With hotel prices for the FIFA World Cup 2014 in Rio de Janeiro continuing to soar, many football fans are desperately attempting to seek more budget-friendly alternatives. Naturally, World Cup accommodation in the Ipanema and Leblon neighbourhoods will set you back a fair bit, so we’ve provided a list of four cheaper but equally comfortable options in other parts of the city.

1)     World Cup Camping Rio: purpose-built for footie fans

World Cup Camping Rio offers a campsite that has been specifically created for football fans visiting Rio during the World Cup. Based in the western district of Recreio on beautiful farmland and surrounded by mountains, this campsite is the ideal place for those looking to relax amongst nature while enjoying the biggest sporting event of the year. Some of the features of World Cup Camping Rio include 24/7 security, a swimming pool, food stalls and transport to all the main attractions in Rio.

Price: $58 per person per night* (with a minimum stay of 3 consecutive nights required).
*Includes tent hire.

Location: Estrada do Pontal 1395, Recreio

The setting for World Cup Camping Rio / source The setting for World Cup Camping Rio / source

2)    Brazilian pousadas: small-scale accommodation at a small price

Finding places to stay that complement Rio de Janeiro’s spectacular scenery and playful character can be tricky, yet the Brazilian pousada manages to achieve just this. In Brazil, pousadas may refer to small independent B&Bs, guesthouses, ecolodges or boutique hotels. Two excellent options during the World Cup are Modernistas in the charming area of Santa Theresa, which features rustic-style rooms themed on artists of the Brazilian modernist era and Marta’s Rio in Copacabana, where you can enjoy a dazzling terrace in an art deco building right at the end of the famous Copacabana Beach.

Price: Modernistas $171 per night (for a double room) including breakfast
Marta’s Rio $168 per night (for a double room) including breakfast

Location: Modernistas Rua Paschoal Carlos Magno 39, Santa Teresa
Marta’s Rio Rua Francisco Sá 5, Copacabana

3)    Home swap: one property for another

Another way to avoid extortionate prices is to consider a home swap. Visit Love Home Swap’s website, which currently features 50 homes in Rio, some of which are also available to rent.

Price: free!

Location: check online

There are currently 50 homes available to swap in Rio / source There are currently 50 homes available to swap in Rio / source

4)    Hostels: mingle with fellow travellers

Although hostels are aimed at young backpackers, visitors of all ages will likely be staying in them during the World Cup, as they are a cheaper alternative to hotels. However, low prices are not the only benefit to staying in a hostel; they make staying together while saving money possible, they have fully-equipped kitchens, breakfast is typically included and you’ll have the chance to meet new and interesting people from all over the world. We would recommend choosing a hostel that is not right at the bottom of the price scale so as to ensure good quality, opting for one like Santê Hostel which offers spacious rooms, a shared lounge, terrace and bar, as well as 24-hour reception, luggage storage and a laundry service. To find out which other hostels are still available during this period, visit Hostelworld’s website.

Price: dorms from $52, private rooms $284

Location: Rua Felicio dos Santos, 62, Santa Teresa

You can find more relevant and useful information regarding the World Cup in Rio de Janeiro on RdJ4U's travel blog. To book tours and activities in Rio, visit our website.

By: Milly Day - English Content Manager