Christ the Redeemer & Rio city tour: 5 hours with buffet lunch
Five hours, five landmarks, one van: Christ the Redeemer, the Sambadrome, the Cathedral, Selarón Steps and Maracanã Stadium
A van tour of Rio de Janeiro hitting Christ the Redeemer, the city center and five major landmarks in under five hours, with a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese and free buffet lunch included. You visit the 38-meter statue atop Corcovado, see where samba schools compete during Carnival, walk the 215 ceramic steps of Selarón, pass the Maracanã Stadium and the Metropolitan Cathedral, then eat at a buffet with over 15 options before heading back.
Step-by-step itinerary
City tour and Christ the Redeemer visit
- Visit Christ the Redeemer statue
- See Sambadrome carnival site
- Tour Rio de Janeiro Cathedral
- View Maracanã Stadium exterior
- Walk Selarón Steps
- Enjoy optional free buffet lunch
- Christ the Redeemer Entry included 40m
- Sambadrome 20m
- Rio de Janeiro Cathedral 15m
- Maracanã Stadium 15m
- Selarón Steps 15m
What’s included
- Tour guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
- entrance to Christ the Redeemer.
- free buffet lunch with 15+ food options including vegetarian dishes.
- air-conditioned vehicle.
- hotel pickup.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Rio Imperio Turismo
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts with a climb to Christ the Redeemer, the 38-meter statue overlooking the entire city from Corcovado hill. From there the van moves through Rio's center, stopping at the Sambadrome where samba schools compete each Carnival: the itinerary notes the energy and color that happens once a year, though the venue itself stands year-round as a landmark of the city's rhythm. You also see the Metropolitan Cathedral, built between 1964 and 1979 in the downtown park, and pass the Maracanã Stadium, where the visit is external. The stadium opened in 1950 and still carries its neighborhood name despite its official designation.
The Selarón Steps break up the van time with a walk. The 215 steps in the Santa Teresa neighborhood are covered entirely in ceramic tiles of different colors, sizes and shapes: a work that Chilean artist Jorge Selarón started in 1990 and kept renewing, calling it a "living and mutant" piece. The staircase stretches 125 meters and has become known internationally for that decoration alone.
The tour wraps with optional free buffet lunch at a restaurant with more than 15 food options, including vegetarian dishes. An air-conditioned vehicle carries the group throughout, and a live guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese narrates the stops. The whole day runs no more than five hours, which means the landmarks fit inside a single afternoon without rushing between them.
Is this one for you?Hotel pickup means you don't arrange transport to the starting point, and the five-hour window fits the whole route (Christ the Redeemer, the city center stops, Selarón Steps and lunch) inside a single afternoon without a car or multiple bookings.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (5 to 10 years); Infant (under 5): free.
What happens if it rains?
It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.
What is the Selarón Steps and why is it worth a stop on a Rio tour?
The Selarón Steps are 215 ceramic-covered stairs in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, decorated entirely in tiles of different colors and patterns by Chilean artist Jorge Selarón starting in 1990. The work stretches 125 meters and is considered a living, constantly renewed piece that has become internationally known for its striking appearance.
Does the tour include entry to Christ the Redeemer?
Yes, entrance to Christ the Redeemer is included in the tour price. The visit takes you to the 38-meter statue at the top of Corcovado hill overlooking Rio de Janeiro.
What happens at the Sambadrome stop?
The Sambadrome is where Rio's samba schools compete to determine the best school during Carnival each year. The tour passes this venue to show where the city's most famous celebration takes place, though the visit is external. You see the structure and learn about its role in Carnival rather than entering it.
Is lunch included, and what are the options?
Free buffet lunch is included at the end of the tour, with more than 15 food options available, including vegetarian dishes. Lunch is optional, so you can skip it if you prefer.
How do I get picked up for this tour if I don't have a car?
Hotel pickup is included in the tour, so the van collects you from your accommodation. Public transportation options are also available nearby if you prefer to meet the tour at a central point instead.
Christ the Redeemer & Rio city tour: 5 hours with buffet lunch
5h · EN · ES · PT · at your hotel
from US$ 91 per person
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