Top Southeast Brazil Half-day Tours

Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this half-day tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light.

See two iconic Rio de Janeiro landmarks from the water—Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf—while sailing aboard a 40-foot (12-meter) yacht. Sail in Guanabara Bay or the open sea while you relax with a welcome drink and snacks. Enjoy stunning views and discover the magic of sailing from the captain who illuminates Rio’s history. This 3-hour boat tour has a max capacity of 10 for a small-group experience.

Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's favelas, Rocinha. Follow your resident guide to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face.

The Lapa district of Rio de Janeiro is renowned for its buzzing nightlife and live music scene. With this evening pub crawl, discover the neighborhood at its most atmospheric as you visit popular local pubs and bars, sip a free shot of cachaça, and listen to live samba or forró music. Accompanied by your guide and group of party-seeking travelers, enjoy a fun night out with VIP admission and special offers on drinks.

Ride through Tijuca National Park's rainforest in an open-top Jeep during this half-day trip from Rio. During guided eco-tour, hike through the forest to spot sloths, butterflies, monkeys, and birds. Enjoy panoramic views from Vista Chinesa (Chinese View) and marvel at the fact that this section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest) is just 10 minutes outside the city limits. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

With your ticket at Morro da Urca, you visit and have access to the Praça dos Bondes - which displays the two previous generations of the Sugar Loaf Cable Car and the life-size bronze sculptures of those responsible for the creation and implementation of each one - Augusto Ferreira Ramos and Christopher Leite de Castro and; Cocuruto - a place that tells the story of the Sugar Loaf Cable Car, inaugurated over 100 years ago, with exhibitions of images, projections, machinery and objects that marked the trajectory of the 1st Brazilian cable car and the oldest in operation in the world. At some times of the year, the space hosts temporary exhibitions. The park has preferential access, lift platform, adapted toilets and ramps, making tourism accessible for wheelchair users and people with reduced mobility.

Head to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain by cable car for sweeping views of Rio de Janeiro. Your skip-the-line ticket gives you priority access to both cable cars, and is valid for any departure time on the day you select.

Get away from Rio’s raucous side and head deep into nature on this half-day tour. After pickup from your hotel, you’ll head to the city’s “Green Lungs,” aka Tijuca National Park, the largest urban rainforest on the planet. With your guide leading the way, you’ll wander amongst caves and waterfalls, watch for wildlife, and marvel at Brazilian biodiversity—bring your camera, your hiking shoes, and your exploring legs!

With more than 12 million people, São Paulo ranks as Brazil’s largest city, which means there’s a ton to see and do. During this fully customized private city tour, work with your guide to design the ultimate itinerary based on your interests—food, art, shopping, architecture, or a little of everything. See what you want, when you want, all while enjoying personalized insights from a local guide.

Explore the bucolic neighborhood of Santa Teresa and downtown Ancient Rio during this 4-hour tour. In Ancient Rio, visit sites like the France Brazil House, Arcos da Lapa, Teles Arches and Praça XV. In Santa Teresa, admire the stately mansions from the early 1900s and view the neighborhood's original tram, built in 1897. Learn about the importance of both of these neighborhoods in Rio's past through commentary from your guide. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Discover an incredible urban forest without leaving Rio de Janeiro. This small group tour of Tijuaca National Park takes you to the most scenic viewpoints, including a beautiful beach and the famous Pedra Bonita peak. Your guide will also take you on a short hike to access a cave or one of the many waterfalls in the park that you can swim in.

Guided tour of the historic city center. On this tour you will be introduced to Rio de Janeiro within its historical context. Focusing on architecture and multicultural traditions, which define a unique way of being and living the "carioca". We will walk towards the knowledge and traditions of the City. We will visit squares, churches, and historic sites. There will be the possibility of stopping for lunch, which is not included in the price of the tour. You will spend a maximum of 10 USD per person. We will pass by souvenir shops where the purchase will be optional. We will wait for you for this adventure through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

The Tijuca National Forest is one of the largest urban rainforests in the world, set on mountain slopes just west of Rio de Janeiro. With this tour, discover two of the city’s nature sites, starting with a guided walk through the Rio Botanical Gardens, including the Turtle Lake and Sensory Garden. Then, hike through Tijuca, learn more about the native plants and wildlife, and admire Taunay Waterfall.

