PT ES EN FR
Licensed tour guide · Rio de Janeiro

The real Rio, at your pace, with someone who lives here.

Private, personalized tours of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, the beaches, Santa Teresa and the corners only a carioca knows. No groups, no rush, no lines.

See dates & book Chat on WhatsApp
★★★★★5-star reviews · I reply within 2 hours
10+years guiding in Rio
1.200+travelers hosted
4languages: PT · ES · EN · FR
100%private, your group only
Private Tours & Special Groups

Itineraries for people who want to live Rio, not just photograph it.

Discover Rio de Janeiro through experiences that connect history, culture, ancestral heritage, and unforgettable landscapes. We offer private tours, shared experiences, and customized itineraries for families, friends, schools, universities, and special groups. Each experience is designed to create an authentic connection with the city, reflecting the unique features and services included in each tour. Ask about our special arrangements for groups.

Classic: Christ the Redeemer + Sugarloaf Mountain + Dona Marta Lookout + All-you-can-eat buffet with Brazilian-style grilled meats. – Rio de Janeiro Most booked

Classic: Christ the Redeemer + Sugarloaf Mountain + Dona Marta Lookout + All-you-can-eat buffet with Brazilian-style grilled meats.

8h 1–4 PT · ES · EN · FR

Discover the best of Rio de Janeiro on a private tour of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Dona Marta Lookout, featuring breathtaking views and an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue buffet.

  • Christ the Redeemer – Admission ticket included
  • Sugarloaf Mountain – Admission ticket included
  • Dona Marta Lookout – Scenic stop for breathtaking views and photographs
  • Lunch at a Brazilian steakhouse – All-you-can-eat buffet with grilled meats
  • Private transportation throughout the tour
  • Professional tour guide
  • Photography assistance throughout the experience
  • Private experience for up to 4 guests
  • Group bookings available upon request
fromA partir de R$ 1.260,00 reaisper group up to 4 people
Santa Teresa – A Journey Through Tramways, Art, History and Tradition – Rio de Janeiro Private Tour

Santa Teresa – A Journey Through Tramways, Art, History and Tradition

6hh 1–4 PT · ES · EN · FR

Discover the charm of Santa Teresa aboard its iconic historic tram! Explore the art, history, cultural centers, and scenic views of one of Rio de Janeiro's most captivating neighborhoods. Private tour with a guide, tram ticket, and round-trip transportation from South Zone hotels included.

  • Round-trip transportation from hotels in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone
  • Ride aboard the historic Santa Teresa tram, ticket included
  • Glória Maria Park (formerly Parque das Ruínas)
  • Nau Cultural
  • Laurinda Santos Lobo Cultural Center
  • Benjamin Constant House Museum
  • Largo dos Guimarães and local artists' studios
  • Lunch break at a local restaurant (food and drinks not included)
  • Selarón Steps
  • Professional tour guide throughout the experience
  • Private tour lasting approximately 6 hours
from920,00From R$ 920 per private group. Price varies according to group size (1 to 5 guests).
Zé Pilintra in Lapa — History, Faith & Bohemian Culture – Rio de Janeiro Cultural Experience

Zé Pilintra in Lapa — History, Faith & Bohemian Culture

3 horash 1–4 PT · ES · EN · FR

Discover Lapa beyond its nightlife! Explore Afro-Brazilian history, spirituality, and ancestral heritage through the stories and symbolism of Zé Pilintra.

  • Point de rendez-vous au Sanctuaire de Zé Pilintra, à Lapa
  • Visite culturelle afro-brésilienne à pied avec 3 arrêts
  • Histoires de Zé Pilintra, spiritualité, héritage ancestral et vie bohème
  • 3 bières pression pendant le parcours
  • 1 toast spécial, avec possibilité de remplacer la boisson alcoolisée par un soda ou un jus
  • Gobelet souvenir personnalisé
  • Accompagnement par un guide touristique spécialisé
  • Expérience culturelle contribuant à une initiative sociale
fromR$177,00BRL 177.00 per person. The tour requires a minimum of 4 confirmed participants to operate.
Little Africa – The Roots of Black Heritage – Rio de Janeiro Cultural Experience

Little Africa – The Roots of Black Heritage

3h 30minh 1–4 PT · ES · EN · FR

Explore Little Africa and discover the roots of Afro-Brazilian culture on a journey through history, ancestry, resistance, and Black heritage in Rio de Janeiro.

  • MUHCAB – Museum of Afro-Brazilian History and Culture (meeting point and starting location)
  • Pretos Novos Research and Memory Institute (IPN)
  • Valongo Wharf – UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Valongo Hanging Garden
  • Pedra do Sal (Salt Rock)
  • Hilário Jovino Mural
  • São Francisco da Prainha Square (end of tour)
fromA partir de R$ 320,00Starting price for 1 person. Rates vary by group size. Site visits included.
Historic Rio – A Journey Through Colonial, Imperial and Republican Brazil – Rio de Janeiro History & Culture

Historic Rio – A Journey Through Colonial, Imperial and Republican Brazil

4 horash 1–4 PT · ES · EN · FR

Journey through Rio de Janeiro's history on a 4-hour private walking tour! Discover historic churches, iconic landmarks, architecture and traditions from Brazil's colonial, imperial and republican eras.

