Tijuca National Park 4x4 Tour: Hike & Lagoon Swim

Ride into the world's biggest urban forest, swim in a mountain lagoon, then climb to a view that holds the whole city.

A 4-hour jeep and hiking tour of Tijuca National Park in Rio de Janeiro includes hotel pickup, a local guide, a swim in a natural lagoon, and access to Vista Chinesa viewpoint overlooking São Conrado, Ipanema and Leblon beaches. The jeep carries you through the park's trails. You hike to the lagoon and up to the overlook. Vista Chinesa is accessible Monday to Friday only: weekend visits require a different route.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time spent at each

1. Tijuca National Park2h · entry included
2. Vista Chinesa20m · entry included

4-hour Tijuca National Park tour

• Explore Tijuca National Park by 4x4 jeep
• Swim in natural lagoon
• View cascade and swim
• Admire São Conrado beach and Gávea rock
• Visit Vista Chinesa viewpoint
• See Ipanema and Leblon beaches

The experience

The tour starts with a pickup from your hotel and a drive into Tijuca National Park in a 4x4 jeep. Your guide navigates the park's trails, explaining the forest's history and the diversity of trees and plants as you move through what is the world's largest urban forest. The jeep takes you to a natural cascade and lagoon where you stop to swim before the hike continues upward.

The route climbs to Vista Chinesa, one of Rio's top ten viewpoints, where you stand above São Conrado beach and can see Gávea rock: the largest monolith facing the ocean. The view opens onto Ipanema and Leblon beaches stretching along the coast. Note that Vista Chinesa is only accessible by jeep Monday through Friday. Weekend departures follow a different path through the park. After the viewpoint, the tour descends past the beaches before returning you to your hotel.

Your guide speaks English, Spanish or Portuguese and travels with you the whole way. The 4-hour tour includes the jeep, the guide's commentary, and hotel pickup and drop-off. You arrange nothing beyond showing up at your accommodation.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off.
• local guide with live commentary in English, Spanish or Portuguese.
• jeep transport through Tijuca National Park.
• access to the natural lagoon for swimming.
• Vista Chinesa viewpoint (Monday–Friday departures only).

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 07:30 and 13:00

Book up to3h before

AgesAdult (19 to 60 years) · Senior (61 and older) · Youth (7 to 18 years) · Child (3 to 6 years) · Infant (under 3)

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish, Spanish and Portuguese

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by JEEP RIO

Is this one for you?Choose this tour if you need a jeep to handle Tijuca's steep terrain and want a guided hike combined with beach time in one morning or afternoon. Book the alternative route if Vista Chinesa is essential and you're visiting on a weekend.

Traveler reviews

4.60★★★★★★★★★★

30 verified traveler reviews

5 ★24

4 ★4

3 ★0

2 ★0

1 ★2

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 18 years); Child (3 to 6 years); Infant (under 3).

What is Tijuca National Park like on this tour?

Tijuca National Park is the world's largest urban forest, and the tour moves through it by jeep and on foot. Your guide points out the diversity of trees and plants and explains the park's history as you travel to the natural lagoon and then up to Vista Chinesa viewpoint.

Can I swim during the tour?

Yes. The tour includes a stop at a natural lagoon fed by a cascade, where you swim before continuing the hike upward toward Vista Chinesa.

What can I see from Vista Chinesa?

Vista Chinesa overlooks São Conrado beach and Gávea rock, which is the largest monolith facing the ocean. From there you can see Ipanema and Leblon beaches stretching along the Rio coastline.

Is Vista Chinesa accessible on weekends?

Vista Chinesa is only reachable by jeep Monday through Friday. Weekend tours follow a different route through Tijuca National Park but do not include this viewpoint.

Does the tour include hotel pickup?

Yes. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included. The driver-guide collects you from your accommodation and returns you at the end of the 4-hour tour.