Lapa is famous around the world as the heart of Rio de Janeiro’s nightlife, and the reputation is well earned. The neighborhood is packed with bars, samba houses and legendary music venues that fill up almost every night of the week.
What few people know is that Lapa is also a great place to stay, and not just for backpackers. Because it sits right next to Rio’s financial district, the neighborhood has a solid choice of business hotels, and even upscale hotels with excellent facilities and great value for money. I’ve stayed there myself and loved the experience.
If you’re thinking about staying in Lapa but aren’t sure it’s the right choice, whether it’s safe, or which streets let you enjoy the nightlife without the noise keeping you up at night, this guide has you covered, with the best hotels in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro, from hostels to upscale hotels.
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Best hotels in Lapa: Quick pick
🏆 Best overall: Americas Granada Hotel
✨ Best upscale: Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
💼 Best mid-range: Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa
🎒 Best hostel: Mambembe Hostel
Where to stay in Lapa, area by area
Behind the Arches: in the heart of the nightlife
Avenida Gomes Freire, Rua do Lavradio and the beginning of Avenida Mem de Sá are home to Lapa’s best-known samba houses, all listed in my guide to the best samba in Lapa. Stay here to walk straight into the samba, as long as you don’t mind the music going on until late.
Rua do Riachuelo and Mem de Sá: close to the nightlife, not inside it
Many of the hotels in this guide are here, on busier streets with shops and movement during the day, close to the nightlife without being in the middle of it.
If you’d rather stay just outside Lapa, Cinelândia is a short walk away and right next to the metro. I cover it in my guide to where to stay in downtown Rio de Janeiro.
Best upscale hotels in Lapa
1. Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
When the first Vila Galé opened in Rio, I was curious enough to book it for a weekend staycation, since I had plans downtown and in Santa Teresa. Even in summer, I paid less than $100 a night for a double room with breakfast.
The hotel won me over. It’s set in a preserved historic mansion with a modern annex, built around a large pool in the central courtyard, a real oasis on hot days. The restaurant serves a full breakfast buffet and also hosts feijoadas and other events. Service is impeccable, and there are shops, a beauty salon and lounges on site.
The location is great too: far enough from the noise to sleep well, but a short distance from the nightlife and from Santa Teresa. At night, I’d take an Uber rather than walk.
Check rates for Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro
📍 Rua do Riachuelo, 124, a short distance from the nightlife
2. Américas Granada Hotel
If you want to be right in the middle of the nightlife, this is the place: the hotel sits across the street from Vaca Atolada, one of the samba bars locals love most. It’s also a short walk from the Lapa Arches and from Rua do Senado, famous for its weekend samba and bars.
The hotel has solid facilities, including a rooftop pool and a gym. Because it caters mostly to business travelers, rates tend to drop on weekends and during holiday periods, exactly when you’re most likely to visit.
Check rates for Américas Granada Hotel
📍 Avenida Gomes Freire, 530, behind the Arches
3. Casa Nova Hotel
Just a few steps from the Vila Galé, Casa Nova shares the same advantages: close to the nightlife, but far enough from the noise. It’s a business-style hotel with a twist: the rooftop has a pool and a bar, and it hosts events like open-air movie nights.
The one thing to keep in mind is that it sits right next to a church, so if you’re a light sleeper, the noise may come from there rather than from the bars.
Check rates for Casa Nova Hotel
📍 Rua do Riachuelo, 105
Best mid-range hotel in Lapa
4. Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa
Set on a street of local shops, with bars and restaurants nearby, the Days Inn is close to Lapa without being in the middle of the buzz. I haven’t stayed here myself, but travelers I’ve helped plan their trips told me the breakfast is excellent and the value for money is great. It’s a little cheaper than the upscale hotels above and a good option if you don’t need a pool.
Check rates for Days Inn by Wyndham Rio de Janeiro Lapa
📍 Rua do Resende, 107, close to Lapa without the noise
Best budget hotels in Lapa
5. Art Lapa Hotel
This small hotel puts you right in the buzz, close to the Arches, with bars just outside the door. It’s a budget option for travelers who want a private room rather than a hostel, with practical extras like a kitchenette and a work area, though breakfast isn’t included. The trade-off is the noise, so it’s best for those who really want to be steps away from the nightlife.
