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Rio de Janeiro (State) Bus & minivan tours

Our most recommended Rio de Janeiro (State) Bus & minivan tours

Sugarloaf Mountain & City Tour with Metropolitan Cathedral

1. Sugarloaf Mountain & City Tour with Metropolitan Cathedral

Your tour begins with a drive through beautiful downtown Rio, passing by the Sambodrome, the Metropolitan Museum, Cinelândia square with its historical buildings, the Municipal Theater, the National Library and the National Museum of Fine Arts. Passing through the Aterro do Flamengo , the largest park in Rio de Janeiro you arrive in Urca, home of the famous Sugarloaf Mountain , one of the major symbols of the city. Your visit to the top is made by two sets of cable cars, the first taking you to the top of Urca Hill which stands 215 meters high and overlooks Guanabara Bay and its many islands, the Rio-Niteró Bridge and Corcovado Hill, where you can see the statue of Christ the Redeemer keeping watch over the citizens of Rio. Your second cable car journey takes you to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain where panoramic vista's await and you can view such sights as the famous Copacabana Beach.

Rio: Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour

2. Rio: Christ Redeemer by Train & City Highlights Morning Tour

After being collected from your hotel in Rio, you will drive up to the Cosme Velho station in order to catch the Corcovado Train. This train ride through tropical forest stakes about 20 minutes from ground level to the top of Corcovado Mountain. Once having ascended to the top of the mountain, you will discover the Christ the Redeemer Statue, one of the New Seven Wonders of the World. Once you're back at sea level, you will drive past the legendary Maracanã soccer stadium for an external visit of this park where you will have another photo opportunity. Following this, you will head to Sambódromo, the location of Rio's exciting Carnaval. Afterwards, you can pay a visit to the distinctive Metropolitan Cathedral, a modern structure that takes influence from Mayan pyramids. You can then check out the brightly colored tiles of the world-famous Selarón Steps, one of Rio's most distinctive landmarks. At the conclusion of your tour, you will be comfortably returned to your pickup location.

Rio de Janeiro: 4-Hour Afternoon Walking Tour

3. Rio de Janeiro: 4-Hour Afternoon Walking Tour

Dive into Rio de Janeiro's past. Travel through time from the discovery of Brazil, through the arriving of the royal family, the country’s independence, and the proclamation of the republic. Get to know the historical past of the city of Rio de Janeiro, which was once the capital of Brazil for almost 2 centuries, taking a walk through the city center that holds memories of different times. Also notice the contrast with the new Mauá Square a gift from the Olympic legacy that has changed the life of the Cariocas forever, creating a new pole of entertainment and culture, hosting two new Museums, the Rio Art Museum and the Museum of Tomorrow, and the famous Cobra murals. You can identify the different periods just by taking a look at the Downtown’s architecture: Colonial, Imperial and Republican.  This tour to the past begins at the doors of the museum of Tomorrow and the Rio Art Museum, where you have a wide view of the Olympic Boulevard. Hear all about the history from your guide before you move on. From there you will visit the Monastery of São Bento, founded in 1590 by 2 monks from Bahia and considered one of the most important heritage of Brazilian architecture. Afterward, continue to the Candelaria Church constructed in neoclassical style, which began being built in 1630 and finished in 1775.  Then will continue along Primeiro de Março Street, admire the France-Brazil House, the Banco do Brasil Cultural Center and the post office building until you reach the Praça XV where the Imperial Palace, which was built to be the residence of the governors of the captaincy and it was the residence of the Portuguese Royal Family, when it arrived in Brazil and lastly passing by the Tiradentes Palace. From Praça XV continue to Cinelândia, the tour's final point, where you can enjoy the beauty of the buildings of the Municipal Theater, the Legislative Assembly, the National Library and the Museum of Fine Arts. From there return to your hotel.

Rio: Maracanã Stadium & Christ the Redeemer by Rack Railway

4. Rio: Maracanã Stadium & Christ the Redeemer by Rack Railway

Make your way to Maracanã where you will take a lap around the outside of the stadium and have a short stop so you can appreciate the splendor of the two-time World Cup Finals host. There, you will be able to imagine the amount of history that took place since its opening in 1950, when Brazil hosted its first World Cup. Once the biggest stadium in the world, the stadium was used extensively during the World Cups and recent Olympics, and it's often used for local games and concerts. Next you head to the Cosme Velho Train Station to make your way to Rio’s major attraction: The Christ Redeemer Statue at the top of Corcovado Mountain. Ride the rack railway train from Cosme Velho station, through the Tijuca rainforest, and up Corcovado Mountain (maybe you'll see a monkey on the way up). The train ride ends at the top of Corcovado Mountain where you'll have about 1 hour to view the iconic Christ the Redeemer Statue, the symbol of Rio de Janeiro for many years. Enjoy views across the whole of Rio and beyond and spot Ipanema and Copacabana from way up high.

Corcovado & City Tour

5. Corcovado & City Tour

The tour begins in the morning, with the departure of the selected hotels to go to the monument of Christ the Redeemer, which is located on the top of Corcovado, at an altitude of 710 meters above sea level. It is one of the most visited tourist spots in the city, and has also recently been named one of the Wonders of the Modern World. From the top the view is heavenly! We will be able to see several beaches, the Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, the Maracanã, the city center and the north, among other places. The ascent to the monument of Christ the Redeemer is done by a historical tram. It is an ecological tour, since this area is part of the Tijuca Forest National Park, considered the largest urban forest in the world. Next we will visit the Maracanã stadium (external visitation), and then finish the tour by returning to the passenger hotels passing through the main historical attractions of the city , such as the Historic Center and the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Rio de Janeiro: Salgueiro Samba School Rehearsal Tour

6. Rio de Janeiro: Salgueiro Samba School Rehearsal Tour

Your Carioca Carnival adventure begins when you’re picked up from your hotel and driven to a local samba school to watch their rehearsal for the carnival. Here you’ll witness all the excitement of warming up for one of the greatest shows on earth, Rio Carnival. Samba schools start their preparation several months before the Carnival Parade. The school you’ll visit was founded in 1953 and is one of the most traditional samba schools in carnival history, making it the perfect way to experience the powerful rhythms of the samba. The show takes place on Saturdays and has the capacity to fit 4,000 guests. You’ll have ample opportunity to buy drinks from one of the many bars and gifts from the samba souvenir shop.  The performance itself lasts around 3 hours and throughout all the excitement you’ll have your expert bilingual guide at your side for information, advice, and assistance. When the fabulous show is over, you’ll be dropped off back at your hotel with unforgettable memories.

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What people are saying about Rio de Janeiro (State)

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,233 reviews

Was picked up close to on time we were in hotel lobby and he was outside but found him easy enough. . We got upgraded with a private tour and guide which made getting around the city must easier than a van or bus. Crowded in most spots, Christ the Redeemer and the Steps were the worst! Having private vehicle really help. Igor was very knowledgeable about the city would recommend him for a tour guide

This was a great trip. Well priced and organised. Picked up on time and with an early start we were able to see a number of attractions before the crowds got there. The guide spoke excellent English and was very helpful. Thoroughly recommended.

Very insightful and fun experience to see the colonial Portuguese architecture and hear an unabridged history of the settlement, Ziggy was an excellent guide!!

Nice experience. We were picked up on time & the group was small.

Great tour on our 1st trip to Rio. Excellent guide in Giua.