Best tours in Rio de Janeiro (2026): prices and which one to book
Looking for the best tours in Rio de Janeiro? Short answer: the most booked are the Christ the Redeemer ticket with the Corcovado train (from €44), the Sugarloaf cable car (from €42), favela tours in Rocinha and Santa Marta (from €27) and the Tijuca rainforest hike (from €59). There are 361 activities in Rio in total, with a median price of €79 per person and an average rating of 4.6 out of 5.
This guide covers the best-selling tours right now, what each includes, what they cost and which one suits your trip. All figures come from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Rio de Janeiro and are refreshed with every booking.
Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.
The 10 most booked tours in Rio de Janeiro
Ranked by bookings and verified reviews, not by our preference.
- Christ the Redeemer with the Corcovado train — from €44, 4.4/5 from 5,400+ reviews. The classic way up: the cog train climbs through the Tijuca forest to the statue.
- Rio highlights in 6 stops with lunch — from €114, 8 hours, hotel pickup. Christ, Sugarloaf, Maracanã, Selarón Steps and the cathedral in one easy day.
- Rocinha favela walking tour with a local guide — from €30, 4.8/5 from 4,600+ reviews. Brazil’s largest favela explained by people who live there.
- Sugarloaf Mountain cable car — from €42, 4.6/5. Two cable cars up the most famous peak on Guanabara Bay; unbeatable at sunset.
- Rainforest hike with waterfalls and caves — from €59, 5 hours, 4.8/5, inside the world’s largest urban forest.
- Christ, Sugarloaf and Selarón with BBQ lunch — from €66, 8-9 hours with pickup. The best all-in-one value.
- Santa Marta favela tour — from €27, 4.8/5. Shorter and calmer than Rocinha, with the viewpoint where Michael Jackson filmed a video.
- Full day in Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande — from €69, 14 hours with pickup. Island-hopping by boat and turquoise beaches.
- Christ, Selarón and Sugarloaf at sunset — from €109, 6 hours. Perfect if you start late and want the big three.
- Maracanã football match with private transfer — from €79, 4.9/5. The highest-rated tour in the ranking.
Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup
| Activity | From | Rating | Reviews | Duration | Spanish guide | Pickup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Christ the Redeemer by Corcovado train | €44 | 4.4/5 | 5437 | — | No | No |
| Sugarloaf cable car | €42 | 4.6/5 | 4049 | 1 d | No | No |
| 6-stop highlights tour with lunch | €114 | 4.4/5 | 5615 | 8 h | Yes | Yes |
| Christ, Sugarloaf and Selarón with BBQ | €66 | 4.5/5 | 3377 | 8-9 h | Yes | Yes |
| Rocinha favela walking tour | €30 | 4.8/5 | 4629 | 2-3 h | Yes | No |
| Tijuca rainforest hike | €59 | 4.8/5 | 3843 | 5 h | Yes | No |
| Maracanã match with transfer | €79 | 4.9/5 | 2080 | — | No | No |
| Sunset boat trip | €53 | 4.8/5 | 1098 | 3 h | Yes | No |
Best seller
Rio de Janeiro
Cristo Redentor: ticket de entrada en el tren del Corcovado
4.4 (5,437) from€44
Rio de Janeiro8 h
Río de Janeiro: 6 paradas en lugares destacados con almuerzo
SpanishPickup
4.4 (5,615) from€114
Rio de Janeiro2-3 h
Río de Janeiro: tour a pie por la favela Rocinha con guía local
Spanish
4.8 (4,629) from
Best seller
Rio de Janeiro1 d
Teleférico Pan de Azúcar
4.6 (4,049) from€42
Rio de Janeiro5 h
Selva de Río: ruta de senderismo por cascadas, fauna y cuevas
Spanish
4.8 (3,843) from
Rio de Janeiro8-9 h
Río: Cristo Redentor, Pan de Azúcar, Selarón y almuerzo con barbacoa
SpanishPickup
4.5 (3,377) from€66
Which tour should you choose?
