First of all, know that the city of Rio de Janeiro is divided into 4 geographic regions, called Zones. They are: North Zone, West Zone, Center and South Zone.

The North Zone comprises the most populous places. There are neighborhoods such as Maracanã and Tijuca. It’s a huge area, very popular, with many humble communities and lots of shops, with disorderly urban growth being one of its most striking characteristics.
With this intense movement, there is also a lot of traffic, less public security and a lack of urban organization.

The West Zone, despite being a region with some very interesting tourist attractions, such as wild beaches and the Pedra Branca State Park, is far from the city’s main postcards, and the time it takes to get around can end up taking up long hours of your day.
The areas with the most accommodation options and also the closest to Rio’s main tourist attractions are Centro and Zona Sul.

It is in the downtown region that the neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa are located, for example. It’s also home to the largest concentration of museums, cultural centers, churches and historic routes, since it was from this area that Rio de Janeiro developed.
Despite its bustle during the day, as it is also the commercial heart of the city, there are few safe, busy and well-lit areas at night, so staying in Centro means you have to be extra careful.

The South Zone is the most recommended to stay. As it is the wealthiest region of the city, with neighborhoods such as Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana, investments in lighting and public safety are greater, not to mention the fact that people move around more frequently both during the day and at night. Therefore, the feeling of being able to move more quietly is greater. The South Zone is also home to thelargest and most varied accommodation options, from the most luxurious hotels to the trendiest hostels, usually with a better infrastructure than other neighborhoods.