Full-Day Custom Private Tour of Rio: 8-Hour Personalized Exploration with Local Guide

Experience the ultimate personalized exploration of Rio with a full-day custom private tour. Discover the city’s top attractions and hidden gems with a local guide, and enjoy private transportation for a hassle-free experience. Limited to four people for an intimate journey.

Duration: 8 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio - This tour is designed to be fully customizable to your preferences.

The itinerary is based entirely on your interests. Your guide will tailor the experience to maximize your time in Rio, taking you to places you might not discover on your own. Share your likes and dislikes with your guide, and they will craft a unique adventure for you.

There is no fixed schedule; you can decide on the day’s activities as you go, considering your interests, the weather, and other factors.

Below is a list of potential destinations for your tour.

You can book the tour and discuss the itinerary with me afterward, or contact me first to customize the tour to your needs.

The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned vehicle driven by your guide.

  • Sugarloaf Mountain - The second most visited attraction in Rio, Sugarloaf is a monolithic granite peak over 1,200 feet above sea level at the entrance of Guanabara Bay. Access is via the Urca neighborhood, and you can reach the summit by taking two cable cars.

  • Sitio Roberto Burle Marx - A beautiful estate that belonged to Brazil’s most renowned landscape designer.

  • Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas - Once the home of prominent art patron Laurinda Santos Lobo, this cultural center continues her legacy of supporting artists.

  • Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro - Opened in 1909, this is one of Brazil’s and Latin America’s most important theaters. It has hosted international and Brazilian artists, including dancers, musicians, opera singers, and performers. Since the 1930s, it has maintained artistic independence with its own choir, symphony orchestra, and ballet company. We will admire the building’s architecture from the outside.

  • Botanical Garden - Established in 1808 by Portuguese Prince Dom João VI to acclimate exotic plants from around the world. The garden features majestic imperial palm trees and greenhouses for orchids and bromeliads. It’s also a great spot to observe local wildlife like monkeys, toucans, and other species.

  • Paco Imperial - Also known as the Imperial Palace, this historic building was constructed in the 18th century as a residence for colonial governors and later used by King John VI of Portugal.

  • Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro - A neoclassical building originally linked to finance and business, designed by architect Francisco Joaquim Bethencourt da Silva.

  • Parque Nacional da Tijuca - Home to diverse fauna and lush vegetation.

  • Copacabana Beach - A world-famous beach and a hub for many of Rio’s hotels.

  • Ipanema Beach - Known for its beauty and vibrant atmosphere, it’s a must-see spot with great photo opportunities, including Tom Jobim’s statue and Dois Irmãos hill.

  • Sao Bento Monastery - A stunning architectural complex with a simple exterior and a richly decorated interior featuring Baroque engravings.

  • Maracana - A historic stadium inaugurated in 1950 with a capacity of 200,000 people.

  • Claudio Coutinho Trail - A flat trail at the base of Sugarloaf Mountain, ideal for a short walk with views of marmoset monkeys, Sugarloaf, and Red Beach.

  • Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai - The main stage for Rio’s Carnival Parade.

  • Forte Duque de Caxias - A fort built in 1776 at the end of Copacabana Beach, offering spectacular views after a 20-minute walk through a natural preserve.

  • Parque Lage - A large park near the Botanical Gardens, featuring a romantic-style garden designed by John Tyndale.

  • Arpoador Beach - A rock at the end of Ipanema Beach, perfect for watching the sunset in summer.

  • Perigoso Beach - A secluded beach accessible only by boat or hiking trail.

  • Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon - A scenic tidal lagoon with a surrounding bike lane.

  • Avenida Atlantica - The famous seaside avenue in Copacabana.

  • Carioca Aqueduct - Also known as Arcos da Lapa, this aqueduct now serves as a tramway connecting Downtown Rio and Santa Teresa.

  • Macumba Beach - A beautiful beach in the western part of Rio.

  • Praca Quinze de Novembro - A historic square surrounded by significant buildings and a ferry terminal.

  • Aterro Do Flamengo - A large park area with an expressway running through it.

