Ancient Rio and Santa Teresa Tour with Hotel pick-up and drop-off
Description
We invite you to join us in a journey back in time though Ancient Rio and Santa Teresa! Let’s visit the historical center of Rio and go to the Mosteiro de São Bento, walk through the Praça XV, Arcos dos Teles, Cinelandia (and take the opportunity to visit Colombo’s bakery) and the Arcos da Lapa. We will also visit the bucolic neighborhood of Santa Teresa with the beautiful houses of the early 20th century. Santa Teresa is famous for its traditional tram from 1897 and for being the nest of several painters that open their houses so that you can check their work.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Bucolic neighborhood, home to several painters. Admire the wonderful mansions which date back to the 20th century and be amazed at its history. The neighborhood still has the tram which was built back in 1897.
Former home to a preeminent female art supporter, Laurinda Santos Lobo, the Parque das Ruínas is now a cultural center that keeps her legacy of supporting artists everywhere.
It used to transport water, but now is a popular means of transportation for residents of Santa Teresa.
The square is located in the historical centre of Rio de Janeiro and is surrounded by the Palácio Tiradentes, the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro; and the Paço Imperial. The Praça XV Station is a ferry terminal servicing a number of destinations in the city of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi
Located in what was once the downtown market of the city, it has small streets and alleys full of bars and small restaurants.
Famous square in downtown Rio, surrounded by historical buildings with great places to take a picture.
Designed in 1908 by architect Adolfo Morales de los Rios to host the National School of Fine Arts, heir to the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts, this building was built during the urban modernization carried out by mayor Pereira Passos in the then Federal Capital. We do not enter, but we take time enjoying the architecture aspects of this building.
Inaugurated in 1909, the Theatro Municipal is one of the most importante theaters of Brazil and Latin America. The Theatro Municipal has drawn international artists and important names from Brazilian culture, including dancers, musicians, opera singers, and performing artists. Since the 1930s, the Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro has maintained its artistic independence, and is the only Brazilian institution to have its own choir, a symphony orchestra, and ballet company. We do not enter, but we take time enjoying the architecture aspects of this building.
The biggest library in Latin America was founded in 1810 by D. João VI, the King of Portugal. It is an imponent building with an archive of almost 9 millions items in downtown Rio that holds rare books, manuscripts, original letters written by Princess Isabel, the first newspapers printed in the country, and two copies of the precious Mainz Psalter Bible, printed in 1492. We do not enter, but we take time enjoying the architecture aspects of this building.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pickup is available from most hotels in the areas of Leblon, Ipanema, Copacabana, Flamengo and Downtown (Centro). Contact us back to adjust the pickup time. For Barra da Tijuca/ Recreio we provide pick-up for an additional rate.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- We contact you back in order to provide proper pickup time. Check your emails and/or cell phone.
- If requested, you must present a copy of your ID.
- Comfortable clothing and walking shoes are recommended for this tour.
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers per Minivan.
- Minimum of 2 people are required for this activity to take place.
- Contact us to confirm the pickup time according to hotel location.
Reviews(179)
Beautiful tour, full of wonderful things to see to savor all the beauty of the city! Santa Teresa is truly a must-visit neighborhood! We were fortunate to have the guide Monica, who was truly UNIQUE! Don't miss this tour; you won't regret it... after visiting the usual crowded sites!
Beautiful experience! Monica is a knowledgeable, friendly, and engaging guide. She made us discover Rio with passion, sharing many interesting facts and making the tour truly special. Highly recommended!
Marcela was an amazing guide! She is charming, incredibly knowledgeable, and made the tour enjoyable from start to finish. She guided the group seamlessly in both English and Portuguese and handled Rio’s traffic like a true professional. Thanks to her, we learned so much about the city’s history and culture. Highly recommended!
While the transport and the guide were both marvellous, I don't feel this tour offered particularly good value for money. If you're spending a few days in Rio and have already taken organised tours to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, there's a good chance you've also visited places such as the Cathedral and Selarón Steps, as these are often included in those excursions. As a result, there wasn't a great deal of new content for me on this tour. I had hoped we would spend more time exploring the streets of Santa Teresa on foot, taking in its colourful buildings, charming atmosphere, and local character. Instead, a significant portion of the tour was spent travelling in the vehicle. We also didn't visit some of the places I had expected to see, such as Confeitaria Colombo or Parque das Ruínas (although I understand the latter is closed on Tuesdays). While I did enjoy visiting some beautiful churches and the stunning Royal Portuguese Reading Room, I ultimately felt that the overall experience didn't quite justify the price. The guide was excellent and the organisation was smooth throughout, but I was left wishing for a more immersive exploration of Santa Teresa and Rio's historic centre.
Fantastic walk around Santa Teresa - wonderful murals and artisan shops. Fascinating walking around old Rio (visiting the Royal Portuguese Reading Room and Mosteiro de São Bento with views of the Museum of Tomorrow). Monica was so knowledgeable and accommodating. A wonderful half day excursion.
An amazing experience and tour with Monica, who showed us places that are off the usual tourist paths. Through her explanations and secret spots, she was able to show us all aspects of Brazilian art, history, and culture. A big thank you to Monica for her professionalism.
I had an amazing time during my tour. My guide Meilin Mares was excellent and very knowledgeable. She spoke English, Spanish and Portuguese perfectly so she was able to communicate with everyone in the tour effectively. I thought I lost my AirPods but Meilin found them in her car and contacted to verify. She then brought them back to my hotel and left them for me at the front desk. That really meant a lot to me because she went out of her way so I could have my property back. I will recommend this tour to all my friends.
Very good tour guide, small group, great
Our guide was truly exceptional: very kind, attentive, and passionate. The tour she offered was super interesting and perfectly organized. Despite the rain, we had a wonderful time and learned a lot about the beginnings and history of Rio. I recommend this experience to everyone to discover the city in an enriching and enjoyable way!
It was amazing tour. Perfect location
