Half-day Tours in Brazil

Summit both Corcovado and Sugar Loaf mountains in the early morning to beat the crowds on this 5-hour tour in Rio de Janeiro. After bright and early pickup from your Rio hotel, travel through the Tijuca National Forest to get up close with the Christ the Redeemer statue without throngs of people around. After learning about its history from your local guide, move on to Sugar Loaf Mountain for spectacular views of the sprawling city, slowly waking up in the morning light. During your journey, pass several other landmarks such as Palácio Guanabara, Largo do Boticário and Casa dos Abacaxis.

Learn about the Itaipu Hydroelectric Dam during a 6-hour educational tour and catamaran ride. With your local guide, tour the dam, including the observation deck and the spillway, or opt to upgrade the tour to include a tour inside the facilities (additional expense). Board a catamaran to sail out on Itaipu Lake to get a panoramic perspective of the dam, which spans 5 miles (8km) of waterfront between Brazil and Paraguay. Learn about the dam's role in providing power for both countries, as well as its local provisions for protecting wildlife. Round-trip transportation from both Foz do Iguaçu and Puerto Iguazu is included.

Stray from the beaten path and visit some of Rio de Janeiro's alternative tourists attractions on a 4-hour tour of the Sao Bento Monastery and the Santa Teresa neighborhood. Ideal for travellers who have ticked off Rio's main sites already, the tour's itinerary includes the Sao Bento Monastery, a gorgeous example of 16th-century Roman Catholic architecture, and the bohemian district of Santa Teresa, replete with haphazard houses and decorated stairways. Visit, too, the Feira Hippie de Ipanema, a market brimming with fabrics, handbags, souvenirs, and Brazilian street food.  

Discover the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls on this 4-hour sightseeing tour from Foz do Iguaçu. Travel deep into Iguaçu National Park for the region's best, up-close views of Devil's Throat. Trek the Cataratas trail to view the falls from both above and below, truly getting a sense of the power and majesty of this natural wonder. Learn about the flora and fauna in the area from your local guide along the way. Round-trip transportation from Foz do Iguaçu hotels is included.

Explore one of Rio's oldest neighborhoods, Santa Teresa, on this 4-hour guided sightseeing tour. Walk down Santa Teresa's hilly cobblestone streets among the the district's revitalized Belle Époque mansions and trendy new shops, bars and art studios. Admire sprawling views of greater Rio de Janeiro, climb the Selarón Staircase and explore Ruins Park. Take advantage of your insider guide's knowledge of the neighborhood's hot spots for further exploration on your own.

Take a comprehensive tour of Rio's top landmarks on this 6-hour excursion with a small group. Summit Corcovado Mountain to admire the Christ the Redeemer Statue, then continue on to the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa. Ride a cable car to the top of Sugar Loaf Mountain (if option selected). Enjoy informative commentary and personalized attention from your guide on this small group tour, limited to 15 people. Round-trip hotel transportation from Rio hotels is included.

Get up close to the Christ the Redeemer statue before the crowds arrive during this early morning tour to Corcovado. Meet your local guide at your hotel in Rio and head straight for the city's most famous landmark. Drive through the Tijuca National Forest to Paineiras and board the vehicles up to the top of the mountain. Enjoy fantastic views of the city of Rio sprawled below, just waking up in the early morning light. Learn about the history of the statue through engaging commentary from your guide.

Enjoy the ability to travel at your own pace and the attention of a dedicated guide on this private tour of the Tijuca Forest and the Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado Mountain. Additionally, get views from Vista Chinesa, visit the Taunay waterfall in the Tijuca Forest, learn about the history of the statue while taking in views from Corcovado. Round-trip private transportation from Rio hotels included.

Combine the artist enclave of Santa Teresa with the historic city center on this private tour of Rio. A professional photographer serves as your personal guide and captures images of popular landmarks. See the Escadaria Selarón (Selaron Steps) and preserved mansions, then stroll past the Metropolitan Cathedral, Confeitaria Colombo, Municipal Theatre, Tiradentes Palace and Paco Imperial (Imperial Palace) in the Centro. Receive a digital high-resolution album as a souvenir. Your 6-hour tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off by private vehicle.

