Top Rio de Janeiro How to Get Around in 2026

Discover the main tourist attractions of Rio de Janeiro on this private guided tour. Start at the summit of Corcovado Mountain to visit the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. Then, head to Rio’s southern beaches, followed by a cable car ride up Sugar Loaf Mountain. This tour can be conducted at your own pace and adapted to your interests.

A good number of Rio de Janeiro’s population live in the surrounding favelas, or slums, but they can be dangerous to visit on your own. Join a local guide for a private tour of the Vidigal favela to learn about the local culture and see what it’s like through the eyes of someone who lives there. Walk through back alleys, discover vibrant street art, and enjoy a traditional Brazilian lunch.

Spend the day trekking through the lush Tijuca Rainforest on this small-group tour. Discover local wildlife as you make your way up to Taquara Hill which is 330 feet (100 meters) higher than Christ the Redeemer. Take in views of Rio, visit caves and grottoes, and take a dip on the refershing pools of the Baronesa Waterfall. This is a challenging hike for those with good physical fitness.

If you’re new to Rio, it may be hard to figure out what types of food are best to try when visiting. This Rio de Janeiro Private Street Food Tour makes things easy for you by taking you around the city to the Santa Teresa, Urca, Flamengo and Lapa neighborhoods to taste some of the best Brazilian food in the city. Plus, a guide teaches you about the food and Brazilian culture as you go.

You will be guided by a local resident with years of experience, who knows every corner of Vidigal. We will walk as the sky changes color and the sun rises over Guanabara Bay. A magical and unforgettable moment, with safety, information and connection with nature and Carioca culture.

Many visitors to Rio see only the most famous landmarks. This private tour offers you a richer experience by immersing you in the city’s African heritage. From visiting the docks where the first slave ships arrived to Pedra do Sal where the genre of samba was birthed, you’ll learn about the city’s past, present, and future and leave with a deeper understanding of Brazilian society.

Let's walk through the history of Samba, following the steps of this rhythm symbol of Rio cultural identity, icon of local african heritage and afro-brazilian resistance. Visiting the main cultural spots in Cinelandia and the Mauá Square, we talk about how the Portuguese culture developed carnival as a political party and samba as a afro-brazilian identity. Walk with us through the Portuary Zone to see the biggest open-air street art gallery and learn about cultural resistance at Pedra do Sal, icon of africanity in Rio. Let yourself vibrate with Carnival magic doing some steps and taking pictures with the colorful costumes at City of Samba, headquarters of the Samba Schools. The main idea is that you enjoy the stories that made Samba the soul of our lovely city. We want you to feel safe, confident and relaxed while we are going through the downtown area of the marvelous city.

The visit to the city of Petrópolis is a dive into our history. Known as the summer city of the royal family, Petrópolis houses a cultural collection of extreme importance for our country. The Imperial Museum is the most important point of visit, where you will be able to see up close all the furniture, works of art, clothes, jewelry and accessories used by the royal family. The city is quite charming and its cold climate attracts tourists from all over the world.

In this tour you will get to know some of the places of the city of Rio de Janeiro called "Little Africa" by artist and sambista Heitor dos Prazeres in the early twentieth century. These sites are part of the historical and archaeological circuit of celebration and awareness of the African heritage of blacks in Brazil.  "Little Africa" has come to identify a significant part of the city's waterfront, where African presence and black cultural heritage have forever marked the history, not just of Rio de Janeiro but throughout Brazil.  Often blacks from all over the country were welcomed there, usually by "Aunt Ciata" who was a very important figure for this whole historical process. It is through this walk through "Little Africa" you will also get to know the Cultural Center "Tia Ciata", Museum of New Blacks, Cais do Valongo, hanging garden and we will finish in Pedra do Sal where besides the historical collection also has great bars and restaurants of typical Afro-Brazilian foods.

As the largest marine aquarium in South America, AquaRio can draw long lines—but this handy group tour has you inside without the wait. Inside, get up close to marine life from Brazil and the wider world, and venture through multiple habitats. After the aquarium, explore further with a brief brief tour of Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Boulevard area.

Get a glimpse into the local street art scene in Rio de Janeiro during this small-group arts and culture walking tour. Follow your local guide around Copacabana, stopping to view popular works of art in unlikely places like a hidden passageway, a cemetery, and murals outside a tunnel. Learn about the local arts scene and the cultural impact it has on the city through your guide's informative, engaging commentary.

We will take a helicopter tour of Rio de Janeiro where it is possible to live the Aviation experience, take pictures close to the helicopters and during the tour fly over incredible points such as Christ the Redeemer, Pão de Açúcar, the beaches of Ipanema, Leblon, Copacabana and others I am from Rio, a helicopter pilot and every day I experience unique landscapes, scenarios and experiences, which I believe that everyone who passes through Rio should experience it. Flying for more than 5 years in Rio, I believe that this tour is among the best to do. It's an indescribable experience and I'm sure everyone will enjoy flying, just like me.

