Gay Rio de Janeiro · City Guide

Rio de Janeiro is a bustling, vibrant, and exciting hub of art, culture, and fun. Known for its pristine white sand beaches, dramatic landscape, and colourful annual carnivals, the city is one of the most lively and diverse cities on the planet. There is an abundance of opportunity for exploration, from the breathtaking Christ the Redeemer to the Escadaria Selaron staircase.

Being Brazil’s most liberal city, Rio de Janeiro also has a thriving and well-established gay scene that boasts a selection of great gay bars, clubs, and cafes. The country is one of the world’s most popular gay travel destinations and you’ll be well catered for in this sun-soaked city.

Whilst gay-friendly and gay-focused venues can be found with ease throughout the city, the most prominent gay district in Rio De Janeiro is Ipanema, well-known for its buzzing gay nightlife and popular beaches.

Gay Rights in Rio de Janeiro

With some of the most advanced LGBT+ rights in South America, Brazil legalized same-sex marriage in 2013, and acts of violence and discrimination on the grounds of perceived sexual orientation and gender identity are criminalized under the country’s anti-racism law.

As of 2019, there have been growing concerns over the safety and rights afforded to LGBT+ people in Brazil as the country welcomed a new far-right government, particularly as a result of comments made by the president Jair Bolsonaro. However, Brazil remains one of the world's most advanced countries in terms of LGBT+ rights and protections despite an increasingly challenging landscape for LGBT+ people,

Rio De Janeiro is an international capital of gay community and culture, hosting some of the world’s largest and best-attended pride celebrations every year. The majority of the events take place in October and attract visitors from across Brazil and the world.

Gay nightlife in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is home to Brazil’s largest and most iconic gay village- Ipanema. The area is a bustling and lively part of the city that features a dense concentration of gay bars, clubs, and cafes. The gay nightlife in the district is varied and inclusive and there’s an experience suited to any traveler’s interests and tastes.

La Cueva is the oldest gay club in Rio de Janeiro and was founded in 1964. The club remains one of the most popular fixtures on the city’s gay nightlife circuit. The cozy interior of La Cueva is designed to resemble a rock cave and the venue offers a more laid-back and chilled atmosphere than some of the other nearby venues. Especially popular amongst the older gay community, La Cueva is the perfect place to have a drink and meet friendly gay locals.

A must-visit club on any gay traveler’s itinerary should be The Week Rio. Occupying two whole floors and boasting a swimming pool and multiple bar areas, The Week is Rio’s biggest and most popular gay dance club and located only a short distance from the waterfront in the Northern Centro area.

Read more: A Gay Guide to Rio de Janeiro

Gay hotels in Rio de Janeiro

Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are all popular areas of Rio de Janeiro amongst gay travelers. Staying in these districts promises easy access to much of the city’s gay nightlife, and hotels in these central areas are also more likely to be gay-friendly.

For one of Rio De Janeiro's trendiest and most modern hotels look no further than the Sol Ipanema Hotel. Sitting opposite the incredibly gay-popular Posto 9 beach, the rooftop pool and seafront views make Sol Ipanema Hotel the ideal place to soak up all the beauty the city has to offer.

Boasting an equally impressive rooftop pool and lounge area, Atlantis Copacabana Hotel is a modern and elegant option for gay travelers visiting Rio De Janeiro. Situated in a central and well-connected location, many of the city’s most popular shops are nearby and the famous Copacabana Beach is only a five-minute drive away. The affordable rooms at Atlantis Copacabana Hotel make it the perfect option for those traveling on a budget.

Gay saunas in Rio de Janeiro

The city boasts a large selection of gay saunas, many of which are open 24/7. Sex work is legal in Brazil, which means that gay saunas are popular places for sex workers to work and find clients, however, saunas are also largely popular with men seeking men without payment.

One of the most popular venues in Rio de Janeiro is Lions Club Rio, the largest sauna in the city and located close to many other gay venues. Lions Club spans four floors, functions as a night club and is a very popular venue. The sauna features a range of facilities including a stage area that hosts regular live events, a steam room, private cabins and a hot tub.

Getting to Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro is served by Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport which is the largest of three airports in the city. The airport shares its facilities with the Brazilian airforce and is the fourth busiest airport in Brazil.

The bus is a popular way to get from the airport to the city center and takes around 45 minutes. The air-conditioned vehicles are comfortable and well-run, making the bus one of the best ways to get to and from Antonio Carlos Jobim International Airport. There is also an hourly shuttle bus that runs from the airport to many of the city’s hotels and the popular beach locations.

Additionally, taxi ranks can be found easily outside any of the airport’s terminals. Travelers are advised to ensure that the meter on the taxi is completely empty before starting their journey.

Getting around Rio de Janeiro

Bus

Buses are a cheap and reliable way to get around the city and provide the additional pleasure of allowing you to view the city as you ride. Bus stops can be found throughout the city, and the next stop is displayed above the windscreen. The buses also run regularly but can get hot and crowded in the heat.

Metro

The metro is fast, efficient, and clean, making it the most popular travel alternative in Rio de Janeiro. The city’s metro network runs on three lines and trains top at all stations along the line. You can purchase prepaid travel cards from kiosks in and around metro stations and network maps can be downloaded online.

Taxi

Rio de Janeiro’s official taxis are identifiable by their bright yellow color and are a safe and quick way to get around the city. Taxis can be hailed but most people in Rio de Janeiro will use taxi apps such as 99Taxis and Easy Taxi.

Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

There are limitless possibilities when it comes to things to do in Rio de Janeiro. However, the most important attractions include:

Ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain

Take in the views from Christ the Redeemer

Spend the day in Parque das Ruínas

Relax on the volcanic sands of Red Beach

Be immersed in the Rio Art Museum

Explore Flamengo Park

Take a trip to Vista Chinesa

Read more: Things to do in Rio de Janeiro

FAQs

Visa

Most travelers will be able to enter Brazil without a visa, but for longer stays and work trips make sure you check the requirements for your home country and contact the Brazilian Federal Police.

Money

There are thousands of ATM machines across Rio de Janeiro, and most mid to high-end establishments will accept credit and debit cards. However, some ATM machines and card readers may add an additional fee for transactions attempted with overseas cards.

The generally accepted and expected rates of tipping in Rio de Janeiro are 15-20% for good service.

When to visit

The best time to visit Rio de Janeiro is between December and March when the weather is warm and sunny and the beaches will be lively but not overcrowded. The weather is great almost all year but can get swelteringly hot in the summer.

However, if you’re looking for the most action, head to the city in February, as this is when Carnival will be in full swing and the jovial atmosphere will be palpable. The cheapest time to visit Rio de Janeiro is in October, as this is the lowest tourist season so rates on hotels and flights will be at their lowest.