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by Hans-Philipp Hauser

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Best Areas to Rent in Rio for University Students

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Aerial view of the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) campus surrounded by lush green trees.

Looking for a good location to live in Rio de Janeiro while studying?

You’re in the right place!

Choosing the right neighborhood really matters.

It affects your rent, commute, vibe, and whether you can dash to class in flip-flops or need a full bus plan.

Here’s a breakdown of Rio’s most student-friendly areas based on location, budget, public transport, and of course, vibes.

Let’s go!

Scenic view of Botafogo in Rio de Janeiro featuring a mix of urban and natural elements. Ocean on the horizon, a wide blue sky, leafy trees lining the street, a crosswalk on a main road, and modern buildings surrounded by greenery.
Botafogo by Amgauna via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0) No changes were made.

Botafogo

Vibe: Lively, central, and full of cafés where half the people are on laptops.
Main Streets: Rua São Clemente, Rua Voluntários da Pátria
Why Students Love It: Affordable apartments, quick bus + metro access, close to the beach and multiple campuses.
Perfect if you study at: UFRJ, PUC-Rio, UCAM, Estácio (Centro)

Aerial view of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, showing a mix of residential houses with red rooftops, tall modern buildings, and a long stretch of beach along the Atlantic Ocean, photographed from a helicopter window.
Rio de Janeiro Aerial View by Matheus Bertelli from Pexels

Tijuca

Vibe: Classic, low-key, residential with old-school bakeries and strong community feel.
Main Streets: Rua Conde de Bonfim, Rua Haddock Lobo
Why Students Love It: Rent’s good, metro’s great, and everything you need (malls, snacks, Wi-Fi) is nearby.
Perfect if you study at: UERJ, IBMR, Estácio (Tijuca)

Peaceful street view in Tijuca, Rio de Janeiro, with a central road leading toward numerous buildings in the distance, flanked by green grass and lampposts along the side. The scene highlights the urban charm and natural beauty of the Tijuca neighborhood.
Aterro do Flamengo. RJ by Dornicke via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Flamengo

Vibe: Calm but central, with a giant park for picnic-studying and bay views for breaks.
Main Streets: Praia do Flamengo, Rua Senador Vergueiro
Why Students Love It: Clean, quiet, metro-friendly, and a sweet shortcut between downtown and the South Zone.
Perfect if you study at: UFRJ, PUC-Rio, UCAM

Urban skyline of Copacabana in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with mid-rise buildings in the foreground and a calm Atlantic Ocean in the background under a soft blue sky at sunset.
Copacabana by Vinícius Vieira ft from Pexels

Copacabana

Vibe: Beachy, iconic, always moving. Think “I live near the ocean” but on a student budget.
Main Streets: Avenida Nossa Senhora de Copacabana, Rua Barata Ribeiro
Why Students Love It: 24/7 buses, every kind of rental, late-night food, and beach study breaks.
Perfect if you study at: UCAM, PUC-Rio, UFRJ (easy bus ride)

Wide view of Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, surrounded by numerous urban buildings and busy streets, with the iconic Rio mountains forming a scenic backdrop.
Maracanã Rio de Janeiro by Arne Müseler via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)

Maracanã

Vibe: Stadium views + serious study zones.
Main Streets: Avenida Maracanã, Rua São Francisco Xavier
Why Students Love It: Walk to class? Yes. Cheap eats? Yes. Well-connected? Triple yes.
Perfect if you study at: UERJ, IBMR

A quiet palm-lined street in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, leading toward the towering Pedra da Gávea mountain, with modern high-rise buildings nestled at its base under a clear blue sky.
Gávea Rio de Janeiro by Pablo Melo from Pexels

Gávea

Vibe: Quiet, leafy, and ideal if you like birdsong with your morning coffee.
Main Streets: Rua Marquês de São Vicente, Rua das Acácias
Why Students Love It: Close to PUC-Rio, low-key secure, and very focus-friendly.
Perfect if you study at: PUC-Rio

Evening view of Centro, Rio de Janeiro, captured from an elevated perspective. City lights illuminate the buildings and streets, creating a vibrant and accessible urban atmosphere filled with energy and fun.
Centro do Rio by Rodrigo Soldon via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Centro

Vibe: Where Rio’s history, art, and hustle collide.
Main Streets: Rua do Ouvidor, Rua da Carioca, Avenida Presidente Vargas
Why Students Love It: Everything’s here! Jobs, schools, buses, even the VLT (tram!) Also: cool architecture.
Perfect if you study at: Estácio (Centro), UFRJ (Praia Vermelha/Centro)

Scenic view of Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro with gentle waves rolling onto the shore, people relaxing by the water, modern buildings lining the beachfront, and iconic mountains rising in the background.
Ipanema Beach by Oberdan Magalhães from Pexels

Ipanema & Leblon

Vibe: Trendy, chill, and right by the beach (yes, that Ipanema).
Main Streets: Rua Visconde de Pirajá (Ipanema), Rua General Urquiza (Leblon)
Why Students Love It: Safe, stylish, and perfect for shared housing (note: it’s pricey alone, but great with roommates).
Perfect if you study at: UCAM, PUC-Rio

Pro Tip: Always check public transport routes, especially if you’re an early bird or night owl. Rio has solid bus and metro systems, but living 20 minutes from campus can feel like an hour if traffic hits.

Finding Student Housing Just Got Easier

Want help finding a place near your university?

We’ve got you covered!

From maps, listings, and real talk on where to live smart in Rio.

Save time and just reach out!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Contact us today for a personalized consultation.

Hans-Philipp Hauser | +55 (83) 99665-1754

Your Brazilian Real Estate Connection 🇺🇸🇩🇪🇫🇷🇧🇷

Portrait Photo of Hans-Philipp Hauser

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