Check rates for Art Lapa Hotel
📍 Rua do Lavradio, 200, near the Lapa Arches
6. Mambembe Hostel
Mambembe is the hostel I recommend in my guide to the best hostels in Rio, and it’s also the one with the highest review scores in the area. It sits on the slope up to Santa Teresa, a convenient spot for exploring both neighborhoods. It has a garden and a terrace, and private rooms for travelers who want the hostel atmosphere without sharing a dorm.
Check rates for Mambembe Hostel
📍 Rua Joaquim Murtinho, 251, on the way up to Santa Teresa
Is Lapa safe to stay in?
Lapa is lively around its main samba streets at night, but it’s a different place during the day, when many streets are quiet, and a few blocks away from the nightlife they can feel empty after dark. Choosing the right hotel is your best protection: stick to the areas in this guide, on busier streets, and use a ride-hailing app at night for anything beyond a short walk.
One honest caveat: if personal safety is your biggest concern when choosing where to stay in Rio, Lapa isn’t the neighborhood built for peace of mind, and the South Zone is a better fit. For more tips, read my full guide: Is Rio de Janeiro safe?
Getting around from Lapa
Public transport isn’t Lapa’s strong point. The closest metro stations, Cinelândia and Glória, can be a fair walk from many hotels, so ride-hailing apps are usually the easiest way to get around, and the only one I’d recommend at night. Santa Teresa is right next door, and I explain the best ways to visit in my Santa Teresa guide.
Is Lapa the right base for you?
Lapa is a great choice if your trip revolves around samba and nightlife, if you’re traveling on a budget, or if you want to explore downtown and Santa Teresa. It’s not the best fit if you want to walk to the beach, if you’re a light sleeper, or if safety is your top priority.
Not sure Lapa is right for you? Compare it with other neighborhoods in my guide to where to stay in Rio de Janeiro.
Keep planning your trip to Lapa and downtown Rio
Best samba in Lapa
The top samba houses, venues and bars in Lapa.
Best street samba in Downtown
Weekend street samba on Rua do Senado and around, a short walk from Lapa.
Best things to do in downtown Rio de Janeiro
Baroque churches, museums and historic cafés, just a short ride from Lapa.
Santa Teresa, Rio de Janeiro
The hilltop neighborhood next door, with colonial mansions and great views.
Pedra do Sal
Rio’s most traditional street samba in Little Africa.
Where to stay in Downtown, Rio de Janeiro
Stay close to Lapa without the buzz.
Best hotels in Lapa, Rio de Janeiro - FAQ
Is Lapa a good place to stay in Rio de Janeiro?
Yes, if nightlife is a priority. Lapa puts you within walking distance of the city’s best-known samba houses, with good-value hotels nearby. If your trip is focused on the beach, Copacabana or Ipanema are a better base.
Is Lapa noisy at night?
It depends on where you stay. Hotels behind the Arches are in the middle of the nightlife, and the music goes on until late. Rua do Riachuelo and the stretch of Mem de Sá further from the Arches are quieter while still close to the bars.
How far is Lapa from Copacabana?
About 20 minutes by ride-hailing app, depending on traffic. You can also take the metro from Cinelândia or Glória, but depending on your hotel, the walk to the station may take a while.
Are there hostels in Lapa?
Yes. Mambembe Hostel, on the way up to Santa Teresa, is my top pick, and you’ll find more options in my guide to the best hostels in Rio.
Written by Karina
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Karina spent over a decade working in the tourism industry, with experience in some of the world's leading travel destinations. She created Going to Rio to bring that same standard of practical, traveler-first guidance to visitors exploring Rio de Janeiro. Learn more about Karina
Best-value hotels, easy public transport and safety tips: a guide to where to stay in downtown Rio de Janeiro, by a local who worked there for years.