Ancient Rio and Santa Teresa Tour with Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Badge of Excellence
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 4 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Group discounts
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
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.
- Insight from your guide adds context to what you see in Rio’s neighborhoods
- Make the most of scheduled stops to snap photos and videos
- Beat Rio’s heat in a comfortable, air-conditioned minivan
- Seamless experience with hotel pickup and drop-off included
What's Included
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- Lunch
- Entrance to museums
Meeting and Pickup
You can head directly to the meeting point, or request pickup
Itinerary
1
Santa Teresa
1 hour • Admission Ticket Free
2
Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Arcos da Lapa
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
4
Praca Quinze de Novembro
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
5
Arco do Teles
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
6
Cinelandia
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
7
Museu Nacional De Belas Artes
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
8
Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
9
Biblioteca Nacional
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- We contact you back in order to provide proper pickup time. Check your emails and/or cell phone.
- If requested, you must present a copy of your ID.
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Stroller accessible
- Infants must sit on laps
- Most travelers can participate
- Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers per Minivan.
- Minimum of 2 people are required for this activity to take place.
- Contact us to confirm the pickup time according to hotel location.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 99 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.5
based on 166 reviews
M_C, Mar 2026
This was a good introduction to Rio de Janeiro. Our guide/driver Benny drove us to all the main sights in the old city. Despite the heavy traffic we were able to visit and experience many different sights, the colourful Selaron steps, Santa Teresa district, Metropolitan Cathedral and the beautiful Moasterio Sao Benito.
Richard_A, Mar 2026
Carlos took us to places that were off the beaten path. He was very considerate and offered great insights into colonial Rio. The tour kept getting better and better as we proceeded.
MaryJo_H, Mar 2026
Our guide was super. He adapted our tour to suit our needs. Very interesting places to see. We would never have found any of this on our own.
Mylist, Feb 2026
The minibus in which we travelled was very old and tatty. The seatbelts didn’t work, it was quite difficult to get into and out of and it was a very bumpy and uncomfortable ride. This was in part due to the road surfaces.. The guide was knowledgeable but not always easy to hear. She had to speak in three different languages for the 8 people on the tour which was a little irritating. However we did visit parts of Rio which we would not otherwise have seen.
We were rushed around the old theatre which was interesting and we would have liked to stay longer to explore all of it.
MaureenP_S, Feb 2026
A really great way to see the old parts of Rio.
A great guide who kept us wel informed with small bites of info throughout the tour
Alain_A, Jan 2026
Horrible
It s not the description
We don t take the old yellow train
It s not normal
I paid for nothing
Petrus_K, Jan 2026
Our guide (and I lost her name) picked us up from the hotel in her own car on time. There were 2 of us and 2 others only. We first went to Santa Theresa - a very nice neighbourhood, but most things closed on a Monday - pity. I was at first disappointed when we were told we were now heading downtown, expecting to see more of what we had already seen, but I was pleasantly surprised. Our guide went out of her way to make it worthwhile and pleasant. If you want to see more of Santa Theresa, I suggest going on a Sunday and maybe not on a tour.
Dario_F, Jan 2026
We did the tour of Rio’s historic center and Santa Teresa with guide Renato and enjoyed it overall. The small group made the experience more personal, and Renato was agreeable, knowledgeable, and gave clear, interesting explanations.
The only downside was that it took place on New Year’s Day, so the shops in the city center and the handicraft stores in Santa Teresa were closed. Otherwise, it was a pleasant and informative tour.
ALSU_A, Dec 2025
It was very nice tour. We recommend it to all who will stay in Rio for a short time. The guide Wagner was very good
John_E, Dec 2025
Interesting to see the other aspects of Rio de Janeiro away from tourist hot-spots of Corcovado and Sugarloaf.
Ana_S, Nov 2025
Guide was so passionate and energetic, you could almost see the first settlers arriving st the port. The churches were lovely and moving. I only wished I booked on a different day, as thr library and opera house were not opened to the public.
Mike_T, Sep 2025
We saw things we would not normally see in Rio and we went places where we would not normally go. Our guide was very informative and answered all of our questions with sincere interest.
Gavin_D, Aug 2025
Our tour guide was knowledgable, but overall this tour just felt so rushed.
The guide repeatedly said we had time to take photos etc but there was never an opportunity as he rushed us through every location.
We saw some good spots, but from previous reviews and traveller photos I really expected the opportunity to soak up the atmosphere a little. Other reviews mentioned going into the famous coffee shop and having coffee and cakes, we literally had 10 seconds to take photos and were told to move on.
I asked to go to into another coffee shop to go to the toilet and grab a drink (it was hot) to be told no as there was too much to see and do.
Maja_S, Aug 2025
Our tour guide Marcos seemed disengaged and acted as if his only job was to drive us from one place to another. We were hoping for more insight and enthusiasm, but he did not really engage with the group. On top of that, he gave us some incorrect information during the tour, which was frustrating. Overall, it felt like the experience lacked the personal touch and knowledge we expected. Definitely not what we had hoped for.
