AquaRio Rio de Janeiro: South America's largest aquarium

Skip the lines and explore 8,000 sea creatures before spotting Rio’s giant street mural.

Your day includes hotel pickup, entry to AquaRio with a bilingual guide who walks you through the galleries and explains the animals and ecosystems; a stop at Olympic Boulevard to see Kobra's "Mural das Etnias" graffiti work; and hotel drop-off. The guide handles timing and navigation so you move at your own pace without managing logistics.

Step-by-step itinerary

• Visit AquaRio aquarium
• See urban art at Olympic Boulevard
• View "Mural das Etnias" graffiti

The Experience

AquaRio sits on Rio's waterfront and holds over 8,000 animals from 350 different species—everything from seahorses to sharks, arranged in tanks that let you move through the ocean without getting wet. A bilingual guide meets you at your hotel, handles the entry, and walks you through the galleries at a pace that lets you actually stop and look instead of shuffle with the crowd. The guide knows which tanks draw the lines and when to slip past them.

After AquaRio, the route takes you to Olympic Boulevard to see "Mural das Etnias," a massive graffiti work by Brazilian artist Kobra that covers an entire building wall. It's the kind of street art that stops you—faces and colors that take up the whole block. The guide points out the detail and the story behind it, which changes how you see it. This isn't a quick photo stop; it's a real look at what Rio's contemporary art scene actually is.

The whole day runs on a fixed schedule with your guide managing the timing, so you don't have to think about entry hours, transport between stops, or how long to spend at each one. Wheelchair access runs through AquaRio's galleries and surfaces, and strollers work fine if you're traveling with small children. The transfer back to your hotel closes the loop, so you're done when you're done.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• entry to AquaRio.
• bilingual professional guide throughout the aquarium and at Olympic Boulevard.
• stop to view "Mural das Etnias" graffiti work.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Tangol

Is this one for you?Book this if you want to see AquaRio without navigating entry lines or transport yourself, and you'd like someone who knows the space to point out what makes it worth the time. The guide takes the logistics off your hands so you can focus on the animals and the art.

Top questions

What time does the tour start?

Start time depends on your hotel location and the operator's schedule. Confirm with the booking confirmation.

Is AquaRio entry included?

Yes, entry to AquaRio is included. The guide meets you at your hotel and handles the ticket.

How long does the tour take?

Duration varies based on how long you spend in the aquarium galleries and at Olympic Boulevard. Plan for a half-day to full-day experience.

Can I visit AquaRio on my own instead of with a guide?

Yes, you can buy entry separately at the aquarium, but this tour includes a bilingual guide and hotel transport, which saves time on logistics.

Is the tour suitable for young children?

Yes. Strollers and prams are welcome throughout AquaRio, and the pace is flexible. The guide can adjust stops based on your group's interests.

What if I use a wheelchair?

AquaRio is fully wheelchair accessible, with accessible surfaces and transportation options throughout. The guide can assist with navigation.

What is "Mural das Etnias"?

A large-scale graffiti mural on Olympic Boulevard by Brazilian artist Kobra. It's one of the world's largest graffiti works and a landmark of Rio's street art scene.

Do I need to speak Portuguese?

No. The guide is bilingual and will explain everything in English and Portuguese.