Cocos Hostel Rio

I stayed 4 nights at Cocos Hostel in Rio de Janeiro and had a great experience. While it’s slightly more expensive than many hostels in the area, you really get a lot in return. The location is excellent - just a few minutes from the beach, with a supermarket and ATM right across from the beach, and the neighborhood felt safe to walk around, even alone. As a solo female traveler, safety was very important to me, and the staff were incredibly helpful. They shared practical safety tips for Rio and gave me great recommendations for things to do in and around the neighborhood. The freshly prepared breakfast every morning was a big highlight. The rooms have air conditioning, and the bunk beds are thoughtfully designed with wooden walls and curtains, making them feel cozy and private. That said, the hostel can be a bit loud. Our bedroom door didn’t fully close, the street outside is busy (which is pretty normal for Copacabana), and the wooden walls between beds are thin. I used earplugs and slept very well, so this wasn’t a major issue for me (but it's good to keep in mind when visiting). With many hostels in the area struggling with things like bedbugs, loud party atmospheres, or overcrowded rooms, Cocos Hostel was nothing like this and felt like a calm and safe place to come back to after long days exploring the city. I truly felt comfortable here and can’t recommend it enough. Insider tip: don’t miss the restaurant downstairs. The portions are big, prices are very reasonable, and the Brazilian food tastes amazing!!