The Best Party Hostels in Rio de Janeiro

Books, which opened in 2010, has built up a reputation as the party hostel in Rio de Janeiro. Its social environment makes meeting people easy, and drinking before going out to the nearby Lapa neighbourhood is an affair that seems to involve the entire hostel. The hostel itself is cheap, clean and safe, making it the perfect spot for those looking to meet fellow party-goers and those not so fussed about a good eight hours of sleep per night. Choose from the largest dorm (which sleeps 10) down to the more intimate pink room with three beds.

Lemon Spirit was the first hostel to open in Leblon, Rio’s wealthiest neighbourhood, and remains a great option for staying in the beautiful area on a budget. It’s located just one block from the beach and has three different sleeping options: six-bed dorms, female-only six-bed dorms and four-bed dorms. The hostel is located in a restored heritage building and has a more upmarket feel than most other Rio hostels. In the evening, its Lemon Travelers Bar gets busy – perfect for those looking for a fun party, Brazilian style.

If you’re looking for a quiet spot for a few days rest, Che Lagarto is not the place; this is a hostel for those who like to mingle and party, where free evening caipirinhas are part of the happy hour and bring guests together. Enjoy socialising at Che before heading out to Copacabana’s nearby bars and clubs, or to Lapa for all-night festas just 20 minutes away. To ease the hangover the next day, enjoy the buffet-style breakfast before sleeping off the excess booze on the beach, just two blocks away. You can either stay in a shared room, or go for a bunk bed in a private double room.

This modern, bright, airy hostel is considered one of the best in Rio de Janeiro and tends to attract backpackers and travellers from all around the world. The friendly and helpful staff are good at giving tips for things to do in the area, and the large communal lounge and nice roof terrace make it easy to meet other guests. Surrounded by great bars and clubs, the party mood is never far away and those who want to party until dawn can head to nearby Lapa, which is less than a half hour away.

The location in Santa Teresa gives guests at the Discovery Hostel access to a wonderful selection of bars such as Bar do Mineiro, Mama Shelter and the Explorer Bar, the latter arguably one of the best spots in Rio for cocktails. It’s also just a short stroll from Lapa, the city’s main party district, known for its live music and thumping clubs. The hostel itself is clean, safe and super-friendly with staff that sometimes go out for drinks with groups of guests. It has been voted the Top Hostel in Latin America and Brazil on Hostelworld and TripAdvisor, and even has private rooms (with shared bathroom) for those who don’t want to sleep in dorms.

The location of the family-operated Mambembe Hostel is pretty close to perfect for those looking to party. Copacabana and Ipanema may have the beaches, but Santa Teresa is known for its quirky, arty bars, and the proximity to Lapa is ideal for night owls. The friendly staff create a social environment where it’s easy to meet people, and the lively bar (which serves a mean caipirinha) is a great spot for pre-drinks. Mambembe offers shared and private rooms, and has its own bicycle rental.

Alto Vidigal Hostel is perched at the top of the Vidigal favela, a friendly community in Rio de Janeiro that has transformed into a creative, artsy hub, and features stunning 180-degree ocean views. The hostel itself is clean and safe, draws in a strong international crowd and fosters a sociable, friendly environment. It has a bar (which also enjoys that spectacular view), and is known for its popular weekend parties that go on until sunrise.