Top Southeast Brazil Half-day Tours

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.

See the best of Brazil's largest city, all in just half a day—and enjoy a hassle-free way to travel and explore—all on this comprehensive São Paulo tour. Following morning pickup from your centrally located hotel, you'll travel by vehicle to some of the city's top sights. Discover Ibirapuera Park, see architectural highlights like Luz Station, and venture to hidden gems like Batman Alley (known for its vibrant street art).

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.

Stray from the tourist trail and see a side of São Paulo that’s usually reserved for locals on a walking tour. Rather than missing out on interesting details as you travel by car, you’ll delve deeper into local culture as you explore the historic center, home to the highest concentration of São Paulo sights.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city.

The cultural and historical highlights of Sao Paulo, Brazil are spread throughout the city which can be daunting to navigate. Perfect for first-time visitors, this full-day private tour allows travelers to customize what they want to see from options including the street art of Batman Alley, leafy Ibirapuera Park, chic Paulista Avenue, the Municipal Market, the city cathedral, and more along with a guide and private transportation.

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.

Go where cars can’t and discover a different side of Paraty beyond its beaches on a Jeep tour of Tobogã and Serra da Bocaina National Park. Tackle rugged terrain with ease in your 4x4 vehicle, cool off in natural pools, and appreciate areas of rich biodiversity, where your guide can help you spot native flora and fauna.

First time in São Paulo? It can be a little overwhelming to say the least. Take this half-day private driving tour and get an overview of all this vibrant Brazilian city has to offer. Considered Brazil’s ‘late bloomer’, what São Paulo lacks in colonial history, it more than makes up for with its modern architecture and emerging art scene. Personalize your tour by choosing stops along the way to explore, snap some pics or grab a bite.

This 3-hour small group cycling tour is for travelers who want to see more of São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, in less time. The approximately 10-mile route includes museums, parks, architecture, neighborhoods, and plenty of time to stop for refreshments and photos. Explore the city's Japanese neighborhood, see the city's cathedral, and more.

Reach the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) without having to break a sweat on a Rio de Janeiro sightseeing tour that transports you to the top of Corcovado Hill in air-conditioned comfort—so you don’t have to wait for the train. Enjoy free time at the gift shop and plenty of time to take photos at one of the New7Wonders of the World.

Save hours trying to navigate between Rio de Janeiro's top sights with an express tour that seamlessly transports you from spot to spot—a welcome break from the city's heat and humidity. In just a few hours, check off top attractions, such as Christ the Redeemer, the Selaron Steps, Arcos da Lapa, and the Maracana Stadium—all while a guide fills you in on the area's history and culture.

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.

Make the most of a stopover in Rio de Janeiro with a sightseeing shore excursion from Cruise Terminal Pier Mauá. A great way to squeeze in visits to some of Rio’s best sights, you’ll first head out to see the towering Christ the Redeemer Statue—one of the New 7 Wonders of the World. You’ll then explore the historic hub of Santa Teresa before ending with a cable car ride up to Sugarloaf Mountain.

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.

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.

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).

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.

Visitors will travel back in time on this tour of downtown Rio. The tour will visit the cultural and historical highlights of Rio, including the Cinelandia Square which is home to many of the political buildings of Rio; and Praia Quinze de Novembro, a square in the historical centre of Rio and surrounded by many historically significant buildings.