Top Rio de Janeiro Cultural Tours

Get an overview of Rio's most important sights during this comprehensive 8-hour tour. With a local guide, travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras to board transportation to the top of Corcovado, home of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city's best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included. 

Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's favelas, Rocinha. Follow your resident guide to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face.

Explore the Carnival Factory, for a peek behind the scenes of Rio's Carnival, on this cultural tour. Learn how the parade's famous floats and costumes are produced. Listen to commentary on the history of samba and carnival, then hit the dressing rooms to try on some costumes and take some photos. Wind up with some cocktails and a samba class for the whole carnival experience.

The Little-Known History of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro's Port is about Over four million Africans who were brought to Brazil as enslaved along the 300 years of slavery in the country. The city of Rio was the world’s largest African slave market in the Nineteenth Century. One out of five enslaved of the modern era in the world step into Rio. Not by chance, today more than half of Brazilians identify themselves as black. Samba, carnival, food, music and religion, African culture is everywhere in Brazil. This Walking Tour covers the impact of the African diaspora and its legacy in Brazil. Moreover, in our Little Africa Walking Tour, you'll get to know the highlights of Saúde Neighborhood, in fact, the headquarter of all of our visited sites. Therefore, Morro da Conceição, Cais do Valongo, Pedra do Sal, Largo de São Francisco da Prainha, Praça Mauá, Rio Art Museum, street art galleries... are all at Saúde.

Discover the best of Rio de Janeiro on this full-day guided tour with lunch. Take the Corcovado train up to the Christ the Redeemer statue, take a cable car ride up to the Sugarloaf Mountain, see the famed Maracana soccer stadium, capture beautiful photos in front of the colorful Selaron Steps, and much more. This tour is also inclusive of a delicious barbecue buffet lunch at a local steakhouse.

The bohemian Santa Teresa and the nightlife hub of Lapa are two of Rio de Janeiro’s most atmospheric neighborhoods. With this walking tour, explore some of the city’s most photo-worthy spots, including the Ruins Park, the vibrant Selarón Steps, and Cinelândia. Take in the views as you ride the local tram, stroll through the Passeio Público, and visit the legendary Confeitaria Colombo café.

Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light.

The Tijuca Forest represents one of the greatest natural treasures of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Trip in Rio offers the best guides and all the conditions necessary for you to have the best experience in our marvelous city. During this trip you will get to see some of Tijuca's most famous attractions such as the Chinese view, the emperor's table and Taunay cascatinha. See wildlife and feel nature in its most beautiful and full natural beauty.

An unique experience. Join me on a unforgettable trip around the largest Favela in Brazil. Through alleys and streets, see and learn about our history and social culture, all while going through unique places you can't find anywhere else in the world! - Dangerous? Not quite! Despite the claims of the Media and people who never actually visited us, the Rocinha Favela is one of the safest place in all Rio. Specially during local tour schedules! Have a 100% safe walk on a living urban history site with a local guide that is there to both accompany and take care of you. - What makes Lucky Tour different? The biggest difference between Lucky and other general Tour Agencies, it's that the your trip is made with a local guide, born and raised inside the Favela, that takes you through places that most Guides won't, mostly out of fear or they don't know the huge labyrinth that Rocinha can be. You can't leave Rio without visiting us! Everyone is equal in our place!

Favela da Rocinha is the largest favela in Rio, located in the South Zone. With this tour, join a local family-run tour to experience the rich history, culture, and heritage of Rio as you learn about life in the favelas. Explore the alleys of the favela on a guided walking tour, peek inside the shops and restaurants, and learn about local cultural projects

Walk through Old Rio on this afternoon sightseeing tour with a local guide. During this half-day outing, wind through the narrow lanes and baroque-style buildings while your guide fills you in on the history and legends of the area. Visit sites like the Metropolitan Cathedral, Carioca Square and the Imperial Palace. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

As one of the New7Wonders of the World and Rio de Janeiro’s most iconic attraction, the Christ the Redeemer statue attracts lengthy lines. Don’t waste time waiting, save time with this skip-the-line ticket that allows you to board the next available train to Christ the Redeemer, which reigns supreme over the city from Corcovado’s summit. Your return ticket is valid on any train so spend as much time as you like at the top, enjoying panoramic vistas of Rio and capturing photographs beneath the outstretched arms of Christ.   

Take a panoramic city tour through Downtown Rio, a stop at the Metropolitan Cathedral and travel to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain and visit the Christ the Redeemer statue on this full-day comprehensive tour of Rio's most famous landmarks. Reach the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain by cable car and by cog train through the Tijuca Rainforest, respectively. This full-day tour includes round-trip transportation from most Rio hotels, allows you to see all of Rio's sights in just one day.

Niterói is one of the most beautiful tours that can be done during your visit to Rio de Janeiro. The view of the city park, the visit to the museum and all the history involved in the fortress of Santa Cruz are simply marvelous and enchanting.

Get to know Petrópolis, the Imperial City of the State of Rio de Janeiro, during this private tour from Rio. Following hotel pickup, travel in a private vehicle through Serra dos Órgãos National Park, stopping for great photo ops along the way. Tour the Quitandinha Palace and the Imperial Museum to get a sense of the region's history. Stop for a traditional Brazilian lunch, then take a walking tour of the historic streets lined with examples of architecture from different eras. End your day with a visit to the local brewery. Enjoy personal attention and a flexible itinerary tailored to your interests on this private tour.

Pedal a bicycle around the vibrant city of Rio de Janeiro on this half-day bike tour. Explore landmarks and highlights in an interactive, physical way with your informative cycling guide. Visit areas of the city such as Botafogo, Copacabana, and Porto Maravilha listening to informative commentary as you travel. All cycling equipment is included.

And an opportunity to learn to samba with a carnival queen of Rio de Janeiro. Besides having a lot of fun, you will learn to sambar ....

Get an overview of Rio's most important sights during this comprehensive, full-day tour. With a local guide, visit Copacabana Beach, Botafogo Beach and Palácio Guanabara. Travel through the Tijuca Forest, stopping at Paineiras on the way up Corcovado to see the Christ the Redeemer statue. Take the cable car from Urca up to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain, then eat lunch at one of the city's best steakhouses before visits to Maracanã Stadium and the Sambadrome. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Learn about life inside Rocinha, one of Rio de Janeiro's largest favelas. You're driven to the top of the slum community, located on a hillside that overlooks the city, before you descend on foot. Your guide offers insight on Rocinha's socioeconomic issues and the lives of its inhabitants during your walk.

Head to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car for sweeping views of Rio de Janeiro. Your skip-the-line ticket gives you priority access to both cable cars, and is valid for any departure time on the day you select.

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

Make sure you've got the best views in the house by securing seats in the front box for RIo Carnival, the globally-acclaimed festival that takes place each spring. As well as enjoying the best views of the parade from your front-row seats, you'll benefit from convenient hotel pickup and drop-off—so you won't have to worry about navigating public transport or finding a meeting point.

See Rio de Janeiro’s top sights in one day on this full-day tour with a guide. See the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain, stop for lunch at a traditional steak house, drive through Tijuca National Park, and get panoramic views of the city from the cable car ride to Morro de Urca and Sugar Loaf. This tour is designed for visitors who are short on time, but don’t want to miss any of Rio’s major sights. See it all in one day.

Explore Rio and visit Sugar Loaf Mountain during this 4-hour morning tour. Visit some of the city's most important landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Copacabana Beach. Then, board a glassed-in cable car bound for Sugar Loaf's peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana, and Santa Cruz Fortress. Round-trip transportation from selected Rio hotels is included.