Lapa and Santa Teresa Walking Tour: Historic Tram & Views
Ride an 1800s tram over the Arcos da Lapa, then walk two neighborhoods most visitors miss
A private walking tour of Rio de Janeiro's Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods, traveling by the historic Santa Teresa tram and exploring on foot. You ride the tram from the city center over the Arcos da Lapa aqueduct, stop at Largo do Guimarães for local food, visit Ruins Park for city views, walk past the Selarón Steps, and finish in Lapa at a hidden rooftop overlooking the Arcos da Lapa.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods
- Ride Santa Teresa tram over Lapa Arches
- Alight at Largo do Guimarães for local cuisine
- Visit Ruins Park viewpoint
- Walk past Selarón Steps to Lapa
- Admire Arcos da Lapa and visit cachaça bar
- Ruins Park 30m
- Selarón Steps 30m
- Lapa 30m
What’s included
- Santa Teresa tram ticket for the round trip.
- licensed tour guide in English or Spanish.
Times
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday 09:00
Before you book
Operated by Rio de Janeiro by Cariocas Travel
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
If you have a free afternoon and want to see Rio beyond the beach, this tour starts where most visitors don't: aboard one of the world's oldest working tramways. The Santa Teresa tram climbs from the city center and carries you over the Arcos da Lapa (a 18th-century aqueduct now framing the neighborhood below) giving you a view of Lapa from above before you ever set foot there. The tram itself is the first landmark, a working piece of the city's history that moves through the streets like a cable car.
Once you arrive at Largo do Guimarães, the gastronomic heart of Santa Teresa, you're free to eat at one of the neighborhood's trendy restaurants and bars, or move straight into the walking portion. The guide takes you through cobblestone streets lined with colonial houses, past cultural centers and local artists' ateliers, and up to Ruins Park: one of the six best viewpoints in the city, with views over downtown Rio and Guanabara Bay. From there, the route descends toward Lapa by way of the Selarón Steps, a staircase covered entirely in colorful tiles that connects the two neighborhoods and has become a landmark in its own right.
The tour ends in Lapa at a rooftop bar known mainly to locals, where you can see the Arcos da Lapa lit up at night and try cachaça, Brazil's national spirit. A licensed guide in English or Spanish leads the whole route, and the Santa Teresa tram ticket is included, so you don't need to figure out the public transit on your own.
Is this one for you?Book this if you want to ride the historic Santa Teresa tram as your main experience (it's the transport itself, not just a way between stops), and explore two neighborhoods on foot afterward rather than joining a bus-based tour.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
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 Santa Teresa tram and how does it work?
The Santa Teresa tram is one of the oldest streetcar systems still operating in the world, running from the city center up into the Santa Teresa neighborhood. You ride it as part of the tour, and it passes directly over the Arcos da Lapa aqueduct, giving you an elevated view of Lapa before you explore it on foot.
Can I eat lunch or dinner during the tour?
Yes. The tour includes a stop at Largo do Guimarães, Santa Teresa's main dining and bar area, where you can order food and drinks at any of the neighborhood's restaurants and bars. This is your time to eat. Food is not included in the tour price.
What is Ruins Park and why is it one of the stops?
Ruins Park is one of the six best viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro, with views over downtown and Guanabara Bay. The tour visits it during the walking portion through Santa Teresa, so you get a high vantage point of the city before descending toward Lapa.
What are the Selarón Steps?
The Selarón Steps are a staircase covered in colorful tiles that physically connects Santa Teresa and Lapa. The tour walks you down them as part of the route between the two neighborhoods, and they've become a well-known landmark and photo spot.
How long does the tour take?
The tour runs three to four hours, including the tram ride, the walking sections, and time to explore at each stop. The pace allows you to take in the neighborhoods without rushing.
Lapa and Santa Teresa Walking Tour: Historic Tram & Views
3h–4h · EN · ES
from US$ 92 per person
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