Rio de Janeiro Tours

From 3 to 8 hours. Depending on how you want to organise your travel days, you will find the perfect time for these tours, which will allow you to discover everything Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings has to offer in a unique way.

With these tours you will be able to make the most of your time. With them, you can discover the Sugar Loaf and the imposing Christ the Redeemer, go into the jungle in a jeep and feel like a real explorer or stroll through the favelas and get to know what life is like there. And there's so much more Rio de Janeiro has to offer, how could you miss it?

If you want to visit a favela neighbourhood, and you're a Michael Jackson fan, this is the tour for you. With a local guide (who lives in the area itself), you'll be able to delve into the history and life of the Santa Marta favela. It's a two and a half hour itinerary that will give you an insight into its past and daily life.

Normally, you'll go up to the Laje do Michael Jackson, from where you'll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view and can take some photos next to the statue of Michael Jackson. And what's a sculpture of this artist doing here? It's easy to explain. Have you seen the video clip "They don't care about us"?

Michael chose the Santa Marta favela to film this video, so I recommend you watch it beforehand so that you can recognise the places that appear during your visit. It's incredible to think that Michael Jackson was there!

You will also learn first-hand about the projects that aim to provide better living conditions in the favela, and you will visit the community nursery, the neighbourhood association and several handicraft shops where you can buy a special souvenir. Undoubtedly one of the best favela tours Rio de Janeiro has to offer.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 31 €.
• Duration. 2 and a half hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: If you want to get to know a favela with a bit of history, this tour is perfect.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are not a fan of Michael Jackson, you may find other favela neighbourhood tours more interesting.

For about 3 hours, you can get an up-close look at life in the Rocinha favela on a guided tour. If you are interested in getting to know a Brazil beyond the tourist or leisure activities, this tour will give you a real insight into life in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro.

Your local guide is also a resident of the favela itself, and will tell you about the daily life of the community, its challenges and its enormous talent.

You will love the murals in Rocinha, you can tell that the street artists put their heart and soul into bringing colour to the streets! You'll see houses painted in vivid colours all around you and make a stop at the Devil's Trampoline, also known as the Gávea Circuit. This place was the scene of car races between 1933 and 1954. Super curious!

You will also be interested to know that the cost of this tour includes a financial contribution that is given to the community of Rocinha, to support its development. In addition, the tour includes transportation to and from your hotel in Rio de Janeiro in a comfortable air-conditioned van.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 34 €.
• Duration: 3 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: To get to know life in the favelas and their street art, this is the ideal tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: Since it lasts 3 hours, it may be a bit more complicated to combine it with other activities that day, but if you think it's a good plan, you can fit it into your travel schedule.

If you've been thinking of the Olympics when you think of travelling to Rio de Janeiro, this tour is a must. Explore one of the symbols that identify the city: the Olympic Boulevard!

In addition, this tour will give you the opportunity to visit the Museum of Tomorrow. It may not be well known, but it is very interesting. This museum is the work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, you'll definitely notice it right away if you're familiar with his other buildings! It is very focused on sustainability and all its exhibitions are oriented towards the future of science. You'll be in the museum for about an hour and a half, and I'm sure you'll be amazed.

When I talk about the Olympic Cauldron, I mean the famous Olympic torch from the 2016 Olympic Games (also called the cauldron). Well, you can see it on this tour too!

During the tour of these points of interest, where you will be accompanied by your guide, you will be able to see other places such as:

• Porto Maravilha, Rio's port area which has become one of the city's main tourist attractions.
• Mauá Square, also closely linked to the history of the 2016 Olympic Games.
• The Church of Our Lady of Candelaria, one of the most outstanding and beautiful churches in Brazil.

You will also have free time to enjoy the Confeitaria Colombo, if you haven't already had the chance to do so during your time in Rio at this point in your trip. You can simply visit it or take the opportunity to have a drink and recharge your batteries.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 46 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: If you want a cultural and historical tour, this is a must if you want to learn about the recent history of Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you only have a few days to travel, this tour may not be your priority. You can book it for a second trip if you are short on time.

Visiting a favela and hiking in half a day is not a bad way to get to know a different side of Rio de Janeiro. With this tour, you will explore the majestic Two Brothers Hill, giving you an experience full of contrasts and unforgettable moments.

You will start your journey by entering the Vidigal favela, a neighbourhood that reveals the social contrasts of the city and where street art comes alive on every corner. You will learn about the daily life of this community of people with incredible stories as we walk to the top of the Dos Hermanos.

As you climb up the hill, you will come across some breathtaking views, worth the hike, I assure you! You will see from the Pedra da Gávea, a good place for a hiking trail to the majestic Corcovado mountain, and the famous Rocinha favela. A beautiful viewpoint of the city that not everyone knows about.

