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Where to Stay Near Riocentro: A Practical Guide for Visitors

2026-11-05 · StayinRio

Heading to a trade show, congress or concert at Riocentro? Here's why staying next door beats commuting from Copacabana, how to get there from both airports and what a serviced flat a 5-minute walk away offers.

If your trade show, congress or concert is at Riocentro, the easiest place to stay is right next to it. RioStay Residence, at Rua Alba Zaluar 98, sits about 150 meters from Riocentro, roughly a 5-minute walk. That means no cross-town commute, which is what eats into so many visitors' days in Rio.

This guide covers why location matters so much here, how to get in from the airports, how to get around, and what to expect from a serviced flat next door. It's written for visitors in town for an event and for anyone on a longer work assignment in the area.

Why stay near Riocentro instead of Copacabana or Ipanema?

Copacabana and Ipanema are what most people picture when they think of Rio, so it's tempting to book there. But Riocentro is in the West Zone, at Avenida Salvador Allende 6555, in Barra Olímpica. The drive from the South Zone can take more than an hour each way at rush hour.

On a multi-day event, that adds up fast: two trips across the city every day, early opening sessions and networking that runs late. Staying next door turns all of that into a short walk. You can stop by your room at lunch, change before dinner, or leave the venue once the crowd has cleared instead of sitting in exit traffic.

You don't have to give up the beach, either. From RioStay, the beach is about 10 minutes away, so a free afternoon or a morning swim before your flight is easy to fit in.

How to get from the airports to Riocentro

Rio has two airports:

• Galeão International (GIG): where most international flights land. Plan on 50 to 80 minutes to Riocentro, depending on traffic.
• Santos Dumont (SDU): the downtown airport, mostly for domestic flights. Expect 45 to 70 minutes.

That range is wide, and it's what catches people out when they schedule a meeting right after landing. If your event starts in the morning, fly in the day before. Check-in at RioStay starts at 2 p.m., and the front desk is open 24 hours, so a late-night arrival is no problem.

Landing early or flying out late? The front desk can hold your bags for a fee, charged per bag per day, so you can explore or work without dragging suitcases around.

Getting around: BRT, the Transolímpica and ride apps

Ride-hailing apps cover the area well and are the simplest option for most trips. The catch comes at the end of a big event: when thousands of people request a ride at the same time, prices surge and waits get longer. If you're staying within walking distance, that stops being your problem.

The BRT (Rio's bus rapid transit) stops right at the venue. Riocentro station is in front of the main gate and is served by line 51 (Deodoro – Terminal Recreio), with Olof Palme station nearby as a backup. Coming from the South Zone, you can take the subway and transfer to the Transoeste or Transolímpica BRT corridors. Routes and schedules change, so check a transit app before you head out.

Driving? The main access roads are Avenida Salvador Allende and the Transolímpica expressway. RioStay includes free parking for one standard car, which is handy if you rent a car to explore the West Zone.

What's around RioStay Residence

The building is next to Shopping MapBand, a mall, so shopping and everyday errands are right on your doorstep. The entrance is on Rua Alba Zaluar, not on Estrada dos Bandeirantes, which is worth knowing when you set your destination in a ride app.

Also close by:

• Riocentro, about a 5-minute walk.
• Parque Olímpico (Olympic Park), in Barra da Tijuca, next to Riocentro, where Rock in Rio takes place. Coming for the festival? See our Rock in Rio stays.
• The beach, about 10 minutes away.

What a serviced flat at RioStay Residence offers

A serviced flat sits somewhere between a hotel room and an apartment: a furnished unit, with hotel-style services in the building. StayinRio offers three types, each for 1 or 2 guests:

• Studio with Kitchen: a queen bed and a full kitchen, great for longer stays or anyone who likes to cook.
• Queen Suite: a comfortable fit for a solo traveler or a couple.
• Twin Suite: two single beds, practical for colleagues sharing a room.

Units have Wi-Fi and air conditioning. The building has a 24-hour front desk, a pool, a spa, a sauna and a tennis court, plus a laundry and a self-service mini market on the ground floor.

There's also a ground-floor restaurant that serves breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. Breakfast isn't included in the rate; you pay for it at the restaurant. Pets are not allowed.

Guests seem to agree it works: StayinRio is an Airbnb Superhost and a Booking.com partner rated 8.2, holds a 4.3 rating on Google from 1,119 reviews, and is a member of ABLT.

Tips for event days

1. Check the Riocentro calendar before you book. Weeks with two big events at once fill up first, and the closest places go fast.
2. Book at least 2 nights. That's the online minimum, and for most event trips it's what you'd book anyway.
3. Arrive the day before if your event opens in the morning.
4. Walk instead of driving. After a big event, the parking lot exit is the real bottleneck. From RioStay, you just stroll back.
5. Use the kitchen. With the Studio with Kitchen, breakfast and simple dinners are easy, which saves time and money over several days.
6. Plan your last day. Check-out is by 11 a.m. Leave your bags at the front desk and enjoy the afternoon.

Staying longer for work?

If your assignment runs 15 nights or more, it becomes a monthly stay, arranged directly with our team rather than through online booking. Take a look at monthly stays, or message us and we'll put together the best option for your dates.

How booking direct works

You can book on our website and pay by Pix (Brazil's instant payment system), credit card, debit card or boleto (a Brazilian bank payment slip). Booking direct means no platform fee and a direct line to the team that runs the flats, so it's easy to sort out your arrival time, parking or a late check-in.

Ready to book?

Check availability for your dates, or message us on WhatsApp and tell us which event you're coming for. You'll find more guides on the StayinRio blog.

Check apartment availability near Riocentro