Rio Botanical Garden & Tijuca Rainforest tour with jeep ride

Walk through a rainforest 10 minutes from the city and spot waterfalls without leaving Rio behind.

This four-hour guided tour combines the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden with a jeep ride and easy hike through Tijuca National Park, 10 minutes from downtown. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, French and German. Vista Chinesa viewpoint is not available on weekends or holidays due to forest regulations.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden2h
2. Tijuca National Park1h · entry included
3. Vista Chinesa10m · entry included

Rio Botanical Garden and Tijuca Forest Tour

• Pickup from Rio hotel
• Visit Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
• Jeep ride to Tijuca Forest
• Learn about Tijuca National Park reforestation
• Admire Cascatinha Taunay waterfall
• Explore Visitor Center biodiversity exhibits
• Enjoy view at Emperor's Table
• Stop at historical pink chapel
• Hike to see beautiful waterfall
• Visit Vista Chinesa lookout

The experience

The tour starts at your Rio hotel with pickup, then heads to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. You'll walk through the grounds to see exotic plants from around the world: water lilies, towering redwood trees, imperial palms, and a greenhouse holding over 500 varieties of orchid. The garden also has fountains, historical monuments and hundreds of birds moving through the canopy.

After the garden, your guide drives you in an open jeep toward Tijuca National Park, which sits just 10 minutes from the city center. The ride takes you to the edge of the rainforest, where you'll hike an easy 15-minute trail through Tijuca Forest. Along the way you'll pass Cascatinha Taunay waterfall, stop at the Visitor Center to learn about local biodiversity, and see the Chapel of Tijuca: a small pink structure built in 1860 by a Portuguese banker, now sitting 460 meters above sea level with gardens designed by landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx.

The tour ends at Vista Chinesa, an oriental-style lookout built in the early 1900s to honor the Chinese who brought tea cultivation to Brazil. From 380 meters up, you get sweeping views of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, Guanabara Bay and across to Niteroi. The guide will explain the reforestation work that restored Tijuca National Park and the importance of the Mata Atlântica ecosystem, which spans 14 states across the Mata Biosphere Reserve.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• admission to Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden.
• jeep transport to and through Tijuca National Park.
• a 15-minute guided hike through the rainforest.
• stops at Cascatinha Taunay waterfall, the Chapel of Tijuca and Vista Chinesa viewpoint.
• professional multilingual guide.

Options for this experience

3 options

Morning, South ZoneGuide in 6 languages · 08:00Morning departure from most hotels in Rio's South Zone (São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Leme). Live guide available in Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, French or Italian. Pickup is included.

Afternoon, South ZoneGuide in 6 languages · 13:30Afternoon departure from most hotels in Rio's South Zone (São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana and Leme). Live guide available in Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, Italian or French. Pickup is included.

Morning, Barra da TijucaGuide in 6 languages · 08:00Morning departure from most hotels in Barra da Tijuca. Live guide available in Portuguese, Spanish, English, German, Italian or French. Includes pickup.

You pick the guide language when booking.

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except WednesdayDepartures at 08:00 and 13:30

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (9 and older) · Child (4 to 8 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 20 · max 9 per booking

Live guideEnglish, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Gray Line Brazil

Is this one for you?Book the morning departure if you want to reach Vista Chinesa before afternoon crowds gather at the viewpoint, or the afternoon slot if you prefer a later start from your hotel. The jeep ride and short forest walk suit most fitness levels, though the open vehicle and uneven trail mean it's not suitable for travelers with spinal injuries or serious cardiovascular concerns.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish, French, German, Italian and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 8 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

How long is the hike through Tijuca Rainforest?

The forest hike lasts about 15 minutes and is rated easy, so it suits most fitness levels. You'll walk on marked trails past the waterfall and through the canopy before reaching the Visitor Center.

What's included in the tour price?

Hotel pickup and drop-off, admission to the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden, the jeep ride through Tijuca National Park, the guided hike, and a professional guide are all included. Food and drinks are not.

Can I visit Vista Chinesa on a weekend?

No, due to forest regulations, Vista Chinesa is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Choose a weekday departure if the viewpoint is important to your visit.

What should I bring on this tour?

Wear comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for walking. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and a bottle of water, especially if the day is hot. The tour runs in the morning or afternoon depending on which option you choose.