Brett
7 years on Airbnb
Amazing stay the sunrise every morning is incredible! Apartment was beautiful, electric bike was a must, so useful! Also great host responds very quickly and helped out with anything I asked for
two floors, 360° views, Brazil's #1 favela
Luxury with a view.
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welcome, or, bem-vindo
Lux Vidigal is a two-story apartment inside Brazil's #1 favela — 700 square feet of Brazilian bohemian design with ocean on one side, mountain on the other, and the Atlantic's best sunset four minutes downhill. Designed by a Los Angeles designer and furnished with a 1920s King Louis chair, French-imported 1920s bamboo chairs, and other antique pieces with personality. A gourmet kitchen with Electrolux appliances. A solar-heated soaking tub. Magazine-featured, with over 5 million views on Instagram from guest-shared posts. Zero ordinary.
This isn't a hotel.
It's a home carved into a hillside by people who love Rio too much to let you stay in a Copacabana tower. Book directly, pay less than Airbnb, and get Bruno's WhatsApp within five minutes of inquiry.
01
the numbers
A seven-hundred square foot apartment that reviewers call magic.
4.86
out of five stars
out of five stars
2015
hosting since
hosting since
360°
ocean + mountain views
ocean + mountain views
4min
walk to Vidigal beach ↓
walk to Vidigal beach ↓
03
the condo
Two floors of very specific opinions.
(antique chair included)
Designer Property
Lux Vidigal was designed by a Los Angeles interior designer who understood that a favela apartment with a 360° view deserved better than beige linens and a Nespresso. Instead: a 1920s King Louis chair anchoring the bedroom, French-imported 1920s bamboo chairs, antique Brazilian pieces with personality throughout the living room, cobalt blue cabinetry in a full gourmet kitchen with Electrolux appliances, a soaking tub that fills from a rooftop solar heater, and a 43-inch smart TV that nobody ever turns on because the window is better.
Two floors, accommodating two guests. A private deck with a view that stops conversations. Air conditioning in the bedroom. Fast WiFi — 300 Mbps. A small workspace for the morning emails you wish you weren't answering. A welcome drink when you arrive, because it should be obvious.
04
verified guest reviews
What guests keep writing down.
(real reviews. verified guests.)5.0
communication
communication
4.9
accuracy
accuracy
4.9
check-in
check-in
4.8
location
location
Aj
Los Angeles, California
Bruno made our first trip to Brazil top tier. The space looks exactly as the photos present. The favela felt extremely safe and the locals were so kind and welcoming — it felt like home away from home. What made the stay most special was Bruno's great communication and incredible team that was accommodating to our every wish. It was truly a full service experience.
Vinícius
11 years on Airbnb
We went as a couple and the apartment delivers 110% — it's beautiful and everything is super new, super clean, and communication with Bruno was excellent; he always attended to us promptly in the best way possible. The building is super close to the entrance of the community, we never needed a moto-taxi, we walked up and down every time. The community has everything — markets, pharmacies, restaurants — and the residents are super welcoming and respectful. We drove up in our own car; you can drive up with peace of mind. It was a bit tricky to find parking, but once I did, I left it there for 4 days with no issues. In summary: the apartment is beautiful, the view incredible, and Bruno is excellent. We can only say thank you — we'll be back without a doubt!
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Iago
7 years on Airbnb
Perfect! Bruno was an incredibly kind person from the start — he shared all the info clearly and even gave us several useful tips including moto-taxi contacts, places to order food and more. The apartment is exactly like the photos: very beautiful, fully renovated, with gorgeous decor and a super cozy feel. The view is surreal, absolutely breathtaking. The bathtub next to the bed is a separate charm and made all the difference. The location surprises too: access is easy, about 250 meters from the entrance of the hill, and parking is easy (I parked safely without trouble). It's also very close to the beach and Leblon, which makes everything even more special. Highly recommend — I'll definitely be back soon. Two thumbs up!
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Ugur
8 years on Airbnb
Anyone who really wants to get to know Brazil should book this apartment in Vidigal. It is very safe and the people there are very kind. Bruno replied faster than I could read and was able to help me with everything. 10/10
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Darian
10 years on Airbnb
A 10/10 experience and one of my favourite Airbnb stays of all! The apartment was beautiful, had everything you could need for a short to mid stay and the views are unmatched. Even in overcast weather the atmosphere was so unique. Vidigal felt very safe — during the day it was a short 15–20 minute walk down to Leblon and at night Bruno had recommended friendly and reliable drivers / moto-taxi contacts. Bruno was the best host ever! So friendly and responsive, had daily recommendations and local suggestions for what to do, and would answer all the many questions I had haha. He even came over to drop off a flashlight when I needed one. I would happily come back for longer and recommend this listing highly ★★★★★ Obrigada!
