Top Rio de Janeiro Self-guided Tours

Take your Rio de Janeiro visit to new heights thanks to this small-group hiking excursion to the top of Pedra da Gavea. Travel to Rio’s Tijuca rainforest for your ascent of this 2,770-foot (844-meter) pinnacle of rock, admiring local wildlife during the steep climb. You’ll eventually strap on climbing equipment, completing a few basic rock climbing sections on your trip to the top. Enjoy stunning views of greater Rio from the peak before rappelling back down. A guide and all necessary equipment are all included.

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.

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 ....

Explore the waters around Angra dos Reis on a schooner during this full-day excursion from Rio de Janeiro. Sail on the turquoise blue waters through the islands that dot the Agra dos Reis, making several stops to swim and snorkel along the way during your cruise. Relax with the wind in your hair and tropical sun warming your skin, then enjoy a delicious buffet lunch onboard before returning to the pier. Round-trip transportation from Rio de Janeiro is included.

Combine convenience with culture by booking a private transfer service between Rio de Janeiro’s airport and port that includes an optional 1-hour city tour. Allow a courteous driver to transport you from Rio de Janeiro International Airport (GIG) or Santos Dumond (SDU) to Rio de Janeiro Cruise Terminal Pier Mauá in a comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle. Opt to upgrade your service to include a 1-hour panoramic sightseeing tour of the vibrant Brazilian city to gain fascinating insight into the culture and history of Rio de Janeiro.

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.

Pedra da Gávea guided extreme hikes offer the ultimate bucket-list challenge for adventure travelers looking to conquer Rio's highest seaside peak. This legendary trail takes you straight through the protected jungles of Tijuca National Park to ancient rock formations. Specialized climbing ropes and safety equipment come fully provided to make the infamous Carrasqueira rock wall completely secure. Expert bilingual mountain guides manage every safety protocol, neutralizing any trail anxiety so you can focus entirely on the ascent. Round-trip hotel transportation ensures a seamless, air-conditioned transition directly from your accommodation in Rio. Intimate small groups are strictly capped to maintain a highly personalized pace, letting you claim your ultimate summit bragging rights with absolute confidence.

The bohemian Santa Teresa and the nightlife hub of Lapa are two of Rio de Janeiro’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. With this walking tour, explore some of the city’s most photo-worthy spots, including the Ruins Park (closed Tuesdays), the vibrant Selarón Steps, and Cinelândia. Take in the views as you ride the local tram, stroll through the Passeio Público, and visit the legendary Confeitaria Colombo café.

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

Discover one of Rio De Janeiro's most incredible natural treasures with this tour of the urban Tijuca Forest. Travel with a guide in a comfortable car or Jeep and visit the forests's most iconic attractions. Admire gorgeous sights from the Chinese viewpoint, marvel at the diverse range of plant life at the Emperor's Table and visit the historic house of Cascatinha Taunay.

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.

Urca is Rio's quietest neighbourhood and its most surprising — tucked between Sugarloaf Mountain and the bay, with history on every corner. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Rio de Janeiro on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Stroll along the Mureta da Urca, the beloved low seafront wall where cariocas gather to watch the sun set behind Sugarloaf • Visit the Museu de Ciências da Terra, a fascinating geological museum with one of Brazil's finest mineral collections • Walk to Praia Vermelha, the sheltered red-sand beach at the foot of Sugarloaf with one of the most dramatic natural backdrops in the city Available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian — see the full list when booking and choose yours when you start the game in the app. Around 2 hours - any group size. Rio has bigger neighbourhoods and louder ones — but none quite as perfect for a walk as Urca.

Ipanema and Copacabana are two of the world's most famous beaches — and behind the waterfront, there's a whole city worth getting to know. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Rio de Janeiro on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Walk the iconic Praia de Ipanema, the beach that inspired a bossa nova classic and became one of Brazil's defining images • Discover the rocky peninsula of Arpoador, where the two beaches meet and the surf breaks hard against the stone • Continue to Praia de Copacabana, one of the longest and most famous stretches of urban beach in the world Available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian — see the full list when booking and choose yours when you start the game in the app. Around 2 hours - any group size. The Girl from Ipanema walked this way — now it's your turn.

Salvador's Pelourinho is the heart of Afro-Brazilian culture — a UNESCO-listed hillside neighbourhood where every wall, church, and square tells a story. This app-led scavenger hunt takes you through Salvador on foot, using phone-based riddles to guide you from one landmark to the next. No guide, no fixed start time. • Stand at Praça Castro Alves, the grand square named for Brazil's abolitionist poet and still a living stage for the city's cultural life • Visit the Igreja Nossa Senhora do Rosário dos Pretos, a church built by enslaved Africans in the 18th century • Step into the Fundação Casa de Jorge Amado, dedicated to Brazil's most beloved novelist and the man who put Bahia on the literary map Available in 24 languages including English, French, German, Spanish, Italian — see the full list when booking and choose yours when you start the game in the app. Around 2 hours. Pelourinho is where Brazil's soul lives — and this tour takes you right to it.