Santa Teresa Discovery
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
When you've had enough of the sizzling bods and football heroics of the beach scene, join this Rio de Janiero tour which will take you on a retreat up to the classic locale of Santa Teresa for some arts, culture, history, and architecture.
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Highlights
- Explore the lovely Bohemian district of Santa Teresa, considered to be Rio's version of Montmartre
- Pay a visit to the iconic and picturesque Selaron's Staircase to see the late artist's masterpiece
- Jump on the last tram line in Rio de Janeiro
- Ride the Rio subway and see how locals get around the city
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Schedule details
- Duration: 4 hours
- Meeting point:
In front of the H Stern Store at the Copacabana Palace Hotel. Avenida Atlantica, 1702.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
In front of the H Stern Store at the Copacabana Palace Hotel.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, round trip subway ticket, tram ride fare (bus fare while tram is not running), transportation.
Exclusions: Personal shopping, snacks, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Time to explore one of Rio's most beloved neighbourhoods - Santa Teresa. While this is mostly a Rio walking tour, we'll start with a little public transit, shall we? Take the subway downtown so you can experience how locals get around Rio and help orientate yourself in the city.
We'll hop off at Carioca Station and wander through the Financial District, home of huge companies such as Petrobras and BNDES. Check out Carioca Square, once the main source of drinking water in Rio, transported in by the Aqueducts of Lapa.
From here, we'll climb aboard the tram for the journey up to Santa Teresa, which is a 20 minute ride over the aqueducts which are now used as the tram route. This is the last tram line in Brazil that is used solely for transportation purposes.
Hopping off at Largo dos Guimaraes, it's time to explore the cobblestone streets of Santa Teresa! We'll wander about on foot and discover beautiful architecture, art galleries, restaurants, and local costumes that characterise Santa Teresa.
One of Rio's oldest neighbourhoods, Santa Teresa, situated high on a hill overlooking Rio, enchants locals and visitors alike with its cobbled streets and eclectic architectural styles. The views of the city centre and the bay aren't too shabby either. (Okay, they're stunning, but that's hardly a surprise...we're in Rio, after all!).
Previously a neighbourhood dominated by the elite, with their departure to more modern suburbs of Rio, Santa Teresa has been transformed into an artistic centre with many artists choosing the area as their preferred place of residence. Among the attractions in Santa Teresa is the Ruins Park and its gorgeous view over downtown Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. Many visitors compare Santa Teresa to the bohemian district of Montmartre in Paris, and we'd stay that's a pretty fair comparison.
During the Carnival, many street bands perform on the streets and the most famous one is “Bloco das Carmelitas”, which was named after the local convent, which we'll see on our way back towards the Lapa District. As our Santa Teresa Rio tour winds down, we have one final (and rather important) stop to make: Selaron's Staircase. This masterpiece and picturesque icon is one of the late artist's most famous pieces, and is without a doubt one of the highlights of this Rio tour. They always say to end on a high note, don't they?!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, round trip subway ticket, tram ride fare (bus fare while tram is not running), transportation.
Exclusions: Personal shopping, snacks, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Latin Americans can be very conscious of appearance so try to be casual but conservative in your dress. Outside of beach areas halter tops and very short shorts should not be worn. When visiting churches or religious sites shoulders and knees should be covered.
Your Trip: This trip is offered on a "join-in" basis. Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: If you have your voucher, your booking is confirmed. We'll see you at the start point. Get in touch if you have any concerns or require more information via the email address or phone number (business hours only) on your voucher.
Closure of sites: In lieu of the subway, other transportation might be used for safety reasons whenever necessary. Also, the bus to Santa Teresa will be taken if, for some reason, the tram is not running.
Child Policy: Children must be between 6 and 11 years of age inclusively.
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Local contact
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