All Rio de Janeiro Tours & Excursions in 2025
Top Attractions in Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro isn't called “The Marvelous City” for nothing—and its staggering beauty begs to be discovered from multiple angles. Book a sightseeing package to tick off many of its top attractions in one day, from the evocatively named Sugarloaf Mountain to the sky-high Christ the Redeemer. Then, soak up more magnificent views on a sunset sailing excursion, aboard a helicopter, or, for daredevils, with a paragliding adventure. Other Rio de Janeiro tours will immerse you in the city's vibrant culture, whether you catch a futebol game, watch a samba performance, or dine like a Carioca during a market visit.
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There are plenty of high-quality Rio de Janeiro tours to choose from. Looking at ratings and reviews by previous travelers, these are the best tours available right now:
Prices for Rio de Janeiro tours vary based on the tour type, duration, and included activities. For example, city tours cost around US$50, while private, multi-day, and exclusive tours naturally cost much more.
On the lower end of the price scale, you can book tours such as the Rocinha Local Tour for around US$18 per person, where a local guide born and raised in Rio De Janeiro’s largest favela will take you on a walking tour to explore its urban history. Pricier options include this Private Boat Tour In Rio—Tour With Barbecue and Drinks (from US$1,880 per group), during which you’ll cruise past landmarks including Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar) and visit either the Cagarras Archipelago or Niteroi beaches, where you can eat, drink, snorkel, and spot wildlife to your heart’s content.
On Rio de Janeiro tours, you can see landmarks such as the Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) and Sugarloaf Mountain, vibrant neighborhoods Santa Teresa (Barrio Santa Teresa) and Lapa, and natural attractions including Tijuca Forest. Many tours also include visits to historic sites, beaches, and cultural hot spots like the Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón).
Consider an all-day Rio de Janeiro tour to visit as many attractions and landmarks as possible. For example, on this Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour, & Barbecue Lunch, you travel through Tijuca Forest to visit the Christ the Redeemer statue, ride the cable car to Sugarloaf Mountain, and visit Maracana Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) and the Sambadrome (Sambadrome Marques de Sapucaí). The tour includes more city attractions and stops at some of Rio de Janeiro’s most famous beaches.
Three to five days in Rio de Janeiro is usually enough to explore the main attractions, enjoy the beaches, and experience the city’s lively culture. This will allow for a mix of sightseeing and relaxation. If you plan to take day trips out of the city, you might want to extend your stay.
The best months to visit Rio de Janeiro are between December and March. This is summer in Brazil, and you’ll experience warm weather and the city’s world-famous Carnival. Because of this, it’s also peak tourist season, so expect larger crowds and higher prices.
Yes, English is spoken in Rio de Janeiro, especially in tourist areas, hotels, and by tour guides. Learning a few basic Portuguese phrases can be helpful, though, and will be appreciated by locals.
According to travelers, these are the best attractions in Rio de Janeiro:
- Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor)
- Selaron Steps (Escadaria Selaron)
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar)
- Santa Teresa (Barrio Santa Teresa)
- Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Sao Sebastiao)
View Viator’s guide to all the best attractions in Rio de Janeiro.
There are tons of great trips to take from Rio de Janeiro. According to traveler reviews, these are the best day trips to book right now:
- Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour, & Barbecue Lunch
- Rio’s Full Day: Selaron Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf—Tickets & Lunch Included
- A Day in Rio - Full City Tour
- The Best of Rio in a Full Day Tour—Corcovado, Sugarloaf, Selaron, and More
- Full Day Excursion to Petrópolis from Rio de Janeiro
View all of Viator’s top Rio de Janeiro day trips.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to have a great time in Rio de Janeiro. Here are some of the best Rio de Janeiro activities under US$25:
It’s no secret that Rio de Janeiro is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Here are some of the top outdoor tours to book right now:
- Hang Gliding Experience Rotorfly
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Rio de Janeiro
- Rio: Caves and Waterfalls Adventure in Tijuca Forest
- Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour—Christ the Redeemer
- Rio de Janeiro Sightseeing Cruise with Morning and Sunset Option
View all of Viator’s top outdoor activities in Rio de Janeiro.
According to travelers, these are the top museums and cultural attractions in Rio de Janeiro:
- Rio de Janeiro Cathedral (Catedral Metropolitana de Sao Sebastiao)
- Maracana Stadium (Estadio do Maracana)
- Museum of Tomorrow (Museu do Amanha)
- Petropolis
- Niteroi Contemporary Art Museum (MAC)
View all of Viator’s museum tickets and passes in Rio de Janeiro.
Couples will find plenty of romantic tours in Rio de Janeiro. Here are some of the top activities to book now, according to previous travelers:
- Sunset Sailing Tour in Rio de Janeiro
- Rio de Janeiro Sightseeing Cruise with Morning and Sunset Option
- Rio Sunset Tour Including Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Cathedral and Selaron
- Private Sunset Sailing Tour in Rio de Janeiro
- Sailboat trip to Sunset in Rio de Janeiro
View all of Viator’s top romantic tours in Rio de Janeiro.
Rio de Janeiro has enough activities to entertain every member of your family. Here are some of the top kid-friendly tours to book now, according to previous travelers:
- Full Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf, City Tour, & Barbecue Lunch
- Sugarloaf Cable Car Ticket
- Skip the Line: Fast Pass Ticket Bondinho Pao de Acúcar
- A Day in Rio: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selaron with Lunch
- Ginga Tropical—Brazilian Samba and Folklore Show
View all of Viator’s top family-friendly tours in Rio de Janeiro.


















































































































































