2027 Women's World Cup guide · host city 01 of 08 Rio de Janeiro
The Maracanã hosts both the opening match and the final. Where to stay, the winter nobody warns you about, what is within walking distance of each neighbourhood, and how to reach the stadium on match day.
Foto: Poswiecie/PixabayCopacabana
Neighbourhood 01 of 06The largest concentration of beds in Rio, a metro line running its whole length and the beach at the door. If you have never been to the city, this is where you get it right without research.
Hotel 01Copacabana Palace
Hotel 02PortoBay Rio de Janeiro
Hotel 03Ibis Budget Copacabana
From Copacabana to the stadium. The station is at the gate, so on match day the train is the only sensible way in: the surrounding streets close to cars, and the car park queue lasts longer than the second half. Photography slots are reserved: no stock imagery.
June and July
are winter in Rio
It is not a heavy-coat winter, but it is not beach heat either. It rains on 21% of days, far less than in Salvador or Recife, which are in their rainy season. Bring a jumper.
This is climatology, not a forecast: 2015-2024 averages for the 2027-06-24 a 2027-07-25 window. Source: Open-Meteo (ERA5), CC BY 4.0.
Flights into Rio de Janeiro
Direct routes surveyed by hand, not from an airline feed. Airlines change schedules: confirm before you book.
What the city sounds like
Playlists picked by guests of the newsroom. Press play before you land.
Travel tips
Videos our newsroom watched and would send to a friend flying in for the first time.
BRAZIL 4K COMPLETE Travel Guide - ALL TOP SIGHTS in 1 hour: RIO, NORONHA, JERI, LENÇOIS & AMAZONThe whole country in one hour, before you pick where to goWout of the World
7 Things to Know BEFORE Visiting Rio de JaneiroRio opens and closes the World Cup. Seven things to know before you landJake Braymiller
Top Things to Do in São Paulo, Brazil | Ultimate São Paulo Travel GuideSão Paulo does not fit into one day, and this guide shows whyMartijn Around The World - Travel
THE Most COMPLETE SALVADOR Guide! All Travel Tips & Prices.Salvador with the prices attached, from Pelourinho to what a good meal costsTravel Tips Group
Brazilian Food You NEED to Try Before Visiting Brazil - Part 1What to order at the counter without pointing at the pictureAlô Alô Português 
50 Must-Know Survival Phrases for Brazil TravelFifty phrases that get you through the taxi, the hotel and the stadiumLearn Portuguese with PortuguesePod101.comThe 5 neighbourhoods, place by place
Copacabana
The largest concentration of beds in Rio, a metro line running its whole length and the beach at the door. If you have never been to the city, this is where you get it right without research.
Where to stay: Copacabana Palace, PortoBay Rio de Janeiro, Ibis Budget Copacabana
Eat: O Caranguejo, Galeto Sat's, Mee, Cipriani
Bar and boteco: Adega Pérola
Café and bakery: Stalos, Sofá Café, Boulangerie Guerin, Boni's Gourmet
See: Estátua Princesa Isabel, Posto 5, Posto 4
Ipanema e Leblon
Pricier and quieter than Copacabana, with the best night-time walkability in the southern zone. For travellers who put calm ahead of cost.
Where to stay: Fasano Rio de Janeiro, Hotel Arpoador, Sol Ipanema Hotel
Eat: Satyricon, Babbo Osteria, Teva, Gero, Irajá Redux, Malta Beef Club, Ocyá
Bar and boteco: Bar Lagoa, Nosso, Liz Cocktails & Co, Jobi
Café and bakery: Baked Paderia & Forneria, Apetite Café e Delicatessen, Emporio Jardim la Praia, Café e Bar Bebadela
See: Mirante da Paz, H. Stern Museum, Mirante do Sacopã, Casa do Saber
Botafogo e Flamengo
Where cariocas live rather than tourists: lower prices, better kitchens, and a direct metro to the Maracanã. The smartest base if you are going to several matches.
Where to stay: Yoo2 Rio de Janeiro, Injoy Suítes & Aparts
Eat: Galeto Sat's, Majórica, Sult, Miam Miam
Bar and boteco: Café Lamas, Marchezinho, Botica, Hocus Pocus DNA, Quartinho Bar, Chanchada
Café and bakery: Café e Bar Céu da Guanabara, Café Atelier Culinário, Salvatore, Kopenhagen
See: Mirante do Pasmado, Mirante da Cardoso Júnior, Manequinho, Módulo Rio
Centro e Lapa
History by day and live music by night, around the Lapa Arches. Be warned: the district empties out at weekends, when offices close.
Where to stay: Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – MGallery, Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro, Casa Nova Hotel
Eat: Bar Brasil, Nova Capela, Adega do Pimenta, Casa Urich, Casa Paladino, Angu do Gomes, Lilia
Bar and boteco: Armazém Senado, Armazém São Thiago, Dida Bar e Restaurante, Suru Bar, Bafo da Prainha
Café and bakery: Confeitaria Colombo, Cereja Café, California Coffee
See: Monumento ao Almirante Negro, Terra
Santa Teresa
Rio's most charming quarter, up on the hill, with the old tram and a view of everything. Few beds and steep streets: it enchants, but it does not suit everyone.
Where to stay: Santa Teresa Hotel RJ – MGallery, Vila Galé Rio de Janeiro, Casa Nova Hotel
Eat: Adega do Pimenta, Nova Capela, Bar Brasil
Bar and boteco: Armazém São Thiago, Dida Bar e Restaurante, Suru Bar
Café and bakery: Mercearia Silveira Martins, Cultivar, Maya Café, café do armazém
See: Mirante do Rato Molhado, Afetos, Desejos de Saúde e Samba