Private Rio de Janeiro Hidden Gems Tour: Beyond Typical Sights

Step off the beaten path to explore Rio’s secret views and hidden waterfalls

A private custom tour of Rio de Janeiro with a live guide in multiple languages, visiting Lage Palace and Leblon Viewpoint as fixed stops, then branching into nature, history or art attractions based on what you choose. Pickup from any Rio hotel, airport or port is included. No entrance fees apply. The tour runs 8 to 9 hours plus an optional lunch break, and you can request Santa Teresa as a substitute focus.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Flamengo Parkpassing by
2. Lage Park30m
3. Vista Chinesa30m
4. São Bento Monastery30m
5. Royal Portuguese Reading Room30m

Explore Rio's hidden gems and landmarks

• Pickup from hotel or airport
• Visit Lage Park Palace and learn history
• Enjoy Leblon viewpoint panoramic view
• See Flamengo Park urban green space
• Option: Visit Chinese Viewpoint for nature
• Option: Explore Taunay Waterfall
• Option: Tour Royal Portuguese Library for history
• Option: Visit Saint Benedict Monastery
• Option: View Ethnicity Wall artwork
• Option: Explore The Maze mosaic palace
• Optional visit to Santa Teresa neighborhood

The experience

The tour starts with pickup from your hotel, the airport or the port: no separate transfer to arrange. Your guide and driver arrive in a modern air-conditioned vehicle, and from there the day unfolds around two fixed stops: Lage Palace, where you'll learn the love story behind its beautiful architecture, and Leblon Viewpoint, described as the most amazing view of Rio. These anchor the itinerary, and everything else branches from your choice of focus.

If you choose the nature track, you'll see Vista Chinesa, a pagoda viewpoint outside Asia, and Taunay Waterfall. The history option takes you to the Royal Portuguese Library and São Bento Monastery, a Mannerist church that is a primary example of Portuguese colonial architecture in Rio. The art focus includes the Ethnicity wall, one of the largest graphite panels in the world according to Guinness World Record, and The Maze, a palace artwork made with colorful mosaics. You can also request Santa Teresa instead of any of these, so the tour genuinely bends to what you want to see. Flamengo Park, the largest urban park in the world, is also part of the route.

The whole day is 8 to 9 hours plus an hour if you stop for lunch, which is optional. A small amount of walking is involved, and the operator recommends comfortable shoes. The guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian and other languages, so communication happens in whatever works for you. If you need a wheelchair-accessible van, you can request that at booking.

What’s included

• Transport in a modern air-conditioned vehicle with a dedicated driver and guide.
• pickup from any Rio hotel, airport or port.
• visits to Lage Palace and Leblon Viewpoint.
• your choice of nature, history or art attractions.
• all landing and facility fees.
• fuel surcharge.
• communication available through WhatsApp.
• special dietary arrangements on request.

Options for this experience

5 options

Tour with a driver who is also the guideUp to 3 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00Tour with a driver-guide: one professional guide who both guides and drives at the same time; pickup is included

Guided tour for 1 to 2 travelersUp to 2 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00Fully guided 8-hour tour for 2 people in a modern car, with a driver, a licensed tour guide, and pickup and drop-off included

Guided tour for 3 to 4 travelersUp to 4 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00An 8-hour fully guided tour for up to 4 people in a minivan, with a professional driver and licensed guide; pickup is included

See 2 more options

Guided tour for 5 to 9 travelersUp to 9 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00An 8-hour fully guided tour for up to 10 people in a large, modern, comfortable van, with a professional driver and licensed guide; pickup is included

Guided tour for 10-15 travelersUp to 15 per booking · Guide in 6 languages · 17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00An 8-hour fully guided tour for up to 15 people in a large, modern, comfortable van, with a professional driver and licensed guide; pickup is included

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 day17 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 14:00

Book up to4h before

GroupPrivate

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 2.87

Prices and times updated 5 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller-friendlyInfant seats availablePets welcomeNot recommended during pregnancy

Operated by Way to Know Rio

Is this one for you?Book this if you're on your second day in Rio and want to see what locals know instead of what guidebooks repeat: the fixed stops anchor the day while your choice of focus (nature, history or art) shapes what you discover. The private vehicle and guide mean the pace stays yours, and pickup from your hotel or airport removes the logistics of getting to the starting point.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

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

Can I customize which attractions I see on this Rio tour?

Yes. Lage Palace and Leblon Viewpoint are fixed stops on every tour, but you choose one focus (nature, history or art), which determines the other attractions. You can also request Santa Teresa as a substitute for any part of the itinerary after you book.

What is Lage Palace and why is it on this tour?

Lage Palace is a landmark in Lage Park known for its beautiful architecture and the love story of a young Italian opera singer behind it. It's a fixed stop because it represents the kind of local gem most visitors miss on a typical Rio itinerary.

Does the tour include lunch?

Lunch is optional and not included in the base price. The operator can arrange special restaurants for vegetarian or gluten-free diets if you let them know in advance.

What's included in the price?

Transport in an air-conditioned vehicle, the guide and driver, landing and facility fees, and fuel surcharge are all included. Pickup from any Rio hotel, airport or port is included. Entrance fees to attractions are not required for this tour.

How many people can book this tour?

You can book for 1 to 2 travelers, 3 to 4 travelers, 5 to 9 travelers, or 10 to 15 travelers. Each group gets a dedicated driver and guide in the same vehicle.

What if I'm visiting Rio for only one day? Can I still do this tour?

This tour is designed specifically for your second day in Rio, when you've already seen the main sights and want to explore beyond the typical landmarks. If you're short on time, you can discuss timing with the operator after booking through WhatsApp.