Rio Gay Tours: Cristo Redentor y Área Artística de Santa Teresa

Marcelo is a very nice and knowledgeable guide and also really nice company. We had booked him on the first day of our holiday for a tour of the Christ statue and a tour of Santa Teresa. That turned out to be a perfect start to our trip, because with his great knowledge of Rio de Janeiro and his ability to respond to the needs of his guests, he gave us a wonderful day full of new impressions that at the same time felt very relaxed. Because we liked this so much we booked Marcelo again towards the end of our holiday, this time for a cruise through a nature park west of Rio followed by a visit to one of the most beautiful (gay) beaches outside the city. Without him we would never have got there and our holiday would really have been less special. Recommended!

Meeting Marcelo was the highlight of my first trip to Rio! I did three tours with Marcelo- the nightlife tour, the Corcovado tour along with Sugar Loaf, and the Abrico Beach tour. All three were amazing. Marcelo was incredibly friendly, knowledgeable, and was more like a new friend than a private guide. He absolutely made my time in Rio the best trip of my life. I look forward to visiting again soon and Marcelo will definitely be a part of that trip as well. Marcelo is hands down the best guide I’ve ever had. I highly recommend him!

Amazing experience! We were able to fully customize our tour and fit what we wanted into one day. Everything was incredibly well organized and seamlessly executed, which led us to book a second tour with Marcelo. This time, we opted for a more relaxed itinerary - visiting Ilha da Gigóia (where we even spotted a capybara) and Praia do Abricó. Throughout both tours, Marcelo found the perfect balance between my fast-paced travel style and my partner’s more laid-back attitude.

My partner and I did two tours with Marcelo — one day covering Christ the Redeemer, Santa Teresa, and the Lapa Steps, and another day out to Abricó beach — and I honestly can’t imagine having experienced Rio the same way without him. What separates Marcelo from any other guide is that he doesn’t feel like a guide. Within the first hour he felt like a friend who just happened to know everything about the city. He has the kind of insider knowledge that no guidebook touches — not just the what, but the why. Lunch at Aprazível in Santa Teresa was a perfect example: a stunning restaurant on a hillside terrace that we never would have found on our own, and exactly the kind of place that shows he’s paying attention to who his clients actually are. That attentiveness runs through everything he does. He’s genuinely flexible — willing to linger, pivot, or slow down based on what you’re responding to — and he has a rare ability to read his clientele and calibrate the experience accordingly. As two gay travelers, we felt completely at ease from the moment we met him. Abricó in particular could feel like an unknown quantity if you’re navigating it alone — Marcelo made it effortless. If you’re visiting Rio, just book Marcelo first and build your trip around his availability. We’re already thinking about when we can come back.

On Feb. 8th my first full day in Rio, Marcello picked me up from my apartment in Ipanema and we went to see Christ the redeemer and Santa Teresa. It was fun, and Marcello is very knowledgeable, and an amazing enthousiastic tour-guide. I also did another tour to Sugar Loaf and monastry near the cruise terminal. I have had a fabulous time and warmly recommend Marcello!

As first-timers to Rio with only one full day for sightseeing, having Marcelo as our guide was invaluable. He confidently navigated the city in his own well-maintained, air-conditioned sedan, making the experience seamless and comfortable. His English (US) was superb, and his commentary was upbeat, insightful and engaging. We appreciated how he placed Brazil in a broader global context, helping us truly understand the culture, history and rhythm of Rio beyond the postcard highlights. An excellent introduction to the city.

Marcelo did a great job showing us the flavor and feel of the areas. We booked tours with him for 3 days and it was excellent time Spent. His warmth and knowledge of Rio was refreshing as we navigated the city. We highly recommend him as an ambassador to Rio.

We had a wonderful experience with Marcelo. He was knowledgeable, fun, punctual and a great guy. The type of guide that guides. Not vomiting facts on you. He suggested times that worked for traffic and crowds at the events. Highly recommend!!

I am so glad I found Marcelo and the tours he offers! Don't hesitate to book with him! I did 3 tours and each one was a blast and we became great friends! He is knowledgable, punctual, speaks perfect English, and is a lot of fun! He was also able to refer me to a terrific pilot to take me hang gliding which was amazing. I am definitely coming back to Rio and would love to do another tour with Marcelo!

The tour with Marcelo was the highlight of my trip to Rio!! Not only was he highly knowledgeable about the history of Rio and the sights that we visited, but he was so much fun to be with. He made me feel comfortable and safe and we quickly became friends. As a solo traveler you kind of never know what you're going to get in the way of a tour guide and Marcelo was so welcoming. He was terrific! I cannot recommend him enough. Thank you, Marcelo!