Geny
Torrance, California
Honestly, such a great Airbnb if you want to experience the local “real” side of Brasil. Lots of people, busy streets. If you're a light sleeper, prob not the place for you. But for us, it was 100% worth it. Our host was super attentive and friendly. The view from the Airbnb was amazing!!! I think it was one of our favorite airbnbs in Rio so far :) thank you for your hospitality!!
Gabrielli
4 years on Airbnb
Incredible view! Amazing and super safe place. I came alone — you can come without fear, it's safe. I came solo and had full support from the host — he gave me contacts for pizza, restaurants, and moto-taxi. Top marks! I took a moto-taxi to tour the favela and he took several photos of me to post. Hop on a moto-taxi and go to the rooftop bar. Among other tourist spots he knows and takes you to — incredible! Food delivery apps work here too, and if you want to grocery-shop and cook, no problem.
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Jhe
5 years on Airbnb
Bruno is excellent and very helpful — incredibly gracious throughout every day of our stay. Communication was great; he always responded instantly and gave full support. The view is simply incredible, I can't even describe such perfection. I felt completely at ease and safe — markets, pharmacies, entertainment, and transport all extremely close. The transfer was pleasant and we were warmly welcomed. I will definitely return and highly recommend the stay. The Vidigal community is simply wonderful — so much energy, and the people are very welcoming. I heard great music, ate wonderful food — it was incredible.
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05
the neighborhood
You could stay in Copacabana. You shouldn't.
Vidigal is a bohemian favela of artists, expats, and lifelong locals, carved into the hillside between Leblon and São Conrado. It's where David Beckham stayed. Where Kim Kardashian filmed a shoot. Where the Pope walked. Where the best parties in Rio happen on Saturday nights and the best açaí in the city is sold out of a window on Rua Armando de Almeida Lima for R$12.
It is also, according to the Federal Ministry of Tourism and several thousand guests who've stayed here, one of the safest up-and-coming neighborhoods in Rio. Pacified for over a decade, policed, full of people who live here because they want to, not because they have nowhere else to go.
Copacabana is a wide sidewalk and a thousand other tourists. Ipanema is the same with better shopping. Vidigal is a hill, a view, a community, a walking tour you don't pay for.
06
the experiences
Six ways to actually see Rio.
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Favela Tour
A guided walk through Vidigal with someone who grew up here. Two hours, small group.
ask
Romance Package
Roses on the bed, balloons on the balcony, champagne on ice, décor we won't spoil. Add on to any stay.
ask
Dois Irmãos Hike
Trailhead is three minutes by moto-taxi, fifteen on foot. The view from the top is what your phone background is secretly trying to be.
ask
Helicopter Tour
Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Ipanema, Copacabana — fifteen minutes, zero traffic.
ask
Baile Funk Night
Rio's original sound, in its original setting. We'll get you in. You'll get yourself home.
ask
Rio City Tour
Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón, Lapa. Full day with a driver who knows when the lines are long and when they aren't.
07
how you get here
Uber from GIG in an hour. Or we'll send a car.
The transportation brief.
Galeão (GIG) international airport is about an hour away — 38 minutes on a clear run, 90 if traffic is ugly. Santos Dumont (SDU) domestic is 20–30 minutes. Your best arrival option: the airport pickup we arrange for R$120 flat — the driver lives on this street, knows the gate, knows the doorman, and doesn't try to pretend the moto-taxi up the hill is easier.
Once you're here, you don't need much. The beach is four minutes walking — downhill. Leblon is three minutes by Uber. Ipanema is ten. Christ the Redeemer is 40. The moto-taxi up the hill, if you want it, is R$5 and takes one minute.
What's close.
- Vidigal beach · 4 min walking
- Dois Irmãos trailhead · 3 min moto-taxi / 15 min walk
- Leblon beach · 3 min drive
- Ipanema beach · 10 min drive
- Christ the Redeemer · 40 min drive
- Sugarloaf Mountain · 35 min drive
- GIG airport · 38–90 min drive
- SDU airport · 20–30 min drive
the view isn't going to see itself.