Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour
Traveler rating
4.0/5
Based on 10 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour worth booking?
Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour is a 4-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $81 per person. It scores 56 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Worth a Look”, based on a 4/5 rating across 10 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 56 / 100
- Rating
- 4/5 (10)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $81 per person
Visit the Botanic Garden which was created in 1817 by King John VI of Portugal. Dedicated to the culture of exotic plants, the unique park features a variety of rare and exotic species brought from all over the world. Among the rarest are the Imperial Palm Trees, huge water lilies (Victorias-Regias), and Brazilian Red Wood trees (Pau Brasil), which are an endangered species in the Atlantic Forest. In its famous greenhouse, more than 500 species of delicate orchids are carefully tended to. We will then make a visit to the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, stopping at the Chinese View Belvedere which features a magnificent view of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the Guanabara Bay and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. The access by car to the Chinese viewpoint is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the Pepino Beach to watch the hang gliders.
What you get
About this experience
Visit the Botanic Garden which was created in 1817 by King John VI of Portugal. Dedicated to the culture of exotic plants, the unique park features a variety of rare and exotic species brought from all over the world. Among the rarest are the Imperial Palm Trees, huge water lilies (Victorias-Regias), and Brazilian Red Wood trees (Pau Brasil), which are an endangered species in the Atlantic Forest. In its famous greenhouse, more than 500 species of delicate orchids are carefully tended to. We will then make a visit to the Tijuca Atlantic Forest, the largest urban forest in the world, stopping at the Chinese View Belvedere which features a magnificent view of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the Guanabara Bay and the Sugar Loaf Mountain. The access by car to the Chinese viewpoint is closed on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the Pepino Beach to watch the hang gliders.
What's included
Included
- Entrance ticket to Botanic Garden
- Professional guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels in Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema e Leblon)
Not included
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Botanical Garden
Botanical Garden
60 minutes here · Admission included
Parque Nacional da Tijuca
Tijuca Rain Forest
60 minutes here
Vista Chinesa
Chinese view belvedere features a magnificent view of Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, the Guanabara Bay and the Sugar Loaf Mountain
30 minutes here
Pepino Beach
On the way back to the hotel, we stop at the Pepino Beach to watch the hang gliders.
30 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Including Botanic Garden Tkt
Pickup included
Without Botanic Garden Ticket
Pickup included
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Group size
- Up to 7 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Tangol
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Operated by a multi-lingual guide
- Please provide the full name of all passengers
- The exact pick up time will be informed one day before the tour
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
10 verified traveler reviews for Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
HONEST REVIEW
We were picked up at a meeting point, as where I was staying was difficult to get to. The tour was beautiful as I took the best pictures in the rainforest. This was a quick and beautiful tour. Our tour guide was very nice and was trilingual. I forgot his name unfortanutely but he made sure we were all on time. One suggestion to the tour guide is to make it 2hrs longer so people can enjoy things on their own without having to follow through a tight schedule. We would of loved to freely explore the garden as there was plenty of things to observe and there were monkeys that other tourist had the opportunity to take pictures and videos of. Would do this tour again, just wished there was a bit more time to explore.
via Tripadvisor
Terrible company
If I could give this zero stars, I absolutely would. Avoid this company at all costs. They are disorganized, dishonest, and completely unprofessional. The booking clearly stated that the botanical garden ticket was included. It is NOT. Only after I paid did they message me to say I would need to purchase the ticket separately and I couldn’t even do online because it requires a Brazilian CPF. That is blatant misinformation. They then changed the date of my tour twice. After all of that chaos, I was finally given a confirmed meeting time of 8:20 AM. On the day of the tour, at 8:15 AM, the guide messaged me saying they were leaving because I was “late” and that the meeting time was actually 8:00 AM. Completely false. I have proof of the 8:20 AM time they themselves provided. Instead of acknowledging their mistake, they refused a refund and shifted the blame onto me. At every stage they were disorganized, dismissive, and incapable of taking responsibility for their own errors. Not once did they admit even the smallest fault. Save yourself the frustration and stress. Do not book with them. You will regret it.
via Viator
Excellent tour!
We loved seeing the Tucson feeding and a sloth! The waterfall was beautiful and our guides were energetic and full of information!
via Viator
Excellent Tour
Our guide was extremely knowledgeable about the various plants and trees. His passion for the the plants came through while speaking. I was very interesting and he was able to answer our questions throughly. The waterfall was inspiring and the short walk through the forest was great. The Chinese view was great with a view of Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf. The botanical gardens was one of the best I’ve ever been in. A reason to come back.
via Viator
Worst Tour of My Life. Waste of Money!!
