
Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 32 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more worth booking?
Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more is a 3-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $55 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 32 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (32)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $55 per person
With this tour you will have the chance to see and visit the main attractions in Downtown Rio, the oldest part of Rio de Janeiro!
What you get
- Professional guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
About this experience
With this tour you will have the chance to see and visit the main attractions in Downtown Rio, the oldest part of Rio de Janeiro!
What's included
Included
- Professional guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (selected hotels only)
Not included
- Gratuities
What you'll see and do
Mosteiro De Sao Bento
The Abbey of Our Lady of Montserrat, more commonly known as the Mosteiro de São Bento (Monastery of St. Benedict), is a Benedictine abbey located in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The abbey was founded by Benedictine monks who came from the state of Bahia in 1590. It is still operational today, along with the Colégio de São Bento (St. Benedict College) nearby. The façade was part of the original Mannerist project and featured a centralized edifice with three archways at the entrance, as well as a triangular gable. Two towers crowned by pyramidal spires flanked the entryway. After passing through the entrance archway, the building houses a tiled porch and iron gates from the nineteenth century.
30 minutes here · Admission included
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian
With architecture inspired by the Mayan pyramids of Mexico, the conical shape is believed to give proximity to God. Four stained glass windows run from floor to ceiling forming a cross at the top. Acoustics are "heavenly" here!
30 minutes here
Maracana
The Maracanã Stadium, was inaugurated in 1950 to host the World Cup. It is the largest stadium in Brazil, with capacity for more than 78 thousand fans. The "Maraca", as it is also called, besides the games of the national champions, is the Brazilian and of other great international competitions, is the stage of the great musical spectacles.We will not go inside it and will make a quick stop outside, at Bellini's statue, for pictures visit.
15 minutes here · Admission not included
Forte Duque de Caxias
Fort Copacabana is a military base at the south end of the beach that defines the district of Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro. The base is open to the public and contains the Museu Histórico do Exército (Army Historical Museum) and a coastal defense fort that is the actual Fort Copacabana.
Pass by without stopping
Arcos da Lapa
The Carioca Aqueduct is located in the centre of the city, in the Lapa neighbourhood, and is frequently called Arcos da Lapa (Lapa Arches) by Brazilian people. Since the end of the 19th century the aqueduct serves as a bridge for a popular tram that connects the city centre with the Santa Teresa neighbourhood uphill, the Santa Teresa Tramway.
Pass by without stopping
Escadaria Selaron
Escadaria Selarón, also known as the 'Selaron Steps', is a set of world-famous steps in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón who claimed it as "my tribute to the Brazilian people. In 1990, Selarón began renovating dilapidated steps that ran along the front of his house. At first, neighbours mocked him for his choice of colours as he covered the steps in fragments of blue, green and yellow tiles – the colours of the Brazilian flag. It started out as a side-project to his main passion, painting, but soon became an obsession. He found he was constantly out of money, so Selarón sold paintings to fund his work. It was long and exhausting work but he continued on and eventually covered the entire set of steps in tiles, ceramics and mirrors.
30 minutes here
Botafogo Beach
Botafogo is a beachfront neighbourhood. It is a mostly upper middle class and small commerce community, and is located between the hills of Mundo Novo, Dona Marta (which separates it from Laranjeiras) and São João (which separates it from Copacabana). The word Botafogo also refers to a Latin American ballroom dance move, named so because the area of Botafogo is where it originated.
Pass by without stopping
Praia do Flamengo
Flamengo is located between Catete and Botafogo districts on the edge of Guanabara Bay. The beachfront area is dominated by the Brigadier Eduardo Gomes Park, also known as Aterro do Flamengo, built on nearly 300 acres (1.2 km²) of land reclaimed from the bay and completed in 1965. The park features gardens designed by well-known Brazilian landscape designer Roberto Burle Marx.
Pass by without stopping
Rua do Lavradio
Lavradio street is a famous place in Lapa district because it has several antique shops, bars and restaurants that attract people all the time. On the first weekend of each month there is a street fair that concentrates national and foreign tourists and locals who know of the local fame. The bars occupy the streets with small tables and several stalls market everything, which gives a respectable agglomeration
20 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rio de Janeiro
Pick up at the Hilton Copacabana hotel is at 1:30pm
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Pick up at the Hilton Copacabana hotel is at 1:30pm
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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Carioca Tropical Tour Operator
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Wheelchair accessible, please advise at time of booking
- Children up to 5 years old with ID and on the lap will be free
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 32 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
3 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Traveler reviews
32 verified traveler reviews for Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Very unprofessional...
Very unprofessional company. Late for pick up for almost 1 hour. Driver drive van very fast and guide make little comments. On each spot we stay not more than 5-10 min with little comments
Response from the operator: Hi Gregory, I'm sorry to hear that you didn't enjoy your tour. As you know, we offered you a complimentary second tour when you decided to end the initial one due to rain, and this was free of charge. Please note that weather conditions are beyond our control. This tour typically lasts 3-4 hours, during which we visit many historical sites in the center of Rio, where all customers are welcome to disembark and explore. Our guides are specialists in the city's rich history. Regards,
via Viator
Monica was knowledgeable,...
Monica was knowledgeable, engaging, and passionate, offering insightful stories, local history, and vibrant cultural experiences. Highly recommended for exploring the city!
via Viator
Good Rio city tour.
This Rio de Janeiro city tour is worth to take. It covers most of the key sight seeing spots for people who are short of time to stay.
via Viator
Excellent
Monica was good n knowledgeable in her job…she toured us around according the description of the tour.
via Viator
Rio with the Aussies
We had a fantastic time with Meiling and Andre, incredible experience, thank you! We highly recommend for English speakers.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $55 to $75
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Carioca Tropical Tour Operator, who run 5 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 72.5 and 1 in the 90+ Club.
See everything Carioca Tropical Tour Operator runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more cost?
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Prices start at $55 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 Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 32 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 Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more?
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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 Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more?
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Around 11 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Rio Downtown Tour with Selaron Metropolitan Cathedral and more 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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