
Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 129 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife worth booking?
Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife is a 5-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $65 per person. It scores 87 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 5/5 rating across 129 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 87 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (129)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $65 per person
• Explore the Tijuca Forest away from the busiest tourist routes • Visit waterfalls, a natural cave, and viewpoints with beautiful views • Discover the Atlantic Forest in the middle of a large urban center • Observe native wildlife in its natural habitat • Learn about the fauna, flora, and history of Rio with a local Guide • Enjoy round-trip transportation from selected areas • Travel in a small group, with a maximum of 7 people • Take time to take photos and interact personally with your guide
What you get
About this experience
• Explore the Tijuca Forest away from the busiest tourist routes • Visit waterfalls, a natural cave, and viewpoints with beautiful views • Discover the Atlantic Forest in the middle of a large urban center • Observe native wildlife in its natural habitat • Learn about the fauna, flora, and history of Rio with a local Guide • Enjoy round-trip transportation from selected areas • Travel in a small group, with a maximum of 7 people • Take time to take photos and interact personally with your guide
What's included
Included
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Small-group experience
- Opportunity to observe native wildlife
- Photos (Images taken with your cell phone to keep as a memento).
- Stops at waterfalls, forest attractions and scenic viewpoints
- Guided experience in Tijuca National Park
- Professional multilingual local guide
Not included
- Snacks
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
Options you can book
Pico da Tijuca Hike
Moderate/Difficult Hike: The highest point of Tijuca Forest 360° panoramic view of Rio de Janeiro Access to the carved stone staircase Guided Trekking Experience: 1,022 m altitude Duration: 5 hours: Round-trip transportation - Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes Route exploration - Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes for visits Car with air conditioning: Transportation included in selected areas: Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado. Pickup included
Parrot's Beak Trekking
Moderate/Difficult Hike: Hike amidst the lush nature of Tijuca Forest Panoramic city view Trekking-focused experience Guided Trekking Experience: Altitude of 989m Duration: 5 hours: Round-trip transportation - Approximately 1 hour 30 minutes Route exploration - Approximately 3 hours 30 minutes for visits Car with air conditioning: Transportation included in selected areas: Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado. Pickup included
Floresta Premium Experience
Specialized local guide: Flexible departure times Door-to-door transport Photos of the experience taken by the guide Wildlife viewing Premium Small Group Duration: 5 hours: Round-trip transportation – Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes Route exploration – Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes Car with air conditioning: Transportation included in Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, and the City Center. Please check available locations. Pickup included
Forest Private Experience
Private experience: Two attractions in a single tour ☕ Brazilian breakfast or mountain snack Photos included Premium Private Experience Duration: 5 hours: Round-trip transportation – Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes Route exploration – Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes Car with air conditioning: Transportation included in selected areas: Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Recreio, and the City Center. Pickup included
Classic Forest
Specialized local guide: Small group Great value Transport included in selected areas Wildlife viewing Photo stops Classic Group Experience Duration: 5 hours: Round-trip transportation – Approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes Route exploration – Approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes Car with air conditioning : Transportation included in selected areas: Copacabana, Leme, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado. 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
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- RIOTRIPS
Know before you go
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Boarding: Boarding usually takes place about 30 minutes before the start of the tour. The exact time and meeting point will be confirmed 24 hours in advance.
- Meeting point: Boarding will take place at the hotel specified in the reservation, according to the transportation area included in the product. For other regions, consult us about the available options.
- Contact: Keep your contact phone number or WhatsApp updated and available to receive information about the shipment.
- Professional multilingual local guide
- Chinese View: The visit is available from Monday to Friday. On weekends and holidays, it will be replaced by another viewpoint in the Tijuca Forest.
- Recommendation: Wear comfortable clothes and appropriate walking shoes. Take a small backpack, repellent, water, and light snacks.
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 129 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
8 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Photo opportunities
6 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Physical effort
6 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
129 verified traveler reviews for Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great overview of the National Forest
Our guide, Bernardo, was very professional and knowledgeable. You could tell he is passionate about the area and was easy to interact with. We saw areas of the forest we would have not been able to without having a car like the hike to the bat cave. We did see monkeys and toucans. There was only another couple in our group which made the experience more personable.
via Tripadvisor
Take this our, well worth it!!
Great visit to Tijuca. We had a challenging hike with Victor, a very experienced rock climber. He took our amateur group and assisted us no matter what our limitations were. He was very knowledgeable about the area & gave so many interesting Insights to our hike in Tijuca. It was well worth the $$.
via Tripadvisor
Great outdoor activity
Nice forest. Worths the visit. I loved the guide’s passion.
via Tripadvisor
Best tour of our trip
Best tour of our trip. Eduardo was funny and entertaining as well as knowledgeable. We saw sloths and monkeys and waterfalls and a cave and beautiful views. He was considerate of my old knees. This was a very different view of Rio from the traffic filled center of town. I’m so glad we did this tour with him.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing such a special review! 😊 We’re truly happy to know that the tour with Eduardo was one of the highlights of your trip to Rio. It was a pleasure to explore Tijuca Forest at a comfortable pace, respecting your needs while enjoying the incredible wildlife and natural beauty along the way. 🌿🦥🐒 We’re glad you got to discover a different side of Rio, surrounded by nature, waterfalls, caves, and beautiful views. We hope to welcome you again for another adventure! 🇧🇷✨ RIOTRIPS Team
via Tripadvisor
Rain forest afternoon
Guide picked up us from our hotel then took us to the national park. A great afternoon, exploring the rain forest where there were lots of monkeys. We also visited 4 different water falls and a cave. Our guide kindly took some great photos for us and was very informative throughout the 4 hours. Great value for money.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for sharing your experience with RIOTRIPS! 🌿😊 We’re very happy to know you enjoyed your experience in Tijuca Forest, exploring the waterfalls, cave, and wildlife of the park. 🐒💦 Thank you for choosing RIOTRIPS and for highlighting our service, the photos, and the information provided throughout the tour. We hope to welcome you back to Rio! 🇧🇷💚 RIOTRIPS | The Authentic Rio Experience. 🇧🇷
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $65 to $239
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 45
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 87
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife cost?
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Prices start at $65 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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife take?
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Plan for about 5 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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 87 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 129 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Rio de Janeiro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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Around 45 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 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife 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 Pedra da Gávea hike, your best experience in Rio, Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro - Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo Guide, Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included. 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.
What is included in Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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Included: In-vehicle air conditioning; Small-group experience; Opportunity to observe native wildlife; Photos (Images taken with your cell phone to keep as a memento); and Stops at waterfalls, forest attractions and scenic viewpoints. Not included: Snacks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 31 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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife offered in?
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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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife if the weather is bad?
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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 Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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Across 129 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, photo opportunities. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
What booking options are available for Tijuca Forest: Hiking, waterfalls, cave, and wildlife?
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There are 5 options to choose from, including Pico da Tijuca Hike, Parrot's Beak Trekking, Floresta Premium Experience, Forest Private Experience. Prices and start times differ by option, so compare them on the booking screen.
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