Top 9 1-Day Tours in Rio de Janeiro

1.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip with Boat Tour

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 400 reviews · 14 hours · from $65Our pick

Travel from Rio with a multilingual guide to Arraial do Cabo, then board a traditional schooner for Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal, Gruta Azul, and Praia do Forno. Expect about four hours each way, swimming stops, crowded beaches, and optional local lunch.

“Great tour, guide pedro was superb! I had him for another tour with c2rio he was very helpful, and engaged well with the tour group Bus ride was a couple of hours but we stopped off at a grocery service stop which was good Lunch was decent Boat ride was fun, several oportuniotes to swim in the sea!”

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2.Arraial do Cabo Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro: Boat Tour & Beach

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 390 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $70

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a full day of turquoise water, beach stops, and a schooner cruise past Ilha do Farol, Pontal do Atalaia, Blue Grotto, and Forno Beach. Guides such as Newton and Andrea have provided helpful English translation, though boat commentary is not guaranteed in English.

“Newton was a wonderful tour guide! He speaks multiple languages so don’t worry if you don’t speak Portuguese. The journey to get there is long but totally worth the experience! Please pack a portable charger, swimming suit and snacks. Although they will stop along the way for you to eat and they have meat skewers on the boat. If you buy dinner included in the excursion you’ll have that as well. This was sooo fun. Please note it is an all day activity. Pick up was 5:30 am we arrived back to our hotel 9:30pm. If you have children they are welcomed! Just keep in mind the journey is long.…”

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3.Petrópolis Day Trip with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.3 · 203 reviews · 12 hours · from $48Best value

Travel from Rio to cool, mountain-ringed Petrópolis for a full day of imperial sights. Your multilingual guide leads you through the Imperial Museum, cathedral, Crystal Palace, and more. Choose lunch and the Bohemia Brewery, with guides such as Rafael, Julio, and Mama Chris praised for clear, caring explanations.

“It was overall a nice day, Rafael was my guide and was very kind and good at explaining everything As I was the only English speaker he always made sure I was included and never left out. Petropolis is a great get away from the busy streets of Rio. A must for anyone interested in history”

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4.Arraial do Cabo Island Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 192 reviews · 14 hours · from $67

Travel from Rio with a multilingual guide such as Lucas, Marcelo, or Talita, then cruise Arraial do Cabo’s clear waters by boat. Visit Praia do Forno, Farol Island, Blue Grotto, and Fenda de Nossa Senhora, with a buffet lunch included. Expect a 14-hour day and brief swim stops.

“Our entire tour with Talia was outstanding, from pick-up to drop-off!”

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5.Tijuca Forest Challenge Hike Full-Day Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 163 reviews · 9 hours · from $86

Spend up to nine hours exploring Tijuca Forest with guides such as Gustavo, Ricardo, Pietro, or Tito. Hike 10.4 km over rough, steep trails to Taquara Hill, caves, coffee-farm ruins, viewpoints, and a waterfall. Pickup is offered in Rio’s South Zone.

“Super! I had a great time on the hike and I'm so happy that I included it in my itinerary. Riccardo was a great tour guide and expanded my appreciation for the Mata Atlantica.”

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6.Exploring Angra Dos Reis and Ilha Grande in One Day

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 107 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $85

Spend about 12 hours traveling from Rio to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande by bus and schooner. Swim at Freguesia de Santana, Aracatibinha, Lagoa Verde, and Lagoa Azul, enjoy a Brazilian buffet lunch, and travel with a bilingual guide. Expect a beautiful but very long day.

“Absolutely amazing tour to check on beautiful waters of Rio State. Highly recommend it. We had so much fun on the boat”

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7.Petrópolis Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro including Imperial Museum and Crystal Palace

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 101 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $93

Travel from Rio to Petrópolis with hotel pickup, a multilingual guide, and admission to the Imperial Museum. See the cathedral, royal tombs, Crystal Palace, Quitandinha Palace, and optional Santos Dumont House, Rua Teresa shopping, or Bohemia Brewery. Expect a full day and a long ride.

“enjoyed the trip, very outgoing tour leader. Packed day, quite long.”

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8.Private tour – The best of Rio in 1 day

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 93 reviews · 6 to 7 hours (approx.) Top rated

Patricia Cannabrava and her team take your private group of up to four through Rio’s major sights in six to seven hours. Expect private transport, guide service, WiFi, flexible pacing, and time at Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selarón Steps, and the cathedral. Entry fees and food cost extra.

“Pat was amazing. Knew all the places to visit and tailored made the tour for our needs. Truly a wonderful day with her. Highly recommend.”

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9.Búzios Day Trip from Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★3.0 · 43 reviews · 12 hours · from $94

Travel from Rio to Búzios with a bilingual guide, walk through the former fishing village made famous by Brigitte Bardot, cruise past seven beaches, and eat at a buffet restaurant. Hotel pickup covers Rio’s south zone and downtown, but the long road journey and busy boat can test your patience.

“Szörnyű, botrányos. Rossz szervezés, kiábrándító hajóút, elmaradt - de befizetett - ebéd, igazi pénzkidobás.”

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