Things to do in Rio de Janeiro
Sugarloaf Mountain53 optionsMuseums11 optionsMaracanã Stadium Tours23 optionsHelicopter Rio8 optionsCity Tour Petrópolis8 optionsCity Tour Rio de Janeiro12 optionsBoat Tour Rio de Janeiro8 optionsWalking Tour Rio de Janeiro67 optionsJeep Tour Rio12 optionsAquario Tours10 optionsSanta Teresa Tours29 optionsRio de Janeiro Airport Transfer14 options
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Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer & Sugarloaf Full DayYou visit Rio's five main landmarks—Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã, the Cathedral, and Selarón Steps—with entry tickets and lunch included. A shared guide handles the route and timing in English, Spanish or Portuguese, hotel pickup is arranged, and you skip entry queues. The day takes roughly eight to nine hours, and confirmation comes the day before by message.Is it for me?Book this if you want to see Rio's main sights in one day without arranging transport, tickets and timing yourself—the shared format and fixed schedule are what fit everything into a single afternoon, and the guide handles the route so you just show up and follow along.
Rio de Janeiro: Private Sunset Sailing & Drinks TourYou’ll sail Rio’s bay at sunset on a private boat with a local guide, sip fresh caipirinhas and sparkling wine, stop for a swim near a quiet beach, and snack on fruit and finger food as city lights appear. It’s peaceful, sometimes funny, always real — perfect if you want something more personal than another crowded lookout.
Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter Flight over Christ the Redeemer & BeachesYou fly over six of Rio's most recognizable landmarks—Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Ipanema, Red Beach, Sugarloaf Mountain and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon—in a private helicopter with up to three other passengers. The flight is about an hour, windows are yours for photography, and the route shows you how the city's geography actually connects. Infants sit on an adult's lap; the flight is not suitable for pregnant women past week 32.Is it for me?Right for travelers with limited time in Rio who want to see the city's major landmarks from a perspective you can't get on the ground, and who have a camera or phone ready for photos. The flight is about an hour—short enough to fit into a day, long enough to cover all six sights without rushing.
Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class in Ipanema with Carnival QueenYou’ll try real samba steps with a Carnival queen right in Ipanema—don’t worry if you’ve got two left feet, everyone laughs together here. Get photos and videos emailed after (the costumes are wild). By the end you’ll feel Rio’s rhythm under your skin—and maybe catch yourself smiling for no reason later.
Rio de Janeiro: Helicopter Flight Over Christ & BeachesYou’ll feel your heart race as you lift off over Rio de Janeiro’s wild coastline on a private helicopter flight tour. Spot Christ the Redeemer up close, sweep past Sugarloaf Mountain and Copacabana Beach, and catch glimpses of hidden coves only locals know. The city looks different from above—maybe even feels different too.
Rocinha Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro: Local Guides & Motorcycle TaxisYou arrive at Rocinha by motorcycle taxi and climb to a viewpoint overlooking Rio. Your local guide walks you through the bécos (narrow streets), stops at a typical house, and takes you to a social capoeira project and other cultural sites. Private transport and a guide who lives in the neighborhood are included; the full day gives you time to actually talk to people and understand how the place works instead of just passing through.Is it for me?Book this if you want to understand Rocinha as a neighborhood where people actually live, not as a news story or a stereotype—the guides are from here, which is what makes the difference between a tour and an education.
Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea Hike & Jungle Climb AdventureYou’ll feel every step as you hike Pedra da Gávea with a local guide—scrambling through rainforest, climbing Carrasqueira’s cliff face with safety gear, spotting wildlife if you’re lucky, then catching your breath at Rio’s wildest summit. Expect muddy hands, big laughs, and a view that sticks with you long after you’re back in the city.
Rio de Janeiro: Historic Center & Santa Teresa with Hotel PickupYou get picked up from your hotel and spend the day moving through Rio's colonial past: the grand squares and buildings of the historical center, then the winding streets and artist studios of Santa Teresa, including a ride on the 1897 tram. Hotel drop-off is included, so you don't arrange transport or navigate the city yourself.Is it for me?Best for travelers staying in Rio who want to see the city's colonial and early modern architecture without arranging their own transport or timing—the pickup from your hotel and fixed schedule handle both, leaving you free to focus on the neighborhoods themselves.
Rio de Janeiro: Samba Class & Nightclub with Live BandYou get a one-hour samba class in English, transport by minivan, entrance to a live samba club or street party, and a guide who stays with you all night. The class teaches you the basic step; the club is where you use it. No experience needed, and you don't arrange transport or tickets yourself — the guide handles it.Is it for me?Book this if you want to experience Rio's nightlife without arranging transport, finding a club, or navigating the night alone — the guide and fixed schedule handle all three, which is what makes a real night out possible for travelers who don't know the city.
Rio de Janeiro: Private Custom Tour with Pickup & Flexible StopsYou’ll ride in a private car with your own guide, shaping your Rio de Janeiro day trip as you go — from famous beaches to quiet neighborhoods or even surprise stops for street food. Expect laughter, local flavors, and those unexpected city views that stick with you long after you’ve left.