Soccer (or futebol, as it’s known locally) is an essential part of Brazilian culture—and with this small-group tour, you’ll experience it firsthand at Rio de Janeiro’s legendary Maracanã Stadium. Meet your local guide outside the stadium, head in with your included tickets, and sit near the area where the most dedicated fans wave flags and beat drums. You’ll soak up the excitement as you cheer for the local team.

This tour is for those who enjoy mountainous regions with an always cool climate surrounded by green hills with unique silhouettes. The city of Petrópolis is located at the top of Serra da Estrela in the state of Rio de Janeiro, at an altitude of 845 meters. Turistando RJ takes you to discover several landmarks of the Imperial City, starting with its own route, going up the Serra de Petrópolis with a privileged view from above. Upon arrival in the city, we will visit Casa do Alemão, Palácio Quitandinha, Palácio Imperial, Catedral de São Pedro de Alcântara, Palácio de Cristal, Casa de Chocolate Katz, Casa de Santos Dumont, Cervejaria Bohemia (with free tasting) and Restaurante Soberano.

Come and discover the best tours at the main Samba Schools in Rio de Janeiro. A remarkable experience that will surprise you! The tours take place on different days of the week and you choose your favorite school. With a nighttime departure from the South Zone, we take you to experience this excitement on a 5-hour tour.

Play in the inspiration square of the game FIFA STREET and experience the safest favela in Rio. Visit beautiful viewpoints. Your visit helps social projects. Local guides.

Get a taste of local life on a full-day trip to the blissful beaches and charming monuments of Buzios from Rio de Janeiro. Travel in air-conditioned comfort to Buzios, a coastal city famed for its traditional culture and pristine shores, while listening to enriching commentary from your expert guide. On arrival, absorb the quaint charm of Buzios’ cobbled streets on a relaxed wander and then take a boat tour to the tranquil islands surrounding the city, stopping intermittently to plunge into the crystal clear water of the Atlantic Ocean.

We will take you on a ride in one of the oldest tramways of the world: The Santa Teresa tram. The tour connects the city center to Santa Teresa, passing on top of the Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa), where we can have a view of Lapa from above. In Santa Teresa we will alight at Largo do Guimarães, the gastronomic area of the neighborhood. There, you can try the local cuisine in the neighborhood's trendy restaurants and bars. After, we'll explore the neighborhood on foot, walking around its cobblestone streets, observing its colonial houses and hidden views. We will visit its cultural centers, museums, and local artists' ateliers, including one of the 6 best viewpoints of the city and then walk to Lapa, passing by the colorful Selarón steps, that connect the two neighborhoods. In Lapa, we will finish admiring the Arcos da Lapa (the Carioca aqueduct) at a hidden rooftop that only locals know.

Discover all the charm of one of the most beloved and oldest neighborhoods in the city of RJ, which delights its visitors with the nostalgic and bucolic air of its streets and slopes, its predominantly European architecture, its numerous workshops and its abundant and differentiated trade with typical restaurants serving genuine Brazilian food.

The Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain is one of Rio’s most iconic landmarks. With this half-day city tour, travel up to the mountaintop in an air-conditioned minivan with hotel pickup included, then combine it with two of Rio’s most vibrant historic neighborhoods. Visit the picturesque Santa Teresa, known for its bohemian vibe and narrow streets, then explore the nightlife hub of Lapa, home to the colorful Selaron Steps.

Discover the best of Rio de Janeiro on this small-group biking tour. Meet your guide in the morning in Copacabana, grab your bike and helmet, and set off. You’ll cycle through beachy Copacabana to Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon for scenic views. Continue to the Leblon viewpoint for coconut water and fabulous views, then return to Copacabana, stopping at Arpoador Rock for panoramic photos.

Get a comprehensive tour of Rio in just a day on this small-group excursion. Traveling with a small group gives you an intimate atmosphere and plenty of time to ask questions. Follow a carefully curated itinerary designed to show you the best of the city, including the Selaron Steps, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Sambadrome, Maracana Stadium (external visit), Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf, and others along the way.

Take your Rio de Janeiro sightseeing experience into your own hands on this customizable, private tour of the Marvelous City. Alongside a ‘carioca’ (Rio de Janeiro resident) and personal driver, tick off top Rio attractions chosen by you. Personalize your itinerary according to your interests and only visit the sites you wish to see: your guide tailors the tour according to preferred themes, such as food, history, or sport, and offers undivided attention throughout. Pickup and drop-off from your Rio de Janeiro hotel are included.

Immerse yourself in the vibrant football culture of Brazil with this tour through the incredible Maracanã Stadium and the Clube de Regatas do Flamengo headquarters. Get a behind-the-scenes look at Flamengo and its history. Then, head to the world-famous Maracanã to explore its player dressing rooms, wander the sidelines, sit on the players' bench, or take photos in the fan zone.