Pros

  • In a quiet, residential area near Centro and Lapa nightlife
  • Housed in an old historic building
  • Dormitory and private rooms available, and some have balconies
  • Cozy lobby and well-equipped communal kitchen
  • Breakfast included in the room rate
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout
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Cons

  • No elevator and many steps
  • Far from the Copacabana beach scene
  • Area lacks transport and is considered unsafe by some
  • Lacks numerous amenities, such as a gym and full-service restaurant
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Bottom Line

The Bossa in Rio is a popular hostel in the bohemian Santa Teresa district, a 10-minute walk from the vibrant Lapa area in Centro. It's housed in a mansion dating back to 1916 (with a recently built, modern annex). Clean, comfortable dorm rooms are available, and the hostel also has roomier private suites with high ceilings, some with balconies that look out on Centro and the Guanabara Bay. There's also a lobby with a clean, well-equipped communal kitchen and both breakfast and Wi-Fi are free. However, guests should be prepared to climb a lot of steps, as there's no elevator.

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Oyster Hotel Review

Bossa in Rio Hostel

Scene

In the quiet, bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, not far from Centro

The Bossa in Rio is a stylish boutique hostel that offers simple, spacious suites and private rooms with stunning views over Centro of Rio de Janeiro. Dorm-style rooms are also available, and are the cheapest options. The hostel is housed in an old Santa Teresa villa that dates back to 1916, and is surrounded by a lush, tropical garden filled with mango trees that sees the occasional monkey and visiting birds. As a hostel, it's popular with budget travelers and has a youthful and laid-back atmosphere. Guests are kept informed about sports activities (like hang gliding or trekking), city tours, boat trips, and parties. 

See More Scene

Location

An old mansion on the slopes of bohemian Santa Teresa

The Bossa in Rio is in a tranquil, quiet section of the huge Santa Teresa area, away from traffic and busy streets. Often called the Montmarte of Rio de Janeiro, Santa Teresa is a vibrant and bohemian artist district that offers narrow and winding streets, old villas and mansions, and several art galleries and small shops. 

The slopes of the hilly neighborhood have lots of greenery and the tall tropical trees attract both birds (parrots and toucans) and small monkeys. The area has several good restaurants, cafes, and bars, some with live music, and the scene can get lively on weekends, especially during the Carnival time, when its streets are filled with blocos, which are wild samba parties. Bar do Mineiro -- a 10-minute walk away -- serves some of the best feijoada (local meat and bean stew) in Rio de Janeiro in a casual and fun setting.

The hostel is a 10-minute walk from the Lapa area, known for nightlife, and not far from the financial district of Centro. A bit further away is Praza Quince, with several beautiful baroque and rococo churches and museums. A 15-minute drive from the hostel, Praza Maua offers the latest addition to the museum scene in Rio: the Museu de Arte do Rio. The international airport is a half-hour drive away.

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Rooms

Air-conditioned dormitories and private rooms, some with balconies and great views

Opened in 2012, the hostel offers a spacious and stylish Master Suite with a large furnished balcony and phenomenal views over the hostel's lush tropical garden and out to Centro and the Guanabara Bay. The air-conditioned suite has high ceilings, a mini-fridge, wooden floors, and beautiful wall drawings as well as a clean en-suite bathroom with a modern walk-in shower. The two Standard Suites are a bit smaller and open to an inner courtyard.

The recently added annex building has six dorm rooms, all of which are clean and fresh, with beautiful beautiful views. Each air-conditioned room has four to 10 beds and comes with adequate locker space. The adjacent shared bathrooms and toilets are clean and well maintained. Throughout the property, rooms are clean, but no frills.

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Features

Communal kitchen, cozy lobby lounge, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi

The hostel offers a cozy lobby lounge with a comfortable sofa, beanbag chairs, and a flat-screen TV. The adjacent breakfast room -- where the free breakfast is served -- has a terrace that opens out onto a beautiful garden full of mango trees and pink bougainvilleas. The main building has a communal kitchen with two microwaves, a stove, and a large fridge -- frozen pizzas and lasagnes are available for purchase. There are two desktop computers behind the lobby that guests can use for free, as well as a printer (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though some of the higher level rooms can have weak signals. 

