Rio de Janeiro · TIJUCA FOREST TOURS

Tijuca Forest: The 15 Best Hikes, Jeep Tours & Waterfall Days

34 tours  ·  from $1 a head

Waterfalls, caves, viewpoints over the lagoon and the odd capuchin monkey, twenty minutes from Copacabana. These 15 cover the hikes, the jeep tours and the botanical garden days, with prices and how much walking each one asks.

Rio de Janeiro: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour - Park Lage and Tijuca’s green edge
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Rio de Janeiro: Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour

1.Christ, Selaron Steps, and Tijuca Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 857 reviews · 7 hours · from $68Our pick

This seven-hour Rio tour pairs an early visit to Christ the Redeemer with Park Lage, central Rio, the Cathedral, Selaron Steps and Santa Teresa. Transport, a guide and Christ’s ticket are included. English, Spanish and Portuguese are offered, and you can choose a Sugarloaf drop-off at the end.

“Vanessa was an awesome tour guide! Very knowledgable about the history of Rio de Janeiro and the sites we toured. I got sick on our originally scheduled tour date and we were able to reschedule without worry. Highly recommend.”

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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: Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls - Pickup, timing and the shape of the day
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Rio: Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

4.Tijuca Forest Small Group Hike to Caves and Waterfalls

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

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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Rio: Half-Day Jeep Tour at Floresta da Tijuca - Cascatinha Taunay: a waterfall and a possible swim
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Rio: Half-Day Jeep Tour at Floresta da Tijuca

5.Half-Day Jeep Tour at Floresta da Tijuca

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 353 reviews · 4 hours · from $60

Spend four hours riding a convertible military Jeep from Rio’s tourist districts into Tijuca National Forest. Expect scenic stops at Vista Chinesa and Cascatinha Taunay, two easy forest walks, and a chance to see monkeys, toucans or coatis. Guides vary; past outings have included Aline, Dario, Luciano, Taiz and Gustavo. Swimming depends on conditions.

“The trip was excellent! Tour guide was informative and patient.”

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Rio de Janeiro: 4-Hour Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour - Follow the garden paths at a comfortable pace
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Rio de Janeiro: 4-Hour Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour

6.4-Hour Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 275 reviews · 4 hours · from $51Best value

Spend four hours with a live guide exploring Rio’s Botanical Garden and Tijuca National Forest, then pass São Conrado’s hang-gliding beach. See imperial palms, orchids, giant water lilies and Taunay Waterfall. Vista Chinesa’s panoramic stop is available on weekdays only. Hotel pickup serves Rio’s South Zone.

“Fred our guide was very knowledgable. The trip was a great way to find out about nature and good spots in Rio. Some great views. Only recommendation I would say is there was more driving than I thought and the car was a little dated. Would recommend this.”

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Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour - Tijuca: forest scenery, not a long hike
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Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour

7.Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden & Tijuca Forest Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 168 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend an afternoon among tropical plants at Rio’s Botanical Garden, then head into Tijuca National Park for forest stops, Taunay Waterfall and, when accessible, Vista Chinesa. A guide leads the outing in English, Spanish or Portuguese. Air-conditioned transport and pickup from major South Zone hotels are included. Check your ticket option carefully, since admission may depend on what you select.

“If you are concerned how much walking there might be, it's not massive and it's a nice break from the city centre. Good variation in what's seen. Alan our guide wasvery good.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip - Climbing Taquara Hill for the wide views
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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

8.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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Rio de Janeiro: Jeep Tour in the Tijuca Forest - From hotel pickup to Tijuca’s forest roads
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Rio de Janeiro: Jeep Tour in the Tijuca Forest

9.Jeep Tour in the Tijuca Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.2 · 108 reviews · 4 hours · from $82

Spend four hours in Tijuca Forest aboard an open-top 4x4, with hotel pickup in Rio’s South Zone, bilingual guiding, scenic stops and short walks. Guides such as Angely, Carlos and Rafael have been praised for sharing forest knowledge and helping with photos, though your guide may differ. Wildlife sightings are possible, not promised.

“Awesome fun, really well organised. We learnt a lot. Our guide Rafael was fantastic!”

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Rio: Tijuca Forest & Horto Waterfalls Circuit Tour - A moderate hike, with some rough patches
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Rio: Tijuca Forest & Horto Waterfalls Circuit Tour

10.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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Rio de Janeiro Jeep Tour : Tijuca Forest - A short walk toward Cachoeira dos Macacos
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Rio de Janeiro Jeep Tour : Tijuca Forest

11.Rio de Janeiro Jeep Tour : Tijuca Forest

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 96 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $83

Take a roughly four-hour convertible-jeep tour through Tijuca National Park, with a short guided walk, waterfalls, and possible sightings of monkeys and birds. Guides such as Jane, Ana, Amelia, and Alex have led tours, sharing details about the forest and Rio’s history. Vista Chinesa is included Monday to Friday, but not on weekends or holidays.

“Several waterfalls, we didn't see much wildlife. Several scenery stops. I was hoping for more hiking. Guide was great”

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Tijuca National Park and all its wonders! - From Praça Afonso Viseu into the park
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Tijuca National Park and all its wonders

12.Tijuca National Park and all its wonders

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

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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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca National Park Tour - Waterfalls, viewpoints and the park’s landmarks
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Rio de Janeiro: Tijuca National Park Tour

13.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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Rio: Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita - Walking the Atlantic rainforest trail
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Rio: Tijuca National Park Small-Group Hike to Pedra Bonita

14.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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Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves - Taunay Waterfall: the park’s signature cascade
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Hiking in the Tijuca Forest : Waterfalls and Caves

15.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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