We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
I recently went to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with my family, and we had a fantastic time. The city’s iconic beaches, rugged seaside mountains, and legendary charisma make it a bucket-list trip. The tours in Rio de Janeiro are an excellent way for you and your family to explore new surroundings in a safe way that highlights the cultural, ecological, and historical richness of this amazing city.
The Rio area is packed with so many unique things to do. During our trip, we only scratched the surface. Today, I want to share some tours in Rio de Janeiro that we want to do on our next trip!
Visiting Rio de Janeiro
The city and surrounding countryside offer various experiences for families, couples, and solo travelers, including adventure trips, nature tours, water cruises, urban exploration, and culinary tastings. However, there is so much to do and see that it can feel overwhelming.
In my opinion, a guided tour is one of the best ways to experience Rio de Janeiro. The best tours in Rio De Janeiro allow you to immerse yourself in new and unique Brazilian experiences. They also provide a safe way to explore, ease language barriers, and help you maximize your vacation schedule.
The language barrier was a significant issue for us on our trip to Brazil. We were most accustomed to European and Caribbean travel, where many people also speak English and naively expected a similar experience. However, in Brazil, we only encountered a few people with whom we could easily communicate. This is why a guide who also speaks your native language is essential!
Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
If you are short on time, below is a quick list of the top-rated tours in Rio de Janeiro based on guests’ ratings and comments. Later in this post, I will provide more detailed information about each experience.
- Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour
- Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting & Live Samba
- Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch
- Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide
- Tijuca National Park Caves & Waterfall Hiking Tour
- Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Tandem Flight
- Wonders of Rio: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Forest
- Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay
- Rio Gastronomy: The Art Of Food – Walking Tour
Now, I’ll share more about these tours and briefly summarize the experience. The rave reviews drew me to these Rio de Janeiro tours. They are all rated 4.5+, starting from hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors!
Be sure to read each tour carefully and know the time commitment (set hours, half-day, or full-day). Also, ensure you know where the tour begins and ends and if transportation is included. Some of these tours are family-friendly, while others are enjoyed by adults only.
Top Rated Tours In Rio de Janeiro
#1 Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour
This Rio de Janeiro Sunset Sailing Tour will take you around Gaunabara Bay at sunset. It sails out of Marina da Gloria and passes by the three fortresses. It also takes you to the Boa Viagem Island and the Niteroi Museum of Contemporary Art. Drinks are available for a fee. This excursion is a beautiful experience for a romantic date night or for the entire family to enjoy.
I actually had this booked for our trip, but due to the weather, they had to cancel, and it was our last evening in Brazil. So, book something like this toward the beginning of your trip so you can reschedule if needed.
#2 Pub Crawl in Lapa with Cachaça Tasting and Live Samba
Rio is known for its fun nightlife! This highly rated Rio de pub crawl takes you to multiple bars throughout the Lapa neighborhood, a bohemian neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro. This guided city tour is a perfect way to sample different cachaca and Brazilian liqueur flavors, enjoy funk, pop, samba, and reggaeton music, and immerse yourself in the carioca culture. You’ll also have a chance to visit local food vendors, experience multiple clubs and bars, and walk the Lapa neighborhood.
This tour is a fun, adults-only way to enjoy the city’s fantastic nightlife and sample its unique beers and liquors. At least four cachaça shots and one Caipirinha (Brazil’s signature cocktail) are included. Transportation is not included. You must be at least 18 years old.
#3 Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch
We had the chance to visit Sugarloaf Mountain during our recent trip to Rio de Janeiro, and we can attest that it is absolutely beautiful! It is probably the number one thing I recommend while visiting this famous Brazilian city! You can do it on your own or as part of a guided tour.
This popular guided full-day tour includes visits to the Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selaron Steps, Maracana Stadium, and many other locations. You’ll see all the iconic breathtaking views of Rio in one trip! Lunch at an authentic Brazilian steakhouse and hotel pick-up and drop-off from designated areas within Rio are included.
This would be my pick for first-time Rio de Janeiro visitors who want to see as much as possible in a day!
#4 Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide
Rio is a massive city that sprawls miles from the city center. Much of the city is comprised of residential areas called “Favelas,” which are home to millions.
On this three-hour Rocinha Walking Tour, you’ll be taken by van into the Rocinha favela to walk the area and explore the daily lives of Rio de Janeiro citizens. This non-intrusive tour aims to give visitors a different perspective on life in this metropolis and provide education and awareness to help build a better future.
#5 Tijuca National Park Caves and Waterfall Hiking Tour
The area around Rio de Janeiro is a lush tropical landscape filled with biodiversity and adventure. On this five-hour Tijuca National Park guided tour, you’ll venture into the heart of Tijuca National Park.
The tour will take you to Taunay Waterfall and a hidden cave. You’ll enjoy the magnificent views from Vista Chinesa and watch the hang gliders land at Sao Conrado Beach. The Park is filled with native wildlife. You can spot small mammals, birds, insects, and snakes most days.
