15 Tours with Lunch in Rio de Janeiro to Build a Day Around

1.6-Stop Highlights of Rio with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 5,157 reviews · 8 hours · from $130Our pick

Spend eight hours seeing Rio’s essential sights by air-conditioned minivan, with a multilingual guide such as João, Roger, or Ursula. Ride to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, visit the Cathedral and Selarón Steps, view Maracanã and the Sambadrome from outside, and stop for a buffet lunch.

“Personally the stop at the soccer stadium was not necessary, especially to only see it from the outside. Having to make Otherwise everything we were very pleased with our experience and our guide. Thanks again.”

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2.Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Selaron & BBQ Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 2,428 reviews · 8 - 9 hours · from $69

Spend 8 to 9 hours seeing Rio’s essential sights with hotel pickup, a multilingual guide, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf cable cars, Selarón Steps, and a Brazilian barbecue. Guides such as Sandra, Newton, Emma, and João are praised for clear explanations and patient help. Check your package carefully, since lunch and Sugarloaf tickets vary.

“The best experience ever with our tour João Verano, extremely knowledgeable, positive, such a good vibe and fun!”

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3.Angra dos Reis Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 737 reviews · 14 hours · from $63

Leave Rio early for a schooner cruise around Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande. Swim at the Blue Lagoon, visit Cataguases and Japariz or Araçá, enjoy a buffet lunch, and return by coach. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish, though the 14-hour day includes a long road journey.

“Everything was fine, the beaches are beautiful, We had fun.”

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4.Skip the Line to Christ Redeemer, Sugar Loaf and Barbecue Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 593 reviews · 9 hours (approx.) · from $113

Spend about nine hours touring Rio with hotel pickup, a multilingual guide, Sugar Loaf’s two cable cars, a cog train through Tijuca Forest, and Christ the Redeemer. Add the churrascaria lunch and attraction tickets when booking, and expect a busy day with some traffic and schedule changes.

“We had bad weather all day. Our tour guide for sugar loaf was nice and gave a lot of free time to enjoy the view. Our afternoon tour guide die the Chris redeemer was a little strange. He doesn’t interact with us. We can’t really understand him well.”

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5.Arraial do Cabo Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 321 reviews · 14 hours · from $65

Leave Rio early for a 3-hour ride to Arraial do Cabo, then board a schooner for four beach and swim stops, including Forno, Farol, and Atalaia. English, Portuguese, and Spanish support is available, with guides such as Maira and Leonardo praised for keeping the day organized and fun.

“Even though the weather was not the best, this tour was fantastic. My guide, Maira was is 100% exceptional. She immediately turned the mood into a joyful and exciting experience. The entire crew on the boat was also extremely professional, helpful, and welcoming. When we visited, the beaches were empty, and it felt like a private beach. The sand was powdery white. This was an overall really fun experience, and I highly recommend it!”

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6.Petrópolis Day Trip with Optional Lunch

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

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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7.Rio’s Icons Guided Tour with Tickets & Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 155 reviews · 8 hours · from $126

Spend eight hours seeing Rio’s major sights with a bilingual guide such as Gustavo, Camila, Eduardo, or Jose. Hotel pickup, entry to Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf, transport, and an all-you-can-eat buffet lunch are included. The small group can include up to 19 people.

“Camila was the best guide for this tour. She’s very knowledgeable about the Rio and the culture. I went as a solo traveler and it never felt that way in this tour as she was very welcoming and engaging. Must do if coming to Rio!!”

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8.Arraial do Cabo Tour in Rio de Janeiro with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 155 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $90

Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo for a schooner ride past the Blue Cave, Meteoro Hole, Nossa Senhora Crack, and Pontal do Atalaia, with stops at Forno Cove and Farol Island. Guides such as Talita and Maristela have led departures, though English support can vary.

“The experience was great, everything was well prepared for and the islands were beautiful. We saw lots of sea turtles and we got our pictures taken. The experience was amazing, but more importantly our guide Talita was so amazing. I los”

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9.Búzios Boat Trip with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.8 · 129 reviews · 14 hours · from $68

Leave Rio early for Búzios, cruise by schooner to up to four beaches, eat a buffet lunch, and browse Rua das Pedras. Guides speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese. Carla has earned praise for keeping groups together, while guide service can vary.

