Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer & Santa Teresa Private Tour

Four Rio landmarks in one morning, without the tour bus crowds

You visit Christ the Redeemer with entry included and skip the entry-gate queue; see Rio from Dona Marta's lesser-known viewpoint; walk through the bohemian streets of Santa Teresa with context; and stand on the hand-painted Escadaria Selarón tiles. A bilingual guide handles the route and the stories, private transport means no group delays, and the whole experience moves at your pace instead of a schedule.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Christ the Redeemer1h · entry included
2. Dona Marta Lookout1h
3. Santa Teresa1h
4. Selarón Steps1h

Explore Rio's iconic landmarks

• Visit Christ the Redeemer
• Admire view at Mirante Dona Marta
• Explore Santa Teresa neighborhood
• See the Selarón Steps

The experience

What if you could skip the line at Christ the Redeemer and still have time to wander Santa Teresa's narrow streets before lunch? That's the tension this private Rio de Janeiro tour solves. You get picked up from your hotel, driven straight to the Redeemer with entry already arranged, and then the day opens up. No waiting at the gate. No shuffling through crowds to find the best angle for a photo. Your bilingual guide knows which corner of the platform catches the light at that hour, and they'll tell you something about the statue that the fifty other tourists standing next to you will never hear.

After Christ the Redeemer, you head to Mirante Dona Marta: a viewpoint most visitors miss because it's not on the main circuit. The view is different from the Redeemer: you're looking at the city from a different angle, and the guide points out neighborhoods and landmarks you'd otherwise pass without noticing. Then Santa Teresa. The neighborhood is old, bohemian, a bit rough around the edges in places, and that's exactly why it matters. You walk through it with someone who actually knows the history, not just the Instagram version. The streets are steep and narrow, the buildings are painted in colors that seem to shift, and there's a rhythm to the place that you only catch if you're not rushing.

The last stop is Escadaria Selarón, the staircase covered in thousands of hand-painted tiles. It's famous, yes, but the tiles are real (each one placed by an artist over decades), and when you're standing on them with a guide who can explain the story, it stops being a photo op and becomes something you actually understand. The whole tour runs at your own pace, which means if you want to linger on one of these steps, you can. If you want to ask your guide something, they're not checking their watch.

Transportation is private, so you're not sharing the van with twelve other groups. The guide speaks both English and Portuguese, which matters if you want to understand what you're looking at. Entry to Christ the Redeemer is included, which saves you the hassle of buying tickets on arrival and the uncertainty of whether you'll get in at the time you want. Wheelchair accessible throughout, and the pace suits all fitness levels. You're not hiking, you're moving between stops in a vehicle and then walking through neighborhoods and up a famous staircase at a normal speed.

What’s included

• Private transportation from your hotel.
• entrance to Christ the Redeemer.
• bilingual guide.
• visits to Dona Marta Lookout, Santa Teresa neighborhood, and Escadaria Selarón.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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

Prices and times updated 12 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPublic transport nearby

Operated by Mtours

Is this one for you?Choose this if you want to see Rio's most recognizable landmarks without navigating queues or group schedules: the private format and included entry mean you spend your time looking, not waiting.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

Is entry to Christ the Redeemer included?

Yes, entrance is included in the tour price. You skip the ticket line and go straight up.

How long does the tour take?

The itinerary covers four main stops (Christ the Redeemer, Dona Marta Lookout, Santa Teresa, and Escadaria Selarón) at a pace that lets you spend time at each without rushing.

Will I be in a group with other tourists?

No, transportation is private. You travel with your own guide and driver, not in a shared van with other groups.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility challenges?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and transportation options are wheelchair accessible as well.

Can I bring a stroller or pram?

Yes, infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller throughout the tour.

What if I'm not very fit? Will I struggle?

The tour is suitable for all physical fitness levels. You're driven between stops and walk at a normal pace through neighborhoods and on the Selarón Steps.

Do I need to arrange my own hotel pickup?

No, private transportation from your hotel is included.