Why We Chose Santa Teresa Instead of Copacabana: A More Authentic Rio de Janeiro Experience
When most people imagine Rio de Janeiro, they picture Copacabana Beach, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer. Those places are iconic—and absolutely worth visiting.
But when it came time to create CasaJOMO, we intentionally chose somewhere different.
We wanted our guests to experience a side of Rio that many visitors never discover.
That place is Santa Teresa.
Often called Rio's artistic neighborhood, Santa Teresa sits in the hills above the city, where winding cobblestone streets, colorful colonial homes, independent galleries, and local cafés create a completely different atmosphere from the beachfront districts.
Why Culture Mattered More Than Convenience
We weren't searching for the busiest tourist area.We were searching for somewhere with soul.Santa Teresa offered everything we were looking for:
- local artists
- historic architecture
- walkable streets
- neighborhood restaurants
- weekly samba
- panoramic city views
- peaceful gardens
Instead of feeling like tourists, our guests become part of the neighborhood.
Many tell us this becomes their favorite memory of Rio.
The Best of Both Worlds
One of the things guests appreciate most is balance.
You can spend the day exploring Rio's famous attractions, then return to somewhere quiet enough to actually hear the birds.
Many guests tell us they didn't realize how much they needed that contrast until they experienced it.
A Different Way to Experience Rio
At CasaJOMO, we believe travel should be about connection rather than simply checking attractions off a list.
That's why Santa Teresa continues to feel like home—for us and for many of our guests.
Call to Action
If you're looking for a boutique stay that combines authentic culture with space to slow down, we'd love to welcome you to CasaJOMO.