The countdown is on. This week marks one month until the world is again gripped by football fever, as the 2014 FIFA World Cup kicks off on June 12.
More than 300,000 soccer fans are set to travel to Brazil for the big event. So it’s no surprise that most of the top hotels in the country’s major cities, especially Rio de Janeiro, are either fully booked or charging exorbitant prices.
To help those who’ve left their trip planning to the last minute, we’ve put together a guide to the properties that are still available for World Cup visitors. Here are some of your best options for where to stay.
Hotels
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At this late stage, your hotel options will be few and far between. Most luxury hotels are fully booked and what is left will cost you. The average cost of a hotel for the night of the grand final on July 13 is about $370 USD, according to Reuters. If you’re strapped for cash, you will want to avoid certain areas completely, particularly Copacabana Beach. One operator is charging more than $9000 USD for a one-bedroom apartment along the famous promenade. Even private rooms in some hostels are going for more than $1000 USD a night.
If you do have your heart set on staying in a hotel, we suggest hunting around for a decent deal. FIFA maintains its own database of hotel listings while websites like Trivago let you easily compare prices from multiple booking sites.
Rentals
What better way to experience Brazilian culture than to stay with a local? Search private apartment rental websites like Wimdu, which still has available listings in Rio de Janeiro and surrounds. Some rooms are going for about $100 USD a night – a pretty good deal this late in the game.
If you are staying for the month, you could also investigate longer-term vacation rentals. Local websites like Rio Loft are offering special World Cup deals for stays of 30 or 15 days.
Pousadas
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These independently run guest houses are a top choice when staying in Brazil. This is a great accommodation choice if you want to avoid the craziness of major cities like Rio and Sao Paulo, where prices are also likely to be astronomical. Websites like Hidden Pousadas Brazil offer a wide selection of properties in amazing, off-the-beaten track locations.
If you still want to be close to the action, look for pousadas around beach areas like Fortaleza, another World Cup host city close to the beach. You can find more information about each of the host cities on the FIFA World Cup website.
