Unique Stay: Escape To This Jungle Oasis in Rio de Janeiro
Whether you’re recovering from Rio’s festive blocos or craving a relaxing retreat, Casa Floresta is the perfect place to unwind.
Just minutes from the white sand beaches of Rio de Janeiro you’ll find Casa Floresta, a jungle airbnb nestled in the lush landscape of Tijuca National Park, the world’s largest urban jungle. If you’ve ever dreamed of staying in a lush landscape surrounded by nature, this is your chance to book a memorable escape in Brazil’s rainforest.
More about the space
Casa Floresta spans three floors, offering 2 beds and 2.5 bathrooms. On the ground floor, there’s an open-concept kitchen, living room, and laundry area. The decor of the property creates a homey vibe, my favorite trinkets were the helmet, magnifying glass, and Persian shisha. One-side of the home is furnished entirely by glass, so you can watch the sunset over the horizon while preparing a meal in the kitchen.
On the second level, you’ll find both bedrooms each equipped with a full size bed and garden views. Head to the top floor and you’ll find the rooftop terrace, perfect for relaxing on the lounge chairs or preparing drinks at the outdoor island.
Just steps away from the house, the community pool features views of the Pedra de Gavea rock in the backdrop. While I enjoyed the view, I do wish the pool was regularly cleaned. Because the property is located in the jungle, there were lots of small bugs floating around in the pool.
Overall the home was as advertised, it’s definitely a gem!
How to get to Casa Floresta in Tijuca
Although Casa Floresta is only 30 minutes from Rio’s South Zone, it’s tucked a few miles into the forest. That being said, don’t expect well-paved roads leading up the property, the route is windy, rocky, and uphill. The host, Guilherme, recommends using a private driver and thankfully I listened to his advice. Our driver Ramiro (WhatsApp +55 21 96461 7170), who was recommended by the host, knew the terrain like the back of his hand and navigated the narrow path with ease.
It’s highly unlikely that you’ll find an uber driver that’s willing to go up the path, so I strongly recommend using one of the drivers Guilherme suggests.
During your stay plan to limit your outings to once a day (or less). Because the path to the house is so rocky and windy, frequent trips can be exhausting and time consuming. Instead plan to embrace the jungle experience.
TIP: The best way to prepare for your stay is to stop by the grocery store. During my arrival, our driver Ramiro made a grocery stop where we got breakfast, fruits, snacks, and a few items for dinner. The home is fully equipped with cookware, utensils, a gas stove, and a sink. I’d recommend bringing your own oil and condiments, otherwise everything else you’ll need is provided.
There are two restaurants that will happily deliver food to the house, otherwise you may find food delivery difficult. Despite this, I still had a great stay, balancing preparing my own meals and ordering from the available restaurants.
Things to do at Casa Floresta
Do nothing! While it is tempting to have a packed itinerary with activities to do, there’s something special about having no plans. Casa Floresta is the perfect place to slow down. I spent most of my time lounging by the pool, enjoying the views from the balcony, and watching the monkeys sing through the trees— if you’re lucky you may even spot a toucan!
If you want to stay active Casa Floresta is the perfect place to hike. This jungle airbnb is surrounded by Tijuca National Park. You won’t need to go far for some of the best hiking routes. During my stay I spotted a jackfruit, red ginger flower, and other tropical plants that showed the landscape’s richness.
I also loved the home’s Alexa sound system. As Brazilian samba echoed through the home, the scent of lavender incense filled the air, the views of the jungle and distant ocean in the distance, perfect.
Host service
Our host Guierllme was the best Airbnb host that I’ve ever had. Full stop.
From our initial interactions I could tell that he was a genuine and kind person. Before I even arrived, he checked in to confirm I had landed safely and shared tips on activities nearby.
What impressed me the most was his ability to accommodate my request to check in early. Despite having guests who checked out previously, Guillermo and his staff worked hard to clean the property ahead of my early arrival. Guierllme didn’t have to accommodate our request, but he did and I appreciate that more than anything. All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at Casa Floresta and could see myself returning again!
How to book Casa Floresta
The best place to book is on Airbnb. Here is the link!
You can check out their instagram here too!
Here are some videos I made about the property:
