Top Southeast Brazil How to Get Around in 2026

Packed with world-famous landmarks, Rio de Janeiro can feel intimidating to visitors. Avoid overwhelm with a tour that lets you check off the city's top sights in one seamless day. Travel by van through lush Tijuca National Park to reach Christ the Redeemer, admire city views, snap photos at the colorful Selarón Steps, visit the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, and ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain.

Trace the steps of late superstar Michael Jackson through Rio and the favela of Santa Marta on this small-group tour. Traveling with a small group of just 10 people of fewer means you'll enjoy personalized attention from your guide and plenty of chances to ask questions. Visiting Santa Marta is a must-do for tourists in Rio to understand the diverse makeup of the city and its residents.

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.

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.

Explore two of Rio’s neighborhoods—the Historic Center and the artsy district of Santa Teresa—in one morning or afternoon on this compact tour. Start by admiring the early colorful buildings and 19th-century tramline of Santa Teresa, then head to the Historic Center to visit sites such as Cinelandia, the Arcos da Lapa, Teles Arches, and Praça XV.

The megalopolis of São Paulo can be an overwhelming place to explore for the first time. This private excursion is designed to give first-time visitors a great overview of the sprawling city. See top highlights including Paulista Avenue, the cathedral, Batman Alley, the Liberdade neighborhood, and Ibirapuera Park in just a few hours.

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.

Delve deeper into the history of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro, and learn more than you would if exploring solo, with this group walking tour around the city’s Saúde neighborhood. Follow your guide as you learn about Brazil's slave trade history and the roots of carnival, samba, the city's food scene, and more. Enjoy a route that passes the Mercedes Baptista Statue, Pedra do Sal, and Cais do Valongo.

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.

Get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy a relaxing day on the beach. Visit the town of Santos and take a streetcar tour to see the historical landmarks. Spend the rest of the day relaxing at various beaches in the area and the beautiful viewpoints. Head back to your hotel in Sao Paulo after a day of fun in the sun.

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.

It is no wonder that Pão de Açúcar is one of the most sought after tourist spots in the city of Rio de Janeiro. Very well located, in the neighborhood of Urca, the set of hills Pão de Açúcar and Morro da Urca is one of the most beautiful natural landscapes with a vast tropical flora and fauna. The thrill of the trip to the Sugarloaf Mountain begins well before reaching the top of the hill, 396 meters above sea level. The adventure begins with the cable car ride, a glazed cable car that presents details and unique angles of the perfect carioca geography. The first stop is at Morro da Urca, 220 meters above sea level. From there, you can see the Guanabara Bay and the Botafogo Bay. In the second and last stop, the panoramic view presents, in addition to the bay, a large part of the edge of the South Zone and Niterói. In addition to the visit to Pão de Açúcar, we will also take you on a panoramic tour of some of the most charming beaches in Rio de Janeiro.

Discover Rio de Janeiro your own way on this private tour that is exclusively for you and your chosen companions and can be customized to suit your interests. Let your private guide know what interests you and they will create a tailor made itinerary to ensure that you get the best out of the "marvelous city."

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.

Head to the top of Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car for sweeping views of Rio de Janeiro. Your skip-the-line ticket gives you priority access to both cable cars, saving you time waiting at this popular attraction, and is valid for any departure time on the day you select. Admire the beautiful views of the city, the mountains, and the coastline from the lookout.

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.

Get up close to the Christ the Redeemer statue before the crowds arrive during this early morning tour to Corcovado. Meet your local guide at your hotel in Rio and head straight for the city's most famous landmark. Drive through the Tijuca National Forest to Paineiras and board the vehicles up to the top of the mountain. Enjoy fantastic views of the city of Rio sprawled below, just waking up in the early morning light. Learn about the history of the statue through engaging commentary from your guide.

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).

Explore Rio's highlights and important landmarks with a dedicated guide on this full-day private tour. Visit important sites like Rio's historic downtown area, the Sambadrome and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Stop at the Colombo tea house for lunch or a snack (own expense). Ascend both Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains with a stop at the Christ the Redeemer statue. Enjoy the flexibility and personal attention that comes with booking a private tour.

Explore Rio and visit Sugar Loaf Mountain during this 4-hour morning tour. Visit some of the city's most important landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Copacabana Beach. Then, board a glassed-in cable car bound for Sugar Loaf's peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana, and Santa Cruz Fortress. Round-trip transportation from selected Rio hotels is included.

Explore the Carnival Factory, for a peek behind the scenes of Rio's Carnival, on this cultural tour. Learn how the parade's famous floats and costumes are produced. Listen to commentary on the history of samba and carnival, then hit the dressing rooms to try on some costumes and take some photos. Wind up with a cocktail and a samba class for the whole carnival experience.

Favela da Rocinha is the largest favela in Rio, located in the South Zone. With this tour, join a local family-run tour to experience the rich history, culture, and heritage of Rio as you learn about life in the favelas. Explore the alleys of the favela on a guided walking tour, peek inside the shops and restaurants, and learn about local cultural projects

Get a behind-the-scenes look at one of the world’s biggest parties during this tour in Rio de Janeiro. See all the work that goes into this week-long party as you tour the City of Samba, a warehouse where floats and costumes are kept, and the Grande Rio’s Samba Factory, to learn about the history of samba and how to samba while wearing a traditional costume.

Explore the Imperial City of Petropolis, Brazil on a guided tour with an included lunch. During Brazil’s colonization, Petropolis was frequented by Dom Pedro II and features many remnants from the period including the Imperial Museum and Quintadinha Palace. Visit these places and more during your tour to learn about the city and then enjoy a traditional Brazilian buffet lunch.