Rio de Janeiro · GUIDED

15 Guided Tours in Rio de Janeiro, Compared

57 tours  ·  from $27 a head

The 15 guided tours below are the ones to book, each with its price, its running time and who it suits. The first is the safest choice; scroll on for cheaper and longer days.

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide - Two hours on foot in a residential community
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Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

1.Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,052 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $36Our pick

This two-hour walk through Rocinha is led by a local guide, with guides such as Ray, Bruno, and Carlos named on recent departures. You’ll hear about daily life, ask questions, and travel by air-conditioned minivan from selected Copacabana or Ipanema meeting points. The tour aims to be educational and respectful, with part of its cost going to the community.

“It was an amazing experience. And our guide Ray, was the best. Very good in English and she made you feel comfortable, which was nice, when it’s your first time in a favela.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest - The open jeep sets the pace
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Rio de Janeiro: Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest

2.Guided Jeep Tour through Tijuca Rainforest

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 740 reviews · 4 hours · from $90

Spend four hours exploring Tijuca National Park by open-top jeep, stopping at waterfalls, viewpoints, and Mayrink Chapel before a guided forest walk. Your guide explains the Atlantic Forest and its plants and wildlife. Past guides have included Roberta, Everton, Jorge, Jane, and Raphael, though your guide may differ. The hike is easy, but its length can vary.

“Amelia was very accommodating. She made sure that everything we wanted to see was included in the tour. Our driver was terrific. He even showed us some different trails to see the best views. I would highly recommend and definitely worth the money.”

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Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest - From the visitor center to Cascatinha Taunay
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Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest

3.Jeep Adventure: Guided Tour through Tijuca Rain Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 554 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

Spend about four hours exploring Tijuca National Park in an open Jeep, with a short, easy forest walk, waterfall stops, and views from Vista Chinesa. A multilingual guide covers the Mata Atlântica’s plants and reforestation. Pickup is available from many hotels in Downtown, the South Zone, and Barra da Tijuca. Vista Chinesa is closed to tour visits on weekends and holidays.

“Great experience. Myriam was super nice and friendly, showed us the beauty of Rio and the Tajuca forest area. Unfortunately the Emperor's table can be reached only on foot on weekends.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide - Mirante Dona Marta brings the wide view
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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide

4.Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 488 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $28

Walk Santa Marta with a guide who lives in the community. The two-and-a-half to three-hour visit may include Michael Jackson Square, Mirante Dona Marta, a local home, samba, football, and community projects. Guides such as Mario, Marco, Luis, and Raycca have led tours. Tram tickets are included; transport to the meeting point is not.

“Absolutely fantastic, so glad I decided to do this. Luis was an amazing guide”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide - The Cable Car and the Hillside Views
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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide

5.Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 220 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $27Best value

Join Santa Marta resident Gilson Fumaça for a two to two-and-a-half-hour walk through the Rio favela where he grew up. Hear its history and daily realities, ride the cable car, visit Michael Jackson’s video location, and learn about local education and sustainability projects. The route includes steep stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair users.

“Just great in all aspects, obrigado Gilson and best wishes for your future and your many projects!!”

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Rio: Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots - Walking the lanes and hearing local history
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Rio: Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots

6.Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 218 reviews · 2h 30m · from $43

Meet your guide at São Conrado metro station for a 2.5-hour small-group visit to Rocinha. Expect a local-led walk, hillside views, a moto-taxi ride for an extra fee, community stops, and a brief capoeira and samba presentation. Guides include Malu, Jade, Felipe, and Antonio, though your assigned guide may vary.

“Really insightful one of my fave activities in Rio! Jade was amazing.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Private Guided City Tour - Beaches first, if that is what you want
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Rio de Janeiro: Private Guided City Tour

7.Private Guided City Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 207 reviews · 4 - 8 hours · from $56

Choose a 4, 6 or 8-hour private tour with a guide who speaks your language and a vehicle for getting around Rio. You can request beaches, city-center sights, Santa Teresa, Christ the Redeemer or Sugarloaf, then adjust plans as the day unfolds. Entry fees are extra, and busy-season traffic can stretch the schedule.