Get a glimpse into local life in Rio de Janeiro during a favela tour that reveals a different side of the Marvelous City. In an intimate group limited to 12 travelers, you’ll explore two of the largest favelas in Rio, and benefit from the local insight of a guide as you learn more about living conditions in the city.

This 3-hour small group cycling tour is for travelers who want to see more of São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, in less time. The approximately 10-mile route includes museums, parks, architecture, neighborhoods, and plenty of time to stop for refreshments and photos. Explore the city's Japanese neighborhood, see the city's cathedral, and more.

Delve deeper into the history of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro with this insightful and informative walking tour around the city’s Saúde neighborhood. Once the largest African slave market in the world, Rio was the first port of call for millions of slaves arriving in Brazil. From carnival to samba, and food to music and religion to architecture, this guided walking tour shows how their heritage and legacy are still alive in Rio today.

Visit São Paulo's major attractions and most significant sights on this private city tour with a guide. The itinerary may include stops at Ibirapuera Park, the historical downtown, Paulista Ave. (the most important Brazilian thoroughfare), and more. Since this is a private tour, you will be able to determine which sights you want to see and for how long.

A unique way to get to know the city's urban artistic life, an opportunity to get to know another Rio de Janeiro on the beaches of Copacabana. Also get to know the architecture and transformation of the old capital of the country, understand how the life style of Carioca was born. A simple way to integrate the city without feeling like a tourist and a simple art lover. In each area of the city there is a different culture and the city center is where all cultures meet.

Walk through Rio de Janeiro with a professional photographer guide on this 3-hour tour. Avoid trying to take awkward photos of yourself and let your guide document your explorations of this vibrant city. Customize your tour to visit popular locations that interest you, including the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema, the district of Lapa, the Theatre District or Maracanã Stadium. Get the insider's perspective on the city from your local guide and walk away with 125 digital images of your tour. Round-trip transportation from local Rio hotels is included.

Get a comprehensive whirlwind tour of Rio's downtown in just a few hours. With your guide, learn about the city's culture and history through visits to landmarks such as the The São Bento Monastery, the Sambadromo, Maracanã Stadium, and others. Round-trip transportation from Zona Sul hotels included.

Explore Rocinha Favela, the largest favela in Latin America, during this 4-hour guided educational tour. Walk through the local community with your guide to learn about what life is like there. Interact with members of the community, learn about the history of Rocinha and gain a deeper understanding of the economic and political factors that shape Rio society.

Get a behind-the-scenes look at Maracanã Stadium during this guided tour. Explore the stadium, renovated for the 2014 FIFA World Cup, check out the locker rooms. Sit on the team bench where greats like Pele rested after he scored his thousandth goal. Listen as your guide tells tales of legendary matches like Brazil's devastating loss in the 1950 World Cup. Round-trip climate-controlled transportation from most Rio hotels is included.

In a jeep, travel through the city to the rainforest of Tijuca National Park, on a half-day ecological tour. With guided walks along the trails, it will be possible to see monkeys, sloths, coatis and many birds. Contemplate the flora, history and wildlife and know that you are in one of the largest Urban Forests in the World. A little piece of Atlantic Forest in the heart of Rio de Janeiro.

Explore one of Brazil's most fascinating metropolitan areas on this City Tour Meet Sao Paulo. During this 3-hour tour with a knowledgeable local guide, visit sites in the Pacaembu, Paulista and Ibirapuera neighborhoods. Walk through downtown Sao Paulo to see the Pátio do Colégio, the Municipal Theater and the Anhangabaú Valley. End the tour with a visit to Luz Park and the Pinacoteca at the Luz Station. Round-trip transportation from Sao Paulo hotels is included.