Best Rio de Janeiro Cultural Tours in 2025

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 40.65

Trip to Petropolis with transfer included. Discover the Imperial City with the No. 1 agency in Rio, without intermediaries. Discover Petrópolis and discover how this small city became the Capital of the Empire of Brazil. A picturesque place, full of history and culture. With its pleasant climate and beautiful architecture, the city was for many years the home of Dom Pedro II, Emperor of Brazil, being present at the most important moments of our country. An exciting tour that will make you relive the history of Imperial Brazil.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 41.59

Visiting the Rocinha favela, one of Rio's hundreds of "favelas" (the Brazilian term for a slum or shantytown) and the largest in the country, is a local experience that gives you the chance to see Brazil from another point of view. With a resident guide, take a non-intrusive walking tour to learn about daily life in the favela and gain insight into the challenges these communities face. When your tour is finished our driver will be heading back to Copacabana neighborhood crossing the beaches of Leblon and Ipanema, therefore you must inform our tour guide where you are staying so we can make sure you are dropped off as close as possible to your hotel. Duration of our tour including pickup and drop off is around 3 hours.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 31.90

FAVELATOUR is indispensable if you look for a deeper perspective of many aspects of Brazil`s complex socioeconomic issues. Tour integrates visitors and locals revealing a new angle of favelas and its people, changing their reputation of exclusion. You will go to Rocinha, largest favela in Brazil, and may be, Vila Canoas, according to weather condition. From there you also get to see impressive panoramic views over Rio. We walk you through both residential and commercial area and you may also purchase nice handcrafts, if you wish. We will also lead you to a local school financed by FAVELA TOUR, and show other local community projects. Favelas are safer than most people believe, but no matter how adventurer you are, go to a favela with an organized tour. We are the pioneer of social tours to favelas since early 1992. If you really want to understand Brazil better, don´t leave Rio missing the FAVELA TOUR. We do not offer tours on sunday PM. Tours need minimum quorun to go.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 28.36

Have a real experience of what the Favela was like and today! Russo Guia, has been working for 20 years within Vidigal, 17 years in a small local business, and for over 2 as a guide. With it you will have an experience that only a resident can provide, besides valuing the local culture, Qualification, took a local Guide training course by INADH, National Institute of Human Development .Currently taking another Protur Tourism Guide Course, knows and is well known within Vidigal Script: - Sitiê Ecological Park, former dump and today a place for environmental education and vegetable garden! - Vidigal Olympic Village and graffiti court from above! - Arvrão: place with the best panoramic view and the famous bars Bar da Laje, Mirante do Arvrão and Alto Vidigal - Pope's Chapel: place visited by Pope John Paul II in 1980! - Arts shortcut: graffiti wall (Graffiti by local artist @ tarm1 on instagran and other outside artists!)

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 29.00

Guided tour of the historic city center. On this tour you will be introduced to Rio de Janeiro within its historical context. Focusing on architecture and multicultural traditions, which define a unique way of being and living the "carioca". We will walk towards the knowledge and traditions of the City. We will visit squares, churches, and historic sites. There will be the possibility of stopping for lunch, which is not included in the price of the tour. You will spend a maximum of 10 USD per person. We will pass by souvenir shops where the purchase will be optional. We will wait for you for this adventure through the streets of Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 25.52

The only backstage tour of the Carioca Carnival, the most famous carnival in the world! When in Rio, you need to experience Samba! This tour introduces you to the artistry and imagination of Carnival and allows you to discover the backstage of The greatest show on Earth! Have an unique and authentic experience exploring the backstage, the secrets, the people working and the preparations for the parade, which is also a competition. During the tour, you will be able to witness the process of construction and production of floats and more than 3000 costumes for the show. This visit includes a guided tour to the factory of the 2022th Carnival champion Samba School, Grande Rio. Including an exhibition about the history of Samba and Carnival, the tour provides a chance to dress up in authentic parade costumes, experience the samba dance and enjoy a delicious Caipirinha welcome drink! Come visit us!

