Private Tour of Extraordinary Rio Attractions with Tickets and Lunch Included

Explore Rio’s iconic landmarks and hidden gems on a private tour with fast-pass tickets and a traditional BBQ lunch included.

Duration: 7 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Parque Nacional da Tijuca - We will start by going into the Tijuca Rainforest, the largest urban rain forest in the world and home to hundreds of species of plants and wildlife, many threatened by extinction.

Only when we are inside the forest we will feel how big and dense it really is and we will be surprised that we are still inside a big city, like Rio de Janeiro.

  • Praia Da Joatinga - Secondly, we will head to the amazing and secret Joatinga Beach; a small jewel formed by a hidden cove is one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio de Janeiro and its visitation is a high point for those who like beach, surf, nature and to know where the “Cariocas” go for fun.
  • Sao Conrado Beach - We will stop by São Conrado Beach to see the hang-gliders land on the beach after their fall from Pedra Bonita. From here you also have a great view of the iconic mountain Pedra da Gávea.
  • Rocinha - We will enter the most famous and largest favela in Rio, Rocinha. Understand how a favela really works and what factors have influenced it thru history and present. If your group is up to 2 people then we will go to the very top of the Favela. Groups 3 people and more, we enter into the favela, by foot, but do not go to the top.
  • Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer - Next we go up Corcovado Hill, by van, to see Brazil’s greatest national icon and on of the new wonders of the world, for some fantastic photos. This is the highest point we will visit during this day, with 710 meters.

Our Rio Official Guide will facilitate your entrance tickets, avoiding the public long line to acquire them.

  • Mirante Dona Marta - From this lookout point, we see Sugarloaf and Corcovado Moutain, from a completely different angle. We also have a complete view over the center area and Guanabara Bay.
  • Santa Teresa - We will have a tasty Brazilian BBQ lunch at the historical and bohemian neighbourhood Santa Teresa. This part of town is also famous for artistry, culture and great views over Rio.
  • Escadaria Selaron - Great place for the best photos ever and an iconic place featured in music videos such as Snoop Dogg’s “Beautiful”. Some background: In 1990, Selarón began renovating dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house. It started out as a side-project to his main passion, painting, but soon became an obsession. He found he was constantly out of money, so Selarón sold paintings to fund his work and also tiles were donated from all over the world. It was long and exhausting work but he continued on and eventually covered the entire set of steps in tiles, ceramics and mirrors.
  • Sugarloaf Mountain - Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak that rises 396 meters high and presents a bird’s eye view of Rio de Janeiro from the mouth of Guanabara Bay. To get to the top we take two cable cars called “bondinhos”. The first cable car takes us up to the Urca Mountain and the second to Sugarloaf.

Our Rio Official Guide buys the needed tickets at a separate ticket office, without the long public line, only granted to Official Guides.

We’ll end this full packed, fund day here at Sugarloaf and see the sun go down over Rio de Janeiro.

What's Included
  • Private transportation
  • Experienced driver & comfortable vehicle with AC
  • Rio Official Certified Guide (Our guide will be able to avoid lines when buying tickets)
  • All entrance tickets
  • Lunch
Additional Information

Rio de Janeiro has world-famous landmarks, natural wonders, and vibrant neighborhoods. Discover it all on this private tour with an itinerary that takes in Christ the Redeemer Statue atop Corcovado, Praia da Joatinga, Santa Teresa, Selaron Steps, The Tijuca Rain Forest, São Conrado Beach, Mirante Dona Marta, Favela Rocinha, and Sugarloaf.

