15 1-Day Tours in Rio de Janeiro to Book Next

1.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 400 reviews · 14 hours · from $65Our pick

Leave Rio by air-conditioned vehicle for a full day in Arraial do Cabo, then board a traditional schooner for beach stops and photo views of Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal, Gruta Azul, and Praia do Forno. A multilingual guide accompanies the road journey. Lunch is optional, and strong winds can cancel the boat portion.

“We got on time to the meeting point but the bus that was supposed to pick us up had an issue. Luckily the guide contacted us straight away and kept us in touch and in the end we re-arranged the pick up a few hours later. Despite the delay the whole activity still went ahead and we managed to visit all the beaches. Just know that there might be a lot of people on the beaches you visit (that is out of your control though) but overall it's quite well organised and we got enough time to swim and enjoy the natural beaches we visited. Make sure to bring some…”

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2.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $70

Leave Rio early for Arraial do Cabo, then board a schooner for swims and photo stops at Ilha do Farol, Pontal do Atalaia, Gruta Azul, and Praia do Forno. Hotel pickup is offered in several South Zone neighborhoods. Guides such as Newton, Andrea, Karla, and Vivi have led trips, but the boat crew may not speak English.

“It was a great ride from our hotel (3 hours). We got to see the other side of Brazil. The boat ride and the lunch we purchased was great. Our host was attentive to us. She spoke in English.”

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3.Petrópolis Day Trip with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 203 reviews · 12 hours · from $48Best value

Ride from Rio to Petrópolis for a full day of imperial-era sights, including the Imperial Museum, Quitandinha Palace gardens, the Cathedral of Saint Peter of Alcantara, and the Crystal Palace. A multilingual guide leads the route. Lunch and a Bohemia Brewery visit are optional; guide names have included Rafael, Julio, and Mama Chris.

“Petrópolis is an amazing city, go there is mandatory to anyone who wants to know the true history of Brazil. Everything about that place is magical and the guide Mama Chris and the driver Victor will provide you the best experience you can have. Chris is so kind, helpful and into every detail about the city and its history that you feel like in a private tour. Would do again… 10/10.”

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4.Arraial do Cabo Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · 14 hours · from $67

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo with a multilingual guide, then board a boat for beaches and coastal stops including Ilha do Farol, Blue Grotto, and Fenda de Nossa Senhora. Lunch is included, but drinks, snorkeling gear, and two local fees are extra. Guide assignments vary; recent guides have included Lucas, Marcelo, and Talita.

“A great day out on the boat although the four stops were brief 30 minutes or less. it's a long way from Rio so a very long day but worth it. Definitely party boats so make the most of it and enjoy!!”

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5.Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 9 hours · from $86

Spend a full day hiking Tijuca Forest with a bilingual guide and a group of up to six. The 10.4 km route climbs 848 m to Taquara Hill, then leads past old coffee-farm ruins, a cave and waterfalls. Guides such as Gustavo, Ricardo and Tito are known for sharing Rio’s history along with the forest’s plants and wildlife.

“Great day with Ricardo our tour guide, who had lots of interesting conversation and knowledge. The hike was as expected length wise, and good for those who want a bit longer in the jungle than the other half-day tours. Mostly in-shade so walk is hot but at least not in direct sunlight for the most part. Saw monkeys, raccoons, frogs and lots of nice wildlife.”

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6.Exploring Angra Dos Reis and Ilha Grande in One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Leave Rio early by bus for Angra dos Reis, then cruise by schooner to Ilha Grande beaches, Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul. Expect clear water, time to swim or snorkel, and a Brazilian buffet lunch at Japariz. A bilingual guide leads the day, with guides such as Daniel, Nayt and Thiago named by past participants. Transport and lunch are included; snorkel gear, drinks and a R$25 marina fee are extra.

“Thiago was very prompt and friendly. I appreciate his clear communication. The beaches and food we’re great. It’s a very LONG day but totally worth it! I highly recommend.”

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7.Petrópolis Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro including Imperial Museum and Crystal Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 101 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $93

Spend about nine hours traveling from Rio to Petrópolis, the former imperial summer retreat. A guide leads you through the Imperial Museum, cathedral, and Crystal Palace, with a lunch break and free time. Hotel pickup, return transport, and the museum ticket are included. Santos Dumont’s house and the Bohemia brewery cost extra.

“enjoyed the trip, very outgoing tour leader. Packed day, quite long.”

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8.Private tour – The best of Rio in 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) Top rated

Visit Rio’s headline sights in a private vehicle with a guide, including Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. Guide Patricia Cannabrava is praised for adapting the day and explaining the city’s history. The tour lasts about 6 to 7 hours; attraction tickets, lunch, and drinks cost extra.

“Patricia picked us up at the Port from our cruise ship and took us on a customised tour for the whole day. We visited the Maracana Stadium, learnt all about Carnival, walked up the Seralon Steps then went to Christ the Redeemer. We had Patricia’s wonderful descriptions of all of the history. After driving along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, we parked at the Cathedral then walked downtown to the beautiful Library and visited Confeteria Columbus. We were returned to the port in time to get ready for dinner on the ship. Thank you for your wonderful and warm conversation- your English is excellent!”

