A weekend in Rio de Janeiro may not be enough to see everything the city has to offer, but it can be a fun-packed time - and it can be done on a budget.
The following travel planner applies to a regular weekend with no important events. During New Year and Carnival, Rio accommodations must be booked in packages of several stays and there's a great increase in prices.
For budget accommodations, you can choose a less expensive hotel in Ipanema or Copacabana, where you will have easy access to top attractions whether you get around Rio by taxi or by bus.
You can also save money by staying at a Cama e Café bed & breakfast in Santa Teresa, a quaint neighborhood on a hill with ateliers and vintage homes - although you won't be near the beach, you can ride buses or taxis and the historic Santa Teresa tram. And you'll be close to the Lapa nightlife, one of the top Rio de Janeiro attractions.
Having a travel companion is a great plus for a budget weekend in Rio, as you can share hotel fares, taxis, and meals at Rio restaurants, which are often generous enough for two.
