Top Rio de Janeiro Outdoor Activities

Skip the gridlocked city traffic and the crowded tour buses. Just 40 minutes from Rio's famous beaches lies a protected UNESCO World Heritage wilderness where the dense jungle canopy blocks out the city chaos. This is a paced, small-group journey designed to show you Rio’s wild side without the crowds.

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.

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 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).

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.

The paragliding flight at Pedra Bonita is among the best experiences in Rio de Janeiro. The passenger is received by our team at Clube São Conrado de Voo Livre, where registration and payment of the fee in the amount of R$ 120.00 / $ 23.00 are made. The next step is the climb up to the Bonita rock ramp, which is located inside the Tijuca National Park. Before takeoff, the safety briefing takes place, in which all instructions for the activity are given. After the described steps, we took the flight with landing at São Conrado beach. Feel the freedom of the birds and the intense contact with nature, flying over the stunning Tijuca Forest, Pedra Bonita, Pedra da Gávea, and the sea of Rio de Janeiro. Unique experience in the marvelous city! Our team has all the necessary experience to make your dream of flying come true! Internationally certified instructor, new equipment with all safety checks updated.

Soar over Rio de Janeiro in an exhilarating doorless helicopter ride with just a few passengers. Feel the thrill as you fly with your feet out, capturing stunning views of Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, Christ the Redeemer, and Sugarloaf Mountain. This adventure offers unbeatable panoramic views of the city and skilled pilots ensure safety while you soar above Rio’s iconic landmarks.

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.

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.

Start your day with one of the most unforgettable experiences in Rio de Janeiro, a sunrise hike to the top of Morro Dois Irmãos. Beginning in the vibrant community of Vidigal, this experience combines adventure, local culture, and breathtaking views. Ride a moto taxi through the neighborhood before hiking the scenic trail with an experienced guide who knows the mountain and the area. At the summit, watch the sun rise over Rio’s coastline as the city slowly wakes up below you. From the top, you’ll enjoy one of the most iconic panoramic views in the city, overlooking Ipanema, Leblon, and the Atlantic Ocean. This small-group experience is perfect for travelers looking for an authentic adventure, incredible photos, and a unique way to see Rio from above. After the hike, we celebrate the climb with a simple local breakfast before heading back down. by @rioexplore

Rio de Janeiro’s magnificent mountains and sea cliffs are popular with hang gliders and paragliders. On this group tour, enjoy a tandem flight from Pedra Bonita mountain lasting 7 to 20 minutes, accompanied by certified pilots. Experience the thrill of flying and admire the city from above with expert guidance.

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.

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.

Fly over Rio de Janeiro on this paragliding tour. Take off from the Pedra Bonita trail, located within the Tijuca National Park, where you'll get aerial views of the lush landscape during the exciting ride. Then land on São Conrado beach. Keep in mind that paragliders can usually accommodate a higher weight limit than hang gliders.

Give your feet a rest from sightseeing and take to the water for a stunning sunset boat tour across Guanabara Bay in Rio. Board your vessel with just a small group and enjoy hours of mingling with other guests and swimming in the warm waters. Your relaxing cruise culminates with views of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain just as the sun dips below the horizon.

And an opportunity to learn to samba with a carnival queen of Rio de Janeiro. Besides having a lot of fun, you will learn to sambar ....

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.

If you’re looking for an experience that gives back to nearby communities, this Two Brothers Mountain Lookout Hike from Rio de Janeiro donates a percentage to communities in Rio that are struggling. The guided hike itself follows the trail up to Two Brothers, where you pass lesser-known spots for unprecedented views of the city and its coastline.

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.

Soar above the city of Rio de Janeiro aboard a hang glider during this thrilling adventure. Accompanied by a fully certified instructor, launch from the Tijuca National Park and glide over the lush, verdant Atlantic Forest. Take in views of some of Rio's most famous landmarks, such as Sugar Loaf Mountain, the Rocinha Favela, and the Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Touch down for a gentle landing on the white sands of Sao Conrado Beach.

You'll experience Rio's historic centre and revitalised old port district by electric pedicab, a fun, safe and sustainable way to breathe in centuries of the city's stories and appreciate its beauty. We'll meet in front of the Municipal Theatre, and from there embark on a tour of some of the most popular sites of Lapa, the city centre and port. Along the way you'll be able to stop at the attractions, hear about the significance of the site, and take photos. Our itinerary is highly Instagramable! Our modern pedicabs visit many places that are inaccessible to cars, and cover three times more ground than is possible on a walking tour. They are also a joyful means of transport, and unlike a car they allow you to soak in the atmosphere of the city. As much as possible we are flexible with the itinerary, and will try to substitute sites if guests have already visited any. At the end we will be glad to drop you at any of the museums, cultural sites or restaurants we pass on the tour.

Our tour allows you a unique view of several tourist attractions in Rio de Janeiro, such as Sugarloaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain, in addition to passing through several historical points of our city. You experience the most beautiful sunset in Rio, enjoying our caipirinhas, making a toast to the Marvelous City!

While most tourists visit the Christ the Redeemer statue on land, few get to fly above and around it. Book this helicopter tour for unparalleled aerial views of one of the New7Wonders of the World. Meet at the heliport, climb aboard, and soak up the stunning views of Rio de Janeiro from the air—an unforgettable experience.

Enjoy some of Rio de Janeiro's most spectacular sights from the water, in the soft light of the morning. Sailing in the morning also means stronger, steadier winds on Guanabara Bay, giving this tour some of the longest true-sailing stretches of any DDRio experience. Onboard, guests enjoy a complete brunch service already included in the price - sparkling wine, caipirinha, caipivodka, beer, soft drinks, coffee, juice and water, paired with charcuterie skewers, cheese, olives, toasts, peanuts and a seasonal fruit plate. Our crew doesn't just sail safely and comfortably - they also share the stories behind the forts, beaches and hills that shape the scenery, all in sheltered waters that keep the ride comfortable from start to finish.