Top Rio de Janeiro Nature and Wildlife Tours

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.

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.

Discover a side of Rio de Janeiro that goes far beyond the beaches and postcard sights. Explore waterfalls, a natural cave, and the lush Tijuca Forest in small groups, with the chance to spot wildlife in its natural habitat. An authentic experience for those wishing to discover the city's wilder, more surprising side.

It’s hard to beat the crowds in Rio de Janeiro entirely, but trekking the challenging Pedra da Gavea gives you access to viewpoints with far fewer people, so that you can soak up views of Rio’s iconic coastline in more peace. This hiking tour helps you navigate the moderate-difficult route, ensuring you stay safe and don’t get lost along the way.

Get an overview of Rio's most important sights during this comprehensive day tour. With your guide, tick off Christ the Redeemer statue, the Selarón Steps, Maracanã Stadium, and the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian. If you upgrade to the premium option, you can even take the cable car to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain, plus stop for lunch in one of the city's best steakhouses. Round-trip, air-conditioned transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Swap the bustle of Rio de Janeiro for the tropical beauty of Arraial do Cabo, known by locals as the Brazilian Caribbean, on a full-day tour that takes care of transfers, activities, meals, and guides so you don’t have to. Letting someone else drive allows you to sit back and soak up the scenery, while stops to swim in crystal-clear waters increase your chances of spotting wildlife.

This Tijuca National Park hiking tour is perfect for travelers who are strapped for time. Fit in the top highlights of the area in just a few hours, including views of São Conrado, Ipanema, and Leblon Beach, as well as a hike in Tijuca National Park. A guide knows the best ways around the park and even takes you to a natural lagoon for a swimming break.

See two iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks from the water—Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf—on a sailing tour. Sail in Guanabara Bay or the open sea while you relax with a welcome drink and snacks. Enjoy stunning views and discover the magic of sailing from the captain who illuminates Rio’s history. This 3-hour boat tour has a maximum capacity of 20, so there'll be plenty of room onboard.

The Tijuca National Forest is one of the largest urban rainforests in the world, set on mountain slopes just west of Rio de Janeiro. With this tour, discover two of the city’s nature sites, starting with a guided walk through the Rio Botanical Gardens, including the Turtle Lake and Sensory Garden. Then, hike through Tijuca, learn more about the native plants and wildlife, and admire Taunay Waterfall.

Experience Rio's lush Tijuca Rainforest on a thrilling open-air jeep tour. Encounter diverse wildlife, stunning waterfalls, and scenic trails in the world's largest urban rainforest. Enjoy convenient hotel pickup in south Rio and embark on a journey to the forest. Cruise through the lush landscape and keep a lookout for playful monkeys, coatis, butterflies, toucans, iguanas, and an array of fascinating insects. After 30 minutes of moderate hiking, reach a breathtaking viewpoint 690 meters above sea level for awe-inspiring panoramic views. Continue your journey to the National Park's tallest waterfall, a majestic 35-meter cascade. Take a refreshing dip and immerse yourself in the surrounding natural splendor. During the return, we will take you to the iconic Vista Chinesa, a renowned viewpoint that offers breathtaking city views. Conclude with a drive through São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana, enjoying vibrant beaches and a rejuvenating, tranquil ending.

Explore one of the largest aquariums in South America—and enjoy a fully flexible experience—when you prebook admission tickets to AquaRio in Rio de Janeiro. A popular family-friendly destination in the city, the aquarium is home to hundreds of different marine species, making it a great place for discovery. After securing your tickets, arrive whenever suits you best, and see the sights at your own pace.

Tijuca National Park is a great opportunity to get to know Rio de Janeiro's rich avifauna, with endemic species of the Atlantic Forest. This is an ideal tour for those who want to start bird watching or for those more experienced birders.

If crowded boat tours aren’t your thing, this intimate experience is perfect for you. Set sail to the Tijuca Islands archipelago with a small group and explore Rio de Janeiro’s underwater world. Enjoy opportunities to spot sea turtles, colorful fish, and birds, with stops for swimming, snorkeling, and exploring along the way.

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.

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 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.

Visitors will love this half-day tour to Sugarloaf Mountain, taken on the cable car for incredible views of the city. A panoramic tour of the famous beaches and shorelines of Rio de Janeiro is included in this package, providing visitors with a unique way of experiencing the natural and contemporary beauty of the city.

Posing for photos at the unique hanging rock of Pedra do Telegrado is a popular pastime for visitors to Rio. With this tour, enjoy a guided 45-minute hike up to the viewpoint and experience the rock at its most atmospheric during a sunrise or sunset visit. As an added bonus, enjoy round-trip transfers from your Rio de Janeiro hotel.

Explore the world's largest urban rainforest, Tijuca National Park, during this 3-hour tour in Rio de Janeiro. With a nature guide, discover the swaths of verdant foliage and abundance of local wildlife within the confines of this vibrant city. A bio-diverse hot spot, the fragile ecosystem is home to several waterfalls and many endangered species. Enjoy views of Pedra da Gávea and the Christ the Redeemer statue and stop at the Emperor's Table and the Chinese View. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Get more out of your visit to the famous Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden when you go with a guide. Walk through the highlights of this UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve while learning about learning about its history and mission, plus see plants and animals from around the world like monkeys, toucans, and giant Amazonian water lilies. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Explore Tijuca National Park with a local guide on a half-day hike. Learn about native plant and animal species and look out for tropical birds and reptiles along the trail. Swim in a natural lagoon and then take a rest with gorgeous Rio de Janeiro views. This tour is deal for visitors looking for an adventure in Brazil. Escape the city, immerse yourself in nature and learn about Brazilian wildlife.

Explore Brazil's diverse plant life on this tour of the Tijuca Rainforest and the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. Visit the city's botanical garden to view a variety of exotic and native plants. Ride in a jeep through the Tijuca Rainforest, stopping for a leisurely hike with picturesque views and chances to see local wildlife. Round-trip transportation from Rio de Janeiro hotels is included.

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.