Total Rio Tour - Full Day Rio de Janeiro Tour
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From USD 0.00
Total Rio Tour - Full Day Rio de Janeiro Tour
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
Don't know what to do with a full day in Rio? How does a visit to Christ the Redeemer, time at a favela, and a ride on Rio's last remaining tram sound? Join this Rio de Janeiro tour to see the world-famous diversity of Brazil's second largest city.
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Highlights
- Get to know the best, most famous spots in the city on a full on, full day Rio tour
- Discover the unique and lovely Bohemian district of Santa Teresa
- Experience the reality of life in the favela shantytowns
- Check out the Christ the Redeemer statue, one of the new Seven Wonders of the Modern World
- See where Michael Jackson’s Rio music video was filmed
- Treat yourself to some of most amazing views Rio has to offer, including Guanabara Bay and Botafago
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Schedule details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Meeting point:
Copacabana Palace Hotel - Avenida Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Starting time: 9.00 AM
- Ending point:
Copacabana Palace Hotel - Avenida Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, round trip subway ticket, tram ride fare, Christ Statue entrance fee, transportation.
Exclusions: Personal shopping, snacks, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Blessed with the most stunning natural setting, Rio de Janeiro is a city that is as famous for its beauty as it is for its poverty. Stretching up into the mountains that hug glistening Guanabara Bay are the city’s vast, and often misunderstood, shantytowns known as favelas.
From beautiful vistas and iconic locations, to some of the communities that have helped make this city the melting pot that it is, you’re sure to find Rio a captivating and complex place that can steal your heart forever.
On this full day Rio city tour we'll explore the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue, see what local life is really like in a Rio favela, travel around the city like a local, experience the Bohemian vibe in the Santa Teresa neighbourhood, and drink in some pretty epic views of the city.
First up - downtown! 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 time in Santa Teresa 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.
Our Rio tour will continue with an incredible bird's eye view of the city from the base of the Statue of Christ. This enormous white statue keeps constant watch over Rio, offering sweeping 360 degree views of the city’s natural wonders: beaches, lagoons, forests, bays, and mountains that seem to rise from the ocean.
It’s no wonder that the ‘cristo’ statue was recently selected as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World. Soak up the views, pick out some of Rio’s most famous sights, and snap a must-have picture before getting a very different view of the city.
Next, it’s time to trade in this tourist icon for something less visited, and step into the Santa Marta favela. Accompanied by your local guide, wander through the community, meeting the people who live here and see the places made famous in the Michael Jackson video. Stroll the narrow alleys, learn about local life, and dispel some of the myths about these vibrant communities.
In the heart of the favela, take a moment to admire the breathtaking views over Guanabara Bay and Botafogo area from Michael Jackson’s lookout. For anyone wishing to experience the real Rio, you simply can’t miss this experience. A full day, a fullly Carioca experience.
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, round trip subway ticket, tram ride fare, Christ Statue entrance fee, transportation.
Exclusions: Personal shopping, snacks, tips / gratuities for your local guide.
Dress standard: Light clothes and good walking shoes are recommended.
Your Trip: For your Urban Adventure you will be in a small group of a maximum of 12 people
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.
Child Policy: Children must be 6 years of age to 11 years inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this tour.
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Local contact
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