  • Marina Da Gloria - The departure point for most boat tours in Rio.

  • Morro da Urca - The first stop on the cable car route to Sugarloaf Mountain.

  • Arco do Teles - A place with preserved colonial architecture named after Portuguese judge Antônio Telles Barreto de Menezes.

  • Santa Teresa - An artsy neighborhood with colonial-style buildings, bars, cafés, and restaurants. It’s known for its murals, street art, cobblestone streets, and souvenir shops.

  • Parque da Cidade - Offers the best view of Rio’s skyline.

  • Feira de Sao Cristovao - A fair showcasing Brazilian Northeast culture with food, crafts, music, and dance, attracting visitors from all over.

  • Cosme Velho - A neighborhood that once housed many embassies when Rio was the capital of Brazil.

  • Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer - The iconic statue inaugurated in 1931, offering panoramic views of Rio.

  • Leme - A quieter beach at the end of Copacabana.

  • Escadaria Selaron - A famous staircase decorated with tiles from over 60 countries, created by artist Jorge Selaron.

  • Ipanema Farmer’s Market - A rotating market where locals buy fresh produce and tourists can sample fruits and street food.

  • Sao Francisco da Penitencia Church - Built between 1657 and 1733, this church is a prime example of Baroque architecture in Rio.

  • Mirante Do Leblon - A viewpoint at the end of Leblon Beach.

  • Morro Dois Irmaos - A granite mountain at the end of Leblon Beach.

  • Guanabara Palace - Once home to Princess Isabel, now the headquarters of Rio’s state government.

  • Urca - A picturesque neighborhood at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.

  • Barra da Tijuca Beach - A beautiful beach in a newly developed area of Rio.

  • Abrico Beach - Rio’s only nude beach.

  • Praia de Grumari - An isolated beach surrounded by lush vegetation, accessible only by private transport.

  • Praia Da Joatinga - A beach surrounded by cliffs, reachable by a small trail.

  • Praia do Leme - The best spot for a photo of Copacabana Beach.

  • Recreio dos Bandeirantes Beach - A 10-mile-long beach in western Rio.

  • Vermelha Beach - A small, beautiful beach with red sand at the foot of Urca Mountain.

  • Palacio Capanema - An icon of Brazilian modern architecture.

  • Vista Chinesa - A monument celebrating the arrival of Chinese immigrants to Brazil.

  • Boa Viagem Island - Home to the ruins of a fort and a church.

  • Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgaos - A national park in the mountains, 50 miles from Rio.

  • Mirante do Soberbo - Offers stunning views of the mountains and Guanabara Bay.

  • Dedo de Deus - A peak in Serra dos Orgaos that resembles a pointing finger.

  • Prainha Beach - A secluded beach and surfer’s paradise.

  • Ponte Rio–Niteroi - A nine-mile bridge connecting Rio and Niteroi.

  • Pedra do Sal - Considered the birthplace of Samba.

  • Ilha Da Gigoia - A hidden gem with the best seafood in Rio.

  • Pontal Beach - A calm beach at the end of Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

  • Reserva Beach - A preserved area in Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

  • Beco das Sardinhas - A downtown alley with preserved colonial architecture.

  • Museum of Valongo Wharf - Located where nearly a million Africans disembarked between 1811 and 1831, highlighting African heritage in Brazil.

  • Centro de Visitantes Von Martius Museum - A 19th-century mansion with a permanent exhibition about the park and works by botanist Von Martius.

  • Cachoeira do Rio dos Frades - A beautiful waterfall with a large pool for swimming and sunbathing.

  • Pedra Bonita - A mountain in Sao Conrado with a hang-gliding takeoff spot.

  • Cais do Valongo - The entry point for millions of enslaved Africans over 100 years.

  • Caminho Niemayer - An architectural complex in Niterói designed by Oscar Niemeyer.

  • Morro da Babilonia - A granite wall where climbers can be seen scaling the mountain.

  • Mirante do Caete - A viewpoint overlooking Prainha.

  • Mirante do Joa - A viewpoint at the foot of Gavea Mountain.