Gloria_R, Aug 2025
Our private tour with Roger was a great experience: we saw key sights and learned the history of Rio. Roger’s is well traveled, very knowledgeable and speaks fluent english. His love for Rio comes through with honesty for the complicated colonial history through today.
laverdure_l, Mar 2025
Ut us Very useful to be drop off at thé hôtel Thé guide was sympathic and thé trip was cool and interesting
NRedmaynemasseyacnz, Mar 2025
It's a good tour if it happens as planned. Our tour started more than an hour late due to issues around transport and Carnival caused delays. The tour guide did what she could given the circumstances. The driver had a real short fuse. It was not a pleasant ride back to the hotel. Others on the tour seemed to wonder away as they saw fit, the guide could have been a bit more attentive to who is where at all times.
Michael_S, Feb 2025
Great private tour. Very passionate and spoke English very well. We learned a lot and had lots of fun in the process
Christopher_C, Feb 2025
This was a great to tour. We took the tour guides car. This was, a great way to see Rio for the first time in the Santa Teresa and old town Rio area . Our tour guide was great and local had lots of information. Very satisfied.
Angela_M, Feb 2025
This tour was a little frustrating for us. There was no communication from the tour operator about the pick up time. We waited in 90 degree heat for over an hour for our pick up. The tour was a full van and ant the end of the tour we spent 1.5 hours dropping off other tourists before we were dropped off. The actual tour seemed disjointed. Our tour guide was knowledgeable but often hard to understand. She also didn’t provide the right amount of time at different areas. It seemed we were always waiting. The tour guide had a few planned stops and then left it to individual guests to suggest what they wanted to see.
Mirna_E, Jan 2025
Jack Daniel is wonderful. I will recommend him with my friends. Wonderful tour , historic places and smooth.
elizabeth_l, Dec 2024
Outstanding guide with Renato who knows history and economics and ties everything together. Recommend going on a Sunday as the downtown area is quite quiet early in the morning. It’s a great compliment to visit to Christ the Redeemer and Sugar loaf Mountain
wayne_C, Nov 2024
Had a private tour with Dario which was an absolute pleasure! A wonderful guide, such knowledge, enthusiasm and pride in his hometown Rio, kindly took us wherever we wished with nothing but patience. Would recommend anyone lucky enough to visit this incredible city to experience a private trip with Dario, you won’t regret it!
Sandra_J, Oct 2024
Romeu was an excellent guide. Thiz was a wonderful tour with lots of informative facts and discussion about the Brazilian culture.
Santa Teresa was very colorful amd we loved the grafiti.
Response from Host, Oct 2024
Hello!
Glad you enjoyed your tour! We work with the best tourism professionals in Rio so that our clients can have memorable experiences, just like you did. “Old Rio and Santa Teresa” is already an incredible tour, but it gets even better with our team!
Thank you very much for your review and for choosing us for your time in Rio. We hope to welcome you again in the future for more great days out!
Best regards!
trangn, Sep 2024
Wanessa was really punctual, knowledgeable about the area and history. We went to downtown and Santa Theresa . We got to visit the art fair as well. Good tour to know the area a bit
Response from Host, Sep 2024
Hello!
Glad to hear you had a positive experience with our guide! She really stands out for her knowledge and punctuality.
We're very happy that you enjoyed your tour, which really is one of the most special we have here in our city.
Thank you for your recommendation!
Greg_K, Apr 2024
We were picked up more than 30 minutes late. The van was completely full except for the two back seats in the middle. I was disappointed with not being able to see out. The guide Dario, was knowledgeable and the places we visited were interesting. I was amazed at the culture and beauty of Rio. We didn’t visit all of the places described, but we saw enough in the allotted time. I rated the tour well for what we saw and did. It was mostly a positive experience.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello!
We're very happy to hear that the balance of your day was positive, despite the unforeseen event at the beginning. Nonetheless, we're sorry for the delay.
Thank you very much for your review and for choosing Rio Carioca Tour! See you next time!
Hilbert_S, Apr 2024
Very knowledgeable guide, who showed us many interesting site. Was good at explaining what things were and know the history of the quite well. Didn’t rush us.
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello!
We're very happy to hear that your tour was a good one! The Rio Antigo and Santa Teresa tour is one of the coolest we have in our city and it's very worthwhile! When accompanied by one of our guides, it's even better!
Thank you very much for your review and for choosing Rio Carioca Tour!
Anne_B, Apr 2024
Interesting areas not previously visited. Enjoyed walking around old quarter. Would have liked to have had opportunity to go on tram
Response from Host, Apr 2024
Hello!
Glad you enjoyed your tour! Regarding the tram, it's not included in this tour for reasons of timescale. It's an attraction that requires more time, and on a shared tour, we consider it more interesting to include other important sites in the city so that everyone can see more sights.
On a private tour, however, you can define the places you want to go and the activities you want to do. It's a great option too!
Thank you very much for your review and for choosing Rio Carioca Tour!
Nina_K, Mar 2024
Perfect guide, speaking not only English but also German
Private transfer and interesting facts about the city.
Also great restaurant review for the evening.
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello!
We're very happy to hear that your tour went well! If you ever come back to Rio, don't hesitate to contact us! We offer a wide range of incredible activities and would be delighted to welcome you again!
Thank you for your review and for choosing Rio Carioca Tour!
Samuel_M, Mar 2024
Dario was an excellent guide! He was super knowledgeable about the history of ancient Rio and made the trip enjoyable. We felt very safe with him
Response from Host, Mar 2024
Hello!
We're very happy to hear that your tour went well! We work with the best professionals in the city so that our clients can enjoy every second here in Rio. And the Ancient Rio tour is very worthwhile!
Thank you for your review and for choosing Rio Carioca Tour!
From $55.00
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
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