartments are located in high floors, if they have private pools and/ or hydro massage bath tubs, prices can rise significantly.

Locations/ Neighborhoods: Like any other major city in the world, prices vary by per different neighborhoods and zones. Most expensive vacation rentals are all found on the South Zone (called "Zona Sul" in Portuguese), specifically in the following neighborhoods: Ipanema, Leblon, Lagoa, Copacabana, Flamengo and Botafogo. Barra da Tijuca, once a separate beach neighborhood, also offers some very luxurious flats and residence services, but you need to have a car to drive around since public transportation is limited there. Ipanema, Lagoa and Flamengo have been considered the safest neighborhoods, since prostitution is heavily combated in those areas. Copacabana has a large selection of vacation rentals, and can sometimes turn into a good cost/benefit relation. Need some one liner neighborhood highlights? Here they are. Ipanema is famous for its fashion shops, trendy restaurants, and gorgeous beach. Ipanema can also be considered as the essence of the hype Carioca. Leblon is the utmost global neighborhood in Rio, with an upscale shopping mall, many 5 star restaurants and cozy bookstores. Lagoa has a very nice park, tranquil night kiosks around the lagoon and some fine restaurants like Mr.Lam and Bar Lagoa, founded in 1936. Copacabana has a wide apartment selection, ample public transport and Rio´s most eclectic environment. Flamengo is a very traditional neighborhood hosting the world´s largest in-city park, called Flamengo Park. Famous art-déco buildings like the Biarritz and Tabor Loreto are one of the neighborhood's assets photographed by many architecture admirers. Barra da Tijuca area has a visual scenery very similar to Miami, with large avenues, modern malls and exclusive beach front flats including Sheraton Barra Suites.