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 20.00

You have probably heard, ''Don't go to a favela, it's dangerous". This phrase is based on prejudice. Would you like to experience a favela, real and raw? Come with me on a free walking tour of Rocinha, the largest favela in Latin America, and learn what life is like here. You will walk through the neighborhood while your guide tells the story of the community and how it has developed, from the beginning to today. Following the same paths, the locals walk every day, you will experience the scenes and culture of this vibrant, friendly neighborhood. You will visit a supermarket and other local businesses, and see social projects that benefit the community. You will also see incredible views from the high hilltop and take pictures. You will need to bring money, for donations to community charities, viewpoints, souvenirs, and Moto-taxi.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 34.00

Take a non-intrusive 4-hour walking tour of Rocinha favela in Rio, and learn about life in the city’s famous shanty towns. Take a respectful tour with a favela resident, and meet the locals to experience their lives away from the usual stereotypes.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 35.00

Not all tours are created equal! We put the Favela and community first! We strive to uplift those around us. Touring with us impacts positively those who live in Vidigal. Walk around the Favela with a local known for his love for Vidigal. You meet locals whose family lived here for half a century. Have the opportunity to see all the amazing secrets Vidigal has to offer with the best guides available.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 35.00

A unique opportunity for tourists who want to experience the true essence of Rio de Janeiro. With a guide who is a resident of the community, you will have access to an authentic and enriching perspective, getting to know the art, culture and daily life of the locals up close. During the tour, you will visit iconic landmarks, such as the famous statue of Michael Jackson, which marked the history of the community. In addition, the tour includes visits to social projects that make a difference in the lives of residents, providing a deeper and more human insight into the reality of the favela. By choosing this tour, you will not only have an unforgettable experience, but you will also directly contribute to the local economy, supporting the sustainable development of the community. It is a way to travel with purpose, where each moment lived is an exchange of experiences and learning.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 18.91

An unique experience. Join me on a unforgettable trip around the largest Favela in Brazil! Through alleys and streets, learn about our history and social culture, all while going through unique places you can't find anywhere else in the world! - Dangerous? Not quite! Despite the claims of the Media and people who never actually visited us, the Rocinha Favela is one of the safest place in all Rio. Specially during local tour schedules! Have a 100% safe walk on a living urban history site with a local guide that is there to both accompany and take care of you. - What makes Lucky Tour different? The biggest difference between Lucky and other general Tour Agencies, it's that the your trip is made with a local guide, born and raised inside the Favela, that takes you through places that most Guides won't, mostly out of fear or they don't know the huge labyrinth that Rocinha can be. You can't leave Rio without visiting us! Everyone is equal in our place!

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 37.81

Not your average tourist destination! Although baile funk parties are not regularly visited by tourists, it’s a unique local experience that you cannot miss out on on your trip to Rio de Janeiro. While these parties may have a reputation for being dangerous and wild, they are generally safe environments when attended with a local guide who is familiar with the area and its dynamics. Your local guide will ensure you are aware of any potential risks and provide guidance on how to navigate the party safely. By following the guidance of your guide and exercising common sense, visitors can enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and cultural richness of baile funk parties in Rio de Janeiro's favelas while staying safe.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 29.80

Whether you call the sport soccer or futebol, make your pilgrimage to Maracanã Stadium, hallowed ground for the game. On this 2-hour guided tour, delight in a behind-the-scenes look at the stadium renovated for the 2014 World Cup. Sit on a team bench and imagine the legendary moments that took place here, including Pele’s 1,000th goal and Brazil’s shocking defeat at the 1950 World Cup. For added convenience, enjoy the option with round-trip hotel transport.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 40.00

In an unconventional climate unconventional tourism, you will know the history of the Brazilian republic, visiting icons of this historical moment besides its materializations in the city that was the first capital of this government. Aterro do Flamengo, Getúlio Vargas, militarism and dictatorship are some of the subjects on this tour.

Rio de Janeiro , Southeast Brazil

From $ 22.69

An opportunity to be closer to the Carioca people in their everyday life. You will for a moment participate in their experiences, customs and routine passing through the streets, alleys and contemplating one of the most beautiful views of Brazil. And from there came all the Brazilian culture, because but favelas came Capoeira; Samba; Brazilian Funk; Axé music; typical foods; girias...In Rocinha you can also have contact with a good part of northeastern culture, as 80% of the residents there are migrants or descendants of people from the northeast of the country. Although located between two traditional neighborhoods of the southern area of the Rio de Jaineiro, the community is part of the Tijuca forest. Come have this unique experience with a local guide and in the biggest favela in Brazil.