Top 15 Rio Waterfall Tours

1.Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 536 reviews · 6 hours · from $69Our pick

Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a guided 6.2-kilometer hike, with 448 meters of elevation gain. See Cascatinha Taunay, Mayrink Chapel, a suspension bridge, coffee-era ruins and Morcego’s Grotto, then cool off at Baronesa Cascade. English- and Portuguese-speaking guides, such as Tito, Riccardo and Vini, lead small or private groups.

“Great trip with our guide Luiza. She has a huge knowledge of the flora and fauna, and we had a great history lesson. Despite being so close to the city, the nature was stunning. We will be back for the longer hike.”

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2.Jungle Waterfalls and Cachaça Distillery Jeep Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 491 reviews · 6 hours · from $37Best value

Ride a 4x4 jeep from central Paraty into Serra da Bocaina National Park for waterfalls, short forest walks, swimming, lunch, and a cachaça tasting. Guides such as Everton and Luis have brought local plants and wildlife to life for visitors. Expect a lively six-hour outing, not a strenuous hike, with cold water and busy stops possible.

“Excellent value for money. Great trip 2 waterfall locations, opportunity to swim and use natural slide. Distillery tour was interesting and able to try lots of flavours. Tour guides were amazing, knowledgeable and helpful (spoke English which was helpful for us). Where they took us for lunch was great, really nice food. Would definitely recommend the tour to anyone coming to Paraty.”

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3.Tijuca Forest & Horto Waterfalls Circuit Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 99 reviews · from $56

Spend four hours hiking the Horto waterfalls circuit in Tijuca National Park, with time to bathe at Jequitibá and Cachoeira do Chuveiro. Expect a moderate route with rocky, root-covered sections, forest wildlife and a bilingual guide. Guides such as Marius, Didi Star, Pedro, Pietro and Thales have led tours, though assignments vary.

“Great more climbing and hiking then expected but waterfalls were a brilliant experience”

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4.Small Group Hike to Saco Bravo Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 74 reviews · from $81Top rated

Set out from Paraty at 6:30 am with an accredited guide, then travel by boat to Ponta Negra and hike about 8.4 km through Atlantic Forest to Saco Bravo Waterfall. The round-trip boat and guide are included; private transport is not. Expect a demanding day, stream crossings, and a natural pool above the sea.

“This is a really authentic and stunning hike through the Mata Atlantica. Our guide Eugenia was knowledgeable and friendly.”

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5.Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 72 reviews · 5 hours (approx.) · from $62

Trade Rio’s city streets for Tijuca National Park’s rainforest trails, waterfalls, and Bat Cave on a five-hour guided outing. You’ll stop at Canoas Lookout, Taunay Waterfall, and Chinese View, with a light-to-moderate hike and hotel pickup in Rio’s South Zone. Guides such as Eduardo and Victor have led outings, but your guide may vary.

“Both, my husband and I, enjoyed the tour with Eduardo. The forest is lush and beautiful. We were lucky to be included in a group with some very nice people. We got to see monkeys and birds, and enjoyed being out in nature and the beautiful landscape. Everything went well, from my initial communication with the team, to the pickup in the morning, to them dropping us off. The only two negatives for me were the price — I think it was a bit expensive for what was included; and I wish we had seen more animals, but that’s not something the guide can control. Also, going into the waterfall…”

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6.Garganta do Céu and Waterfall hike in Pedra da Gávea

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 71 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $58

Join an accredited guide for a roughly four-hour hike in Tijuca National Park, climbing about two hours over rocky, sometimes steep ground to Garganta do Céu. Look out toward Christ the Redeemer, Pedra da Gávea, and Rio’s southern beaches, then stop at Sorimã Waterfall. Photos and videos are included; meals, water, and private transport are not.

“This was a very challenging hike for me. Took me 2hrs going up. Rugged terrain with lots of rocks. Ron Beulah is an excellent guide and truly helped to make sure that I got up and down without incident. There were 3 tourists & 1 guide. If you have any major health issues or are out of shape do not do this hike! You need at least 2 liters of water and snacks. It was very rewarding and satisfying to see the monkeys and tropical forests. I’d do it again since I’m aware of the level of difficulty.”

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7.Tijuca Forest Hike – Waterfalls & Caves, Nature & Wild Life!

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 4 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $69

Spend about four and a half hours in Tijuca National Park, hiking roughly 5.5 miles through Atlantic Forest to waterfalls, historic sites and three caves. A certified guide leads a group of no more than 10. You may cool off at Cachoeira das Almas, and walking sticks and small backpacks are available on request.

“Alli was a great guide and very personable and informative! She also takes great photos!! Definitely recommend this tour!”

