Rio de Janeiro · FOOD & DRINK
The 13 best food and drink days you can book today, with what each costs, how long it runs and who it suits. Number one is top for a reason; start there.
Join Caipi Tours in Lapa for four cachaça samples, a free caipirinha, the Arcos da Lapa, Selarón Steps, live samba, and a nightclub finish. Guides such as Andressa, Raffa, Marcos, Nayara, and Rafael keep the group together in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
“I’ve tried pub crawls in many other cities, honestly this one was the best one I’ve done!!”
Cruise Rio from Marina da Glória in a group of up to 11, with English or Spanish guiding, beer, water, soda, and snacks included. Stop at Niterói for photos, swim at Adão e Eva Beach, then pass Urca as the light fades. Paddle boards and pool noodles may be available.
“If you’re looking for a truly magical experience in Rio de Janeiro, a sunset sailing trip is an absolute must! From start to finish, this tour exceeded all expectations and provided one of the most breathtaking moments of our entire trip. As we set sail from Marina da Glória, the views of Rio’s iconic skyline were already stunning. But as the sun began to dip towards the horizon, the scenery transformed into something straight out of a dream. Watching the golden light reflect off Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the beautiful coastline was simply unforgettable. The crew was professional, friendly, and incredibly knowledgeable about the city’s history and landmarks.…”
Spend about 10 hours traveling from Rio to Petrópolis with an accredited guide, visiting the Imperial Museum, cathedral, Crystal Palace, and Bohemia Brewery. Rafael has guided this route in Portuguese, English, and Spanish. Lunch, transport, museum entry, brewery entry, and three tastings are included.
“This was an impromptu outing which turned out to be quite interesting. Rafael, the guide, was really enthusiastic about doing his job; in Portuguese, English and Spanish, nonetheless. He was able to keep it light yet intellectually challenging for the duration of the whole program; which lasted approximately 8 hours. I went on this tour with my wife and sister. My sister and I are Brazilians and my wife is American. Rafael’s quality of service managed to please us all despite our individual cultural and educational differences. I feel the same can be said of the other participants in the group.”
Set out from Urca at 10:00 am on a shared speedboat for roughly three hours. You’ll cruise toward the Cagarras Islands, stop for swimming, and enjoy cold beer, water, soda, and inflatable floats. Captains such as Ricardo and Antonio have earned praise, but route and commentary can vary.
“Great views of Rio de Janeiro from the water. Swimming was fun out by the islands. Good opportunity to meet and chat with other travelers. Cold beers included on the tour were a nice bonus too.”
Meet at 10:00 a.m. in Ipanema for a 2.5-hour market walk and tasting led by a local fruit expert such as Hay Za, Caterina, or Erica. You will sample 15 to 20 Brazilian fruits, juices, nuts, and native ingredients while learning how açaí, jabuticaba, cashew, and other foods fit daily life.
“Hay Za was an AMAZING guide!!! Very sweet and knowledgeable. Some fruits we knew, some we did not. Got to taste so many!!!!”
Board at Urca Pier for a three-hour speedboat tour past Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Arpoador, Niterói, and more. Your guide shares Rio stories, and the boat stops for water time. Beer, soda, and mineral water are included. Rafael may lead your trip, depending on the departure.
“Eigene Anreise mit dem Taxi (günstig). Dort Angekommen waren wir mit Skipper zu 5 auf dem Boot. Der Guide war super freundlich. Die Getränke waren die ganze Tour kostenfrei so viel man wollte. Am Ende durfte man sich noch was für den Weg mitnehmen. Super! Würde ich wieder machen!”
Follow an English-speaking guide, often Eduardo, through Barra da Tijuca’s Jardim Oceânico, Olegário Maciel Avenue, and Gigóia Island. Expect Brazilian snacks, main dishes, desserts, beers, caipirinhas, and shots. Bring cash for the ferry and guide contribution, plus extra money for food and drinks.
“I didn’t get to do it as tje crowds at the metro prevented me from getting to the tour on time”
Spend four hours tasting regional Brazilian dishes with a local guide in Rio’s Little Africa. Try tacacá, açaí, angu, coxinha, pastries, cachaça, and more, then follow the food and music toward Pedra do Sal. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
“We had a great experience with Jurema! She was incredibly friendly and welcoming, which made the tour really fun and easy to enjoy. She gave us loads of interesting information along the way and was always happy to help, not just during the tour but with tips for the rest of our trip too. The whole experience we really enjoyed trying the different types of food. Highly recommend her tour if you’re looking for something informative, relaxed, and full of good vibes!”
At Cave Nacional in Botafogo, a sommelier guides you through Brazilian winemaking before serving a sparkling wine, three 60 ml pours, and three chef-selected bruschettas. Karina has led sessions praised for her clear, lively approach. Allow one hour, and come ready for an adults-only tasting.
“It was AMAZING!! Karina is super knowledgeable and fun! I learned so much and drank so much delicious wine. Her restaurant is beautiful and the food is super yummy. When I go back to Rio i will definitely be coming back to Cave Nacional!”
Spend Carnival night at Rio’s Sambadrome in a private VIP box with premium views, buffet food, self-service beer, spirits, live shows, and a local guide. Hotel pickup runs around 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., with returns at 1:30 or 5 a.m. Camilla is one guide praised for making the night memorable.
“Camilla was amazing and made the carnival experience extremely memorable.”
Spend three hours on a small-group sunset cruise through Guanabara Bay, limited to eight people. Pass Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Arpoador, Adão Beach, and Niterói, with a cold Heineken, soft music, swimming stops, and multilingual guides.
Set out from Urca on a three-hour speedboat ride past Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Arpoador, the Cagarras Islands, and Niterói. Beer, soda, and water are included, with swimming stops along the way. Guide Rafael has earned praise for his humor and local stories, though sea conditions can change the route.
“We were a party of 8 and it ended up to be a private tour since it was just our family. Our guide Rafael was the best ever, super friendly, knowledgeable about the history and geography, and made the tour the highlight of our entire trip. He was funny, happy and made the vibe so positive. The boat was clean and stocked with ice cold refreshing beverages. We made a stop by Adam and Eve beaches and he patiently waited for us to have a leisurely swim to the beach. The sunset and scenery of the Guanabara Bay were spectacular and we could not ask for a better guide and…”
Join Nico Santana for an 8-hour private Rio tour in English, Portuguese or Spanish. Shape the route around your interests as you visit Dona Marta, Lapa, Selarón Steps, Olympic Boulevard, Tijuca Forest, Sugarloaf and Urca, with food and nightlife add-ons available.
“Niko was very nice and he showed us all around rio ♥️♥️”
Pick a summit, a hillside, a beach or a bar.
