RIO DE JANEIRO
The standout days in Rio de Janeiro.
The 15 most popular tours in Rio de Janeiro. The ones worth building a day around, with prices, run times and who runs each one.
Rocinha walking tour with a local guide from Copacabana/Ipanema. 2 hours inside, small group, community support, $36.
Most Popular
Walk Rocinha with local guides for a respectful, history-filled look at daily life in Rio, plus viewpoints and capoeira.
Rio tour to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande for lagoon swims, Cataguases and Freguesia de Santana beaches, and a sea-view lunch.
A 3-hour small-group sunset sail in Guanabara Bay with caipirinhas, beer, wine, snacks, and huge Rio views from the water.
7 hours of Rio’s top sights with early Christ the Redeemer access, rainforest at Tijuca, Centro landmarks, and Selarón Steps plus options for Sugarloaf.
3-hour Rio sunset sail with an open bar, caipirinhas, snacks, and a swim in Guanabara Bay, starting in Urca.
Open-top jeep and a guided hike in Rio’s Tijuca Rainforest. Learn Atlantic Forest history, chase views, and spot monkeys in 4 hours.
Jeep tour in Rio’s Tijuca Rain Forest with hotel pickup: easy waterfall hike, Chinese View, Emperor’s Table, and Monkey Falls.
“Very good information about the forest, the fauna, animals and history of reforestation. The views were great despite the rainy weather.”
Helicopter tour over Rio from Jacarepaguá Airport, with Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Sugarloaf, and beaches in 20–25 min.
Backstage at Rio’s Samba City: tour Grande Rio’s costume and float workshops, try authentic costumes, learn samba, and end with caipirinhas.
One guided day covering Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Maracanã, the Cathedral, Sambadrome, and Selarón Steps, plus buffet lunch.
A 3-hour, community-led walk in Santa Marta: Michael Jackson Square, samba, local stories, and social projects, guided by residents for $28.
Full-day schooner cruise to Angra dos Reis and Grand Island: calm lagoon swims, snorkeling, four beach stops, and lunch, plus a marina fee.
“This budget-friendly tour is a solid deal if you’re looking for a cheap escape, with lunch included and the opportunity to experience both a bus ride and a boat trip. However, most of the day was spent traveling—first on the bus picking up passengers of 45 and then getting on and off the boat with…”
Hike up Pedra do Telégrafo in Pedra Branca State Park, then unwind at Grumari or Prainha with big Rio views and guided pacing.
A 5-hour Rio express: hotel pickup, a minivan through Tijuca Forest to Christ the Redeemer, then the Sugarloaf cable car for big 360° views.
From Corcovado to Copacabana, and every way to see the city in between.
