Brazil Travel Guide - Accommodation

Accommodation varies according to region. First-class accommodation is largely restricted to the cities of the south and generally expensive. There are also a number of pousadas, small, privately run guesthouses that are less expensive than the major hotels. 

Rio de Janeiro/São Paulo: Many modern hotels, ranging from the very expensive deluxe to the moderately priced. It is vital to book well in advance for Carnival (which takes place annually on the four days leading up to Ash Wednesday, usually in February).

Brasília: Small number of good hotels. Most tourists visit Brasília by air from Rio or São Paulo for a day trip, or make a single-night stopover.

Bahia (Salvador): Small number of good hotels, some moderately priced hotels, some small-scale guesthouses.

Amazon Basin: This region is being developed in part as a tourist attraction and has numerous lodges. Visitors are reminded that hotel tariffs are subject to alteration at any time and are liable to fluctuate according to changes in the exchange rate.

Note: The best guide to hotels in Brazil is the Portuguese-language Guia do Brasil Quatro Rodas, which includes maps, available from book shops and any news stand in Brazil. 

Grading: The Brazilian Tourist Board has a star-rating system (from 1- to 5-star), but the classification is not widely used.

Camping is uncommon in Brazil, though some tour operators offer organised group trips in the Amazon and in the Pantanal regions. Since many parts of Brazil are wild, or semi-explored, it is wise to drive on main roads, to camp with organised groups under supervision and with official permits, or otherwise to stay in recognised hotels.

The Camping Clube do Brasil has around 48 sites in 14 states. Those with an ‘international camper's card' pay only half the rate of a non-member. For those on a low budget, service stations can be used as campsites. These are equipped with shower facilities and can supply food.

There are over 80 youth hostels (albergues de juventude) scattered across the country.

Dormitórios, which have several beds to a room, cost from as little as US$5 per night, though standards are correspondingly basic (with shared bathroom facilities). A pousada (small guest house) costs from approximately US$10 per night. Rooms with bathrooms are called apartamentos, those without a bathroom are called quartos.

There are a growing number of eco-hotels, located mostly in or near the Amazonian rainforest. Some provide visitors with luxury accommodation built on treetops and also arrange informative tours to the surrounding area; prices tend to be very high.

Associacão Brasileira da Industria de Hoteis (Brazilian Hotel Industry Association)
Avenida das Americas 3120 - building 1, sala 213, Barra da Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 3410 5131.
Website: www.abih.com.br 

Camping Clube do Brasil (Camping Club of Brazil)
Divisão de Campings, Rua Senador Dantas 75, 29th floor, 20037 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 2532 0203.
Website: www.campingclube.com.br

Federação Brasileira dos Albergues da Juventude (Brazilian Youth Hostel Federation)
Rua da Assembleia 10, sala 1617, Centro, 20119-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Tel: (21) 2531 1085.
Website: www.hostel.org.br