Stays in Rio Branco
Rio Branco is the capital of Acre state, set on the banks of the Rio Acre deep in Brazil's western Amazon. It works as a practical base for exploring the region, with hotels, pousadas and apart-hotels clustered around Nazaré Cathedral and the river on both sides of the city.
Updated August 5, 2026
Rio Branco in numbers
Stays in Rio Branco range from simple three-star hotels near Nazaré Cathedral to garden apart-hotels with a pool and family-run pousadas with a shared kitchen, spread across both banks of the Rio Acre and linked by the Joaquim Macedo Footbridge. As the capital of Acre state, the city runs on government offices, a federal university and river trade rather than tourism, which keeps prices reasonable and the crowds thin even in peak dry season. Most travellers base themselves within walking distance of the cathedral and Parque da Maternidade, using a taxi only for the airport run or a half-day trip out to the Horto Florestal forest reserve. Families, solo travellers and business visitors are all well served here, if differently.
9.8Epílogo Palace Hotel
Rio Branco
9.3Hotel Majú
Rio Branco
9.2Apart Hotel M6D
Rio Branco
9.1Rede Andrade Rio Branco
Rio Branco
9.0ibis Rio Branco
Rio Branco
9.0Nobile Suites Gran Lumni
Rio Branco
9.0torre forte apart hotel
Rio Branco
8.9Diff Hotel - by Easy Hotéis
Rio Branco
8.8Hotel Loureiro
Rio Branco
8.7Hotel Guapindaia Praça
Rio Branco
8.5Cubo Hotel - Rio Branco
Rio Branco
8.5Amazônia Palace Hotel
Rio Branco
8.4Inácio Palace Hotel
Rio Branco
8.1Terra Verde Hotel
Rio Branco
7.8Pousada Amazônia
Rio Branco
7.0Hotel pacífico
Rio Branco
What to expect
- Stay near Nazaré Cathedral for the most walkable base, close to Parque da Maternidade and the river
- Choose an apart-hotel or pousada with a kitchen for stays longer than a few nights
- Expect equatorial Amazon heat and humidity year-round, heaviest through the rainy season from October to April
- Budget a taxi for the airport; no hotel in the city sits within walking distance of it
- Cross the Joaquim Macedo Footbridge to explore both banks of the Rio Acre on foot
- Visit Horto Florestal, the city's forest reserve, for a half-day away from downtown streets
Local tips
- Book accommodation on the Nazaré Cathedral side of the river first; it keeps the cathedral, Parque da Maternidade and most restaurants within walking distance for the whole stay.
- Travel between May and September for the driest, most comfortable weather; the rest of the year brings heavier Amazon rainfall and higher humidity.
- Arrange airport transport before arrival rather than expecting a taxi rank on the spot; Rio Branco International Airport sits well outside the centre for every hotel here.
- Carry some cash for smaller cafés and market stalls near downtown, since not every business accepts cards as readily as the larger hotels do.
- Pick a pousada or apart-hotel with a kitchen if staying more than four or five nights; it noticeably cuts the cost of eating out every meal.
- Cross the Rio Acre on the Joaquim Macedo Footbridge at least once; it is the simplest way to see both sides of the city on foot.
Where to stay
Frequently asked questions
What neighbourhoods are best for staying in Rio Branco?
The area around Nazaré Cathedral and Parque da Maternidade is the most practical base, since it keeps most hotels within walking distance of the river, restaurants and the Joaquim Macedo Footbridge, and suits most visitors better than staying further out near the airport.
What types of accommodation are available in Rio Branco?
The city has a mix of straightforward three and four-star hotels, apartment-style apart-hotels with a private kitchen, and family-run pousadas with shared spaces. Hotels dominate near the cathedral, while apart-hotels and pousadas suit travellers staying longer or wanting to cook.
When is the best time to visit Rio Branco?
The dry season, roughly May to September, brings the most comfortable weather for walking between the cathedral, the parks and the riverside. The rest of the year sees heavier rainfall typical of the Amazon region, which can slow down outdoor plans.
How do I get around Rio Branco without a car?
Most central hotels sit within walking distance of Nazaré Cathedral, Parque da Maternidade and the river, so a car is rarely necessary once checked in. Taxis cover the longer trips, particularly to and from the airport and out to Horto Florestal.
Is Rio Branco a good destination for families?
Yes, particularly around the cathedral and river, where several hotels and apart-hotels offer dedicated family rooms and, in some cases, an outdoor pool. It is a calmer, less touristy base than Brazil's coastal cities, with short distances between the main sights.
Where should I stay in Rio Branco for the Amazon forest experience?
Rio Branco itself is a city rather than a forest lodge; Horto Florestal, its urban forest reserve, is the closest green space in town, reachable by taxi from most hotels. A genuine rainforest stay usually means a separate trip further into Acre state.