What You Will Do
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.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Itinerary
1
Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio
10 minutes
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.
2
Morro Dois Irmaos
20 minutes
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.
3
Mirante Do Leblon
Nice vantage viewpoint at the end of Leblon Beach.
4
Leblon Beach
Depending on your hotel location we'll pass by this very nice beach in the most expensive neighborhood in South America.
5
Ipanema Beach
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.
6
Arpoador beach
A large rock at the end of Ipanema Beach considered one of the best spots in Rio to observe the sunset during the summer.
7
Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana
The Fort seats at the tip of the Copacabana Beach and offers some of the best views in of Copacabana.
8
Copacabana Beach
This worldwide famous beach is also the area where most hotels are located in Rio.
9
Avenida Atlantica
The seaside avenue in Copacabana is the most famous beach area in Rio.
10
Praia do Leme
At the very end of Copacabana Beach Leme Beach is the best place for a picture of Copacabana.
11
Leme
A less busy beach located at the very far end of Copacabana.
12
Forte Duque de Caxias
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.
13
Mirante do Leme
Most definitively the best spot to take a picture of Copacabana Beach.
14
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon
One of the nicest areas in Rio this tidal lagoon connects with the sea and it is surrounded by a bike lane.
15
Botanical Garden
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.
16
Floresta da Tijuca
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.
17
Vista Chinesa
30 minutes
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.
18
Cosme Velho
Drive through this neighborhood that was once the home for most embassies in Brazil when Rio was the country capital.
19
Mirante Dona Marta
30 minutes
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.
20
Santa Teresa
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.
21
Largo dos Guimaraes
Central part of Santa Teresa District.
22
Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas
30 minutes
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.
23
Carioca Aqueduct
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.
24
Aterro Do Flamengo
A very large park area crossed by an expressway.
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