There are literally a million and one things to do in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and it’s no wonder why they call this place the “Marvelous City.”
You can spend weeks exploring the best beaches in Rio de Janeiro alone, but there is so much more to see and do!
From the downtown financial district to the hillside favelas, Rio boasts one of the most diverse urban landscapes you will ever see.
I was fortunate enough to spend the past year living in Rio de Janeiro, but if you’re short on time, I highly recommend enlisting locals to help show you around.
Enter Fabio and Alan of Rio Cultural Secrets, a great, locally owned private tour guides in Rio de Janeiro.
These two offer a variety of private city tours in and around Rio that will give you a wonderful glimpse into the Brazilian life and culture.
I don’t know how they are in business together considering Alan is a Flamengo fan, while Fabio supports Fluminense, but their personal approach and passion for what they do trumps their soccer club loyalties.
When I get back to Rio, I want to go with them to explore Petropolis, as I haven’t had a chance to visit the nearby city.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for Rio de Janeiro private city tours, take a look at what else they offer…
Rio City Tours – In seven hours you and your friends will visit the main attractions with your tour guide in Rio like the one of the seven world wonders The Christ the Redeemer, the Sugar Loaf Mountain, The fantastic street art of the Selaron Staircase also the amazing area of Santa Teresa with delicious food, also the Samba Arena and we finish in the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro.
Walking Tours – In this Walking Tour Rio de Janeiro you will have the opportunity to know how the citizens works around the financial district and Historic buildings that tell the story of the city and the country. Visit the famous Cafe Colombo, the Praça XV de Novembro, The Cinelândia Square, Convento de Santo Antonio, Candelaria Church and much more!
Half-Day Tours – Options include; exploring the Temple of Soccer, Maracana Stadium, the place of two world cup finals, discovering the Tijuca Forest and Botanical Garden where Toucans and monkeys can be our partners during the tour, or, the third option is the Private Tour Barra Beaches and Folcloric Museum where you will visit the desert beaches of Rio de Janeiro like Prainha, Barra Grumari and Recreio. A fourth option is to see the fantastic historic Downtown with culture and history together with Santa Teresa, Ruins Park and the Selaron Steps.
Favela Tours – Since 2008 the UPP Project are giving benefits to the poor locations in Rio de Janeiro. The Favela of Vidigal is one of the best examples. Today it is a place of safety and development, and receives visitors from all over the globe. You can do the favela tour on its own or combine it with other aspects of the private tours, like visiting the Botanical Garden, Tujica National Forest and/or Chinese lookout.
Outside of Rio Tours – Take a private tour to the Imperial City of Petropolis, where the royal family spent summers from the time of the monarchy. Venture across the bridge to neighboring Nitreroi, where the French-founded city charms everyone with her beauty, gastronomy and architecture.
For more of an adventure, take a private tour to paradise AKA Ilha Grande, which is the biggest island of Angra dos Reis with around 100 beaches! I repeat, 100 beaches!!!
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The greatest aspect of Rio Cultural Secrets is the fact that these are private tours and can be customized to your liking.
Whichever tour you decide, just get down to Rio and see it for yourself, and when you’re here, be sure to look up Alan and Fabio for a tour and tell them Gareth of Tourist2Townie.com told you to Travel Deeper!
4 Responses
Thanks for the tips! can’t wait to go to Rio, unfortunately I missed Carnival this year but nevertheless the Baile Funk music scene is live all year around.
outstanding schedule complete enjoyable tour