Rio de Janeiro, Brazil pulses with energy. Colorful and engaging, the streets of Rio overflow with culture and history. This lively city on Brazil’s Atlantic coast comes alive during Carnival. But this city is worth visiting any time of the year. Rio’s street life sparkles with vibrance and passion. You could spend weeks just exploring the neighborhoods of Santa Teresa and Lapa. No trip to this fantastic city would be complete without a day in the sun and fun of Copacabana or Ipanema.
Rio has rainforest to hike through, food so good it will bring you to your knees, and spectacular views from Sugar Loaf Mountain. And then there is the iconic Christ the Redeemer statute. Where is a traveler to start? Here are a few tours to get you acquainted with this great city, and then a few that offer interesting ways to see and engage with this dynamic and multi-faceted metropolis.
1. Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Favela Walking Tour (from USD 42.0)
Get off the beaten track and learn about life in Rocinha, Rio’s largest favela. Led by a favela resident, this four-hour tour is designed to be respectful and non-intrusive. Ask questions, spend time outside of the tourist zone, and get to know Rio from an insider’s perspective.
Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour
Duration: 4.0 hour
2. Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer, and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour (from USD 136.0)
See all of Rio’s major attractions in one day with this full-day excursion through the city. This ten-hour tour hits all of the highlights. Marvel in the beauty of the Tijuca rainforest as your cog train ascends Corcovado Mountain. Take a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Admire the panoramic views from Christ the Redeemer statue. Decide that you never want to go home as you watch the sun over Rio.
Corcovado Mountain, Christ Redeemer, and Sugar Loaf Mountain Day Tour
Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountain from Rio
Duration: 9 hours
3. Rio de Janeiro Soccer Match (from USD 129.0)
Do you love soccer? Even if you don’t, give this fun-filled tour a try. Spend an exciting evening watching the beautiful game as played by one of Rio’s most popular teams. On the way to the match your local guide will clue you in on the distinct traditions of the team you are going to see.
Football Match in Rio de Janeiro
Duration: 6 hours
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4. Rio de Janeiro Food Tour
Give your taste buds a gift with this three-hour food tour. Get to know the food of Rio during this guided excursion through the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Learn about the history, food, and architecture of the city. Explore Brazil’s diverse and delicious cuisine. Ever tasted cachorro quente, x-tudo, coxina de galinha, pao de queijo, or pastel de queijo o carne? Well this is your chance. While you’re at it, why not try a glass of fresh caldo de cana!
Rio de Janeiro Food Tour
Website:
5. Rio de Janeiro Small-Group Cooking Class (from USD 85.0)
Learn how to cook an authentic Brazilian meal during this enjoyable class. This is truly a hands-on and interactive experience. Come away with the skills to make a great Bahian seafood Moqueca or a black bean Feijoada. You’ll amaze your friends back home. After you’re done cooking, sit down, have a Caipirinha, snack on a few cassava sticks, and enjoy the dinner you just created.
Rio Small-Group Brazilian Cooking Class
Duration: 3 hours 30 minutes
6. City Day Tour in Rio de Janeiro (from USD 58.0)
Rio is a big city. While that’s one of its charms, it can also make life difficult for travelers trying to get from place to place while sightseeing. No problem. Leave the transportation to the experts with this city day tour. Sit back and relax, no need to figure out how to get from one place to another. With this seven-hour tour you’ll watch hang gliders land at Sao Conrado Beach, spend time at Tijuca National Park, visit the Christ the Redeemer statute, and have time to shop in Santa Teresa. What could be easier?
Wonders of Rio: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Forest
Duration: 7.0 hour
7. Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca National Park 5-Hour Hiking Tour (from USD 57.78)
Hike through the stunning Atlantic rainforest to the top of Pedra Bonita in Tijuca National Park. Actual walking time to the summit is only around 2 hours. Learn about the plants, animals, and natural history of the Brazilian rainforest during the excursion. Expect amazing views of Rio and the famous Pedra de Gavea monolith along the way. Make sure to bring water and bug spray!
Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita
Duration: 4.0 to 5.0 hour
8. Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour (from USD 270.0)
Soar over Rio and take in the amazing sight of the city from above in a daring 10-minute helicopter fight. During the flight you’ll have spectacular views of the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains, and Copacabana beach. Don’t forget your camera!
Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour
Duration: 9 to 10 minutes
So much fun in Rio
It’s not possible to run out of things to do in Rio. In a city this vibrant and full of life there’s something to discover around every corner. These tours won’t take the place of the time you spend in this great city on your own. Some of them are great because you can get the big stuff out of the way quickly, leaving you more time for your own unique exploration of this fantastic city. Others are quite specific and allow you to explore something about Rio in more depth. Either way, these tours are just the beginning because there’s so much in Rio to discover. At the end of the day you’ll be guaranteed to go to bed ready for more.
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