  • Pedra do Telegrafo - A steep hiking trail in Pedra Branca State Park, famous for cliff-hanging photos.

  • Praia do Secreto - A hidden beach on the way to Prainha.

  • Mirante do Leme - The best spot for a photo of Copacabana Beach.

  • Parque Natural Municipal da Prainha - A city park behind Rio’s most beautiful beach.

  • Travessa do Comercio - An old commercial area with colorful colonial houses.

  • Maua Square - A large square near Little Africa, surrounded by museums.

  • Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Se - Rio’s first cathedral.

  • Statue of General Osorio - A war hero and patron of the Brazilian Army.

  • Poco Verde - A magnificent waterfall in Serra dos Orgaos National Park.

  • Mestre Valentim Fountain - Originally used to supply fresh water to vessels and residents.

  • Pedra do Pontal - A rock island dividing Recreio and Macumba beaches.

  • Trilha do Pao de Acucar - A hiking trail starting at Claudio Coutinho Trail, leading to Urca Mountain.

  • Largo dos Guimaraes - The central part of Santa Teresa District.

  • Rio de Janeiro Historic City Center - A downtown area rich in historical buildings and sites.

  • Boulevard Olimpico - An area with museums, cultural centers, and street art, including the Etnias Mural by Eduardo Kobra.

  • Painel Etnias - A mural by Eduardo Kobra inspired by the Olympic rings, representing the five continents.

  • Morro da Conceicao - An area marking the initial Portuguese occupation of Rio, with historical and architectural significance.

  • Pier Maua - The docking point for cruise ships in Rio.

  • AquaRio - The largest aquarium in South America, home to about three thousand sea animals.

  • Igreja de Sao Francisco da Prainha - A Baroque church built in 1704.

  • Centro de Visitantes Paineiras - A visitor center with an environmental education center, accessible when visiting the Christ Monument by minibus.

  • Rampa Pedra Bonita - A hang-gliding takeoff spot in Sao Conrado with great views.

  • Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana - A fort at the tip of Copacabana Beach with stunning views.

  • Praia do Meio - A secluded beach accessible only by hiking trail.

  • Floresta da Tijuca - The largest reforested urban forest in the world, covering 10% of Rio and housing the Tijuca National Park.

  • Cascatinha Taunay - One of Rio’s many waterfalls.

  • Museu Selecao Brasileira - CBF - A museum in Barra da Tijuca dedicated to the history of the Brazilian soccer team, featuring interactive exhibits and memorabilia.

  • Confeitaria Colombo - An iconic café from 1824, showcasing the Belle Époque of Rio with stunning architecture and representative Brazilian cuisine.

What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Tolls and parking fees
  • Landing and/or facility fees
  • Surcharges on fuel
  • Transportation in a private car
What's Not Included
  • Customer’s admission tickets for the attractions visited on the tour
  • Meals or drinks (if any)
Additional Information

