5 National Park Tours in Rio de Janeiro Worth Your Rio Days

1.Tijuca National Park and all its wonders

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 4 to 5 hours (approx.) · from $68Our pick

Spend about four to five hours hiking in Tijuca National Park with a small group and a trained guide. Visit 35-meter Cascatinha Taunay and at least two other waterfalls, where you can swim if conditions allow. Guides named for this tour include Thomas and Lucas Teixeira, though your guide may differ.

“Thomas is an excellent guide with more than enough info to share with you about Tijuca. The walk throughout the park was very eye opening and fun. Would definitely recommend this tour for anyone who loves a good time in nature”

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2.Tijuca National Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 85 reviews · 4h 30m · from $79

Travel from Rio into Tijuca National Park with a local guide, then explore rainforest paths, waterfalls, viewpoints and Gruta dos Morcegos cave. Guides include Thalles, Samuel, Dudu and Sylvio, though your guide may vary. The outing lasts about four and a half hours by its stated duration, with hotel pickup and transport included.

“Great time with Alex! The hiking is easy but immersive, and the view from the top is incredible! Nature and wildlife are mesmerizing!”

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3.Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 79 reviews · 5 hours · from $63

Ride from Rio’s South Zone into Tijuca National Park, then hike about two hours through Atlantic rainforest to Pedra Bonita’s 696-meter summit. A bilingual guide leads a group of up to six, sharing local nature and Rio history. The route is rated easy, but includes rough, uphill and downhill terrain.

“The tour to tijuca forest and all the way to Pedra Bonita was excellent! I got to enjoy the nature during the walk and had an interesting history lesson and other discussion about Brazil and Rio. The only downside for me was the easiness of the tour but that was partly my own fault because I chose the trip which demand level was "easy". After the trip I wanted to make another visit to the forest by myself but two different tourist infos adviced that either I should rent a car to get to the forest or book a tour. Renting a car in Rio was not an option (after…”

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4.Tijuca National Park & Botanic Garden Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 39 reviews · 4 hours · from $65

This four-hour guided tour pairs Tijuca National Park’s rainforest, waterfall and viewpoints with Rio’s Botanical Garden, home to more than 7,000 plant species. Hotel pickup and the park entry ticket are included, but you pay separately for the garden. Choose from six guide languages and bring water, sun protection and weather-ready clothing.

“Guide super gentil, visite sous la pluie donc un peu compliqué d’apprécier tout à sa juste valeur. Nous n’avons pas compris pourquoi l’entrée du jardin botanique n’est pas incluse dans l’activité mais à payer sur place. Peut-être l’inclure dans la réservation et la payer en amont”

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5.Tijuca National Park and all its wonders!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $51Best value

Spend four hours hiking Tijuca National Park with a private English-, Portuguese- or Spanish-speaking guide. Choose a route of roughly 6 to 12 km through forest, past Taunay Waterfall, Cascata da Baronesa and Gruta dos Murcegos, with time for wildlife, plants and the park’s coffee-growing past. Hiking sticks are included; Thomas is noted for adapting the walk to the group.

“Thomas is friendly, very adaptable, and transmits his knowledge and passion for Tijuca and Rio de Janeiro.”

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