Get an in-depth, compassionate tour of the Rocinha favela (the Brazilian term for shantytown) during this 3-hour excursion via Jeep. With your in-the-know guide, meet the locals and observe their daily life, including visits to the neighborhood school and a street fair. Transportation from select hotels is provided.

Visit Itaipu Dam, the largest functioning hydroelectric power plant in the world, during this 4-hour outing from Foz do Iguaçu. Learn about this excellent example of modern architecture from your knowledgeable local guide, as well as its environmental impact, its construction and its importance in the lives of the Paraguayan and Brazilian people. Round trip transportation from Foz do Iguaçu hotels is included.

Learn about Brazil's rubber trade on a visit to Vila Paraíso. During this half-day tour from Manaus, see where rubber is loaded onto boats and shipped around the world. At the Rubber Museum, visit the workshops and warehouses where rubber was collected, processed and stored. Take a walk among the rubber trees to see how rubber is collected, then visit both the Rubber Master's opulent house and the modest homes of typical industry employees. On the return trip to Manus, stop at Tup e Beach to cool off with a swim (time permitting). Round trip transportation from Manaus hotels is included.

Explore the world's largest urban rainforest, Tijuca National Park, during this 4-hour private tour in Rio de Janeiro. With your dedicated nature guide, discover the swaths of verdant foliage and abundance of local wildlife within the confines of this vibrant city. A bio-diverse hot spot, the fragile ecosystem is home to several waterfalls and many endangered species. Enjoy views of Pedra da Gávea and the Christ the Redeemer statue.

This Tijuca National Park hiking tour is perfect for travelers who are strapped for time. Fit in tops highlights of the area in just a few hours, including Sao Conrado, Ipanema and Leblon Beach, as well as a hike in Tijuca National Park. A guide knows the best ways around the park and even takes you to a natural lagoon for a swimming break. Round-trip transport from Rio included.

See the highlights of Manaus during this 3-hour sightseeing tour. With an local guide, Visit Manaus' Mercado Municipal (the Municipal Market) and the floating port. Stop at Teatro Amazonas, Palacio Rio Negro (the Rio Negro Palace) and the Indian Museum. Learn about Manaus' interesting architecture, as well as the culture and history of this Amazonian city along the way. Round-trip transportation from Manaus hotels is included.

Ascend to the top of Corcovado to see the legendary Christ the Redeemer statue during this diverse tour in Rio. With your local guide, travel to the apex of Corcovado for spectacular views of the sprawling city below. Get up close with the famous Christ the Redeemer statue, named one of the Seven New Wonders of the World.

Discover the Brazilian side of Iguassu Falls on this half-day sightseeing tour from Foz do Iguaçu. Travel deep into Iguaçu National Park for the region's best, up-close views of Devil's Throat. View the falls from both above and below to truly get a sense of the power and majesty of this natural wonder.

Explore Rio and visit Sugar Loaf Mountain during this 4-hour morning tour. Visit some of the city's most important landmarks, including the Metropolitan Cathedral and Cinelandia Square. Then, board a glassed-in cable car for to ascent to the peak, stopping once at a scenic viewpoint. Upon reaching the top of Sugar Loaf at 1,299 feet (396 meters) above sea level, admire the views of Niteroi, Copacabana and Santa Cruz Fortress. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

This 6-hour private tour gives you an introduction to Sugar Loaf Mountain, Urca, and the Vidigal favela (the Brazilian term for shantytown). Ride the cable car up Sugar Loaf Mountain for views of Rio and its beaches, then hit up a happy hour with drinks and snacks in Vidigal. Learn about the challenges favela communities in Rio face through your guide's commentary. Pickup and drop-off at Rio accommodations included.

Visit Corcovado Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue in the afternoon during this 4-hour tour. Ride the cog train up the steep mountainside through the Tijuca Rainforest, disembarking at the top to panoramic views of Rio. Spend time admiring the iconic statue and snapping photos of the surrounding scenery. Round-trip transportation from most Rio hotels is included.