NEW YORK, NY - The 2016 Summer Olympics, the biggest international sporting event in the world, will be in Rio de Janeiro August 5 – 21. These first ever games held in South America will feature 28 sports at 33 venues across the city. While seven million tickets are available for events and thousands of travelers will fly to Brazil to watch the exciting games, finding accommodations will be tough given the number of hotel rooms available. Fortunately, Homestay.com offers travelers not only affordable alternatives, but also a chance to live with a local to enhance their experience. The online accommodation marketplace has listings of numerous rental rooms in private homes, with hosts present throughout the stay to ensure the comfort of guests – and prices range from as low as $22 per night to $192 per night.

While Homestay.com travelers reap the benefit of learning about the local customs, places to shop and eat, and transportation from their hosts, finding the right match is important. The site makes searching easy with filters for desired amenities, catering, pets and hobbies. During the booking process, guests and hosts can get acquainted via the online messaging system that includes a videophone option. Hosts like to know guests' reasons for traveling, age, interests and special requirements to prepare a proper welcome, and guests can get all their questions answered.

Below are just some of the homestays that can be found in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics in August which have easy access to a variety of the event facilities. Please see the attached photos for views of the homes.

Gloria and her daughter are offering a comfortable, spacious bedroom in their three-bedroom apartment, starting from just $25 per night, and ideally located close to some of Brazil's famous beaches (Leme, Copacabana, Ipanema, Botafogo, and Leblon) and a huge commercial center with malls, restaurants, cinemas and public transportation. The room features an air conditioner (additional small fee for using it), TV with access to several international channels, and WiFi.  Gloria and her daughter also have a pet dog name Snoopy. Family hobbies include photography, hiking, festivals, and watching movies. A light breakfast is included in the rate.

Monica, who lives with her son and their dog, is offering a room in her a duplex house for as low as $25 per night. The colonial style three-bedroom home (in a community that has security cameras in the streets) features a garden, balconies, and a large kitchen, and is close to beaches, lagoons, restaurants, and beautiful landscapes. The family enjoys socializing, dancing, theatre, playing games, and learning foreign languages. A light breakfast is included in the rate.

Roberto lives with his dog in a six-bedroom, four-bathroom house in Botafogo, an upscale neighborhood in the city. His house, which features 24-hour security, has a room to rent starting from $80 per night with a double bed, large closet, desk, nightstand, reading lamps, fan, and optional air conditioning. The house also has two living rooms, a lounge spa and a 47-inch cable TV. There are gyms, restaurants, bars, and markets nearby, as well as public transportation. The neighborhood also includes cinemas, theaters, malls, nightclubs, concert halls, and museums. Roberto's hobbies include swimming, cooking, and learning foreign languages. A light breakfast is included in the rate.

Maria and her son are offering a comfortable room in their four-bedroom, three-bathroom apartment in Copacabana, starting from $83 per night including high-speed WiFi, air conditioning and a flat-screen TV with 100 channels. There is also a maid that comes to clean once a week and 24-hour security and surveillance cameras in the building. The apartment is near one of the most famous beaches in the world – and many restaurants, theaters, nightlife, and the metro station. The family enjoys going to the gym, dancing, sailing, cycling, and swimming. A light breakfast is included in the rate.

About Homestay.com

Homestay.com is an accommodation marketplace dedicated to the homestay travel experience, where the host is present for every stay. With more than 50,000 hosts offering places to stay across some 150 countries, Homestay.com enables travelers to stay in the home of a local resident while they are there. Focused as much on people as it is on places, Homestay.com puts hosts at the heart of amazing travel experiences. The company was founded by Tom Kennedy, co-founder of HostelWorld.com, and Debbie Flynn, a veteran of the education travel industry. Homestay.com is funded by Delta Partners Ltd. 

Media Contact:

Jil Krusemann, Spring O'Brien, jilk@spring-obrien.com