Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets
Traveler rating
4.3/5
Based on 28 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets worth booking?
Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets is a 4-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $218 per person. It scores 55 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4.3/5 rating across 28 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 55 / 100
- Rating
- 4.3/5 (28)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $218 per person
See the best of Rio de Janeiro with a knowledgeable local guide on a private, customizable city tour! You’ll be chauffeured around Rio in a comfortable private vehicle and have the unique opportunity to fully customize y
What you get
- Professional guide
- Transport by private vehicle
About this experience
See the best of Rio de Janeiro with a knowledgeable local guide on a private, customizable city tour! You’ll be chauffeured around Rio in a comfortable private vehicle and have the unique opportunity to fully customize your own itinerary. Head to whichever neighborhoods, beaches or city landmarks you’d like to see, from the shores of Guanabara Bay to the hilltop enclave of Santa Teresa – your choice. If you opt to upgrade your tour, travel through the Tijuca Forest by cog train to Corcovado and/or by cable car to Sugar Loaf Mountain.
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Transport by private vehicle
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Gratuities
- Entrance fees (if option not selected)
What you'll see and do
Sugarloaf Mountain
(If option selected) Your private guide will take you to the Urca neighborhood, where one of Rio's most iconic symbols is located – the monolith of Sugar Loaf Mountain (Pao de Acucar). Board the glass-walled cable car, making a brief stop at a vista point approximately 700 feet (215 meters) above sea level. Capture unrivaled panoramic views of Rio, including the Rio-Niteroi Bridge and Corcovado Mountain across Guanabara Bay. Finally, ascend to the summit of Sugarloaf for breathtaking vistas of Copacabana Beach and beyond (visibility dependent on weather conditions)!
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Santuario Cristo Redentor
(If option selected) Your private guide will accompany you on a cog train ride through the scenic Tijuca Forest, a national park. When you reach the 2,329-foot (710-meter) granite peak of Corcovado, climb the steps (or ride the escalator) to the foot of the iconic Christ Redeemer statue, which stands 125 feet (38 meters) tall with outstretched arms over Rio. Enjoy magnificent photo opportunities of the panoramic vista (visibility dependent on clear weather), which includes downtown Rio, Sugar Loaf Mountain, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and several hillside favelas.
60 minutes here · Admission not included
Guanabara Bay
Choosing the best itinerary might be a hard task, so here are a few suggestions to make it easier for you: * Guanabara Bay with Santa Teresa and Selarón Steps by foot and Arcos da Lapa: Explore the views of Guanabara Bay, the largest bay in the world; Walk through Santa Teresa's streets to see the Selarón Steps, the Ruins Park, the bars and the cobbled hills; View the famous Arcos da Lapa, the traditional bohemian neighborhood
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Botanical Garden
Another sugestion of itinerary: * Botanical Garden and Lage Park with Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon: Visit the Botanical Garden, a unique park due its the variety of species, then go to Lage Park, a gorgeous park at the foot of the Corcovado; and check out Rio's postcard, rent a bike or paddle boat to enjoy it.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Maracana
One more suggestion of route: * Maracanã Stadium with Quinta da Boa Vista and São Cristovão Fair: Take a tour inside one of the world's largest football stadium; visit Quinta da Boa Vista, a public park of great historical importance in the city, which hosts the National Museum and the Zoological Garden, with the biggest birds zoo of Latin America; and take a walk through a traditional brazilian northeastern fair, where you will see handicrafts, musicians and variety of foods made by locals.
120 minutes here · Admission not included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 20 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Sugar Loaf Option
4-hour private tour includes transport, guide and tickets to Sugar Loaf Mountain Cable Cars Pickup included
Corcovado Option
4-hour private tour includes transport, guide and entrance to Corcovado Pickup included
Sugar Loaf + Corcovado
6-hour private tour includes transport, guide and entrance to Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Pickup included
Create Your Own - 4 Hours
Customizable Tour - 4 Hours: Create your own 4-hour itinerary morning tour Pickup included
Create Your Own - 6 Hours
Create your own 6-hour itinerary morning tour Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- de, pt, en, it, fr, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Gray Line Brazil
Know before you go
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- The specific departure time for this tour will be determined upon reconfirmation
- Set your choice of time duration and inclusion of tickets at the time of purchase
- The places at the itinerary section are suggestions. You may choose your own itinerary.