If we had more time, I would have loved to have done this with our teenagers!
#6 Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Tandem Flight
Speaking of hang gliding, this adrenaline-inducing Rio de Janeiro Hang Gliding Tour will let you see all of Rio de Janeiro from the air! During this 2.5-hour experience, you’ll get jeep transport to the take-off site, receive a safety briefing, and rehearse the jump. Then, you’ll take off from a hilltop ramp 1,700 feet above the Tijuca National Park and glide safely in tandem with an experienced instructor.
Complimentary photo and video coverage via attached GoPro cameras is provided. During your flight, you’ll see incredible views of the Atlantic Ocean, Rio’s famous beaches, Christ The Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and more.
This is the perfect Rio de Janiero tour for adrenaline junkies!
#7 Wonders of Rio: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Forest
Similar to a couple of the previous tours, this seven-hour Wonder of Rio guided trip lets you explore some of the most iconic places in and around Rio de Janeiro.
Guides will take you to Tijuca National Park, where you can view hang gliders landing on the beach. You’ll explore the Park, enjoy amazing views, see waterfalls, and look for native wildlife. From there, you’ll stop for lunch (not provided) at Ipanema and then go to Christ the Redeemer (tickets included). You’ll also see the beautiful Escadaria Selarón.
In the end, you’ll have the option to be dropped off at Sugarloaf Mountain in time to watch the sunset or at your hotel. Please read my post about visiting Sugarloaf Mountain for tips and our first-hand experience.
#8 Boat Tour of Guanabara Bay
If you feel like getting out on the beautiful waters around Rio de Janeiro, check out a boat tour of stunning Guanabara Bay. This 1.5-hour audio-guided catamaran tour will sail out of Guanabara Bay and give you a different perspective on the bustling city. Aside from spectacular city views, you’ll see Villegagnon Island, Santos Dumont Airport, Fiscal Island, and the Arsenal of the Navy. You’ll also see Niterói, Rio-Niterói Bridge, the Concha Acústica (Acoustic Shell), and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
From the boat, you’ll have great views of Adão and Eva Beaches, Santa Cruz Fortress, Lage Fortress, São José Fortress, and São João Fortress. Majestic Sugarloaf Mountain can be seen high in the distance. Some tours offer a breakfast option. Transportation to and from the meeting point is not included.
This is a great family-friendly activity in Rio de Janeiro. The shorter duration will help with shorter attention spans, yet it still allows you to experience something unique on your trip to Rio!
#9 Rio Gastronomy: The Art Of Food – Walking Tour
There is no shortage of fantastic food in Rio!
Rio de Janeiro’s savory Brazilian fare attracts hungry visitors worldwide to its fantastic food stalls, restaurants, and diners. And what better way to taste the town than with a Rio guided culinary tour? This six-hour city tour exposes you to local restaurants and specialty shops. It gives you a chance to try favorites such as açai, pão de queijo, coxinha, brigadeiro, tapioca, locally made beer, and cachaça.
During the trip, you’ll learn about the area’s history and cultural traditions. A taxi from the meeting point will take you to the Santa Teresa and Lapa neighborhoods. You’ll also have a chance to see Copacabana Beach, downtown Rio, the Graffiti Scene, and the São Bento Monastery (if time allows). All entrance fees are provided, and make sure to come hungry!
Planning For Tours In Rio de Janeiro
As you can see, there is a great variety of things to do and see on a trip to Rio de Janeiro. This list hardly scratches the surface! Check out Get Your Guide or Trip Advisor for hundreds of additional options.
Also, be sure to read through your tour description entirely and find out if it’s the right fit for your group members. Some are high-intensity, full-day excursions. Others are short and better suited for those who want a less immersive experience.
Consider the meeting point location for each of these tours in Rio de Janeiro and whether transportation is provided or not. If meals aren’t included, be sure to have money or a credit card with you. And be sure to bring extra cash (Brazilian Real) to tip the guides.
From my experience, it’s challenging to find ATMs in Rio de Janeiro that accept US debit cards or have the option for English instructions. I recommend ordering Brazilian Real in advance from your bank. We do this through Bank of America before every trip and are always glad we did. Watch the weather, dress accordingly, bring sunscreen, and wear comfortable shoes!
Choosing the Right Tours In Rio de Janeiro
Tours in Rio de Janeiro are a great way for you and your family to experience this fantastic city and its surrounding areas. There are tours for everyone’s taste, and the many choices mean you can tailor your experience to create that perfect memory of Rio de Janeiro.
You May Enjoy These Related Travel Posts
- History of Key West
- Canal Tours in Bruges
- Tips For First-Time NYC Visitors
- Is the Mona Lisa overrated?
- Iconic Landmarks in Athens
PIN: Top Rated Tours in Rio de Janeiro
