Santa Cruz Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

A coastal city with prominent mountains and a fortified island.
A concrete fortification on a rocky coastline with a forested hill in the background.
A coastal town with rocky outcrops and waves crashing onto the shore.
A coastal landscape with rocky shores, calm water, and a hilly backdrop with buildings.
A coastal city with a prominent mountain, numerous boats, and dense urban buildings.

Stay near popular Santa Cruz attractions

Cidade das Criancas

Enjoy a stop at Cidade das Criancas, an entertaining place to visit in Rio de Janeiro. Wander the beaches and parks while you're in the area.
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Activities

Grumari, Prainha & Pontal Beach Day Tour with Transfer

Grumari, Prainha & Pontal Beach Day Tour with Transfer

NZ$119
per adult
Grumari, Prainha & Pontal Beach Day Tour with Transfer
Samba Night at Historic Pedra do Sal

Samba Night at Historic Pedra do Sal

NZ$71
per adult
Samba Night at Historic Pedra do Sal
Rio De Janeiro Helicopter Flight Tour

Rio de Janeiro: 35 Min Helicopter Tour Christ the Redeemer

NZ$680
per adult
Rio de Janeiro: 35 Min Helicopter Tour Christ the Redeemer
Pedra do Telégrafo: Guided Experience and Rio's Most Famous Photo

Pedra do Telégrafo: Guided Experience and the Most Famous Photo of Rio

NZ$95
per adult
Pedra do Telégrafo: Guided Experience and the Most Famous Photo of Rio
Pedra do Telégrafo - Telegrafo Stone

Pedra do Telégrafo - Telegrafo Stone

NZ$93
per adult
Pedra do Telégrafo - Telegrafo Stone
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour without Doors

Rio de Janeiro: 35 Minutes Doors Off Helicopter Tour Christ

NZ$815
per adult
Rio de Janeiro: 35 Minutes Doors Off Helicopter Tour Christ
See all activities in Rio de Janeiro

Our pick of the best Santa Cruz Hotel Deals

Regency Barra Hotel

Regency Barra Hotel

3 out of 5
Avenida Lúcio Costa 5210 Rio de Janeiro RJ
The price is NZ$168 per night from 27 Oct to 28 Oct
NZ$168
27 Oct - 28 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and a fitness centre. Popular attractions Praia da Barra da Tijuca and ...
Regency Barra Hotel
Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro

Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro

5 out of 5
Av. Lucio Costa 9600 Rio de Janeiro
The price is NZ$478 per night from 31 Oct to 1 Nov
NZ$478
31 Oct - 1 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 2 outdoor pools and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,002 reviews)
"Lovely rooms but terrible service. Instead of taking a hold payment, the hotel processed a payment for €500. Upon check out I flagged this and was told to email a generic email to request the money be returned. It’s been a week since I checked out and I’ve still not had a reply to my email or a refund. ..."

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2026

Grand Hyatt Rio De Janeiro
Windsor Marapendi

Windsor Marapendi

5 out of 5
Avenida Lúcio Costa, 5400 Rio de Janeiro
The price is NZ$231 per night from 25 Oct to 26 Oct
NZ$231
25 Oct - 26 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this luxury hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,252 reviews)
"Lovely location , beach front vibes"

Reviewed on 10 Oct 2026

Windsor Marapendi
Lagune Barra Hotel

Lagune Barra Hotel

4 out of 5
6555 Av. Salvador Allende Rio de Janeiro RJ
The price is NZ$145 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
NZ$145
14 Nov - 15 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular attractions ...
Lagune Barra Hotel
Américas Barra Hotel

Américas Barra Hotel

3.5 out of 5
Av. das Américas, 10.500 Rio de Janeiro RJ
The price is NZ$118 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
NZ$118
2 Nov - 3 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and room service. Popular attractions Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach and Marapendi Ecological ...
Américas Barra Hotel
SQUARE DESIGN HOTEL

SQUARE DESIGN HOTEL

4 out of 5
Avenida das Américas, 8585 Rio de Janeiro RJ
The price is NZ$172 per night from 18 Oct to 19 Oct
NZ$172
18 Oct - 19 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this business-friendly hotel in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy free breakfast, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their ...
8.4/10 Very good! (1,199 reviews)
"Simply amazing"

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2026

SQUARE DESIGN HOTEL
See all 840 properties in Santa Cruz
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Our guide on where to stay in Santa Cruz

Find the best Santa Cruz areas for the activities you enjoy most.
A coastal cityscape with a prominent mountain and beach.

Copacabana

Copacabana Beach and Bairro Peixoto are top sights in Copacabana, and you should be sure to explore the stunning beaches. Hop aboard the metro at Siqueira Campos Station or Cardeal Arcoverde Station to see more sights in the area.

A beach with a patterned walkway, ocean, and mountains in the background.

Ipanema

Ipanema is highly notable for its stunning beaches, and you might want to visit top sights like Ipanema Beach and Rua Farme de Amoedo. See more of Rio de Janeiro by jumping on the metro at Nossa Senhora da Paz Station or Ipanema-General Osorio Station.

A coastal cityscape with high-rise buildings, a river, and mountains in the background.

Barra da Tijuca

If you're spending time in Barra da Tijuca, you might enjoy attractions like Barra Shopping Mall and Village Mall. You might also enjoy the neighbourhood's pristine beaches before hopping on the metro at Jardim Oceânico Station to see more of the city.

A cityscape with a prominent mountain silhouette, a waterfront, and a bridge.

Botafogo

Discover Botafogo, memorable for its beaches. Popular attractions in Botafogo include Botafogo Praia Shopping and Praia de Botafogo, and you can see more of the area by hopping on the metro at Botafogo Station.

A coastal cityscape with a prominent mountain peak, a beach, and dense urban buildings.

Leblon

Consider exploring the beaches in Leblon. If sightseeing is on the list, Ipanema Beach is a top attraction. Hop on the metro at Antero de Quental Station or Jardim de Alah - Leblon Station to see more of the area.

Santa Cruz Travel Guide

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