Favela Vidigal Guesthouse, Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

"Best atmosphere award - HostelBookers - February 2011"

Want to see a different side of Rio? Come and stay in a Favela. Favela Vidigal hostel offers travellers a unique opportunity to get right amongst the community. You can be passive and just enjoy the surroundings, or as active as you want, by participating in the local sports and volunteer activities. Once you see the project you will love it.

The Guesthouse is in Vidigal, which is a favela that overlooks Leblon and Ipanema beach. It’s a 3 bed concept guesthouse to allow people to experience life in a favela. It is lovely house in a pleasant part of the Favela with a breathtaking view. It’s close to the beach (literally 5 min), public transport and supermarkets. The favela itself has free activities (Dju Djitsu, Judo, boxing, outside cinema) run by local volunteers. A donation is always welcome. It’s a lively household as it is also available for foreign volunteers who work in the community. It also hosts regular sunset barbeques for tour groups and individual travellers. Favela Vidigal Guesthouse provides a real opportunity for people to get amongst the people that give Brazil its character.

For information on local activities, volunteer work or any general enquiries please don’t hesitate to make contact.

We have several accommodation options as we cater for a variety of needs. There is a double bunk bed and a double bed in a large room. These can be rented out as a dorm or as private room. We can facilitate more people if larger groups require so.

1) From the international airport take the city shuttle (8R$). From anywhere in the city you can take any bus to Leblon (2.75R$). From the end of Leblon it is 1km to the entrance of Vidigal (10mins walk along the ocean) or take another bus (2.75R$) in the direction of Vidigal. From the bottom of the Vidigal Favela a motor taxi to Largo do Santinho will cost R$ 2. From there it is a 1min walk down Rua Dr Sobral Pinto. From anywhere else in the metropolitan area you can start by taking a bus to the end of Leblon.

It is a lot easier to arrange something with us before your day of arrival. We can usually arrange pick ups from the airport for R$ 70(for a while this service is not working for a while). If you are travelling alone and with only 1 bag a motor taxi pick up will cost about R$ 50 .Pick ups from a closer area will be less. We are always happy to meet at Largo do Santinho or if you prefer at the entrance of Vidigal