This Massive Abandoned Hotel Sits In The Middle Of A Tropical Jungle
Amongst the dense vegetation of the Atlantic Forest in Rio de Janeiro, an old hotel breaks through the canopies of palms and rainforest trees, a striking oddity against the carpet of green. This ghost hotel has been completely abandoned for the last 44 years and is known locally as the Esqueleto Hotel, or in other words, the Skeleton Hotel.
The hotel’s construction began in 1953 under the name of the Gavea Tourist Hotel in between neighborhoods Gavea and São Conrado. 19 years later, the construction work was interrupted and bankruptcy forced a total stop to the works. The building was left abandoned in the middle of the forest, a 16-floor skeleton of what promised to be a unique hotel.
With no elevator having ever been installed, it’s a long flight of stairs to the top.
And without any barriers or handrails, the stairway remains exposed and bare, requiring a good balance and a strong stomach to walk the flight up to the top.
However, the views from the top are beautiful — just be careful to not look down!
Deserted and in the thicket of a rainforest, the Skeleton Hotel eventually became home to the moradores na rua (street dwellers) and later, a shelter for criminals who even hid weapons stolen from the army in there. Nowadays, it attracts curious and adventurous locals each weekend looking to explore the remains of the hotel. The path is tricky and a highly-guarded secret, yet for those who visit, they get to feel a sense of freedom combined with stunning views across the ocean.
Over time, the inside has started to fall apart, carpeted with loose bricks and broken concrete pieces. Yet the structure itself stands strong despite the exposure to the elements, including the annual tropical storms and the forest creeping its way in.
What would have been hotel rooms for Brazilian and international tourists are now hangout places for graffiti artists and those looking for a hike off the beaten track.
Despite its spooky name and its story as a ghost hotel, it’s becoming one of the coolest hangouts in Rio; check out this video to see why.
Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip
meet our Local Insider
Hanna
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?
2 years.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?
It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.
WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?
I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!
Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.
KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?
Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
