Top Rio de Janeiro Half-day Tours

Ride through Tijuca National Park's rainforest in an open-top Jeep during this half-day trip from Rio. During guided eco-tour, hike through the forest to spot sloths, butterflies, monkeys, and birds. Enjoy panoramic views from Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) and marvel at the fact that this section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is just 10 minutes outside the city limits. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light. Tickets for the Sugar Loaf cable car are not included.

Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's favelas, Rocinha. Follow your resident guide to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face.

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

Explore Rio and visit Sugar Loaf Mountain during this 4-hour morning tour. Visit some of the city's most important landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Copacabana Beach. Then, board a glassed-in cable car bound for Sugar Loaf's peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana, and Santa Cruz Fortress. Round-trip transportation from selected Rio hotels is included.

Learn about life inside Rocinha, one of Rio de Janeiro’s largest favelas. You’re driven to the top of the slum community, located on a hillside that overlooks the city, before you descend on foot. Your guide offers insight on Rocinha’s socioeconomic issues and the lives of its inhabitants during your walk.

See two iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks from the water—Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf—while sailing aboard a 40-foot (12-meter) yacht. Sail in Guanabara Bay or the open sea while you relax with a welcome drink and snacks. Enjoy stunning views and discover the magic of sailing from the captain who illuminates Rio’s history. This 3-hour boat tour has a max capacity of 10 for a small-group experience.

The iconic peaks of Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Mountain are the top picks for hiking in Rio de Janeiro, but some of the most spectacular views can be found away from the tourist crowds. This 5-hour hiking and cycling adventure includes a bike ride along Copacabana beach, a drive through the colorful Vidigal favela, and a thrilling hike to the top of the Two Brothers Hills, from where the views span Ipanema beach, the Tijuca Forest, and the Christ the Redeemer statue.

Favela Brothers is a family run tour company, operated by the brothers Maka and Obi Basilio, both born and raised in Favela da Rocinha. We decided to organize guided tours within the community in which we live to offer a unique and quality service for travellers who are in search of culture and knowledge. Our tours allow a great immersion into daily life inside the favela and it is a great cultural exchange for all. You will learn about the history from the eyes of the locals, As the whole tour is carried out on foot where you get to know the alleys, rooftops, shops, cultural projects with which we work, and delicious local restaurants if you get hungry. Let's have a genuine cultural exchange (We can learn a lot from each other). Your support is greatly appreciated! ;)

Enjoy close the natural diversity of Rio de Janeiro. Begin your tour at the Botanical Garden and visit the Sensory Garden, the Brazilwood (tree that gives name to the country), the Turtle Lake and the lake with the giant-water-lily. Walk through the bicentenary imperial palm trees as you go to the orchidarium and bromeliad house. Then, visit the Vista Chinesa gazebo (the visit is temporarily suspended while it is not accessible by vehicles) and enjoy a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro. In a distance, you can also see Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf. Follow to an adventure at Tijuca National Forest, one of the largest urban forest in the world. Observe the Taunay Waterfall and walk through a simple trail as you learn more about the Atlantic Forest, its flora and fauna. Get back to the vehicle and pass by the famous São Conrado beach to observe the hang gliders and paragliders, before returning to the hotel through a panoramic route.

Discover Rio’s bustling nightlife on a pub crawl through the neighborhoods of Lapa and Ipanema. Stop at a variety of bars, clubs, and parties and enjoy free shots and caipirinhas throughout the evening. Enjoy a worry-free excursion with free transportation provided between stops as you explore with your guides. This is a fun and safe way to explore Rio at night and meet other travelers along the way.

Hike to the top of Tijuca Peak with a guide during this half-day excursion in Rio de Janeiro. Enjoy convenient pickup at your Rio hotel and a scenic ride through the forest of Tijuca National Park.

Visit Corcovado Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue in the afternoon during this 4-hour tour. Ride the cog train up the steep mountainside through the Tijuca Rainforest, disembarking at the top to panoramic views of Rio. Spend time admiring the iconic statue and snapping photos of the surrounding scenery. Round-trip transportation from most Rio hotels is included.

