Gay Rio Rio de Janeiro City Guide

Not letting its flawless golden beaches, verdant toucan-filled rainforest, or cosmopolitan city vibes go to its head, Rio de Janeiro boasts a playful charm that’s hard to find elsewhere. Whether it’s dancing the night away to sultry samba rhythms, snacking on smoky, street-side churrascaria, or hiking past monkeys in the lush mountains, there’s something for everyone in Rio de Janeiro. Elected as the world’s sexiest and best gay destination two years running and Carnival world capital since, like, forever, it’s little wonder why they call Rio the Wonderful City. As well as the gay-loving carnival street parties that take over the city at Easter and the Copacabana beach Pride Parade in November, Rio’s Farme de Anaedo Street in Ipanema flies the flag for the rest of the year. Wondering what to do in Rio de Janeiro for the vacation of a lifetime? Here’s your definitive Rio de Janeiro gay travel guide.

Where to stay in Rio de Janeiro

For the epitome of luxury accommodation in Rio de Janeiro, one simply cannot overlook the magnificent Copacabana Palace, A Belmond Hotel, which has been the crown jewel of the city’s hospitality scene since 1923. Commanding an enviable position along the prestigious Copacabana Beach, this Art Deco masterpiece seamlessly blends historic grandeur with contemporary sophistication, featuring impeccably appointed rooms with either city or ocean views. Whilst the property’s three refined restaurants – including the Michelin-starred Ristorante Hotel Cipriani – set the standard for fine dining in Rio, it’s the newly renovated rooftop pool and adjacent fitness centre that serve as the hotel’s piece de résistance, offering sweeping views across the iconic shoreline.

Meanwhile, in the fashionable heart of Ipanema, the ultra-chic Hotel Fasano stands as a testament to Philippe Starck’s innovative design prowess. This sophisticated sanctuary pairs mid-century aesthetics with Brazilian modernism, creating an atmosphere of understated luxury that appeals to the most discerning of travellers. The rooftop infinity pool, exclusively reserved for hotel guests, provides an unrivalled vantage point for admiring the dual peaks of Two Brothers mountain and the endless stretch of Ipanema Beach, whilst the property’s proximity to the city’s premier gay beach section makes it particularly appealing for LGBT+ visitors.

For those seeking a more bohemian experience, the Santa Teresa Hotel RJ presents an artful escape in Rio’s most creative quarter. Housed in a beautifully restored coffee plantation mansion, this boutique property perfectly captures the neighbourhood’s artistic spirit with its tropical-modernist design, featuring warm woods, natural fabrics, and an impressive collection of contemporary Brazilian art. The hotel’s crowning glory is its panoramic pool, where guests can cool off whilst drinking in views of Guanabara Bay and the city centre, though the property’s Spa Le Mer and the acclaimed Térèze restaurant, serving innovative Brazilian cuisine, provide equally compelling reasons to linger within these stylish confines.