Royal Regency Palace Hotel
Rio de Janeiro, br
8.27,858 reviews
US$79
per night
Destination guide
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil · South America
Search all hotels in Rio de Janeiro 2026-08-28 → 2026-08-31 · 2 · 1
About Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is the world's most spectacularly-sited city — Atlantic beaches, mountain peaks and rainforest all inside city limits. Copacabana + Ipanema + Leblon give you the beach classic; Santa Teresa + Lapa deliver hilltop bohemian nights; Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado and Sugarloaf cable car are the two iconic viewpoints. Cariocas (locals) live outdoors — beach volleyball, capoeira, samba, football — from 6am to 6am.
At a glance
- World's most spectacularly-sited city — 24 km Atlantic beaches, mountain peaks, rainforest in city limits.
- Metro + Uber safest transport; never street taxis at night, never take valuables to the beach.
- US, Canadian, Australian citizens need eVisa (US$80, April 2025); UK/EU visa-free 90 days.
- Carnaval (Feb/Mar) + New Year's Eve on Copacabana are bucket-list events; book 6+ months.
- Currency BRL; Type N 127/220V plugs; tap water not for drinking — bottled BRL R$5.
Featured stays in Rio de Janeiro — live rates
Prices are live from our licensed booking partner and may change.
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When to visit
December–March is peak summer — 30°C+ beach days, packed hotels, Carnaval (mobile date, Feb/March), New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach (2 million+ people). April–May are the sweet spot: 24–28°C, thinner crowds, fewer rain days. June–August is winter — 18–24°C dry days, ocean cool (20°C). September–November: warming spring, thinner crowds.
Getting around
Metro (Line 1 to Ipanema/Copacabana) is safe, clean and cheap — BRL R$7.50 per ride. Buses go everywhere but require Portuguese and street sense. Uber and 99 are cheap and universally used (R$15–40 per ride) and much safer than street taxis. GIG airport to Copacabana R$120–150 by Uber (45 min) or BRT connector to metro in 90 min.
Where to stay
Copacabana
The iconic beach — Copacabana Palace, Fairmont, Miramar, Sofitel line the crescent.
Ipanema
Higher-end beach + boutiques — Fasano, Belmond Copacabana, Hotel Praia Ipanema.
Leblon
Family-friendly upscale extension of Ipanema — quieter beach, best restaurants.
Santa Teresa
Bohemian hilltop — Santa Teresa Hotel MGallery, boutique inns, colonial cobblestones.
Lapa
Nightlife capital — samba clubs, arches, live music (visit only, don't stay).
Botafogo / Urca
Sugarloaf-adjacent, walkable, cheaper than Copacabana; solid mid-range hotels.
Your Marhaba Trip Plan
Rio de Janeiro at a glance
- Recommended trip
- 4–6 days
- Best time to visit
- December–March is peak summer — 30°C+ beach days, packed hotels, Carnaval (mobile date, Feb/March), New Year's Eve on Copacabana beach (2 million+ people).
- Getting around
- Metro (Line 1 to Ipanema/Copacabana) is safe, clean and cheap — BRL R$7.
- Recommended areas
- Copacabana · Ipanema · Leblon
Top experiences
- Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) — Corcovado summit — cog train or van from Cosme Velho; book online to skip queues.
- Sugarloaf Mountain cable car (Pão de Açúcar) — Two-stage cable car — sunset slot books out days ahead.
- Copacabana + Ipanema beaches — 6 km of sand — sunset at Arpoador rock (Ipanema/Copacabana border) is free.
- Santa Teresa + Selarón Steps — Bohemian hilltop, historic tram + 215 tiled steps (Lapa) by artist Jorge Selarón.
Book your trip
Do I need a visa for Rio de Janeiro?
- Policy
- Varies by nationality
- Typical stay
- 90 days
Since April 2025, US + Canadian + Australian citizens need Brazilian eVisa (US$80) via vfsglobal.com/brazil-evisa. UK, EU, Japanese, Argentine, Chilean + Mercosur nationals enter visa-free for 90 days. Passport valid 6+ months. Yellow fever vaccine strongly recommended (not mandatory).
Official government sourceHow do I get to Rio de Janeiro?
Airports
- GIG · Rio de Janeiro/Galeão International · 20 km
Uber/99 R$100–150 to Copacabana in 45–75 min; premium taxi (buy in terminal) R$180–220; BRT TransCarioca + metro R$16 in 90 min (not recommended with luggage).
- SDU · Santos Dumont (domestic) · 3 km
15 min walk / 5 min Uber R$25 to Copacabana; used for São Paulo shuttle.
By rail
No long-distance rail. Coastal luxury buses (Costa Verde, Águia Branca) reach Búzios (3h), Paraty (4h), São Paulo (6h).
