Rio de Janeiro
Mountains, beaches and samba in one of the world's most spectacular cities.
Brazil › Rio de Janeiro
Digimad score
7.1
Good
Best for Beaches + Outdoor life
About
Rio de Janeiro has an almost unreal setting, with granite peaks, forest and beaches inside the city. Life is lived outdoors, on the beach, in the botecos and at street parties. It is also a city of contrasts, where safety changes from one street to the next. Botafogo, between Copacabana and the centre, balances services, transport and a lively bar scene.
Rio de Janeiro at a glance
Internet
Fibre is widely available, and coworking spaces in the South Zone are reliable. Storms can cause power cuts.
Monthly budget
$1,900/mo comfortable, $1,250 lean
Best months
May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Community
High nomad density, fair English
Key points
Beaches, mountains and forest inside the city
A lively outdoor social life
Good metro connections in the South Zone
Districts of Rio de Janeiro
Botafogo is practical and lively, Copacabana and Ipanema are beachside and busy, Leblon is upscale, Flamengo is residential, and Santa Teresa is bohemian but hilly.
Cost of living
USD
Lean
$1,250/mo
Shared housing, local food
Comfortable
$1,900/mo
Private one-bed, coworking
Premium
$3,150/mo
Central, frequent dining
Local currency
BRL
The South Zone is more expensive than the rest of the city, but safety is worth paying for.
Internet & connectivity
Fixed line
Not verified
Mobile
Not verified
eSIM
Supported
Reliability
GoodPublic Wi-Fi
FairPower stability
GoodFibre is widely available, and coworking spaces in the South Zone are reliable. Storms can cause power cuts.
Nomad community
Nomad density
HighEnglish
FairMeeting people
A large expat and remote-work community, with coworking events, language exchanges and beach volleyball.
Cariocas are friendly and relaxed. English is limited outside tourism, and Portuguese helps a lot.
Safety
Emergency 190 (police), 192 (medical)
At night
FairSolo female
FairPetty crime
FairCommon scams
Phone snatching on beaches and in the street, card skimming and fake taxis
Stick to well-known areas, keep valuables hidden, use Uber or 99 at night and do not resist if robbed.
Healthcare
Pharmacies
GoodPublic system
Public SUS hospitals serve everyone. Most expats use private care.
Private care
Private hospitals such as Copa D'Or offer excellent care.
Insurance
Choose a policy that covers private hospitals in Rio directly.
Getting around
Walkability
GoodPublic transport
GoodAirports
- GIGRio de Janeiro–Galeão Airport
The metro serves the South Zone and centre, and Uber is cheap. The international airport is around 40 minutes away.
Climate & seasons
Tropical
Hot and humid most of the year, with very hot summers from December to March and milder, drier winters.
All ratings
Watch out for
Safety varies a lot by street and time of day