This tour you take you to 4 off the beaten path viewpoints in Rio and give you a real perspective of the city. You’ll be able to see the best view in town staying away from the crowds that flock to the main attractions. Perfect for those who love landscapes but don’t want to stand in lines at the main attractions. I’ve carefully selected the top 4 admission free vantage points in Rio. Parque do Penhasco Chinese Pagoda Mirante Dona Marta Parque das Ruinas Tour includes pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Rio, cruise port or airport.
Prices change with the date; the lowest is shown.
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $242.
Larger groups pay less per person.
In demand: 9 of the next 30 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 13.
Your will start with a visit to Parque do Penhasco in Leblon. Places we will drive by on the way to the first attraction will depend on your hotel location. Tour is conducted in an air-conditioned vehicle driven by your tour guide.
At the foot of a gigantic seaside mountain in the end of Leblon Beach, Parque do Penhasco offers the best perspective of Leblon and Ipanema beaches. From over here the mountains lush vegetation can be seen in contrast with the busy intersections of the city. Upon taking some pictures and enjoying this viewpoint we will procced to the Chinese Pagoda inside Tijuca National Park.
Nice vantage viewpoint at the end of Leblon Beach.
Depending on your hotel location we'll pass by this very nice beach in the most expensive neighborhood in South America.
Simply put, the most beautiful beach, with the most beautiful people, in the south side of Rio. Don´t miss the opportunity to see Tom Jobim´s statue and take great shots of the beach and Dois Irmãos´hill.
A large rock at the end of Ipanema Beach considered one of the best spots in Rio to observe the sunset during the summer.
The Fort seats at the tip of the Copacabana Beach and offers some of the best views in of Copacabana.
This worldwide famous beach is also the area where most hotels are located in Rio.
The seaside avenue in Copacabana is the most famous beach area in Rio.
At the very end of Copacabana Beach Leme Beach is the best place for a picture of Copacabana.
A less busy beach located at the very far end of Copacabana.
This fort, located at the very end of Copacabana Beach, is a well-kept secret. The fort was built in 1776 as a lookout to spot incoming ships. To reach the summit of the 183m (600-ft.) hill we’ll walk for 20 minutes on an 800 meters cobblestone road that crosses the natural preserve area kept by the Brazilian Army. Several species of the Brazilian fauna live in the area. It is not uncommon to spot mamorset monkeys, tropical birds and lizards on the way up. Once we reach the summit, a series of spectacular views will be discovered. From the hill top we’ll have a vantage point of view of the entire extension of Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and the entrance of Guanabara Bay.
Most definitively the best spot to take a picture of Copacabana Beach.
One of the nicest areas in Rio this tidal lagoon connects with the sea and it is surrounded by a bike lane.
The garden was created in 1808 by order of the Portuguese prince Dom João VI as a temporary site for acclimatizing exotic plant species from all over the world broth there by the Portuguese. During the walk we will also be able to see the majestic imperial palm trees and the orchid and Bromeliad greenhouses. Rio’s Botanic Garden is also one of the best spots to observe the city wildlife, such as capuchin and marmosets monkeys, toucans, red throated guan and several other animal species.
Tijuca Forest is the largest reforested urban forest in the world. The forest takes 10% of the city area and houses the Tijuca National Park.
Erected to celebrate 100 years of Chinese immigration to Brazil, the pagoda is surrounded by tropical forest and offers a spectacular sight of the South part of the city. We will reach the monument by driving up 15 minutes on a winding asphalt road through Tijuca National Park and pass a couple of waterfalls on the way. It is not unusual to observe Capuchin and Marmoset monkeys over here. After the Chinese Pagoda we’ll drive to Dona Marta viewpoint for yet another breathtaking view of Rio.
Drive through this neighborhood that was once the home for most embassies in Brazil when Rio was the country capital.
Mirante Dona Marta offers one of the most incredible views of the city. From there you'll have a panoramic view that includes the Christ Monument, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracana Stadium, Guanabara Bay and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Dona Marta is also the best spot to take the perfect picture of the Christ monument. After leaving Dona Marta we'll drive to Parque das Ruinas in Santa Teresa district.
This picturesque and well preserved colonial style area born in the mid-1800s is now an artsy neighborhood full of bars, cafés and good restaurants that offer a myriad food options including the best Acai and cheese bread in Rio. The place offers great photo opportunities with its painted murals, street art, cobblestone streets and a variety of souvenirs shops, including the only one in Rio listed on Lonely Planet for having only items made by local artists.
Central part of Santa Teresa District.
Located in Santa Teresa and former home to a preeminent female art supporter, Parque das Ruínas is now a cultural center in the most authentic and picturesque district of Rio. Out last stop on this tour is a lookout on the rooftop of this cultural center. The breathtaking view of downtown, Guanabara Bay Sugarloaf and Corcovado mountains is well worth the effort of climbing up the three flights of stairs.
Also known as Arcos da Lapa the aqueduct used to supply the city with water from the rivers born at Tijuca Forest. Now it is used as a passageway for the tram that connects Downtown Rio and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.
A very large park area crossed by an expressway.
