Being a soulrebel
means living a life aligned with your values.
In the hills of Rio de Janeiro, I tried to build that life for myself.
Come and join me.
— Juliane, host & founder
soulrebel rio is my home in the Atlantic Forest — a private house in the hills of Santa Teresa where the forest comes through the windows, Rosy cooks plant-based food from scratch every morning, and Rio de Janeiro reveals itself slowly, the way it should.
I'm a cook, an educator, an author, and a mother. I opened this house to people who travel to feel, not to tick boxes. Whatever brings you here — a room for the night, a cooking class, a retreat for your group, or just curiosity — you're welcome at my table.
Come as you are. Leave nourished, inspired, and renewed.
Retreat with us. Live like a Rebel.
Stay
A private loft with a jacuzzi and panoramic views. Four suites surrounded by forest. Breakfast by Rosy every morning. This is not a hotel — it's a home, and you're a guest in it.
Learn
Cooking classes rooted in Brazilian food culture — fermentation, cacao, flavors you won't find in a recipe book. I teach because food is how I understand the world.
Retreat
For facilitators and groups looking for a private home in Rio — I move out, you move in. Vegan catering by Rosy included. The whole house, entirely yours.
Meet Juju, founder of soulrebel rio
I'm originally from northern Germany. I came to Rio de Janeiro in 2017 and never really left — not because I had a plan, but because sometimes a place chooses you.
I have a degree in History, a Master's in conflict mediation, and years of teaching behind me. I write about Brazilian food culture. I raise my son surrounded by the forest. And I run this house with the same philosophy I try to live by: slowly, intentionally, with good food at the center of everything.

It really is a peaceful, safe, and comfortable place to lay your head at night. And the BATHTUUBB!! 😭🙌🏾 It was wonderful. Well worth the stay. Two things to be... read more aware of:
1) Coming in after the front entrance is locked. Make sure to take the plastic thingy off the key pad, or else it won’t work. It wasn’t in the instructions so I had to bang on the door. 😬 Sorry.
2) When Ubering, copy and paste the address from airbnb app into Uber. Apparently, there are different neighborhoods that have the same address. Remember what the front of house looks like to help guide your drivers to the right place. Could never pinpoint the exact location.
Otherwise, fantastic place to stay.
Rae
1/05/2024
Juliane foi ótima, super atenciosa!
O espaço é igual da fotos, super charmoso.
Não dá para ir à pé para o centrinho de Santa Teresa, é ideal... read more para quem quer curtir o espaço, a natureza e uma bela vista.
Flaviana
5/13/2023
Myself and my son had a wonderfully relaxing stay and I would definitely come again and recommend to my friends.
Julianne is an incredible host who genuinely puts... read more a lot of thought and care into sharing the community lifestyle she has created. We were served a lovely vegan breakfast, had a wonderful massage and jacuzzi bubble bath and deep sleep in a very comfortable bed. Total decompression after a long flight!
The Loft is hugely spacious and stylishly decorated, set up above Rio in the lush and peaceful green area of Santa Teresa.
The only downside was we felt slightly stranded as sometimes taxis and Ubers were difficult to order and a bit disappointed that the swimming pool was out of action. However, everything else made up for this.
Janie
8/03/2023
Adoro locais com personalidade. Esse tinha muita. Amei demais relaxar na minha própria companhia nesse lar.
Bianca
3/06/2024
We had a wonderful stay at the loft. The place is beautifully restored and decorated and the views are magnificent. Juju is such a great host, always responsive and so... read more welcoming and friendly. We opted for the breakfast each morning, lovingly made by Juju, and it was one of the highlights of our trip- highly recommend.
Getting to the property is straightforward; we took an Uber from Leblon. We found that the yellow taxis were a little hesitant to go into Santa Teresa but Ubers are fine and affordable. The hills are very steep but the Uber drivers are used to them. Even in the rain which is quite an experience !
We would definitely come back to stay with Juju if we are lucky enough to return to Brazil.
Caitlin
12/24/2022
This is not classic pay-per-sleep place. This is a place where you come as a stranger and leave as a friend. What makes difference are people. Juju and Ari have... read more wonderful family and they made harmonic and peaceful oasis, where you could be a part of it. They were always here for us, and help us in one very stressful situation. After a day spent in hectic jungle city of Rio it was perfect experience to drink beer and watch city lights from terrace, or to wake up in very soft comfortable bed in shadow of bamboo trees, or just to play with cute friendly dogs. Be surrounded by all those nature and wonderful people helped us to charge our batteries again. Only minus is that we couldnt stay longer. One advice for other guests: Bring your mosquito sprays, it could help a lot!
Thanks Juju and Ari a lot and we hope to come again!
Davor
9/10/2023
Rayssa
6/16/2024
Best Airbnb ever! The house must've been some mad architect's fever dream -- meant in the most positive way: the minute attention to detail, the varied design elements, the unique... read more features. Just amazing! The loft is spacious, with an incredible view from the huge balcony. Off the beaten path somewhat, but the wooded surroundings are lovely (and if you wanted to be at the beach you wouldn't be reading this review). Enjoyed hanging with locals at the bar up the road -- sweet people, language gap notwithstanding. Most importantly, Juliane and Ariel are such wonderful hosts...caring, generous, attentive, fun, eclectic, and very smart. A pleasure just listening to them talk about their love for their home and fam, friends and visitors, lifestyle. Like the good old days of vaca rentals, when you could actually make new friends. And I feel I have. Recommend without qualification (and sign up for Juju's cooking class, it's a blast!)
