Hostel in Santa Teresa
Reasons to book
Guests love it hereGuests give this property a top rating
Great price for your budgetOne of the lowest cost properties in the area
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About this hostel
Located in a favela, a densely populated urban slum on the hills of Rio de Janeiro, Pousada Favelinha is a guest house overlooking the Sugarloaf Mountain and offering free WiFi access in guestrooms and public areas.
Amenities at Pousada Favelinha
Airport transportation available
Shuttle available
Free WiFi/internet
Free Parking
Non-smoking
Bar
Kitchen
Balcony/Terrace
WiFi/Internet
Shared living spaces
Garden
Laundry services
Fireplace
Outdoor Cooking
Family friendly
Ironing facilities
Smoking allowed
Safe
Key access
Contactless check-in/out
Housekeeping available
Fire extinguisher
Cleaning products
Map of Santa Teresa
Available Rooms
Ratings and reviews
100% verified reviews9.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Oct 2025
This is an unusual setting for a pousada being within a relatively small favela. The room was large and attractive with a private balcony commanding a stunning view over Rio. Gabriel, the host, was very helpful. He speaks good English and is a good communicator.
The favela has a restaurant open at lunchtime but not for dinner, however you can cook in the pousada if you bring your own ingredients.
9.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Oct 2025
The location is something else. The favela felt safer than anywhere else in Rio. The people who live there were so friendly and welcoming. The views from the accommodation were breathtaking and the breakfast was very good. There was plenty of communal space and the cats were a bonus.
The kitchen needed some clean pans and was generally a bit grubby.
10.0 / 10.0Outstanding·Sep 2025
Everything, especially the hammock on my balcony, the amazing view and the kindness of the owner. It is a special place to stay in Rio and I felt very safe there.
Only that I kept getting lost in the favela
5.0 / 10.0·Feb 2026
The views from the accommodation on the main floor, the terrace on the top floor and our room were outstanding. However, be aware that the view comes at a cost no reflected in the price. What I mean by that is the following. As others have noted, it takes about a 5-10min walk from where a taxi/Uber can drop you off to walk to the accommodation. The walk is up and down with steep parts. When it rains the steepness can be challenging on the way down in particular. Also the narrow streets are littered with animal feces, which are easy to see during the day, smell a lot because of the heat, and are very difficult to see when in the dark. The other thing to keep in mind is that, while Santa Teresa is a lovely area to stay in if you are not in Rio for the first time and are wanting to explore all the main attractions, it is very difficult to get an Uber from Santa Teresa to other destinations in the city. Easiest is taxi, which is comparable to Uber rates. Also the same challenge for when you try to return to the accommodation. Last, but not least on more than one occasion there was animal feces in the hallway right outside of our door. Overall this is a budget accommodation offering great views, but I wouldn't recommend it for your first time in Rio and if only staying for a few days. But if you are in Rio and only looking to experience the flavela and the Santa Teresa area than give it a shot.
Read above.
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Top rated by guests
8.5Excellent
(377 Ratings)
"Everything, especially the hammock on my balcony, the amazing view and the kindness of the owner. It is a special place to stay in Rio and I felt very safe there."
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