Rio de Janeiro · RIO BEACH TOURS
Copacabana and Ipanema are free and five minutes apart. The money goes on reaching the wild sand further west and the coves you can only get to by boat. These 15 compare transport, time in the water and what is included.
Spend one lively hour at Samba Fit in Ipanema learning samba basics from Carla, Ranaa, or Gaby, instructors who have performed with major samba schools. The small group class includes photos, videos, and a chance to wear Carnival costumes at the end.
“Gaby is a great instructor! Really makes samba 101 fun and we even got to try on some costumes and got a little gift at the end. 10/10 would recommend :)”
Start early for a guided hike from Guaratiba Beach to Pedra do Telégrafo, where Rio’s wild western coast opens below you. Guides such as Erick, Nicolas, and Dayvison are praised for patient pacing and great photos. Finish with swimming or lunch at Grumari or Prainha Beach.
“It was good. Nice views. Dayvison was a great guide”
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.…”
Join a one-hour beginner-friendly samba class in Copacabana with instructors such as Marco, Thiago, or Mauricio. You will learn basic samba no pé steps, dance with an international group, and may finish with a festive circle and carnival-style photos. Water and bilingual instruction are included.
“This class was very fun. The teacher was energetic and entertaining. He taught us some basic moves and we ended with a little celebration of our new skills by dancing in a big circle together.”
Meet your instructor at a Copacabana studio for a one-hour samba lesson suited to beginners, solo visitors, couples, and mixed groups. Learn basic steps, turns, and rhythm, hear about samba culture, and try a carnival costume during daytime sessions. Carla, Marcos, Carmen, and Bem Vind have taught past classes.
“I was the only student! Bem Vind was the instructor. He explained very clear about each step. Very professional with counts and accent of each step. He went right to the dance and I just followed him, he stopped and explained when he saw I did not get it, then we kept repeating until I felt comfortable. We did across the floor and turns, forward & backwards. This is a crash course, being a dance director of ballet and modern dance, Samba is quite challenging for me. I wish I stay for a week to take the class daily. He taught the class that we used the whole space.”
Meet near Posto 6 beside the Fairmont and Fisherman colony Z-13, learn basic SUP skills, then paddle about five minutes to a sunrise viewing spot. The 90-minute outing includes a board, paddle, life jacket, lockers, photos, videos, and multilingual instruction.
“Pior experiência da minha vida! Conselho que dou é NÃO FAÇAM. Primeiro que fui no ponto de encontro e não tinha ninguém lá, cheguei 4h15 e o horário marcado era às 4h30. Daí fiquei em plena madrugada do Rio esperando responderem as minhas mensagem ou atenderem as minhas ligações e nada. Daí tive que ir na orla da praia saindo de quiosque em quiosque procurando o responsável pela atividade. Só conseguir fazer pois tinha um lá que tinha parceria com a “ empresa” ao qual contratei, caso contrário não iria conseguir fazer a atividade. O rapaz que me atendeu me passou a informação que eles não tinham mais o ponto…”
Meet Surf Matrix at the yellow tent on Arpoador Beach for a one-hour lesson with up to six people. Rafael may lead your class, covering ocean safety, board position, paddling, and standing up before you practice in the waves. English, Portuguese, and Spanish instruction is available.
“We had Rafael as a surfing instructor with this company. I could not recommend enough! They were flexible with the timings as it is weather dependant. Rafael was fabulous, full of energy, spoke English very well and was a wonderful teacher. Worth every penny!”
Meet a local surf instructor in Copacabana or Ipanema for a one-hour lesson covering stretching, board technique, ocean safety, and your first waves. Group and private classes are available, with boards, leashes, surf clothing, storage, and optional photos and videos.
“En fait je n’ai pas trouvé le guide!parce qu’il n’y en avait pas!sur votre site ce sont des photos de toutes les écoles de surf d’ipanema!et personne ne représente ce site!il n’y avait pas de numéro de téléphone pour avec des explications!j’ai dû repayer pour avoir un cours! Je ne comprends pas car j’ai réservé plusieurs activités avec vous! mais pour le surf c’est à revoir! Pourriez-vous procéder à mon remboursement?”
Start early for a guided 2.3-kilometer Pedra do Telégrafo hike in Rio’s Pedra Branca State Park. Alessandra leads the small group, helps with the trail and photos, and pickup is offered. Expect about six hours overall, with the main walk lasting roughly 1 hour and 10 minutes.
“The city is beautiful and the guide Alessandra from Outer Ecotrip Turismo, with all her knowledge, professionalism, charisma and care, managed to capture wonderful and memorable moments. I just have to thank you.”
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!”
Walk 3 kilometers through White Stone State Park to Telégrafo Rock, 354 meters high, with a guide who can take your photos. Hotel pickup, English, Spanish, and Portuguese guidance, and an optional stop at Grumari, Prainha, Reserva, or Barra da Tijuca are included in the plan.
“Dudu my tour guide was on time very friendly and knowledgeable. Telegrafo Rock was awesome Dudu made a great pictures. Must do activity”
Meet Yuri Bringel for a private yoga and sound-healing session beside Ipanema Park. Choose from Hatha, Vinyasa, or restorative yoga, then settle into calming instrument sounds with the ocean nearby. Yuri teaches in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, and pickup may be available near the park.
“Such a good experience! Yuri went above and beyond to help me join the class and was so kind. Class in a beautiful location and very relaxing. Highly recommend!”
Travel from Rio to Búzios for a full-day coastal outing with bilingual guides, a schooner ride, buffet lunch, and one hour on Rua das Pedras. The beaches look beautiful from the water, but shore time can be limited, and the Rio road journey is long.
“if you want to travel 4 hours each way for a 3 hour boat trip, with the option to pay for scuba, then this is your trip. you will only see the beaches from a distance and the guide wasn't brilliant”
Meet at the Fairmont Copacabana and ride Rio’s bike lanes past Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, Leblon, and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Your English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide pauses for local context and photos, including a coconut-water stop at the Leblon viewpoint.
“The tour was incredible! The people who help you book your trip are very friendly and helpful, and the tour itself is amazing! Our guide, Ulysses, was very friendly and took us through Rio's scenic neighborhoods (Botafogo, Flamengo, Copacabana, and the beautiful center of Rio downtown). You will see views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and much more!”
Spend 150 minutes with a small group of up to 10, starting in Ipanema and ending in Copacabana. Learn about the Girl from Ipanema, bossa nova, beach sports, food, and local life with guides such as Lola or Lorena. Coconut water and Copacabana Fort entry are included.
“Guia excelente, muy simpatica y que contaba muchas cosas y daba muchas explicaciones.”
Pick a summit, a hillside, a beach or a bar.
