Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter Tour Without Doors at Christ the Redeemer
Your legs dangling over Rio, Christ the Redeemer rising ahead
You board a doorless helicopter, fly the length of Rio's beach from Barra to Ipanema, hover at two photo stops with your feet out over the water, circle Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, and land back at the base with the city still spinning in your head. Safety gear for your phone is included, and bad weather gets you a reschedule or your money back.
Options for this experience
2 optionsStep-by-step itinerary
Helicopter tour over Rio beaches and landmarks
- Fly over Praia da Reserva
- Pass by Barra Beach
- Fly over São Conrado Beach and favelas
- Pass by Leblon Beach
- Pass by Ipanema Beach
- Stop at stone dividing Ipanema and Copacabana
- Fly over Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas
- Stop at Christ the Redeemer for photos
- Return to base
What’s included
Your experience includes the helicopter flight without doors, safety equipment for your smartphone to protect it during photos, and two designated photo stops: one at the stone dividing Ipanema and Copacabana, and one at Christ the Redeemer with views of Sugarloaf Mountain. You depart from and return to the base at Praia da Reserva on Avenida Lúcio Costa.
Times
- Every day No fixed time
Before you book
Operated by Helicopter Rio
Prices and times updated 7 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The helicopter lifts off from Praia da Reserva on Avenida Lúcio Costa, and the city drops away beneath you. No doors. Just you, the harness, and the open air as the coast unfolds: Barra Beach first, then São Conrado with the favelas climbing the mountainside, then Leblon and Ipanema spreading out like a map someone drew in sand. The flight moves fast but not rushed, and your guide points out the stone that divides Ipanema from Copacabana, the first photo stop where you can lean out and shoot with your feet hanging over the water. It's the kind of moment that feels impossible until it's happening.
Then you're climbing toward Christ the Redeemer. The statue grows from a speck to something real, and Sugarloaf Mountain sits off to the side like a guardian. This is the second stop. The one everyone comes for. You hover there long enough to get the shot, to feel the scale of it, to understand why the city spreads out the way it does from up there. The Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon sits below like a mirror, and the whole southern zone of Rio opens up in one frame. The helicopter tour without doors in Rio de Janeiro isn't about speed or tricks. It's about being in the right place at the right angle, with nothing between you and the view.
The flight depends on a minimum number of passengers, so if the group is light, you might get rescheduled to another time: the operator guarantees a new date or a full refund if weather turns bad or the numbers don't work out. Seat selection is drawn by lot among the three passengers, so you don't choose your spot, but the helicopter itself is small enough that every seat has a view. Safety equipment for your phone comes with it, so your photos don't end up in the Atlantic. The whole thing runs in the afternoon or at sunset, depending on what you book, and you're back at the base before the light goes flat.
Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want an unfiltered view of Rio's coast and Christ the Redeemer from the air, with the thrill of flying doorless and shooting photos with your feet out. The flight depends on minimum passenger numbers and weather, so book with flexibility built in. That's what makes the guarantee of a reschedule or refund matter.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.
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's included in the helicopter tour without doors?
The flight itself, safety equipment for your smartphone, and access to two photo stops: one between Ipanema and Copacabana, one at Christ the Redeemer.
Can I choose where I sit in the helicopter?
No. With three passengers, seat selection is drawn by lot. Every seat has a view, but you don't pick yours in advance.
What happens if the weather is bad?
The operator offers a new date and time or a full refund. The flight is weather-dependent and won't go up if conditions aren't safe.
Is the tour available at sunset?
Yes. You can book either daytime or sunset flights, depending on availability.
What if there aren't enough passengers?
The flight requires a minimum number of people to operate. If the group is too small, you'll be offered a reschedule or refund.
Can I bring a phone or camera?
Yes. Safety equipment for smartphones is provided so you can shoot without dropping your phone.
Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?
The helicopter itself is accessible, and all areas at the base are wheelchair accessible. However, the flight involves sitting in a harness and leaning out for photos, which may not suit everyone.
Are children allowed?
Yes. Infants must sit on an adult's lap. The tour is suitable for all fitness levels, but it's not recommended for people with poor cardiovascular health.
Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter Tour Without Doors at Christ the Redeemer
25m–35m · EN · ES · PT
from US$ 355 per person
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