Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje
Traveler rating
4.7/5
Based on 29 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje worth booking?
Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje is a 4-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $275 per person. It scores 61 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.7/5 rating across 29 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 61 / 100
- Rating
- 4.7/5 (29)
- Duration
- 4 hours
- From
- $275 per person
The Tijuca Forest represents one of the greatest natural treasures of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Trip in Rio offers the best guides and all the conditions necessary for you to have the best experience in our marvelous c
What you get
- Tour guide
- Car or Jeep (more than 5 people)
About this experience
The Tijuca Forest represents one of the greatest natural treasures of the city of Rio de Janeiro. Trip in Rio offers the best guides and all the conditions necessary for you to have the best experience in our marvelous city. During this trip you will get to see some of Tijuca's most famous attractions such as the Chinese view, the emperor's table and Taunay cascatinha. See wildlife and feel nature in its most beautiful and full natural beauty.
What's included
Included
- Tour guide
- Car or Jeep (more than 5 people)
Not included
- Snacks
- Bottled water
What you'll see and do
Vista Chinesa
Built in the early twentieth century in honor of the Chinese and imported tea cultivation in Brazil, the monument of Vista Chinesa offers a wide panorama full of green of the southern zone of Rio. The trail has easy access and is fully paved, leading to the lookout on a demanding, steep climb, but it pays off with one of the most beautiful peaks in town!
30 minutes here
Emperor's Table
From 1856 the Botanic Garden was connected to Alto de Boa Vista by a cantilevered road, opened by influence of Baron of Bom Retiro and whose execution and maintenance was contracted to Thomas Cochrane. It records the chronicle of the age that, in this work, workers were employed "cules" brought from China (Macau) to develop the rice crop, but which, having demonstrated no ability to agriculture, were used to build the road. This region presents an astounding coincidence of Chinese presence, begun with the arrival of the tea planters of D. João VI. After the failure of this crop, according to Brazil Gerson, the Chinese would have spread "through the diapers of Tijuca." In 1844 a map of the area records a building called "Casa dos Chinas", probably a remnant of this primitive experience. This "vocation" probably explains why the City Hall (Mayor Pereira Passos, in 1903, with a project by the architect Luis Rey, in mortar copying the bamboo) built a pavilion called "Vista Chinesa", a few years later, which can still be visited. Above, a place prepared to serve as a resting place on the frequent walks of the Royal Family gained the name of Table of the Emperor.
30 minutes here
Cascatinha Taunay
In 1860, engineer Job de Alcântara was commissioned by the Imperial Government to construct the beautiful stone bridge, in Roman arch format, which stands in front of the Taunay Cascatinha. The highest PNT waterfall is formed by the fall of the waters of the Tijuca River, the Conde River and other tributaries. In 1817, the artist Nicolas Antoine Taunay built a small house near the cascatinha and, enchanting, immortalized the beauty of the waterfall in his pictures. He became the great host of the forest, organizing meetings for the court. The house of Taunay was demolished in 1946. On the site, the old Cascatinha restaurant was built, which is currently being prepared and refurbished to house a café and a new restaurant.
60 minutes here
Parque Lage
Parque Lage is located in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood, in the south of Rio de Janeiro, close to attractions such as the Jardim Botânico and the Cristo Redentor. With an area of 52 hectares of forests, the space is surrounded by the Atlantic Forest and is part of the Tijuca National Park.
50 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 30 minutes before departure.
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, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Group size
- Up to 14 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Trip In Rio
Know before you go
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 29 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
6 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
4 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
29 verified traveler reviews for Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Another Hidden Gem in Rio!
A great spot for an quiet view of Rio. So many places in Rio to visit, this one is a bit of a hidden gem, worth the visit. Really enjoyed my time in Rio, one of the nicest and most interesting cities I have visited! Will return
via Tripadvisor
Great tour guide
Brilliant tour guide, very knowledgeable, great English, friendly and kind. Privet tour was very good he gave time to see things how we wanted without rush. Was a treat to see many different animals including monkey and birds. Definitely recomme.
Response from the operator: Thank you so much for your wonderful review! I'm thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the tour and appreciated the flexibility to explore at your own pace. It was a pleasure showing you around and sharing the sights, including the amazing wildlife. Your kind words mean a lot to me, and I'm glad you had a great experience. I look forward to welcoming you back in the future. Safe travels!
via Tripadvisor
The Tijuca Forest by guide Rafael Robaina and driver Euclides ⭐️⭐️
The tour Tijuca Forest we visit the National Tijuca Forest by jeep, vista Chinese and Cascatinha Taunay Waterfall the guide Rafael Robaina very knowledgeable of history and driver Euclides the best driver even up and down those curves road was amazing outstanding and very knowledgeable of history and safe was first doing this trip. I highly recommend this tour. Just we had time to drip in water but weather was so good to take a drip. But tour was amazing. The church areas is higher than the Sugarloaf point. We Love it.
via Tripadvisor
Avoid at all costs!
There is no zero stars allowed. We have used Viator a lot across the world and this is the first time that the tour operator did not turn up, message us or acknowledge our messages. I hope that all is well but my advice is simple - DO NOT BOOK THIS TOUR OR USE THIS OPERATOR! This spoilt our last day in Rio.
Response from the operator: First all I am sorry for this inconvinience. I never had this problem in 10 years of work. I believe you have booked the tour for all 5 stars reviews you have read. Unfornatelly I had a problem with our google calendar that have changed your tour for other date, instead of the right one. It never happened before and We made changes in our system working now with two calendars. it is important mention that after explain you what happened by message we fastly have Refunded your money back. I know that even this attitude we are not able to come back on time and fix this mistake. We wish you all the best! Sincerely, Ederson
via Viator
Great tour. Brilliant guide
The tour was great. First a trip to Palácio - Parque Lage. Great place for photos with Christ the redeemer on the mountain behind. Then on to Tijuca Forest. Great waterfalls and wildlife. Best of all Ederson was great guide. Engaging and enthusiastic. He had great knowledge of the area and history. He was brilliant at ensuring we got the most from the tour and keen to notice what we were interested in and adapt to our needs. Would highly recommend Ederson - he made the tour great.
Response from the operator: That sounds like an amazing tour! Starting at Palácio - Parque Lage with Christ the Redeemer in the backdrop must have been breathtaking. Tijuca Forest sounds incredible too, with its waterfalls and wildlife. It's wonderful to hear that Ederson was such an excellent guide, being engaging, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable about the area and its history. His adaptability and attention to your interests definitely seem like they added a lot of value to the experience. Thanks for sharing your positive feedback about Ederson—I'm sure it'll be helpful for others looking for a great tour guide!
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
- Mon, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat
- Price range
- $275 to $600
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 10
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Trip In Rio, who run 3 experiences we rank across 1 city, with an average Outty Ranking of 74.0.
See everything Trip In Rio runsWhy this scores 61
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje cost?
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Prices start at $275 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 w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje 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 Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 61 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.7/5 across 29 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 Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje?
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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 w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje 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 Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje?
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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 Tijuca Forest w/ Chinese View,cascatinha Taunay,horto waterfall and parque laje 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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