“Riccardo is an amazing guide. He made sure we had a great time and he showed us Rio de Janeiro through his eyes as he was born and lives there. We saw a lot and enjoyed every moment of it. Thank you so much Riccardo! We had a wonderful day”

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Sunrise and Sunrise Walk Two Brothers with Local Guide - A 1.5-kilometer trail in the dark
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Sunrise and Sunrise Walk Two Brothers with Local Guide

8.Sunrise and Sunrise Walk Two Brothers with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 193 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $64Top rated

Meet your local guide at Praça do Vidigal, ride a community motor taxi or van to the trailhead, then hike 1.5 km through Atlantic Forest to the 533-meter summit. Lanterns, local transport, photos and videos are included. Guides such as Rodrigo and Milena have led past outings, but your guide may vary.

“The experience was absolutely incredible! The views from the top of Morro Dois Irmãos at sunrise are truly breathtaking, totally worth the early wake-up. Everything was perfectly organized, and our guide Rodrigo was the best! Super friendly, knowledgeable, and made us feel safe the whole way. One of the highlights of my trip to Rio. Highly recommended!”

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Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink - Moving from history into live samba
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Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink

9.Pedra do Sal: Live Samba Night with Local Guide & Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 183 reviews · 2h 30m · from $41

Meet a local guide near Pedra do Sal and explore Rio’s samba scene in Little Africa. You’ll hear how the port, the area’s Afro-Brazilian past, and samba are connected, then join the street gathering for live music. Guides have included Helena, Gustavo, Yan, and Lena. One welcome drink is included; food and transport are not.

“Elena was an amazing an knowledgeable guide, she explained the rich history of Pedra Do Sal which made the experience even more unique!”

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Rio de Janeiro: Rio's Icons Guided Tour with Tickets & Lunch - Christ the Redeemer, the day’s big view
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Rio de Janeiro: Rio’s Icons Guided Tour with Tickets & Lunch

10.Rio’s Icons Guided Tour with Tickets & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 155 reviews · 8 hours · from $126

This shared, eight-hour tour pairs Rio’s major sights with a licensed guide in English, Spanish or Portuguese. You’ll visit Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf with tickets included, pass Copacabana and Ipanema, stop at Selarón Steps and the Metropolitan Cathedral, and pause for an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch. Pickup is offered in parts of the South Zone and downtown.

“Gustavo was a very knowledgeable guide and everything ran smoothly and on time. I highly recommend this tour. It was worth the money and very enjoyable!”

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Football Match in Rio de Janeiro - Guided with Transportation - Maracanã: a famous stage for football
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Football Match in Rio de Janeiro – Guided with Transportation

11.Football Match in Rio de Janeiro – Guided with Transportation

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 150 reviews · 6 hours (approx.) · from $166

Head to a Rio match at Maracanã or Nilton Santos with a local guide, stadium ticket, and roundtrip transport from hotels in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado. Expect a passionate crowd, covered general seating, security checks, and a schedule that can change. Guides named for this tour include Leo, Luca, Warley, Everton, Michael, and David, though your guide is not guaranteed.

“Fans were fun to watch! The game was fantastic. It was nice to have someone to show you where to go and pick up/drop off near your stay. Overall, I would recommend the experience.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups - Botafogo, Flamengo, and old Rio on the 4-hour ride
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Rio de Janeiro: Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups

12.Guided Bike Tours in Small Groups

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 133 reviews · 3 - 7 hours · from $36

Ride Rio with an English-speaking guide and a group of no more than 10. Choose a 3-hour route through Copacabana, Botafogo, and Lagoa; a 4-hour ride to old Rio and Lapa; or a 7-hour combination with lunch. Guides including Marco, Duco, and Thiago have led tours, though your guide may vary.

“Really enjoyed the bike ride of 25km around the neighbourhoods of Rio. The Guide was excellent .Very knowledgeable and friendly .Would highly recommend! !”