“Ainda não acabou mas foi o horror da minha vida tenho 71 anos, já viajei pelo mundo todo. 10 vezes no Brasil e nunca tive uma guia tão horrível, como mandei mensagem devido a um atraso de 1 hora a senhora RAQUEL péssima guia quando chegou e depois de lhe dizer que não me avisaram do atraso, simplesmente me mandou sair do bus, dizendo que seria uma pena eu continuar (somos 4 pessoas de 72, 71, 72e 74 anos chamou-me por imensas vezes merda de portugueses, vocês são uma merda. Acham isto normal. O mínimo que a agência devia ter feito era mudar-nos a excursão. Tive medo de seguir com…”

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10.Full Day Tour to Angra dos Reis with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 118 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $40Best value

Travel from Rio to Angra dos Reis for a full day of island scenery, with boat stops at Lagoa Azul, Freguesia de Santana, Cataguás Island, and Praia de Japariz. The tour starts around 7 a.m., lasts about 14 hours, includes lunch, and is capped at 15 participants for the land arrangements.

“First if all they canceled our tour and didn't notify us about it. I reached out on WhatsApp and found out when they were late for pick up from the hotel. They offered another tour to Buzios, we agreed because we didn't have anything else scheduled. Absolutely uneventful trip. The time on the bus absolutely was not worth the trip. This trip was supposed to include a boat ride but they just canceled it and didn't offer anything instead. We had booked multiple tours with thus operator and we canceled our last tour because of this poorly managed trip. All we basically did 5 hour drive to Buzios (including pick…”

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11.Rio From the Sea: Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Barbecue Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.0 · 88 reviews · 4 to 6 hours (approx.) · from $74

Cruise Guanabara Bay for about two hours, passing Sugarloaf, Christ the Redeemer, Copacabana, Niterói, historic forts, and the Rio-Niterói Bridge. Hotel pickup covers much of Rio’s South Zone. You can add a Brazilian barbecue lunch, but confirm the menu before booking.

“The hotel pick up was on time and the tour guide was very nice. The cruise itself was fantastic and it was lovely to see Rio from the water. Afterwards we had opted for the seafood lunch however this was more Rodizzio than seafood but altogether very good. Definately worth doing whilst visiting Rio.”

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12.Petropolis The Imperial City with Beer tour and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 83 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $59

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.”

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13.Angra dos Reis Boat Tour with Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 64 reviews · 12 hours (approx.) · from $71

Travel from Rio to Angra dos Reis for a five-hour schooner cruise through Ilha Grande Bay. Swim at Lagoa Azul, Cataguases, Freguesia de Santana, and Lagoa Verde, with buffet lunch at Praia de Japariz. Guide Diego Silva has been praised for attentive service, but boat capacity and music levels can vary.

“The guide was very good but the boat was so packed with people we could hardly find a seat and it was very uncomfortable- the bathrooms were so gross and dirty that it was obscene- I do not recommend for older folks who like a little comfort but for the younger folks it seemed to be fun according to my kids- the speaker for music was broken and the bus smelled like feces as the bathroom was not clean- I would not recommend”

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14.Guided Tour to Búzios with Boat Tour and Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 53 reviews · 14 hours (approx.) · from $105

Travel from Rio to Búzios by licensed vehicle with a bilingual guide, visit Tartaruga, Azeda, João Fernandes, Ossos, and Praia das Virgens, then take a schooner ride, eat a Brazilian buffet lunch, and walk Rua das Pedras.

“We were told to sit in back of the bus. It extremely hot in back. As much as sweating. The tour guide had assigned seats. We asked to change and she wouldn't allow. The tour guide did not speak loud enough to hear in back bus. She more concern about her rating then the experience. I will say the boat staff and experience was great. Question is the 2.5 hr boat ride worth the 8 hr bus ride. Complained to viator that ad doesn't match experience and they had no solution.”

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15.Rio From The Sea: Guanabara Bay Cruise with Optional Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★3.3 · 36 reviews · 3 - 5 hours · from $76

See Rio from Guanabara Bay on a roughly two-hour cruise past Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Corcovado, Marina da Gloria, and the coast. An English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italian, or German-speaking guide accompanies you, with optional barbecue lunch and hotel or port pickup.

“Kedelig tur. Dårlige siddepladser og guide på båden var ringe.”

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