Let me start off by saying that I rarely leave bad reviews. This bad review is much warranted to warn people to stay away from this tour company. Not only did they cheat me out of my time, but my money as well. This company is dishonest and a bunch of petty thieves!! I have no idea why they have 5 star reviews, but that's about to change today. My friend and I booked this tour for March 30th, 2024. The driver and tour guide showed up almost 30 minutes after the time they promised to pick us up. We received confirmation over Whatsapp that we would be picked up at 1:50 pm. No one sent a message or anything to let us know that they were running late. We almost left the pickup point. When they did show up, the Jeep was packed to capacity with another group. We weren't sure if we would fit, but they somehow made it work. Because of the late arrival, we rushed through every attraction listed in the description of this tour. Instead of spending 1 hour at the Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest, we spent like 30 minutes each. We barely spent 10 minutes at the Vista Chinesa and Pepino Beach because the tour guide and driver were rushing us. We felt cheated out of an experience and the 68 dollars that we each paid for the tour. This isn't the only thing that made me upset and which prompted me to leave a bad review. The tour's description mentions that the Botanical Garden attraction is not free and so a ticket must be bought. What the tour guide and this company failed to communicate is that you must buy the ticket at the Botanical Garden with Brazilian cash and cannot use a credit card. You also cannot purchase the ticket online with credit card unless you have a Brazilian identification number known as a CPF. Well, I wish I would've known that ahead of time because neither my friend or I were carrying cash that day, only our credit cards. The tour guide paid for both our tickets and asked to be reimbursed before they dropped us off. We specifically told the guide that she didn't have to do that and the group can continue the tour without us. But she was persistent in paying for the tickets. I used my PayPal to reimburse the guide for both tickets. The tour guide charged me 207 Brazilian reals for 2 tickets. I didn't think much about the amount I paid until after the trip, when my friend pointed out that I was ripped off and overpaid them. One ticket costs 73 Brazilian reals and two tickets 146. They STOLE 61 additional reals from me. I cannot believe this tour guide was this dishonest with me. There's so much more I could write about the erratic and frantic behavior of the tour guide and this unpleasant experience, but I will save my words and let the next person express their dissatisfaction. Shame on you!!!
Response from the operator: Dear Dwayne_S, We sincerely regret that your tour experience didn't meet your expectations. We would like to clarify a few important points. When you selected the booking option without entrance fees included, therefore, as always, at the time of boarding you were informed that the entrance fee to the Botanical Garden was not included and that cash in REAL currency was needed to purchase them on site. The contracted service is a regular transfer, which implies that other passengers also use the same vehicle, which may cause minor delays. The standard waiting time at the hotel reception is approximately 30 minutes. As for the guide, we would like to emphasize that she has an official degree, speaks several languages and has a vast experience guiding in other companies. Our entire team also receives continuous training as part of the quality standards we maintain. In relation to the charge for the tickets, it is important to mention that an additional commission is applied since she was the one who sold them to you, hence the difference in the amount. In spite of this, we take your comments very seriously and have passed them on to the guide as an opportunity for improvement, in order to continue reinforcing the quality of our services. In addition, to avoid these situations, we modified the option to always include the entrance tickets so that at the time of the tour our passengers no longer have to worry about purchasing them. We appreciate your comments and regret any inconvenience you may have experienced. Yours sincerely, Tangol Tours
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 4 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri, Sat, Sun
- Price range
- $81 to $123
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 4
- Verdict
- Worth a Look
Who runs this experience
Operated by Tangol, who run 256 experiences we rank across 22 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 48.8.
See everything Tangol runsWhy this scores 56
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour cost?
+
Prices start at $81 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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour take?
+
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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour worth it?
+
It holds an Outty Ranking of 56 out of 100, which we label "Worth a Look". That score blends traveler sentiment (4/5 across 10 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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour suitable for kids and families?
+
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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
Around 4 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?
+
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 Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour start and how do I get there?
+
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?
+
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 Pedra da Gávea hike, your best experience in Rio, Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included, Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro - Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo Guide. 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?
+
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?
+
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?
+
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.
What is included in Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
Included: Entrance ticket to Botanic Garden; Professional guide; and Hotel pickup and drop-off (hotels in Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema e Leblon). Not included: Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour include hotel pickup?
+
Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 131 listed pickup locations in and around Rio de Janeiro. Be ready about 30 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour offered in?
+
It is offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour if the weather is bad?
+
It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Rio de Janeiro. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
Across 10 reviews averaging 4.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, photo opportunities, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
What booking options are available for Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour?
+
There are 2 options to choose from, including Including Botanic Garden Tkt, Without Botanic Garden Ticket. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
Ready to lock in your spot?
Pick a date, choose your group, and see the exact price for Rio: Botanical Garden and Tijuca Rainforest 4x4 Jeep Tour.
Pick your date
