I highly recommend staying with Marcia if you're coming to Rio! From the moment I arrived she and her family were incredibly warm and welcoming. If you want somewhere that feels like a home away from home, then this is it.

Up in the hills above Botafogo the house is in a beautiful spot with great views over the city below. The area is very safe and it's nice and quiet at night.

Marcia and her family are very easy going and friendly, they don't insist on lots of rules and you feel at home right away. If you're looking for a place to stay in Rio and are would like an alternative to a hostel then this is definitely a great option!

For transport you're a 5-10 min walk to Botafogo metro which will take you south to Copacabana or Ipanema and north towards Centro. The location is good if you want to get out of the touristy areas of zona sul without being too far away from the sights. In fact both Cristo and Pão de Azucar are nearby.