15 Rio Helicopter Tours Worth Your Rio Days

1.Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 530 reviews · 20 - 30 minutes · from $220Our pick

Meet at Jacarepaguá Airport in Barra da Tijuca for a shared helicopter flight over Rio. Choose a 20-minute route over the western beaches, lagoon, Botanical Garden, and Christ the Redeemer, or a 25-minute route that adds Copacabana, Urca, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Flights are route-based, so the advertised time is an estimate.

“It was absolutely incredible! Best excursion I have ever done! It was so worth it! Super professional and nice! The views were insane!!! Take your phones to take photos they give you a secure stick!”

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2.Helicopter Flight Christ the Redeemer 30 min

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 250 reviews · 30 min · from $231

Take a shared helicopter flight from Heliporto do Recreio, tracing Rio’s coast from Barra and Joatinga to Copacabana, then turning inland over the lagoon, Tijuca National Park, and Christ the Redeemer. The flight lasts about 25 to 30 minutes, with Portuguese, English, or Spanish available. A pilot named Juliana has been praised for her skill, though your pilot may differ.

“Really well organised, great communication from the guides, and an unreal experience”

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3.Private Helicopter tour – Rio de janeiro in 30min

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 173 reviews · 30 min · from $281

Fly privately over Rio’s beaches, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer on a 25- to 30-minute route from Jacarepaguá Airport. The helicopter circles the statue once or twice when conditions allow. English and Portuguese guidance is offered, with optional hotel transfers. Bookings require each passenger’s full name, ID or passport number, and weight.

“The flight path was great, coming in from the west outside of Rio and getting the best views of the beaches, islands and Christ the Redeemer. It was a solid 25 minutes of flight time in a very comfortable two-seater with sliding windows. The only warning would be the drive to the helipad (if you're staying at Copa) it was almost a 90 minute drive.”

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4.Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour without Doors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 35 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $392Top rated

Fly for about 35 to 40 minutes over Rio’s west-coast beaches, southern neighborhoods, Tijuca Forest and Corcovado, with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf among the headline sights. The doors-off setup brings open-air views and a chance to fly with your feet out. A certified pilot leads the flight; headsets and safety equipment are provided.

“Absolutely amazing. First time in a chopper and the best way to experience Rio. Would highly recommend”

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5.Helicopter Ride in Rio de Janeiro – 30 Minutes by Comandante Nobre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 25 to 30 minutes (approx.) · from $309

Fly with Comandante Nobre, a Rio-based helicopter pilot, on a 25 to 30-minute circuit from Barra da Tijuca. The route can include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, Rocinha and Tijuca Forest. The advertised price is $309.58 per person; weather, scheduling and visibility can affect the day.

“Our flight was good and adjustments to flight time was great. We were glad the clouds were gone. Sometimes the sights are not visible”

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6.Private Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 53 reviews · 30 min · from $200

Take a private 30-minute helicopter flight over Rio, with views of Copacabana, Ipanema, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer. Choose hotel pickup or meet at Jacarepaguá Airport. Tours are for two, three, or four people, with live guiding in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.

“Awsome driver (Ricardo) who picked up from hotel and stayed with us all the time, really appreciate it. And the trip itself was amazing.”

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7.Helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro – 25 Minutes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 25 minutes (approx.) · from $230

Take a 25-minute helicopter tour from Barra da Tijuca, flying over Rio landmarks such as Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Ipanema and Copacabana. 4FLY RJ runs flights for up to six passengers. The door-off route differs from the standard route, so check which version you are booking.

“Perfect experience from booking through the actual helicopter tour. The helicopter was modern and felt very safe. Highly recommend!”

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8.Rio De Janeiro Helicopter Flight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 30 min · from $279

Take a Rio de Janeiro helicopter flight with a pilot who speaks Portuguese and English. From Helicentro do Pontal, the route includes Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, and other city sights. The small group is limited to four, and the tour costs $279 per person. Flights depend on suitable weather.

“Very cool! a must-do in Rio, seeing the Christ from above was absolutely wild!!”

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9.Helicopter flight no doors in Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 22 reviews · 25 min · from $320

Take a shared, doors-off helicopter flight with 4FLY RJ from Jacarepagua Airport. In about 25 to 30 minutes, the route passes Barra da Tijuca, Leblon, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Ipanema, Arpoador and Christ the Redeemer before returning. The team explains safety equipment before takeoff, and the pilot speaks English.

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10.Private Helicopter tour – Rio de janeiro in 20min

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 20 min · from $180Best value

Falcon Taxi Aéreo runs a private 15 to 20-minute helicopter tour from Jacarepaguá Airport in Barra da Tijuca. You’ll fly above Barra’s beaches, Pedra da Gávea, São Conrado, Leblon and Ipanema, then circle Christ the Redeemer once or twice, weather permitting. A live guide speaks Portuguese, English or Spanish. Hotel transfers are optional.

“Excelente actividad, el chofer muy amable en los traslados, y la experiencia en el helicóptero impresionante”

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11.Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour | DOORS OFF

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $367

Rio2Fly Helicopter Service takes you on a doorless flight over Rio’s beaches, forest, lagoon, and famous landmarks, with Christ the Redeemer as the focal point. Expect a skilled pilot and a route that includes Barra da Tijuca, Ipanema, and Sugarloaf-area scenery. The flight is listed as 30 minutes, though route details give 35 minutes.

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12.30-Min Helicopter Ride with Transfers

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 8 reviews · 2h 30m · from $326

Rio Carioca Tours & Service pairs a 30-minute helicopter flight with round-trip hotel transfers. A certified pilot takes you above Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and the beaches of Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. The small group is limited to five people; the full outing takes about 150 minutes, and the exact route should be confirmed before you fly.

“expérience extraordinaire ! le transfert est un vrai plus. je déplore cependant le manque d information sur le circuit réalisé en hélicoptère en amont car je pensais voir le stade, ce qui n a pas été le cas. il était noté que le chauffeur parlait français ce qui n était pas vrai du tout et le vol n a pas duré 30 min .”

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13.Helicopter Tour with an unforgettable view

★★★★★★★★★★3.7 · 7 reviews

Take a 30-minute panoramic helicopter flight with Heli-Rio Táxi Aéreo, starting at Av. das Américas, 13750. The route passes Rio’s famous beaches, Sugarloaf Mountain, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon and Christ the Redeemer. Before boarding, you can use the VIP lounge and ride a golf cart to the helicopter. Flights are offered in English, Spanish and Portuguese.

“Super activité, très belles vues. À faire quand il fait beau.”

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14.45-Min Helicopter Tour with Transfer

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 4 reviews · 4 hours · from $451

A driver collects you in the afternoon and takes you to the heliport for a 45-minute flight with a professional pilot. You’ll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana Beach and Maracanã Stadium from above. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included in several Rio districts and at the cruise port.

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15.Sugar Loaf with Lunch and Helicopter Flight

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 3 reviews · 8 hours · from $310

Spend about eight hours touring Rio with a guide, hotel transfers from select beach districts, a downtown drive, Sugar Loaf cable cars and a barbecue lunch. The finale is a nine-minute helicopter flight over the lagoon, Tijuca Rainforest and Christ the Redeemer. Guides speak English, Portuguese, Spanish, French or German.

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