We will pick you up from the pier, airport, hotel or rental apartment in Rio. Please make sure to enter your hotel name. In case of a rental apartment or unlisted hotel please enter the full street address. Places we will drive by on the way to the first attraction will depend on your hotel location.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 1,666 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Alternative Viewpoints 4 Hours Private Tour lasts about 4 hours. The itinerary has 24 stops.
Prices start at $132 per person for this Rio de Janeiro experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $242. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day.
Children aged 3–12 pay from $58, adults from $132. Infants go free.
It can: 9 of the next 30 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We will pick you up from the pier, airport, hotel or rental apartment in Rio. Please make sure to enter your hotel name. In case of a rental apartment or unlisted hotel please enter the full street address. Places we will drive by on the way to the first attraction will depend on your hotel location. Pickup points include Internacional Airport, Real Residence Copacabana.
The experience is available in PT, EN, ES.
It is a private experience: only your party takes part. Up to 10 travellers can book together.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap Specialized infant seats are available Children must be accompanied by an adult
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Luis was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend booking with him as he is very knowledgable and tailors the tour based on what you want to see and experience. In fact, this was the best tour and tour guide we have ever had.
My husband and I had an incredible experience with Luis—truly a highlight of our trip. The tour was thoughtful, personalized, and perfectly balanced between informative and relaxed. Luis is extremely knowledgeable, especially when it comes to culture, nature, and local history. We visited breathtaking lookout points we never would have found on our own, explored a local farmers market with amazing tropical fruits, and even took a short walk through the rainforest to a beautiful waterfall. One moment that really stood out was when we passed remnants of a cultural/religious ritual—something I would have completely overlooked. Luis stopped to explain it, turning it into a meaningful and memorable learning experience. The entire four hours exceeded expectations. I also felt very safe and comfortable with his driving, which made it easy to fully relax. He was punctual, communicative, and even made himself available for recommendations throughout our stay. Highly recommend—this experience was everything we hoped for and more.
We couldn't have found a better use for our afternoon on arrival at Rio. Luis's tour gave us a wonderful overview of the city, it's off-the-track viewpoints and interesting aspects. Luis is extremely knowledgeable, engaging and a great guide. He took us through the farmer's market, Santa Teresa, Tijuca, and more. The only surprise was his suggesting we do the farmer's market as the Chinese Pagoda was closed that day, and taking a lumpsum amount for the very minor bites off the stalls, which was then not accounted for. That said, his tips and information served as a wonderful compass for our future tours of the city.
Excellent experience on a day tour with Luis in a comfortable private car. We really enjoyed the spectacular views and vistas, as well as some “off the beaten track” highlights we’d never have found ourselves. Luis has an in-depth knowledge of Rio, gave us many insights about life there, and answered all of our questions. We would highly recommend Luis for a fun, fascinating, and stress-free customized tour.
Wonderfull day in Rio. Guide took us to areas not seen by the large companies. This included beautiful views of Rio and interesting local areas. Highly recommene Luis Darin as tour guide. He was excellent. Knowledgable and friendly!
For anyone looking to understand what’s in the “tissue of Brazil/ Rio” beyond what’s invisible to the eye must meet and experience this tour by Luis Darin. From communing with wildlife in secret vistas in Rio to dining in top places for locals to really truly understanding history.
Our driver Luis made our trip! He gave us a tasting menu of a number of regions with full explanations, including horticultural details of the flora and fauna. His explanation of history and culture set the stage for trips with others and most noteworthy was how memorable he made those explanations: truly terrific.
One of the best days of my life. Completely catered for my interests and got to find some interesting art studios and have try the local cuisine! A REAL insight in to life living in Rio
We did a 6 hour private tour with Luis and it was fantastic! Luis was great, very knowledgeable and took us to some great spots away from the typical tourist ones we had already done. His English is perfect and communication great. We booked with him direct via WhatsApp and everything was arranged easily and quickly. Hopefully see you again Luis! Angela and Ben
I visited Rio in June 2023. During my stay, I did two amazing private tours with Luis. The first one covered Santa Teresa, Lapa and downtown. The second one covered unique point of views of Rio, including visiting Niteroi with amazing views of the bay. Luis also took me to charming local restaurants, with a special mention to the fejoada we had in Santa Teresa. During the tours, Luis shared his insights of Rio’s history, culture and nature which gave me such a deeper understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary city. Thank you Luis for such an unforgettable experience!!
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alternative Viewpoints 4 Hours Private Tour | 4 hours | 5.0 (13) | $132 | |
 Private 6-hour Hiking Tour in the Tijuca Forest: Waterfalls, Viewpoints & Picnic | 6 hours | 5.0 (21) | $222 | View |
 4-Hour Private Guided Tour in Rio de Janeiro | 4 hours | 4.6 (32) | $95 | View |
 Rio Top 4 Attractions - 7 Hours Private Tour | 7 hours | 5.0 (10) | $175 | View |
 Tour 8(4 hours )Tour Old Rio:Lapa ,Imperial Palace , Columbus Cafe , Opera House | 4 hours | 5.0 (9) | $180 | View |
 Ticket to 4-Hour Rio de Janeiro Boat Party | 4 hours | 4.7 (10) | $65 | View |
 Tour 7 ( 4 hours ) : Tijuca National Park and Favela | 4 hours | 4.7 (3) | $180 | View |