Brazil · RIO DE JANEIRO

Rio de Janeiro: The 15 Best Tours and Tickets

193 tours  ·  from $12 a head

Rio hands you three mountains, a fifty-mile coastline and a nightlife that starts late. These 15 are the days that make the week work, priced and timed, with a note on which need an early start to beat the cloud.

Rio de Janeiro: 6-Stop Highlights of Rio with Lunch - Christ the Redeemer through Tijuca Forest
Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: 6-Stop Highlights of Rio with Lunch

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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Christ the Redeemer Entry Ticket by Corcovado Train - Reaching Christ the Redeemer above Rio
Christ the Redeemer Tours, Tickets, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Train Experiences

Christ the Redeemer Entry Ticket by Corcovado Train

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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Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide - Starting near Copacabana or Ipanema
Favela Tours, Guided, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Walking Tours

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

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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Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch - Hotel pickup across Rio’s South Zone
BBQ, Christ the Redeemer Tours, Lunch Experiences, Street Art Tours, Sugarloaf Mountain Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch

4.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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Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour - Walking into Rocinha, one stairway at a time
Favela Tours, Half-Day, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Walking Tours

Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

5.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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Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande Full-Day Tour - Starting before Rio wakes up
Full-Day, Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis Trips, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande Full-Day Tour

6.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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Rio de Janeiro: Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema - What Happens During the One-Hour Lesson
Samba and Nightlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Workshops

Rio de Janeiro: Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

7.Beginner Samba Lesson in Ipanema

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

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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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour - Fortresses, islands, and the Niterói view
Cruises & Boat Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailing Tour

8.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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Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba - Starting with cachaça and a practical introduction
Drinking Tours, Food & Drink, Nightlife, Pub Crawls, Samba and Nightlife Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio: Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba

9.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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Rio de Janeiro: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour - Park Lage gives the morning a green change of pace
Street Art Tours, Tijuca Forest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour

10.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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Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar - Three hours across Baía de Guanabara
Cruises & Boat Tours, Drinking Tours, Evening Experiences, Sailing, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Sunset Sailboat Tour with Open Bar

11.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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Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding Adventure - The flight above beaches, mountains, and buildings
Hang Gliding and Paragliding, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Hang Gliding Adventure

12.Hang Gliding Adventure

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 760 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $229

Run from Pedra Bonita with a trained tandem pilot and glide above Rio, with views of Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Ipanema, Lagoa, and Niterói. The flight usually lasts about 5 to 10 minutes, though wind can extend it. Expect safety instruction, a beach landing in São Conrado, and optional GoPro or 360-degree video.

“This was the best experience ever! I love adrenaline things and I would recommend hang gliding to everyone who visits! Instructors were super nice and friendly!! 10/10 recommend and I would definitely go again”

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Rio de Janeiro: Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest - Cachoeira dos Macacos and the first forest views
Amazon Rainforest Tours, Guided, Tijuca Forest Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest

13.Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 740 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Spend four hours exploring Tijuca National Park by open-top Jeep and on foot. Guides such as Roberta, Jorge, Everton, and Darius explain Rio’s forest, wildlife, and reforestation, with stops at Vista Chinesa, Mayrink Chapel, and Taunay Waterfall. The easy hike suits most active visitors, but mist can limit the views.

“Gabriel was amazing on our tour!! Wallace was a great driver too! Went above and beyond to ensure we had a blast!”

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From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch - Boarding the schooner at Angra dos Reis
Cruises & Boat Tours, Ilha Grande and Angra dos Reis Trips, Lunch Experiences, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

From Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

14.Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 737 reviews · 14 hours · from $63

Spend a full day sailing among Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande, stopping at Blue Lagoon, Cataguases, and other beaches for swimming and snorkeling. Round-trip hotel transport, a multilingual guide, schooner cruise, and buffet lunch are included. Expect a long coach ride, lively boat music, and a late lunch.

“The tour was nice, lovely beaches and great atmosphere on the boat but a minus point was that we waited for one hour for the boat.”

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Skip the Line to Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Barbecue Lunch - Sugarloaf’s cable cars and Guanabara Bay views
BBQ, Christ the Redeemer Tours, Lunch Experiences, Skip the Line, Sugarloaf Mountain Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours in Brazil, Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Skip the Line to Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Barbecue Lunch

15.Skip the Line to Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Barbecue Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 593 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $113

Spend about nine hours seeing Rio’s big sights by comfortable vehicle, cable car, and cog train. Visit Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca Rain Forest, Copacabana, Ipanema, the Cathedral, Sambadrome, and Maracanã. Hotel pickup, guides, and an optional churrascaria lunch are included, with ticket packages available.

“A very enjoyable trip. Well organised and very informative”

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Brazil, by the day out

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