Visita guiada, admisión y traslado al Teatro Nacional y Biblioteca Nacional

This attempted visit to the National Theatre in Rio offered by Rio Carioca Tours was a complete fiasco! I paid for two tickets three weeks in advance and received a confirming message two days before the tour--all good. Then, late the NIGHT BEFORE the tour, I get a text from Rio Carioca advising that they cannot provide the National Theatre tour and asking if I would like to replace it with something else. I said that I was not interested in that and objected strongly to this last minute change of plans. A few minutes later, they told me the tour was back on and that I would get the details of the meeting place from the tour guide the next day. After several phone calls the next day made by a friend who spoke Portuguese, arrangements were made on where and when to meet the guide for this tour. When the guide finally arrived, she advised that there were no tickets available for the National Theatre that day but that we would be seeing other things. When I protested that I had already paid in advance for this tour and had been assured that it would take place, the local guide advised that the National Theatre has a habit of randomly cancelling tours and/or refusing to sell tour tickets and that this had happened to her many times before. I told her that since she could not give me what I had paid for, I wanted a complete refund of my money. I was advised that this would be promptly taken care of, but when I checked my credit card account two days later, the original charge was still showing but not the refund.

They changed the tour. Would not have been able to hear tour in English. A car showed up to drive us. Seemed risky to get in car with who was supposed to be tour guide. More walking outside in rain for two older women with walking difficulties.

Don’t miss it! The National Library and the Municipal Theatre are both amazing! The Theatre is inspired by l’Opera Garnier de Paris. Both are lovely buildings from the early 1900, located on a square from the same era, it feels like you are in a Brazilian Paris! And the guide: she arrived at our hôtel 15-20 minutes ahead of meeting time and started right away to tell us about today’s tour what we would see and the history of Brasil, Rio and of the sites. She is fluent in French and English which was a plus!!! More over, she is passionate and she succeeds in transmitting her love for her country! Thank you Monica!

We really enjoyed the tour. The guide had a big knowledge about the library, theater and Rio in general. All my recommendations.

Punctuality, super attentive and helpful Guide. It is very worth visiting the library and Theatre. I think it's a great walk.

Enjoyed the information our guide had to share. She helped us to better understand Rio's history which enhanced our trip. The municipal theater is beautiful but the exhibits in the old library moved us the most.