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9.1 day tour Rio de Janeiro to Christ and Cable car and much more

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 58 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $117

Marktour’s eight-hour Rio tour links Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car, the Selarón Steps, Maracanã, the Sambódromo, the cathedral and Lapa’s arches. A vehicle with air conditioning and lunch are included. Guide Marcos is praised for punctuality and practical tips, though guide languages are not specified.

“Mit drei verschiedenen Sprachen ganz schwierig für die Reiseleiterin aber sie hat es gut gemacht. Alle Sehenswürdigkeiten waren dabei.”

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10.Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★3.4 · 53 reviews · 7 hours · from $79

Travel from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo for a boat trip past Lighthouse Island, the Blue Grotto, and other coastal landmarks, with three swim stops and a buffet lunch. A Cabo Frio city tour is included in the plan, though its timing can vary. Guides speak Portuguese, English, and Spanish. One guide named Leo was singled out for helpful advice.

“le spiagge di Arrial do Cabo, sono fantastiche come ai Caraibi. Purtroppo per il tour non si può dire lo stesso. Presi in hotel alle 8.20 a Buzios con una macchina ci hanno ad portato ad Arrial do Cabo. Arrivati lì ore 9.20 abbiamo aspettato quasi 2 ore prima che la nostra barca lasciasse il porto. Lasciato la banchina ore 11.15. Visto 4 spiagge di cui solo 2 visitabili solo via gommone. Alle 15.15 rientro in porto. Fermati a mangiare e ritorno a Buzios. La sosta di Cabo Frio inserita nel programma e non fatta? Sicuramente esperienza da non ripetere. Peccato”

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11.Búzios Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 43 reviews · 12 hours · from $94

Travel from Rio’s south zone or downtown to Búzios with a licensed bilingual guide. Walk through the town made famous by Brigitte Bardot, cruise past seven beaches by schooner, and sit down to a buffet lunch. The day lasts about 12 hours, with a separate navy boarding fee and drinks not included.

“Szörnyű, botrányos. Rossz szervezés, kiábrándító hajóút, elmaradt - de befizetett - ebéd, igazi pénzkidobás.”

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12.Rio de Janeiro City Tour for One Day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 34 reviews · 8 hours (approx.) · from $176

Start around 8:00 am for an air-conditioned, roughly eight-hour tour of Rio. Ride up Corcovado to Christ the Redeemer and take Sugarloaf’s cable cars, then visit Maracanã, Selarón Steps, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Lapa Arches and the Sambadrome. Lunch and key attraction tickets are included; drinks and dessert are extra.

“AGENCY TRAVEL RBP is the one who organize my tour. They are scammer. We bought 8 hours tour with lunch, included pick up at our hotel. They email less than 24 hrs before tour start (so I can not cancel and get full refund) to tell me they want to meet at another hotel, about 30 minutes away, and I have to show up 45 minutes early. I try to get there on time at 7:15am, the tour guide from another company show up at 7:45am. We do the tour, but it's for 4 hours tour without lunch. My complaint was ignore from both companies and Viator as well”

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13.One Day in Rio: Full-Day Rio de Janeiro City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 28 reviews · 7h 30m · from $146

Spend a full day crossing Rio with a guide in Portuguese, English or Spanish. Visit Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca Forest, Maracanã’s exterior, the Sambadrome and São Sebastião Cathedral, then ride cable cars to Morro da Urca and Sugarloaf. Lunch is an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue at an upscale steakhouse.

“We had an amazing experience on the One Day in Rio tour! The itinerary was well-organized, and we got to see all the iconic sights, including Christ the Redeemer, Selarón Steps, and Sugarloaf Mountain. One key thing to highlight—make sure that when the itinerary includes Sugarloaf, it actually includes the cable car ride to the top. We met several travelers who were only taken to the base, which would have been really disappointing. Thankfully, our tour included everything as promised, and the views from the top were absolutely breathtaking! Our guide was knowledgeable, the transportation was smooth, and we felt we got the most out of our short time in…”

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14.Niterói Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 21 reviews · 4 hours · from $94

Travel from Rio to Niterói with a multilingual guide, crossing Guanabara Bay and visiting Niemeyer Way, Juscelino Kubitschek Square, the MAC and São Pedro Fish Market. The museum entrance is included. Guides Monica, Lavinia and Romeu have been praised for their explanations, but access to stops and timing can vary.

“I had a fantastic experience with my tour guide, Monica. She was deeply knowledgeable and offered great insight into the architecture and history of Niterói. Her sharp wit and acerbic humor added a unique flavor to the tour, and she skillfully adapted the experience to match my interests. Monica was both amicable and professional, making the entire experience even more enjoyable. It was definitely worth the price, and I would highly recommend her to anyone visiting the area!”

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15.Buzios Beaches Day Trip with Boat Ride and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 11 reviews · 12 hours · from $68

Leave Rio by air-conditioned vehicle for Búzios, where a bilingual guide leads a day of beach stops, a schooner ride and an hour of free time on Rua das Pedras. Lunch is a buffet at Bastidores Gourmet; drinks and dessert cost extra. The boat route and beach access can change with sea and weather conditions.

“if you want to travel 4 hours each way for a 3 hour boat trip, with the option to pay for scuba, then this is your trip. you will only see the beaches from a distance and the guide wasn't brilliant”

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