  • We use Fast-Pass Tkts at Sugarloaf to avoid the needed five lines
  • Delicious traditional Brazilian BBQ lunch at a restaurant in Santa Teresa
  • Private tour: enjoy the undivided attention of your guide
  • Hassle-free hotel pickup and transport by private and comfortable vehicle
  • If you are 18 years old or more, then Sugarloaf require proof of Covid vaccination, digital or in paper, to enter into the attraction
Location
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Estrada da Cascatinha 850, Alto da Boa Vista
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
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(50 Ratings)
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Dexter
Mar 27, 2024
An awesome tour of Rio.. Memorable. - We had a great day looking around the sites and the off beaten paths of Rio. Tavi was with us, made it fun and entertaining, and all the while making us feel safe. Travel to each site was a breeze with a private car and driver. Just perfect. The view from the favela was awesome. When you want to visit Rio give tavi and his Rio live story a call. You won't regret it! Tavi will take care of you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Sean_brito
Dec 6, 2023
A great tour catered for a person with mobility issues - I arranged the tour with Tavi 10 months ago, he kept in touch with me the whole time, and was very responsive. I had a private tour with a guide named Thalles and driver Diego. They were excellent. Thalles is extremely knowledgeable and friendly, and helped me at all times with my mobility issues. We did a visit to tijuaca park, Christ the Redeemer statue, Sugarloaf, the beaches, Selaron stairs, the favelhas and amazing lookouts.. we had a beautiful lunch and drink at a special restaurant overlooking a lovely part of Rio. I was really impressed. Highly recommend this to a company. Tavi even came and visited me before the tour at the hotel. Thalles was very patient. Diego, the driver even organise very patient. Diego, the driver even organised the return of some batteries. I left in the car, thank you!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Travelfamily1996
Jun 26, 2023
Best tour!!! - We loved our day in Rio with Tavi and Tallis! We saw so many different parts of Rio and felt their love and passion for their beloved city. I highly recommend this tour!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Bdev23
Apr 24, 2023
Book it! 😎 - Tavi and Talles were a great team and our tour of Rio was exceptional! Would highly recommend them as tour guides. They were on time, attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
593robr
Mar 31, 2023
Top Notch Tour of Rio - The Big Five Tour is an amazing way for a small group to get a private tour (in English if necessary) which includes tickets and lunch. Tavi was amazing and very amenable to tailoring the tour to our needs. There’s prompt correspondence once booked, which was reassuring. I spent my first day in Rio on this tour and it was a great overview of the city which provided lots of ideas how to spend the rest of my time. The tour highlights various neighborhoods that contain smaller tourist gems. I highly recommend this full day tour.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Smallbizgenie
Jan 19, 2023
The Best Guided Rio Tour - What an incredible experience. We saw all the major Rio attractions in airconditioned comfort while Tavi gave us expert insights and commentary on each of these wonderful destinations. The tour was relaxed, yet we managed to fit everything in spending as little or as much time as we wanted at each location. From pick up to drop off, everything went to plan with Tavi getting us to the front of the line with little or no waiting. We could not be happier with the service, professionalism and how safe we felt while on tour. We highly recommend Big Five Rio and Tavi as your personal guide to Rio de Janerio.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Crna2012
Jan 17, 2023
All the major tourist attractions in one day!! - Tavi was excellent! Very knowledgeable. If you want to get all of the major tourist sites out of the way in one day so you can spend the rest of your vacation soaking up the Brazilian sun, then this tour is for you! But bring your walking shoes and stamina. It’s an ALL day affair. I will definitely be recommending this tour to friends who plan on coming to Rio.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fj2611
Nov 30, 2022
Wonderful day in Rio - Jady gave us a warm and wonderful welcome. She showed us her city from a lot of different perspectives. With her vast knowledge about Rio and the culture of the country, she really made the most out of the day we spent together. We wish her all the best!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Maria
Oct 1, 2022
Great Rio Tour - Tavi is an exceptional guide. The communication was easy and fast. He responds within minutes. He showed us some hidden spots and arranged all tickets in advance. That was very convenient cause we didn’t had to stand in a queue once. It was also my mom’s birthday and he helped organize a little surprise cake with candle. Impeccable. Thank you Tavi!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rose_m
Apr 10, 2024
Rio’s Best - Tavi was a great guide! Brought us to many beautiful spots in Rio. Very knowledgeable and accommodating. We enjoyed the tour with him. Will highly recommend this tour to family and friends!
Review provided by Viator
Select Date and Tickets
up to 7 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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