- Train Ticket to Corcovado and/or Cable Car Ticket to Urca Hill are only included if respective options are selected
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 28 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
5 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Pace and timing
3 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Small groups
3 mentionsThe group size is repeatedly described as intimate rather than packed.
Knowledge and storytelling
2 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Organization
2 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Food and drink
2 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Traveler reviews
28 verified traveler reviews for Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Horrible
I booked the excursion for the only time available, which was at 8 am. The tour time was changed to 2 pm with no notice, no email & no text about the new time which did not work for me because I had another excursion scheduled for that day. The experience was horrible, I was ready for a tour at 8 am. This ruined my sightseeing in Rio de Janeiro.
Response from the operator: dear client we had a system integration issue. We received your booking with an afternoon tour, not morning problem was reported and fixed. i am sorry but we even confirmed pick up time through Viator´s Extranet. thank you kind regards
via Viator
Ensure to establish an exact pick up time and location- get a Whattsap number to communicate.
Overall a good trip- eventually. Was originally told the tour started at 8am. Then received a change notice from the tour operator that it was then going to be 8:30. I asked several times through the tour operator chat on VIATOR for a Whattsap phone number to communicate with the driver- no reply. Then I had to phone the tour operator on 3 occasions in att empty to find our driver. I was told they were parking and I told the. Where we were standing outside the port. Then I received a WhatsApp message from the driver that said he was in traffic and it would be 9 am for a pick up. At approximately 9:30 we finally walked to the driver because he shared his location on Whattsap. Once in the car, everything was wonderful.
Response from the operator: dear client. we usually send all communication through Viator Extranet. We believe there was a system problem as we thought you were aware of pick up. we will contact Viator in order to align details but we also have our whatsup emergency at the voucher. thank you for your feedback
via Viator
Private Tour & Leonel Rocks!!!
Leonel is the man. As instructed, we came downstairs 15 minutes prior to our pickup time, when we walked out the front door there he was patiently waiting. Very professional, very polite, and very knowledgeable about the history of all things Brazil/Rio de Janeiro. Loved the tour and we owe that not just to the sights we saw but to Leonel. If you're thinking of this tour, I'd say do it and specifically request Leonel because he's the man!!!
Response from the operator: Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.
via Viator
Rio de Janeiro Private Day Tour
We had an amazing trip in Rio on 10th April 2024 and our trip would not be the same if it wasn’t for our great guide Tina Teixeira “TT” :) her enthusiasm and humour made our day a lot more interesting and fun! She took us to all main attractions and more! Stopping in key areas for the ultimate view of this magnificent city. She spoken fluent English and had excellent historical knowledge that she shared with us along the trip. We had a very comfortable vehicle and the driver was very careful and had a smooth drive across the city. I would highly recommend Gary Line tour company and most certainly Tina Teixeira as the tour guide. Thank you TT for making our day so special with unforgettable memories:)
Response from the operator: Dear Customer. Thanks a lot for the review. We are glad that you liked the tour. Please count on us on future trips. Thanks.
via Tripadvisor
Awesome tour guide - Lionel
We came to the tour with an agenda of Botanical Garden, Maracana Stadium, Metropolitan Cathedral, Seleron Steps, and lunch. Lionel suggested we go to the National Park instead of the Botanical Garden, so we followed his advice. It was a wonderful suggestion! We saw the rest of our agenda in 6 hours. We were not ruched. Lionel suggested the restaurant too. If we could give 10 stars we would.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $218 to $3941
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Gray Line Brazil, who run 56 experiences we rank across 5 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 53.4.
See everything Gray Line Brazil runsWhy this scores 55
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets cost?
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Prices start at $218 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rio de Janeiro usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets take?
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Plan for about 4 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rio de Janeiro is not rushed.
Is Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 55 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.3/5 across 28 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rio de Janeiro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 4-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets?
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Around 10 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rio de Janeiro can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rio de Janeiro and add a light layer if any part of the 4-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Private Tour: Rio de Janeiro Customizable City Sightseeing with Optional Corcovado and Sugar Loaf Tickets start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rio de Janeiro within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
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On Outty we rank every Rio de Janeiro experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included, Rio: Tijuca Rainforest Hike, Wildlife, Waterfalls & Caves, Explore the Best of Tijuca Forest – Hike to Peaks, Caves & Falls. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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