Top Rio de Janeiro How to Get Around

Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's "favelas," Rocinha. Follow your resident guide through the slum to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face. Upgrade your experience to a 2-day tour that includes a visit to Tijuca Forest.

Discover Brazil through its flavors, history, and rhythm on this immersive food tour in Rio de Janeiro. Explore the authentic Little Africa district and Pedra do Sal, the birthplace of samba, where music fills the streets and Rio’s flavors come alive. Taste dishes that carry African influences and learn the stories behind each recipe. Led by passionate local guides, this tour is a cultural exchange designed to connect you with the real Rio. Some people visit Rio. Others taste Rio. Meeting point: Angu do Gomes restaurant at 1:45 PM. You will savor: Moqueca: Fish or shrimp in a rich, creamy sauce with coconut milk and dendê oil. Angu do Gomes: Creamy cornmeal topped with seasoned meat, sausage, and egg. Coxinha: Crispy dough filled with savory options, typically shredded chicken.

Ride through Tijuca National Park's rainforest in an open-top Jeep during this half-day trip from Rio. During guided eco-tour, hike through the forest to spot sloths, butterflies, monkeys, and birds. Enjoy panoramic views from Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) and marvel at the fact that this section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is just 10 minutes outside the city limits. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Visit some of the most avoided areas of Rio de Janeiro with a guide who knows the areas well and knows how to keep you safe during this Rio de Janeiro Rocinha Favela Walking Tour. You’ll visit a few favelas within just a few hours as your guide tells you about the communities and their culture. Follow paths locals walk every day to see the slums and take in hilltop views of the city.

The Lapa district of Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and live music scene. With this evening pub crawl, discover the neighborhood at its most atmospheric as you visit popular local pubs and bars, sip a free shot of cachaça, and listen to live samba or forró music. Accompanied by your guide and group of party-seeking travelers, enjoy a fun night out with VIP admission and special offers on drinks.

Discover Rio de Janeiro from its history, architecture and cultural influences that have shaped the way you are Carioca. We will walk through squares, churches and historic sites, with the possibility of a break for a snack or coffee at the traditional Colombo Confectionery (not included in the tour price).

While in Rio de Janeiro, go out for a night in the city with this admission ticket to see the live show Ginga Tropical at Leblon theater. This 1.5-hour show is in its fifth year running, and it gives you an interactive tour of Brazilian culture through dance, music, and live performance. Watch as artists combine frevo, Capoeira, and other methods of entertainment. At the end of the show, you can even join in as the cast invites the audience to samba with them in a Carnival-inspired finale.

Christ the Redeemer is a sightseeing must for visitors to Rio de Janeiro, but visiting it can require long waits and heavy crowds. Instead, enjoy a perspective on the wonder of the world that few others get to see—and enjoy a hassle-free experience—on this private or small-group helicopter tour. Choose your preferred departure time, take off, and admire the statue (plus views of other Rio highlights).

Visit the islands of Angra do Reis aboard a boat on this excursion from Rio de Janeiro. Relax as the boat sails through the deep blue waters and you watch the vibrant green of the Atlantic forest pass by on the shoreline. Get a chance to interact with some local dolphins and participate in water sports (own expense). Disembark on some of the small islands to explore the beaches, shop the open-air markets for local handicrafts and sidle up to one of the beach bars for a drink. Lunch on board the boat and round-trip transportation from Rio hotels are included.

Escape the crowds and discover a different side of Rio de Janeiro on an unforgettable adventure through Tijuca National Park, home to the world's largest urban reforested rainforest. Your experience begins with convenient hotel pickup before heading into the heart of the Tijuca Rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced bilingual guide, you'll explore scenic jungle trails, hidden caves, crystal-clear waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints while learning about the unique ecosystem that makes this park one of Rio's greatest natural treasures. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including toucans, monkeys, coatis, butterflies, and many other species that call the rainforest home. They might appear to welcome you! Unlike traditional city tours, this experience takes you beyond Rio's famous landmarks and into the wild heart of the city, offering an authentic connection with nature and one of the most diverse environments in Brazil.

