Rio de Janeiro's curated list of best hostels and cheap hotels, to stay on a budget without giving up comfort and quality.

Downtown by day, Lapa by night, a local's guide to Rio's most historic (and budget-friendly) area, from a Carioca who knows both sides.

In Brazilian telenovelas, Leblon is shorthand for old money. This guide breaks down whether Rio's most exclusive beachfront neighborhood is the right fit for your trip — from Dias Ferreira's restaurants to the city's safest stretch of sand.

Copacabana and Ipanema aren't the only options. From Urca's village-like calm to Joá's cliffside exclusivity, these six neighborhoods offer a quieter, more local side of Rio, with hotel picks for each.

The same trip to Rio de Janeiro can cost $40 a day or $500. Here's what really drives the difference, with real prices across every budget.