Ron
1/28/2025
Juliane’s place is very idyllic and peaceful, would recommend if you want to go on a retreat and get away from the chaos of the city. We really loves the... read more dogs that came to cuddle every day 🙂
One sidenote is that, because it is quite far, so you will need some more patience getting and uber from and to the airbnb.
Tiarma
9/03/2023
Wir haben uns sofort Willkommen und wie Zuhause gefühlt. Juliane, ihr Mann Ariel & Lindo & Rosi waren wundervoll und total herzlich.
Die Gespräche mit Ihnen haben wir sehr... read more genossen. Danke, dass ihr euch so viel Zeit für uns genommen habt. Wir haben sie sehr ins Herz geschlossen ❤️.
Das Loft ist genauso wie auf den Bildern mit einer sagenhaften Aussicht und viel viel Platz. Das Bad gleicht einer Oase 😊
Wir sind froh, dass wir uns entschieden hatten, dort unsere Tage für Rio zu verbringen. Sehr authentisch, ruhig und sicher. Herrlich ist auch die Nähe zur Natur.
Wir empfehlen auch das vegane Frühstück - es ist mit so viel Liebe und Zeit hergerichtet und schmeckt fantastisch 🤩
Natascha And Doneidys David
10/28/2024
Très bien. Confortable spacieux et paisible. Au contact de la nature avec une belle vue sur la ville. La nourriture proposée est excellente.
Aurelien
8/27/2024
Quem chega pelo aplicativo Waze tem um pouco de dificuldade de encontrar o local, visto que o aplicativo não o identifica corretamente. Melhor utilizar Go0gle Maps.
Juliane é... read more muito receptiva, o local é bem amplo e confortável. As instalações são novas e funcionam perfeitamente.
Quem está acostumado com colchão mais firme, pode encontrar dificuldade para dormir, pois o colchão é bem mole.
A decoração do quarto é aconchegante e colorida na medida certa.
Jamila
3/05/2023
Absolutely beautiful spot! The views were amazing and it was easy enough to drive back and forth to sites in Rio. Juliane was a wonderful host, with helpful recommendations. Highly... read more recommend for a beautiful and peaceful spot in Rio!
Melissa
11/06/2023
Amazing loft with an incredible view on Rio Center. Julianne & Ariel are very nice hosts. A bit far from touristic areas and places to visit but good location to... read more relax away from the noise from the city center (few buses to connect down to Santa Teresa and Ubers do climb up there).
Alex & Anita
4/07/2023
Amazing private loft with an incredible view! Juliane and her husband were kind and welcoming. Juliane was great to talk to and provided great recommendations! Puppies were super cute and... read more welcoming too! Sometimes it would take longer to obtain an uber later in the evening since its uphill and roads are narrow. However, reserving the ubers really helped. 10/10 stay.
Linette
2/10/2025
A Juliane foi muito solicita, foi super flexível e muito atenciosa desde o primeiro contato.
O loft é lindo, os detalhes da decoração e a vista são o ponto... read more alto.
Fui de carro de aplicativo e foi fácil de chegar.
Gracias Juliane e família por me receber tão bem.
Daphne
4/15/2024
The place was beautiful and Ari was very welcoming and helpful. The dogs were super cute as well! Muito obrigada!
Erin
6/25/2024
Juliane et Ariel sont de vraiment gentils hôtes. L'atmosphere de leur maison est à leur image, douce calme, amicale et paisible.
Le loft se situe en haut de la maison.... read more La décoration est aussi belle que sur les photo et c'est un très bel endroit pour vivre.
La vue est fantastique!
La maison est située sur les hauteurs de Rio, avec l'avantage d'être plus au calme et à l'ecart du bruit de la ville.
Un très bel endroit!
Marie
2/23/2024
Juju is literally one of the best hosts I’ve ever had. She hand makes the vegan breakfast- from the milk to the jam and baked goods. She also super friendly... read more and offers helpful advice such as cab apps and lowkey beaches. The property and space is authentic and feels very homie, the hot tub was very hot and great. Only con is that Ubers will cancel often due to distance up the mountain/road construction during the day. But the location is peaceful and beautiful.
Analiese
2/26/2025
My stay at the loft space at Soul Rebel was an absolute dream. I needed to rest after very long travel from a forest village in the western Amazon... read more to Rio, and ended up just spending 2 full days enjoying the spaciousness, the amazing views, and the lush vegan culinary delights delivered to my table by Rose.
Everyone was delightful and eager to ensure I had a the best stay.
Thanks very much Ju, Ariel and Rose.
I hope to stay with you again sometime.
Jimena
11/16/2024
O apartamento é lindo, tudo estava bem limpinho e tivemos dias ótimos. Não tivemos problemas com uber - pedindo black ou comfort sempre - a área é segura e os... read more anfitriões são super gentis sempre à disposição para ajudar. E de fato, que delícia de café da manhã! Obrigada Ju, nós amamos 💛
Victor
3/27/2025
Juliane was a beautiful host! She was so attentive and helpful throughout our stay. The place itself is incredible. It has the perfect balance of beautiful nature and wildlife and... read more a stones throw from the city. Christ the redeemer was literally 10mins in an Uber or a nice hike. The energy of the loft is energising and having the pool to take a dip was so lovely. Don’t even hesitate as it’s actually a piece of paradise. We’ll be back one day 🥰🙏✨💛
Charlotte
9/22/2024
The place is amazing and Juliane was a really nice host. She proposed yoga class as well which actually fits perfectly the athmosphere of the place : quiet, surrounded by... read more nature, beautiful view.
The loft is very well decorated and really confortable to stay at.
Emma
2/28/2025