Save yourself hours of planning on a tour of Rio de Janeiro that includes admission tickets, transportation, and hotel pickup for the ultimate experience of the "Marvelous City." Rather than navigating public transport in an unfamiliar city, travel around the city in air-conditioned comfort and benefit from the insider knowledge of your guide. Choose from two options: a shorter tour with just Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, or a longer tour that also includes other Rio highlights such as the Selaron Steps and Cathedral, plus a buffet lunch.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Maracanã Stadium during this guided tour. Explore the stadium, renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, check out the locker rooms. Sit on the team bench where greats like Pele rested after he scored his thousandth goal. Listen as your guide tells tales of legendary matches like Brazil's devastating loss in the 1950 World Cup. Round-trip climate-controlled transportation from most Rio hotels is included. (if option is selected)

Discover the tropical paradise of Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande—where stunning beaches, crystal-clear waters, and lush landscapes await—on a full-day group tour from Rio de Janeiro. Relax on white-sand shores, dive into vibrant coral reefs, and observe rich marine life, including colorful tropical fish on a peaceful schooner ride. Lunch is included, and snorkeling equipment is available to rent for a closer look beneath the sea’s surface.

Explore the Rocinha with whom you live and know the territory. This tour offers a safe and authentic immersion in Brazil’s largest favela, guided by a local resident. The journey begins with a motorcycle-taxi ride and includes stops at strategic points that reveal the daily life of the community, away from stereotypes. The experience is educational, respectful and built on the basis of real experience, promoting conscious tourism and the dialogue about social transformation through education.

Explore Rocinha Favela, the largest favela in Latin America, during this 3-hour guided educational tour. Walk through the local community with your guide to learn about what life is like there. Interact with members of the community, learn about the history of Rocinha and gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political factors that shape Rio society. Round-trip transportation from Rio de Janeiro hotels is included.

As one of Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic attractions, Christ the Redeemer attracts lengthy lines. Save time and prevent hassle by prebooking skip-the-line tickets, which allow you to board the next available train to the summit of Corcovado, where the statue is located. Your return ticket is valid on any train, so spend as much time as you like at the top, enjoying panoramic vistas of Rio and capturing photographs of the landmark.

Explore the parts of Rio de Janeiro that interest you—and skip the ones that don’t—on a private customized tour. This bespoke excursion is perfect for discerning travelers who want to maximize every moment of their vacation time without a humdrum highlights tour. Whether you decide to observe wildlife at Tijuca Forest or uncover the city’s hidden corners, your guide will organize the perfect itinerary.

Discover an incredible urban forest without leaving Rio de Janeiro. This small group tour of Tijuaca National Park takes you to the most scenic viewpoints, including a beautiful beach and the famous Pedra Bonita peak. Your guide will also take you on a short hike to access a cave or one of the many waterfalls in the park that you can swim in.

Explore Rocinha Favela, the largest favela in Latin America, during this 4-hour guided educational tour. Walk through the local community with your guide to learn about what life is like there. Interact with members of the community, learn about the history of Rocinha and gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political factors that shape Rio society.

Sail along Guanabara Bay just as the sun is setting below the horizon and experience Rio when it starts to come to life. This small-group sailing adventure is a perfect way to relax and see the sites such as the Museum of Contemporary Art, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Rio-Niteroi Bridge. Relax with complimentary drinks and light snacks while you sail.

Skip the line up to Sugarloaf Mountain and deepen your experience of this natural and cultural hotspot with a guided tour. A great way to discover more about this fascinating landmark, this guided tour includes queue-jump cable car tickets to Urca Hill and Sugarloaf Mountain for the whole group. Once you reach the viewpoint, your guide will point out the different areas you can see, including Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Bay.

Explore the best of Rio de Janeiro's Historical Center, the city's oldest neighborhood—and discover sights and stories you'd otherwise miss—on this guided walking tour. Pick between morning and afternoon start times, and meet your guide and group in the neighborhood. Then, set off to discover a wide range of highlights, from the Selaron Steps and the Metropolitan Cathedral to the Municipal Theater and much more.

Board at Marina da Glória and cruise Guanabara Bay on a 3-hour boat tour timed to put you on the water at exactly the right moment for sunset. The group is capped at 11 passengers — no crowds, plenty of space on board, and full attention from the crew for everyone. Along the way, you'll pass the Museum of Tomorrow, stop for photos in front of Oscar Niemeyer's MAC in Niterói, and have 1 hour for swimming at Praia de Adão e Eva or Enseada da Urca. On the crossing back, with the sun going down over the bay, you'll see Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain lit up by the last light of the day — straight from the water. Beer, water, soft drinks and snacks are all included