Since you're going on a hiking tour, you'll have transport back to the hotel afterwards, so don't worry about the return trip. All in all, a great plan if you are only going to be in Rio de Janeiro for 3 days.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 51 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: On foot.
• Advantages of this option: To visit less touristy, but more authentic areas of Rio de Janeiro.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you don't fancy a walking route during your trip, this may not be the most suitable tour for you.

You will only need half a day to explore the most emblematic areas of the city of Rio. You will be accompanied by a local guide, who will tell you the most interesting and curious facts about each corner of these neighbourhoods.

You'll start with a bohemian atmosphere in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, including a ride on its famous tram through the beautiful cobblestone streets. During this tour you will see the Arcos da Lapa, an impressive architectural structure that has become an emblem of the city.

Then, you will have the opportunity to visit the Parque das Ruinas, an old building converted into an amazing cultural space, and the famous Selarón Staircase, whose colourful tiles will make it impossible not to take pictures of it. But there is still more!

You still have to visit the imposing Cinelândia, one of the largest public squares in Rio de Janeiro, check out its imposing architecture! And finally, enjoy a relaxing moment at the Passeio Público, and don't forget to pay a visit to the iconic café Confeitaria Colombo, a place that has witnessed the history of the city.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 37 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: Tram.
• Advantages of this option: See the highlights of Rio's historic centre in a single tour.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you choose the complete tour of Christ the Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Selarón, you may have to pass through this area twice.

Rio is much more than just going to a football match or walking the streets. Just a short distance away, nature opens its way and offers spectacular sights.

If you choose this tour, 4 hours of adventure await you in the middle of the rainforest. The Tijuca rainforest is considered the largest urban forest in the world, and you will be able to tour it by jeep.

You will be accompanied by a guide at all times, and he will show you all the details of this unique ecosystem, home to an amazing variety of wildlife, including monkeys, sloths, colourful birds and incredibly colourful butterflies.

But the experience doesn't end there, as the highlight of this tour is undoubtedly the spectacular Vista Chinesa, from where you can admire panoramic views of the famous beaches of Ipanema and Copacabana. The majesty of the rainforest will unfold before your eyes as you enter the untouched nature of the Tijuca National Park, and walk to the beautiful Cachoeira dos Macacos, a waterfall that adds a touch of serenity to this adventure.

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 63 €.
• Duration: 4 hours.
• Means of transport: Jeep.
• Advantages of this option: Experience nature close to the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: If you are more of an urbanite than an adventurer, this may not be the tour for you. However, I recommend you give it a try!

How about spending 8 hours discovering Rio de Janeiro's most iconic landmarks? You're in for an exciting day visiting the iconic Christ the Redeemer, the impressive Sugarloaf Mountain and the colourful mosaic of Selarón. All starting with a hotel pick-up service so you only have to worry about enjoying every second of it.

The day usually starts with a visit to the Paineiras Visitor Centre, where you will learn about the rich history and cultural importance of the city of Rio. From there it's usually on to the famous Christ the Redeemer, inaugurated in 1931 and one of the seven wonders of the modern world. If you want to spend more time there, you can always book a visit just to see the statue.

Next up is usually Sugarloaf Mountain, another unmistakable landmark of Rio de Janeiro. You'll take the cable car up Urca Hill to Sugarloaf, from where you'll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the city.

After these two great icons, there's still more to discover: the bohemian neighbourhood of Selarón, where every step is a work of art in itself, made up of the famous coloured tiles. The next thing you can do (if you want to) is shake your hips at the Sambódromo da Marquês de Sapucaí, the heart of Rio's carnival. Feel the energy of the most famous carnival in the world!

Interesting facts to choose this tour

• Price: From 56 €.
• Duration: 8 hours.
• Means of transport: Bus and cable car.
• Advantages of this option: With just one tour you will see the most important icons of the city.
• Disadvantages of this option: It requires good planning of your travel time, as it takes quite a few hours.

First of all, it is important to note that the guides have a deep knowledge of the history, culture and points of interest of the city, so they will help enrich your experience. In addition, the tours include stops at emblematic places and specific activities, which allows you to make the most of your time during the trip and not have to plan every detail or run the risk of getting lost looking for a point of interest.

Another advantage is the comfort and safety that a guided tour gives you. The guides know the best routes and will avoid less safe places, which is especially important in a city as big as Rio de Janeiro. The tours also give you the opportunity to meet other travellers, who knows if a tour will lead to a new friendship!

Taking into account the examples I have recommended, you will see that the range of prices is between 30 (such as the Santa Marta favela tour) and 60 euros (such as the Tijuca jungle tour), approximately. Bearing in mind that in all of them you will have transport from the hotel and a guide available, these prices are quite in line with the experiences they offer.

In addition, it is a way to optimise the time of your trip, so the tours are a saving in terms of unforeseen events that may arise if you choose to do activities on your own in an unfamiliar city, as in this case Rio de Janeiro.

If you need to adjust your budget or time, choose the number of tours that best suit your trip, so you can enjoy 100% of the experience.