Rio Tijuca Forest: Small Group Hike, Waterfalls & HistoryYou’ll hike historic trails through Rio’s Tijuca Forest with a local guide, passing waterfalls like Cascatinha Taunay and stopping at places like Mayrink Chapel and Bats’ Grotto. Expect real stories, a waterfall swim to wake you up, and a side of Rio most travelers never see—plus pickup so you don’t have to stress about getting there.
Paragliding in Rio de Janeiro: Tandem flight with hotel pickupTandem paragliding in Rio de Janeiro pairs you with an experienced instructor for a flight over the city, starting with hotel pickup and a brief training session at Pedra Bonita. The experience runs about 2.5 hours total, includes private transportation, all insurance and equipment (helmet, flight belt, GoPro camera), and ends with digital video and photos of your flight. A guide speaks English, Spanish, Portuguese or French.Is it for me?Book this if you want the flight itself to be the focus rather than a guided tour with multiple stops—you're in the air with an instructor, not watching from the ground or listening to narration. The 2.5-hour window works for a morning or afternoon slot without eating your whole day.
Christ the Redeemer Private Tour: Skip the lines at dawnYou start before dawn at Christ the Redeemer to beat the crowds, then move through Santa Teresa and the Selarón Steps with a guide who knows the city's history, visit the Cathedral's stained glass interior, and finish at Sugarloaf Mountain with cable car access included. Five hours, one vehicle, no separate tickets to buy at each stop, and you're back by early afternoon.Is it for me?Book this if you want Rio's five main landmarks in one morning without arranging transport, tickets, or timing yourself — the 7:20am start is what makes the Christ the Redeemer visit uncrowded, and the private format means the pace and stops work around what you want to see.
Rio de Janeiro: Brazilian BBQ Class & Drinks in CopacabanaYou’ll jump right into Rio’s barbecue scene with hands-on grilling in Copacabana, guided by lively locals who make sure everyone gets involved. Taste classic churrasco dishes like picanha steak and cupim, mix your own tropical cocktails, and swap stories over endless drinks. By the end you’ll have new friends, recipes to take home, and maybe a few smoky smells clinging to your shirt.
Rio de Janeiro: Pedra do Telégrafo Hike & West Zone BeachesYou get van transport through Rio's West Zone beaches, a 50-minute forest hike led by an accredited guide, and time at Pedra do Telégrafo to photograph the rock and the view. The guide handles the trail pacing and the return, so you focus on the climb and the moment at the top. Expect a queue at the rock itself and plan for traffic in Rio's schedule.Is it for me?Right for travelers who want the Pedra do Telégrafo photo and the hike without arranging transport through Rio's West Zone or navigating the trail alone — the guide and van handle the logistics so you can focus on the climb and the view.
Rio de Janeiro Food Tour: Copacabana, Santa Teresa & Lapa Tasting WalkYou’ll taste your way through Rio de Janeiro—from fresh açaí in Copacabana to cod cakes at Adega Pérola, pastries at Confeitaria Colombo, and cheese bread in Santa Teresa. Alongside your local guide you’ll meet artists, see Sugarloaf Mountain from new angles, and catch unexpected moments between bites.
Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer Early Access & Santa Teresa WalkYou’ll start early at Christ the Redeemer before crowds arrive, stroll through Parque Lage’s gardens with monkeys overhead, eat lunch like a local in Rio de Janeiro, then wander Santa Teresa’s bohemian streets and climb Selarón Steps with your guide. End with sunset views from Sugar Loaf if you want—the whole day feels like seeing Rio wake up around you.
Rio de Janeiro: 35-Min Doors-Off Helicopter Tour & ChristYou board a doors-off helicopter and spend 35 minutes flying over Rio's iconic landmarks — Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema, Copacabana, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas — with unobstructed panoramic views and a certified pilot. Safety gear, headsets, and heliport lounge access are included; luggage stays behind and hair must be tied back. Weather or air traffic can shift your departure time, which the operator confirms before your flight.Is it for me?Book this if you want the unobstructed aerial view of Rio's landmarks — Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema, Copacabana, and Sugarloaf — without the cost and logistics of a longer tour; 35 minutes is enough to see the whole southern zone from above and capture photos without glass in the way.
Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps & Maracanã Express TourYou’ll ride through Tijuca’s wild green heart before standing beneath Christ the Redeemer with all of Rio below you. Wander Selarón’s mosaic steps and feel the hush inside the cathedral’s stained glass walls. Snap photos at Maracanã Stadium and imagine Carnival drums echoing in the Sambadrome—all with hotel pickup and entrance tickets sorted for you.
Rio de Janeiro: Morro Two Brothers Trail & Sunset ViewsYou climb 1.5 kilometers through Vidigal with a neighborhood guide, stop at four viewpoints, and reach a peak with unobstructed views of Rio's entire south zone. The sunset option means you watch the city shift from daylight to night from the top. Local transport and guide are included; bring water and wear shoes with grip.Is it for me?Book this if you want Rio's best city views without a crowded cable car or a tourist-packed overlook—the hike and the neighborhood guide keep the experience grounded and real. The fixed 50-minute climb and included transport mean you know exactly what you're getting into and when you'll be back.
