Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular gay destinations in the world. An LGBTQ beach in Ipanema, great gay clubs and a huge annual Pride celebration mean Brazil’s most vibrant city is an attractive vacation option indeed.
Rio’s gay scene is the stuff of legend: from the beautifully buff sun-chasers on Bolsa beach to the pulsing late-night bars and flamboyant drag shows around Farme de Amoedo. So it’s no surprise that there are fabulous, inclusive places to stay all over town, styled with a cutting-edge eye and staffed by locals who can connect you with the most exciting hangouts. Head to one of these LGBTQ favourites for a thrilling introduction to this inclusive party city.
Keep your swimmers handy on arrival at this smart little block, overlooking the famous sands of Ipanema Beach. Direct access to the sands is a huge perk, as is a posey glass-wrapped rooftop pool; meanwhile, a trendy cafe right on the sands attracts a youthful, espresso-sipping crowd. Head to nearby Arpoador Rock to catch a flaming Brazilian sunset.
Comfy but no-frills, with crisp white doubles or group rooms for three, this poshtel mixes low rates with the beach-fringed setting of Copacabana. Famous for great restaurants, luxury digs and live music streaming from beachside bars, this is also a prominent gay quarter, especially around the stretch of beach known as Bolsa, which you’ll find out front of the (rather more expensive) Copacabana Palace Hotel. Check out La Cueva, one of Rio’s oldest gay bars, towards the western end of the bay.
Reflecting the vibe of its bohemian Santa Teresa locale, this Crayola-bright guesthouse is all lime green walls and rainbow-hued paintings. Owner David loves to chat with guests and is full of tips for city outings; though you’re just as welcome to hang by the mellow outdoor pool or sip caipirinhas on the sultry patio. This village quarter is an artsy spot, with kaleidoscopic murals and quirky cafes decorated with bric-a-brac.
Also among the sugared almond mansions of Santa Teresa, this boutique hotel was dreamt up by a suave French-Brazilian bag designer. High on the hillside, its tranquil pool terrace has a cracking view of Rio’s skyscrapers, while ornately tiled hallways lead to elegant rooms pepped up with custard yellows and crimson reds. With only seven suites, Casa Amarelo feels like an exclusive club, with a relaxed brand of luxury that’s popular with older couples.
It’s all about the rooftop at this stylish boutique pad in arty Santa Teresa; with views of the city’s rooftops, skyscrapers and coastline. Spanish tiling and monochrome striped loungers converge around a slim pool – perfect for resting that head after a big night out. White rooms are deliciously cool and calm with wicker furniture and hammocks on some terraces; head to the Moorish-inspired, sunset-view bar to sip cocktails on low cushioned benches.
Bang in the middle of Ipanema’s sandy crescent, close to gay hub Posto 9, this slick boutique hotel is in a sociable grid of cocktail bars, steak restaurants and pavement cafes. Snap up one of its crisp white rooms with cool floor tiles or polished wooden surfaces, not to mention smart TVs and nippy air con. Dine at the indoor-outdoor rooftop restaurant for luminous views of the wave-splashed coastline and curvaceous mountains beyond.
This is an updated version of an article originally by Sarah Brown.
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