See More Features

Oyster Hotel Review

Bossa in Rio Hostel

Scene

In the quiet, bohemian Santa Teresa neighborhood, not far from Centro

The Bossa in Rio is a stylish boutique hostel that offers simple, spacious suites and private rooms with stunning views over Centro of Rio de Janeiro. Dorm-style rooms are also available, and are the cheapest options. The hostel is housed in an old Santa Teresa villa that dates back to 1916, and is surrounded by a lush, tropical garden filled with mango trees that sees the occasional monkey and visiting birds. As a hostel, it's popular with budget travelers and has a youthful and laid-back atmosphere. Guests are kept informed about sports activities (like hang gliding or trekking), city tours, boat trips, and parties. 

See More Scene

Location

An old mansion on the slopes of bohemian Santa Teresa

The Bossa in Rio is in a tranquil, quiet section of the huge Santa Teresa area, away from traffic and busy streets. Often called the Montmarte of Rio de Janeiro, Santa Teresa is a vibrant and bohemian artist district that offers narrow and winding streets, old villas and mansions, and several art galleries and small shops. 

The slopes of the hilly neighborhood have lots of greenery and the tall tropical trees attract both birds (parrots and toucans) and small monkeys. The area has several good restaurants, cafes, and bars, some with live music, and the scene can get lively on weekends, especially during the Carnival time, when its streets are filled with blocos, which are wild samba parties. Bar do Mineiro -- a 10-minute walk away -- serves some of the best feijoada (local meat and bean stew) in Rio de Janeiro in a casual and fun setting.

The hostel is a 10-minute walk from the Lapa area, known for nightlife, and not far from the financial district of Centro. A bit further away is Praza Quince, with several beautiful baroque and rococo churches and museums. A 15-minute drive from the hostel, Praza Maua offers the latest addition to the museum scene in Rio: the Museu de Arte do Rio. The international airport is a half-hour drive away.

See More Location

Rooms

Air-conditioned dormitories and private rooms, some with balconies and great views

Opened in 2012, the hostel offers a spacious and stylish Master Suite with a large furnished balcony and phenomenal views over the hostel's lush tropical garden and out to Centro and the Guanabara Bay. The air-conditioned suite has high ceilings, a mini-fridge, wooden floors, and beautiful wall drawings as well as a clean en-suite bathroom with a modern walk-in shower. The two Standard Suites are a bit smaller and open to an inner courtyard.

The recently added annex building has six dorm rooms, all of which are clean and fresh, with beautiful beautiful views. Each air-conditioned room has four to 10 beds and comes with adequate locker space. The adjacent shared bathrooms and toilets are clean and well maintained. Throughout the property, rooms are clean, but no frills.

See More Rooms

Features

Communal kitchen, cozy lobby lounge, free breakfast, and free Wi-Fi

The hostel offers a cozy lobby lounge with a comfortable sofa, beanbag chairs, and a flat-screen TV. The adjacent breakfast room -- where the free breakfast is served -- has a terrace that opens out onto a beautiful garden full of mango trees and pink bougainvilleas. The main building has a communal kitchen with two microwaves, a stove, and a large fridge -- frozen pizzas and lasagnes are available for purchase. There are two desktop computers behind the lobby that guests can use for free, as well as a printer (for a fee). Wi-Fi is free throughout the property, though some of the higher level rooms can have weak signals. 

See More Features

Best Rates

Amenities

  • Air Conditioner

  • Airport Transportation

  • Balcony / Terrace / Patio

  • Cable

  • Concierge

  • Internet

  • Kids Allowed

  • Laundry

  • Separate Bedroom / Living Room Space

Disclaimer: This content was accurate at the time the hotel was reviewed. Please check our partner sites when booking to verify that details are still correct.