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Rio de Janeiro: Football Game Ticket with Guide and a Drink - Getting through the stadium gates
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Rio de Janeiro: Football Game Ticket with Guide and a Drink

13.Football Game Ticket with Guide and a Drink

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 124 reviews · 5 hours · from $86

Meet a local football guide in Ipanema or near the stadium, then head to a Rio match with your ticket and one drink included. Guides such as Pedro and Ricardo help with stadium entry, explain match-day customs, and can assist with biometric registration when required. Expect a five-hour experience, with the fixture and venue subject to change.

“We had an amazing experience! Ricardo is great guy to have as your guide. He checks upon everyone and makes sure every necessary thing was taken care off! Would highly recommend to try and visit a match when you have the chance!”

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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour - The trail asks for effort from the start
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Rio de Janeiro: Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour

14.Pedra da Gávea Guided Hike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 86 reviews · 8 hours · from $68

Spend about eight hours hiking Pedra da Gávea, a 842-meter summit above Rio, with a small group and a guide speaking English, Spanish or Portuguese. You’ll tackle a rocky climbing section with certified gear and, if the weather is clear, look out to Guanabara Bay, Rio’s beaches and Tijuca National Park. Past guides have included Sergio, Eduardo and Fernando.

“Great guide and a great tour. They tend to cancel at really short notice if there are not enough people. Which I can understand but please plan more time. I recommend to just pay for the group to fill up.”

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Exclusive Private Rio Tour: Guide & Private Car/Driver - Sugarloaf Mountain: another angle on Rio
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Exclusive Private Rio Tour: Guide & Private Car/Driver

15.Exclusive Private Rio Tour: Guide & Private Car/Driver

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 83 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.)

This private six-to-seven-hour Rio tour pairs a guide, air-conditioned taxi and driver for a 7:30 am start and visits Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps, the cathedral, São Bento Monastery, Kobra’s mural and Valongo Wharf. Bruno is the guide named for this experience. Attraction tickets and lunch cost extra.

“Bruno is an exceptional guide. We saw the key sites and then some, very efficiently. Besides being extremely knowledgeable about Rio and its history, he’s a delightful person. He was born in Rio, moved to the US as a child, and returned to Rio to open a tour business a few years ago. He’s a great blend of Brazilian and US culture. So, if you’re looking for a great guide in Rio, try to book with Bruno. A+++++++++++”

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New in Guided

★ 4.8Attend a Vasco da Gama game with local guideFrom $1149 reviews
★ 4.54-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de JaneiroFrom $6030 reviews
★ 5.0Rio Express: Guided tour of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ Redeemer.From $10134 reviews
★ 4.5Museum of Tomorrow Guided Tour, Admission & TransferFrom $5838 reviews
★ 4.58-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de JaneiroFrom $11031 reviews
★ 4.8Private Tour 5 Hours Customized Tour With a Local GuideFrom $1096 reviews
★ 4.7Favela Walking Tour of Rocinha with a Resident GuideFrom $1063 reviews
★ 4.2Private Tijuca Forest & Botanical Garden Guided TourFrom $809 reviews
★ 3.0Rocinha Favela guided tourFrom $434 reviews
★ 5.0Pedra da Gávea – guided hike with best viewsFrom $519 reviews
★ 5.0Must-See Sites Walking Tour With A GuideFrom $503 reviews
★ 5.0Guided River Rafting TourFrom $2064 reviews
★ 4.34-Hour Guided Tour of Rocinha FavelaFrom $4412 reviews
★ 4.9Christ the Redeemer Guided HikeFrom $8122 reviews
★ 4.6Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Guided TourFrom $8511 reviews

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Christ the Redeemer ToursSugarloaf Mountain ToursRio Boat ToursRio Hiking ToursRio Favela ToursParaty Tours
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Rio, by what you came for

Peaks, trails, the bay or the samba floor.

The peaks

Christ the RedeemerSugarloafHelicopter FlightsSunrise ToursMaracanã

Trails & forest

Guided HikesTijuca ForestWaterfallsPedra do TelégrafoJeep Tours

Sea & sand

Boat TripsSunset SailsBeach DaysSurf LessonsHang Gliding

Nights & neighbourhoods

SambaLapa NightsFavela WalksSanta TeresaFood Walks