Rio de Janeiro Tours | 6 City Sights Excursions

Rio is a stunning city nestled in between the sea and mountains. It’s the second largest city in Brazil after the capital, Brasilia. This is one of those cities that instantly captures your heart, and it’s not hard to see why so many fall in love with it.

With stunning dramatic mountains, a majestic rainforest within the city limits, and the most gorgeous sandy beaches in South America, Rio really is a city that’s hard not to love. And who could forget – it’s the home of Samba and Carnival so you’re guaranteed to have a ball of a time.

We’ve rounded up the best Rio de Janeiro tours that will help you discover the best that this fun-loving and vibrant city has to offer.

Rio de Janeiro Guided Tours Prices

The cost of Rio de Janeiro tours tickets & excursions starts at about $26 (R$ 142) for a short tour and a single entry ticket to the Christ the Redeemer statue and can go up to about $110 (R$ 601) for a full-day tour.

The prices of the tours vary according to the duration and whether or not food is included as part of the tour. You can compare prices across the ticket providers below:

Times of Rio de Janeiro Day Tours

Most full-day tours start bright and early, at about 8 am, to avoid the heat and crowds. They also start this early as most tours have a jam-packed itinerary with lots to see. So, to make the most of the day, it’s beneficial to start early.

Other options, such as sunset tours, may start at around 13:30 pm allowing tour participants to catch a classic Rio sunset.

Best Time to Go on a Tour of Rio de Janeiro

The best time to visit Rio is between December and March. This is when the weather is nice and warm enough to enjoy Rio’s stunning beaches. If you’re hoping to attend Rio’s Electric Carnival, then you should visit in February, but be sure to book your hotel in advance to avoid price hikes.

If you’re planning to avoid both crowds and the heat, consider visiting between April and May, or October and November, when the temperatures are much milder.

Full-Day Tours of Rio de Janeiro

There’s a tour of Rio for every kind of traveler and budget. Here are some of our favorite Rio de Janeiro tours.

Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and Seralon Day Tour

If you have limited time available in Rio, then this full-day tour is absolutely perfect for you. Visit various of the city’s most prized gems which include some of Brazil’s most popular landmarks like  Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer Statue.

This full-day guided tour of Rio starts with a pick-up from your hotel bright and early. Then you’ll head to Corcovado Mountain, passing through the gorgeous Tijuca Forest. From there, you’ll make your way over to the much-loved Christ the Redeemer Statue, where you’ll get to enjoy some of the best panoramic views of the city.

Once you’ve taken in the stunning city views, the tour then heads down to another iconic Brazilian landmark– The Maracana Stadium.

After a visit here, the tour will head to the Sambodromo, which hosts the Carnival every year, followed by the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio, and the beautiful Seralon Steps. You’ll then enjoy a hearty Brazilian lunch at a steakhouse before journeying up to Sugarloaf Mountain on a cable car to end your day.

Rio de Janeiro: 6-Stop Highlights of Rio with Lunch

This tour is one of the easiest and most enjoyable ways to see all of Rio’s top gems in a day. You’ll enjoy a city tour where you can admire Sugarloaf Mountain, the Christ the Redeemer Statue, the iconic Maracana Stadium, and more.

The first stop on this tour will be the legendary Christ the Redeemer Statue on Corcovado Mountain. From here you can take in undisturbed views of the whole city – perfect for many photo opportunities.

After marveling at Rio’s stunning views, you’ll then visit Brazil’s home of football, the Maracana Stadium. From there, you’ll get to admire the colorful Seralon Steps and stop over at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

You’ll then enjoy a buffet lunch at a Brazilian restaurant before making your way up to the Sugarloaf Mountain. As you ascend up the mountain with the cable car, you’ll get to enjoy views of Rio, Guanabara Bay, and the nearby city of Niteroi.

Full Day in Rio with Train Ride

This exciting tour is one of the most exciting ways to get around Rio and experience all its best attractions. The best part? You’ll get to enjoy a fun train ride up Corcovado Mountain up to the Christ the Redeemer Statue.

This tour takes you on the ultimate Rio highlights tour. Along the way, you’ll pass the famous Ipanema and Copacabana beaches. You’ll then board a train and ride up the Corcovado Mountain, passing by the Tijuca Forest. Once at the top you’ll get to spend time at the Christ the Redeemer Statue and take lots of photos.

From there you’ll visit the Maracana Stadium, Seralon Steps, and ride the cable car up  Sugarloaf Mountain.

Other Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Here are some other tours that you can look forward to in Rio.

Rio de Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

To see a different side of Rio, take a walking tour of the city’s largest favela. Get to know some of the residents, their stories, and the history of this unique area.

This four-hour walking tour takes you through the largest favela in Rio, home to over 180 000 people. It is located on a steep hill in Rio’s South Zone, between the districts of Sao Conrado and Gavea.

This tour is organized by a local guide from the area and is non-intrusive to the residents. The tour aims to show visitors the true Rio and eliminate the negative stereotypes associated with life in the favelas. You’ll learn about the history and more about the people who shape this area.

Rio Sunset Tour

If you’re not a morning person, then this sunset tour that starts in the afternoon is perfect for you. Discover some of Rio’s top sights later on in the day, and end a thrilling day off by watching the sunset over this glorious city.

This sunset tour starts in the afternoon at about 13:30. It will take you to some of Rio’s top sights like the Christ the Redeemer Statue, and the Metropolitan Cathedral. During the tour you’ll pass by other popular attractions like Copacabana and Ipanema Beach, and Avenida Atlantica.

Towards the end of the day, you’ll take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain, where you’ll enjoy the breathtaking sunset over Rio.

Santa Teresa & Lapa with Tram Ride

Get to know the more traditional places in Rio de Janeiro with a tram ride through the city. You’ll get to explore the exciting neighborhoods of Lapa and Santa Teresa and also visit the Seralon Steps.

This Rio city tour goes off the beaten path. It starts in downtown Rio with a tram ride, followed by a walking tour through the cultural areas of Santa Teresa and Lapa. Your guide will point out highlights such as the Passeio Público and Theatro Municipal. You’ll then stop at the pretty Seralon Steps for some photos before exploring more of the area.