Enjoy a distinctive, eight-hour personal tour of Rio with a local guide. Experience the convenience of private transport, ready to take you to any attraction in Rio. This is an excellent opportunity for seasoned travelers looking to optimize their visit. Whether you wish to visit the popular destinations or explore lesser-known sites, your private guide can suggest the best locations and strategies for avoiding queues. The tour accommodates up to four people and includes pick-up and drop-off services from your Rio dwelling, cruise terminal, or airport.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • A maximum of 4 people per booking
  • Pricing is per group pricing
  • Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
  • Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required
  • All tours are private and conducted in air conditioned vehicle.
  • Your admission tickets for the attractions visited on the tour and any meals or drinks are not included. Admission fees will be paid directly at the attractions.
Location
Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
5.0
(138 Ratings)
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Nouki84
Jul 30, 2024
An amazing Rio Experience with Luis - Luis was an amazing guide! My cousin and I booked him to visit Sugar Loaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer but he also brought us to Olympic Boulevard, St. Sebastian Cathedral and Selaron Steps. Our 8-hour private tour soon became an amazing 9.5 hour day in Rio without extra charge. On our way to each destination, he told us so much about the history of Rio and we made a few more short stops at historical places. He speaks very good english. A tour with Luis is not just sight seeing and attractions.. it is a Rio Experience you will never forget!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
T6434ozpaulb
Jul 15, 2024
Amazing and memorable tour of Rio with Luis - We only had a few days is Rio and booked Luis as our tour guide for the day. What a fantastic choice; he made the day very memorable for my two friends and l. We visited the statue of the Christ, Sugar Loaf Mountain and nearby beach, a local market and the beauftiful area of Santa Theresa. Luis had great knowledge and brilliant English and explained history and culture in a very engaging way. I am a wheelchair user and he made sure l didn’t miss out on any of the fun. Thank you Luis.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Chris_s
May 28, 2024
A++++ - Can’t recommend this enough. Luis might know everything there is to know about Rio. Take this tour!!
Review provided by Viator
142agnieszkaw
May 20, 2024
Amazing, unforgettable experience! - We rarely do guided tours and prefer to do things our way. But this time we literally had a once in a lifetime opportunity to see Rio but had only 1 single day to do so. And we chose to spend it with Luis and it was a fantastic choice. Luis is a very knowledgeable, extremely experienced guide who allowed us to see everything we wanted and much more. Luis seems to know everyone in the city, knows his way around and has shortcuts and logistics figured out so that we could completely focus on experiencing Rio with all our senses. We did the classics but we also did see some places we would definitely not have found ourselves, tasted local streetfood, even tasted some fruit directly from the trees! Luis has great ways to quickly make you familiar with the cities complex geography. He knows a lot anout its nature and all the flora and fauna you come across. And while driving Luis gave us a quick version of Brasilian history, amazing cultural heritage and allowed us a glimpse beneath the surface. Amazing, unforgettable experience. Thank you Luis!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Allence9978ax
Apr 30, 2024
Great private custom tour of Rio - Luis was a great tour guide! We were staying out in the suburbs next to the Olympic park but Luis was able to come pick us up at our hotel. He asked what kind of sights we wanted to see, nature vs history vs popular sights, etc. Since we were only in town for two days, we opted for the overview of main sights with a great lunch spot suggested by Luis. He was friendly, informative, and it was great that he was able to give us local insights while offering suggestions of more off the beaten path places to see. In addition to the Christ and Sugarloaf l, he brought us to a local restaurant he frequents and the beautiful botanical gardens where he frequented as a child. If looking for a local tour and guide, skip the group tour and hire Luis for a custom private tour, you won’t regret it!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Markhkruger
Apr 30, 2024
Loved our day with Luis! - Luis was an incredible tour guide/ historian! Knowledgeable and conversant about everything from food to architecture. He helped make Rio and Niteroi come alive.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jurgen53
Apr 29, 2024
Outstanding day in beautiful Rio de Janeiro - We loved our personalized guided tour with Luis very much. After a couple of minutes he exactly knew what we wanted to see and what we are interested in. His knowledge and personal input was fantastic. He showed us the real Rio. Thank you so much. Highly recommended.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Nelysabelg
Apr 29, 2024
Excellent guide and very professional - He was an excellent guide, very kind, he was excellent with us, he gave us interesting information, he took us to all the places we wanted and he was a great contribution to our trip! I recommend it 1000%
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Rick_w
Apr 16, 2024
Fantastic - One word. Fantastic guide fantastic day. No more to say. If you don't like my style of review Viator then don't ask.
Review provided by Viator
Laur280
Apr 6, 2024
Two perfect days in Rio - Luis put together two unforgettable days for us, tailored exactly to our needs. It rained on the first day, but Luis knew exactly what we could change and how to make the most of the day. Luis showed us the best side of Rio. We had great conversations and learned so much about the city and about Brazil. We are so grateful to Luis. We had culinary experiences. The best pão de queijo... great suco de caña de acucar... frango in Santa Teresa... endless fruit at the market... They were two perfect days with my little family. Luis also picked us up from the airport twice and dropped us off there. Everything went perfectly and on time. Luis is great. And we would use his service again and again.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 10 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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