Walk through Old Rio on this afternoon sightseeing tour with a local guide. During this half-day outing, wind through the narrow lanes and baroque-style buildings while your guide fills you in on the history and legends of the area. Visit sites like the Metropolitan Cathedral, Carioca Square and the Imperial Palace. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Get picked up at the meeting point and drive up to the statue of Christ the Redeemer - one of the New Seven Wonders of the World - at the top of Corcovado Mountain. Travel through a short and beautiful route through Tijuca Forest – one of the largest urban forests in the world – before opening up to incredible views of the entire city. When reaching the top, enjoy the most famous tour attraction in Brazil and a panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro in 360º, 710m (2,330 feet) tall. Return from the Christ the Redeemer and drive past Santa Teresa, the famous neighbourhood located on a hillside known for the narrow cobblestone streets, unique cultural flair, and iconic yellow tram. Arrive at the neighbourhood of Lapa, the area with Rio’s traditional nightlife and known for the Carioca Aqueduct, before reaching the brightly colored tiles of the world-famous Selarón Steps, one of Rio's most distinctive landmarks. Return to the meeting point.

Experience the vibrant culture and coastal charisma of Rio de Janeiro on an exciting 4-hour bike tour of the beguiling Brazilian city. Follow a knowledgeable guide on an explorative route past landmarks like Copacabana Beach, São João Batista and the colored Steps of Selaron. Gaze at the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue on his cliff-top perch and explore Rio’s famous celebrity cemetery. Stop regularly to capture photographs and listen to illuminating commentary from your expert guide.

Explore Rocinha Favela, the largest favela in Latin America, during this 4-hour guided educational tour. Walk through the local community with your guide to learn about what life is like there. Interact with members of the community, learn about the history of Rocinha and gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political factors that shape Rio society.

Hike the Horto waterfalls circuit in Tijuca National Park on this half-day morning tour, led by a specialist guide. Starting from Jequitibá Waterfall, you’ll walk at a leisurely pace along a forest trail ending at Shower Waterfall, aka Box Waterfall. Stand or wade under the rock-walled cascades for a refreshing shower before reversing your steps. Upgrade to venture with your own personal guide on a private tour that includes round-trip hotel transport.

Pedal a bicycle around the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro on this half-day bike tour. Explore landmarks and highlights in an interactive, physical way with your informative cycling guide. Visit areas of the city such as Botafogo, Copacabana, and Porto Maravilha listening to informative commentary as you travel. All cycling equipment is included.

Ascend Corcovado Mountain early in the morning for an uncrowded viewing of Christ the Redeemer during this tour from Rio de Janeiro. After early morning hotel pickup, drive through the city in a comfortable tour van, passing sights like Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Palace. Enjoy informative, engaging commentary from your local guide during a stop at the famous statue on Corcovado Mountain. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included on this small-group tour.

Shake up your Rio visit with this 4-hour caipirinha-making class and skip-the-line pub crawl in the city’s Lapa nightlife area. Mix it up in a local bar selling craft ‘cachaça’ (the spirit used in caipirinhas) as you learn to prepare this drink of choice for Rio’s party-goers. Armed with your newfound knowledge, you’ll then ‘mix’ things up some more in the streets, bars and clubs of Lapa, enjoying included drinking games, a samba lesson, drink discounts, VIP entrance and the fun atmosphere of a night out in this lively area.

Begin your tour at Downtown (“Centro”), where you will get the tram (“bondinho”) to the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. You will drive over the Arcos da Lapa. Then, walk along the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa, a bucolic area in Rio de Janeiro. You will visit the Ruins Park (closed on Mondays), a public park with an art gallery built around the ruins of a mansion. Up next, you will walk down the colorful Selarón Steps, one of Rio’s landmarks, and arrive at the district of Lapa, the zone with most traditional nightlife. Take a stroll in the Passeio Público, the oldest public park in the South America, to reach Cinelândia, a lively spot in Rio thanks to its bars, restaurants and cultural attractions. Your last stop will be at Confeitaria Colombo (closed on Sundays), a permanent member of all “must-see cafés” rankings around the world.

Get more out of your visit to the famous Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden when you go with a guide. Walk through the highlights of this UNESCO-listed biosphere reserve while learning about learning about its history and mission, plus see plants and animals from around the world like monkeys, toucans, and giant Amazonian water lilies. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Combine three of Rio’s top attractions on this flexible-length visit to the famous Christ the Redeemer statue and the Selaron Steps, plus an optional trip to Sugarloaf Mountain. Enjoy the panoramic city views from the platform of Rio’s most iconic statue, then pass through historic Santa Teresa to visit the ceramic-clad Selaron Steps. Finish with an optional cable car ride up Sugarloaf.