finally, for réveillon planning on a budget, other options worth looking into are apartment swaps with brazilians travelling in the opposite direction. 

as for as booking rooms in rio de janeiro the best way is online, and there are a number of websites and travel companies that offer this service.

hotel and apartment rates are higher during the hotter months, december through to march, and events such as rio carnival, réveillon, and sporting occurrences, push prices higher.

the high prices and competition for rooms are for a reason,  rio de janeiro is a brilliant place to celebrate the new year in style.