Brazil’s 15 Best Tours and Day Trips

1.6-Stop Highlights of Rio with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,157 reviews · 8 hours · from $130Our pick

This 8-hour guided tour links Rio’s essential sights by air-conditioned minivan, with hotel pickup, admission to Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, plus a buffet lunch. Guides such as João, Roger, Ursula, Carlos, and Marlady lead groups in six languages. Expect a full schedule, photo stops, and queues in high season.

“Excelent full day tour. Great first overview of Rio. But expect to queue at the attractions during high season”

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2.Christ the Redeemer Entry Ticket by Corcovado Train

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 4,476 reviews · 1 day · from $45

You’ll ride the historic Corcovado Train through Tijuca National Park to Christ the Redeemer. The ticket includes train admission and access to the monument, with views of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay. This is a self-guided visit, not a guided tour, so plan your transport and timing carefully.

“They were able to accommodate me the last minute. It was absolutely an amazing experience. I would recommend again”

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3.Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,052 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $36

Join a two-hour guided walk through Rocinha with a local guide such as Ray, Bruno, or Carlos. Pickup is available from Copacabana or Ipanema on selected departures, with multilingual guides, air-conditioned transport, and a community contribution included in the $36 price.

“We learnt a lot from our tour guide Ray, she is from Rocinha and keen to share any details with you and answers questions in detail. She takes care of each guests individualy.”

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4.Sugarloaf Cable Car Official Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 2,873 reviews · 1 day · from $46

Make your own way to Sugarloaf Mountain, exchange your voucher or scan your official ticket, and ride both cable-car routes to the summit. You get free time for viewpoints, shops, bars, and food. Sunset is beautiful but busy, so arrive early and consider fast-track access if available.

“Honestly, it’s a very beautiful place but come before 4pm to 6pm otherwise the queue is huge to get up and down, like two hours waiting”

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5.Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,428 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $69

Spend 8 to 9 hours seeing Rio’s headline sights with a multilingual guide such as Sandra, Newton, or João. Ride the train or van to Christ the Redeemer, visit the Selarón Steps and cathedral, pause at Maracanã and the Sambadrome, then add Sugarloaf cable cars and an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue if your booking option includes them.

“Excellent trip with a well informed, organised guide (Newton). Christ the Redeemer was manic due to too many people accessing but the rest of the trip was very good. Lunch was superb too.”

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6.Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,272 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Walk through Rocinha with local guides such as Wellington, Alberto, Daniel, or Martin. Hear how the community developed, visit a capoeira school, meet local hosts, and reach a rooftop viewpoint over Rio. The three-hour tour costs $35, with food, drinks, and hotel pickup extra.

“Everything was very nice.. The guide took care of us and made us feel very safe. Highly recommend the tour.”

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7.Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande Full-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 1,673 reviews · 14 hours · from $77

Leave Rio for a 14-hour Costa Verde outing with bus transport, boat stops at Ilha Grande, snorkeling, island beaches, and an all-you-can-eat lunch in Japariz. Guides such as Marcelo, Fabio, Nayt, and Thiago may lead the day. Expect beautiful water, lively music, and limited time at each stop.

“Fabio was an amazing guide, couldn’t of been more helpful. Tour was brilliant and all arranged very well. Can’t recommend enough if you have enough time in Rio it’s a great way to get out the city and see a beautiful part of Brazil.”

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8.Maracanã Stadium Official Entrance Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 1,632 reviews · 1 day · from $24

Enter Rio’s legendary Maracanã through Gate A for a mostly self-guided 40-minute visit. See the museum, changing rooms, warm-up area, press room, dugout, tunnel, and pitchside. The route is easy to follow in Portuguese and English, with staff nearby to help. Match-day hours can be cut short, so check the schedule before you go.

“It was an amazing experience to visit the place where Germany won the World Cup 2014. To relive Mario Goetze's goal and to sit on the same bench. It is a MUST for a football fan.”

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9.Full-Day Tour of Brazil & Argentina Sides

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,542 reviews · 10 hours · from $63Top rated

You’ll cross between Brazil and Argentina with a guide such as Roberto, Jefferson, Pablo, or Henrique, visiting the Upper Circuit, Devil’s Throat, and Brazil’s panoramic trail. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, park guidance, and water are included. Park tickets, lunch, and the optional boat ride cost extra.

“Enjoyed the views and trecking from both -Brazil and Argentina- sides. Having such a nice gide was also wonderful experience.”

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10.Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 1,071 reviews · 1 hour · from $25

Spend one lively hour at Samba Fit in Ipanema learning basic samba steps with Carla, Ranaa, or Gaby, performers from major samba schools. The small class moves at a beginner pace, includes photos and videos, and ends with a fun chance to try carnival costumes.

“It was an enjoyable and informative class. At the end we tried on costumes. The only thing to make it better would be a longer session of 1.5-2hrs. This one was a quick hour- we really enjoyed it! Obrigada”

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11.Canela Cable Car Park Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 1,030 reviews · 45 minutes to 1 hour 10 minutes (approx.) · from $23Best value

Ride the Canela cable cars between three stations for views of Caracol Waterfall. You can stop at the first lookout for hot chocolate, shops, restrooms, and elevators. The ticket covers cable car access only, not Caracol State Park, the Eagle attraction, photos, or transport.

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12.Sunset Sailing Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 994 reviews · 3 hours · from $75

Sail Guanabara Bay from Marina da Glória aboard Chama, a small-group boat capped at 12 people. Expect fortresses, Niterói’s Oscar Niemeyer museum, Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, drinks, snacks, and a sunset stop. Guides including Clarisse and Karina help create a relaxed, friendly outing, with private bookings available.

“Best planed tour, very timely managed. Guide was good English speaking & punctual”

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13.Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 881 reviews · 4 hours · from $33

Join Caipi Tours for a four-hour night through Lapa, beginning with four cachaça tastings and continuing to the Arcos da Lapa, Selarón Steps, live samba, and a club with Brazilian funk, pop, and reggaeton. Guides such as Andressa, Raffa, Marcos, and Nayara keep the group together and help solo visitors feel at ease.

“Our guide was Rafael. He was really friendly and knowledgeable. We had a lovely group of people from all over the world. If you are worried about joining the tour on your own, it is not a problem at all. It's a fabulous introduction to cachaça and Samba bars! A fun night out.”

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14.Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 857 reviews · 7 hours · from $68

See Rio’s major sights in seven hours with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide. Visit Christ the Redeemer early, explore Park Lage and Tijuca National Park, enter the Cathedral, stop at Selaron Steps, and finish at your hotel or Sugarloaf Mountain. Guides such as Vanessa, João, Ricardo, and Edmundo are praised for clear explanations, helpful photos, and careful timing.

“What a fantastic trip! Vanessa was a brilliant and lovely guide with great tips for avoiding most of the crowds and local knowledge. The tour was immersive in local culture and great value for money.”

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15.Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 785 reviews · 3 hours · from $57

Spend three hours sailing from Urca across Guanabara Bay with an English- or Portuguese-speaking host, open drinks, fruit, snacks, music, and a possible swim stop. Hosts such as Paola, Lohanny, Mariana, and Jhulia are known for friendly service and local stories. Bring a towel and jacket for the cooler ride home.

“The sunset sailboat tour was so much fun and a highlight of my trip to Rio! The crew were amazing very friendly, helpful, and informative and made the experience a great time!”

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