If you only have one day
Pick a combo tour with pickup, like the 6-stop highlights tour or Christ, Sugarloaf and Selarón with BBQ. You see the essentials without taxis or queues.
If you have 3 or 4 days
Do Christ and Sugarloaf separately at your own pace, add a favela tour, a Tijuca nature day and a trip out of the city: Ilha Grande, Búzios or Arraial do Cabo.
If you want something different
Try a helicopter flight, hang gliding from Pedra Bonita, a sunset boat trip or a samba night in Lapa.
3-day Rio itinerary
Day 1: the Corcovado train to Christ the Redeemer (€44) first thing, lunch in Santa Teresa or Lapa and the Sugarloaf cable car (€42) at sunset. Activities: €86 per person.
Day 2: a Tijuca rainforest hike (€59, 5 hours, 4.8/5) in the morning and a sunset boat trip on Guanabara Bay (€53, 3 hours, 4.8/5). Activities: €112.
Day 3: the Rocinha walking tour with a local guide (€30, 4.8/5 from 4,629 reviews), an afternoon on Copacabana or Ipanema and, if there is a game, the Maracanã with private transfer (€79, 4.9/5). Activities: €109.
That is about €307 per person in activities over three full days. Only one day? The Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón and BBQ tour (€66) covers the essentials. With a fourth day, head out of town: see our Ilha Grande day trip guide and Arraial do Cabo day trip guide.
How much do tours in Rio cost?
- Single tickets (Christ, Sugarloaf, Maracanã): €28–45.
- Walking and favela tours: €27–40.
- Half-day and full-day tours with pickup: €65–120.
- Day trips out of Rio (Ilha Grande, Arraial, Búzios, Petrópolis): €41–71.
- Premium experiences (helicopter, private boat): from about €230.
A typical activity in Rio costs around €79 per person. Prices are indicative and refreshed daily; you see the final price when you pick a date.
Plan your trip
Getting there: international flights land at Galeão (GIG); Santos Dumont (SDU), next to downtown, mainly handles domestic flights. Getting around: the metro links downtown, Botafogo, Copacabana and Ipanema; use taxis or ride-hailing apps for the rest. Many tours include hotel pickup.
Where to stay: Copacabana for choice and metro access, Ipanema and Leblon for calmer, pricier beaches, Botafogo for central value with Sugarloaf views, and Santa Teresa for bohemian charm.
Booking tips
- Book Christ and Sugarloaf early in the morning or at sunset for shorter queues and better light.
- Check the forecast: if Corcovado is in the clouds, move your visit (most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 h before).
- Always visit favelas with an authorised local guide, never on your own.
- April to June and August to October are the most comfortable months in Rio, with less rain and heat.
FAQ
What is the most popular tour in Rio de Janeiro?
The Christ the Redeemer ticket with the Corcovado train, with 5,400+ reviews and a 4.4/5 rating.
How many days do you need in Rio?
Three to four days to cover the highlights plus one day trip out of the city.
Can I cancel?
Most tours offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Exact terms are shown on each activity before you pay.
Do I need a visa for Brazil?
Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.
Is it safe to take tours in Rio?
With common sense, yes. Visit favelas only with a local guide, use taxis or apps at night and carry only essentials on the beach. Tours with pickup cut down on getting around alone.
What are the best day trips from Rio?
Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande (€69, 4.6/5 from 2,497 reviews) and Arraial do Cabo (€69, 4.5/5 from 389 reviews), both around 14 hours with hotel pickup.
Related searches
- tours in Rio de Janeiro
- Christ the Redeemer tour
- Sugarloaf cable car
- Rocinha favela tour
- Tijuca hike
- Ilha Grande from Rio
- Rio boat tour
- Rio helicopter tour
- Maracanã tour
- things to do in Brazil
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