Polícia Federal immigration; eVisa printout + passport required for US/CA/AU citizens.
How do I get around Rio de Janeiro?
- Metrô Rio (Line 1) — Reaches Copacabana, Ipanema, General Osório, Cantagalo, Botafogo, Centro. R$7.50 per ride.
- Uber / 99 — Cheap and safe — R$15–40 per ride. Always confirm price before boarding.
- BRT TransCarioca — Airport connector + Barra da Tijuca; requires transfer to metro.
- Ônibus (city bus) — R$4.30 per ride but requires Portuguese + street sense; not for first-time visitors.
Passes & tickets
Riocard Bilhete Único (R$8 + credit) taps Metrô + BRT + ferry. Uber for everything else.
Metro fine day + night to Copacabana/Ipanema. NEVER carry valuables to the beach — even sunglasses attract snatch. Leave passports + cards at hotel safe.
What should I eat and know about food culture in Rio de Janeiro?
Signature dishes
- Feijoada at Casa da Feijoada / Bar do Mineiro — Saturday lunch tradition — black beans + pork + rice + orange.
- Churrasco at Fogo de Chão / Porcão — All-you-can-eat rodízio meat — Copacabana + Ipanema locations.
- Açaí + tapioca at praia kiosks — R$25 açaí bowl with granola + honey on Copacabana.
- Caipirinha at Palaphita Kitch (Lagoa) — Sunset drink with view of Cristo — R$30.
Etiquette
- 10% service charge typically added to restaurant bill (couvert + serviço) — no extra tip needed.
- Cariocas (Rio locals) run late — 30 min after agreed time is normal.
- Sunday beach = family day; Ipanema Post 9 is fashionable, Copacabana Post 6 is family.
Tap water not for drinking — bottled R$5. Caipirinha (cachaça + lime + sugar + ice) is the national drink; Brahma + Skol + Antarctica are the main beers; guaraná is the national soda. Fresh coconut on beach R$10.
Is Rio de Janeiro safe for travelers?
Overall risk: ModerateEmergency: 190
- Tourist beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) safe daylight with awareness.
- Never wear jewellery, expensive watches or carry phones openly.
- Use Uber (never street taxis at night); never enter favela without licensed guide.
- Lapa nightlife safe in groups; solo travel avoid after midnight.
- Emergency 190 (police), 192 (ambulance), 193 (fire).
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an eVisa (US$80) — apply at vfsglobal.com/brazil-evisa. UK, EU, Japanese, most Latin American and Mercosur citizens enter visa-free for 90 days. Passport must be valid 6+ months. Yellow fever vaccine strongly recommended (not required).
Is Rio good for a family trip?
Yes with awareness — AquaRio aquarium, Museu do Amanhã, Parque Lage, Sugarloaf cable car, Copacabana Fort with fresh coconut, Ilha Grande day trip. Choose Leblon or Ipanema hotels (safer at night, better sand for kids).
What's the best luxury stay in Rio?
Copacabana Palace Belmond (legend), Fasano Ipanema (rooftop pool over beach), Fairmont Copacabana (2020 flagship), Hotel Emiliano Copacabana, Janeiro Hotel Leblon, Yoo2 Botafogo boutique. Boutique: Casa Marques Santa Teresa.
Can I visit Rio on a budget?
Yes — beaches free, hikes free (Sugarloaf trail vs cable car, Dois Irmãos), açaí bowls R$25, per-kilo restaurants R$40–60 lunch, hostels R$80–150. Metro cheap. Off-season (May–November) hotel rates drop 40–60%.
How do I get from GIG airport to Copacabana?
Uber/99 R$100–150 in 45–75 min (traffic-dependent). Premium taxi (buy in terminal) R$180–220. BRT TransCarioca to Alvorada + metro connector in 90 min for R$16 (not recommended with luggage). SDU (domestic) is only 15 min from Copacabana by Uber R$40.
Is Rio safe for tourists?
Tourist beaches (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon) are safe in daylight with awareness. Avoid ostentatious jewellery / phones on the beach and in Lapa at night. Use Uber (never street taxis at night). Never enter a favela without a licensed guided tour. Emergency 190 (police), 192 (ambulance).
Does US or European mobile data work in Rio?
T-Mobile Go5G includes Brazil free. eSIM (Airalo US$10/week, Holafly unlimited US$40/week) or Vivo/Claro/Tim prepaid SIM R$50/month. LTE coverage excellent in Zona Sul (South Zone tourist areas). Free Wi-Fi in every hotel, café, mall.
When is the best time to visit Rio?
April–May and September–October for sweet-spot weather (24–28°C, thinner crowds, better hotel rates). December–February for classic beach summer (30°C+, packed). February/March for Carnaval (book 6+ months ahead). Avoid June–August if you want warm ocean swimming.
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