Brazil´s first Favela Hostel – since 2005!

In a very central part of the city (Laranjeiras/Santa Teresa), inside Rio´s most beautiful and tranquil favela, the unique Hostel “Favelinha” welcomes travelers from around the world. It gives backpackers and other interested tourists the opportunity to discover what life is like for a great majority of Rio´s inhabitants. It is the first hostel of its kind in Brazil – and going strong for over 20 years now! You will be amazed at how friendly you will be welcomed by the people in the favela and you will not believe your eyes when you step out on your balcony and start to overlook the bay of Guanabara, the sugar loaf and some of Rio´s famous beaches like Botafogo and Flamengo.

As you can see on the picture above, our sundeck is already waiting for you . More photos of the hostel, of the favela, and Rio as a whole can be viewed in the “Gallery”-Section. But go ahead and see for yourself: German Hostel-owner Holger Zimmermann, together with the lovely Brazilian managers Neia and Gabriel, invite you to visit all parts of this website, as well as the hostel itself, of course! The hostel is able to host up to 20 guests in its 7 rooms – in 5 double rooms, one suite,  and one dorm room. We also have a large living room and kitchen. In our garden you will find bananas, coconut trees, Acerola bushes and more. If you are lucky, you will spot the occasional monkey or Toucan bird in the trees around us. 

The British Sunday Herald, several German newspapers, the Brazilian news magazine EPOCA and the biggest Brazilian newspaper O GLOBO have all written feature articles about us! CNN published a blog and photos about Favela Tourism at our pousada.

We offer a full breakfast with views of the sugar loaf. Lunch or dinner can be had at one of several community restaurants around, or you can use our large communal kitchen!

Do you need a visa to visit us? Check all visa requirements for traveling to Brazil with the Passport Index!

Alongside other musicians, the Brazilian singer Moyses Marques has published a nice music video in “our” favela, you can find it here on YouTube.

We are looking forward to welcoming you in Rio!
Holger, Neia and Gabriel