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8.Adventure Experience to Saco Bravo Waterfall – BY PARATY TOURS

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 48 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) · from $145

From Paraty, travel by private transport toward Ponta Negra, then tackle a steep, strenuous rainforest trail to Saco Bravo Waterfall. At the coast, a clear natural pool sits at the ocean’s edge, with time to admire the view and swim. A bilingual English-speaking guide leads a group of no more than 10. The hike calls for strong fitness.

“This was the hardest hike I've ever experienced. I would suggest you do your research before embarking on this hike. Bring plenty of water! Hiking shoes/boots and walking sticks are a must. Please don't try this hike if you're not physically fit.”

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9.Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 29 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $88

This four-hour Rio tour pairs Tijuca Forest’s Chinese View and Cascatinha Taunay with Parque Lage, and may include Horto Waterfall. Expect forest scenery, local history and chances to spot monkeys or toucans. Ederson is a named guide, though the guide may vary. Transport is offered, and groups are capped at 14.

“best Guide in the City wonderful tour amazing rainforest waterfall and botanic garden we had a wonderful time”

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10.Jipe 4×4 Private 3hr Waterfalls and Waterfall Paraty by Jango Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 27 reviews

This private three-hour 4x4 outing from Paraty visits the Toboggan and Tarzan waterfalls, the Penha church, an Estrada Real monument, and Engenho D’Ouro distillery. Expect time for a swim and a natural rock slide, plus a guided distillery visit. The included guide speaks Portuguese; an English-speaking guide costs an extra $50.

“Very nice tour and our guide Teresa was very friendly and knowledgeable. She knew all the good spots”

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11.Tijuca Forest Waterfall of Souls Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 24 reviews · 3h 30m · from $60

Spend about three and a half hours in Tijuca National Park on a small-group hike to Cachoeira das Almas, or the Waterfall of Souls. Your guide leads breathing and stretching exercises, shares Afro-indigenous traditions tied to nature, and points out forest wildlife. Kelly has guided the outing, though your guide may vary.

“Kelly was wonderful. The hike is fairly easy, went to three beautiful waterfalls, saw a macaco eating heart of palm, butterflies, made small frog friends, enjoyed being silent and tuning into nature’s sounds.”

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12.Private Hiking with Forest, Beaches & Waterfall

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 22 reviews · 5 - 8 hours · from $269

Walk about 12 km from Vila do Abraão through Atlantic Forest, past the Lazareto ruins and the 19th-century Aqueduct, to Feiticeira Waterfall and beaches including Camiranga, Pereque and Fora. A private guide leads the moderate hike in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Guides such as Quintino and Matteus have tailored the pace and shared local nature and history.

“Wonderful to hear — we’re glad you loved the hike! 🌴”

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13.Full-Day Jungle Jeep Waterfall and Cachaça Distillery Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.1 · 14 reviews · 6 hours · from $60

Set out from central Paraty by jeep for a six-hour mix of waterfalls, Gold Trail history, cachaça tastings, and forest stops near Serra da Bocaina National Park. English and Portuguese guides lead the outing. Louis and Marcel have guided past tours, but names may vary. Lunch at a waterfall-side restaurant is optional and costs extra.

“They looked after us with all due care and diligence. Luis especially was so kind and caring.”

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14.Tijuca Rain Forest – Adventure through Waterfalls & Caves

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 13 reviews · from $60

This five-hour Tijuca National Park trip pairs road-side lookouts with Taunay and Baronesa waterfalls and a hike through caves. Guides Samuel, also called Sam, and Samuca are named by past participants. Hotel pickup, extra water, photos and videos are included; bring swimwear, a towel and sturdy shoes.

“Samuca was the best of the best! Kind knowledgeable, very patient, and professional! Don’t miss an opportunity to tour with this guide. You will not be sorry. The tour was incredible, we saw toucans, monkeys, Couti, caves, waterfalls, amazing foliage, a wonderful hike all while having an interactive guide.”

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15.Tijuca Forest´s hike: caves, waterfalls and great views

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · 4 hours · from $40

Spend four hours walking Tijuca Forest National Park with a bilingual guide in a group of up to eight. The route links Taunay Waterfall, historic sites, caves and Cachoeira das Almas, with time to cool off at a waterfall. Lucas and Mirna are among the guides associated with the hike. Bring water, snacks, swimwear and shoes that grip.

“La forêt de Tijuca est un endroit que je recommande pour les amateurs de randonnée ou tout simplement pour s’éloigner de l’effervescence de la ville. Mention spécial à notre guide Lucas, qui a été très compréhensif et à l’écoute surtout au vu de ma condition physique.”

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