  • Cinelândia Square – Municipal Theater, National Library and National Museum of Fine Arts (exterior visits)
  • Federal Justice Cultural Center – interior visit
  • Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian – interior visit
  • Saint Anthony Convent – interior visit
  • Cavé Confectionery (1860) – 20-minute break; optional refreshments at participants' own expense
  • Royal Portuguese Reading Room – historical presentation and exterior visit
  • Colombo Confectionery – exterior visit only, without a refreshment stop
  • Rua do Ouvidor – historic walking route
  • Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church (Old Cathedral) – historical presentation
  • Praça XV – Imperial Palace and historic heritage
  • Arco do Teles – walk through colonial architecture
  • Former residence of Carmen Miranda – exterior visit
  • Orla Conde and Rio 2016 Olympic Cauldron – urban history and transformation
  • Church of Our Lady of Candelária – interior visit and tour conclusion
from590,00Price per private group of 1 to 4 people. Rates for larger groups vary depending on the number of participants. Contact us for special group rates.
Why book with me

A local guide is the difference between visiting Rio and understanding it.

A true carioca

Born and raised in Rio. I know the no-line hours, the restaurant where locals eat and the lookout that isn't in the guidebooks.

Licensed and insured

Registered tour guide with Cadastur (Brazil's Ministry of Tourism), insured vehicle and a driver whenever the route calls for one.

At your pace

No 40-person groups. You decide when to leave, where to stop and how long to stay.

Portuguese, Spanish, English & French

I explain the history and culture in your language, with real context, not memorized lines.

Hotel or cruise pickup

I pick you up at your hotel, the airport or the cruise terminal, and drop you wherever you like at the end of the day.

Cancellation and Rescheduling Policy

Cancellations made at least 30 days in advance qualify for a full refund. Tours normally operate in rainy weather. In severe weather conditions, the tour will be assessed for safety. Rescheduling requested by the customer is subject to availability and an additional charge of 30% of the tour price.

Hi, I'm Rafa
Your guide

Hi, I'm Rafa

A tour guide for more than 10 years, passionate about Rio's history and about showing the city beyond the postcard. I've hosted families, couples, photographers and solo travelers from over 40 countries. My goal is simple: you leave feeling you saw Rio the way a carioca friend would show it to you.

Cadastur licensedFirst aid certifiedTravel photographyHistory & architecture
Reviews

What travelers say after the tour

★★★★★

“We did the classic tour with our 70-year-old parents and he adapted everything to their pace. No line at the Christ, an incredible lunch and the Sugarloaf sunset was the highlight of our trip.”

MMariana & Felipe · São Paulo
★★★★★

“We booked the Santa Teresa and favela route. Respectful, full of history and nothing like a 'human zoo'. We learned more about Rio in 6 hours than in 3 days on our own.”

LLucía · Madrid
★★★★★

“We had a 9-hour cruise stop and he planned every minute. We were back on the ship with an hour to spare, wonderful photos and the feeling we'd seen the real Rio.”

JJames & Ana · London

* Sample text. Replace with your real reviews from the admin panel.

Booking

Pick a date and tell me what you'd like to see.

I receive your request by email and, within 24 hours, send you a payment link for the R$ 0 deposit. Your booking is confirmed as soon as it comes in.

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Select a day on the calendar
Start time
or Send this request via WhatsApp

No payment is taken on this site. Your details are used only to answer your request.

1You pick the date and tour and send the request.
2I confirm availability and send a payment link for the R$ 0 deposit. Once it is in, you receive the confirmation.
3On the day, I pick you up at your hotel. The balance is paid at the end in cash, Pix or credit card (+6%).
DepositR$ 0link · Pix / card
Balance on the dayCash · Pix · Credit cardby card (+6%)

How payment works

# RAFA_BRASIL_TOURS
Tourism Rooted in Ancestry

## PAYMENT, BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY

### 1. Booking Confirmation

- A booking will be confirmed upon receipt of a 30% deposit of the total tour price.
- The remaining 70% must be paid no later than 48 hours before the scheduled tour.
- Booking requests without a deposit will be considered provisional and subject to availability.

### 2. Payment Methods

Our agency accepts the following payment methods:

- PIX: full payment or partial payments, as agreed.
- Bank transfer: subject to payment identification and confirmation.
- Credit card: payments can be made in up to 8 installments, with a 6% surcharge on the total amount, according to the terms provided in the quotation.

### 3. Installment Payments

- Guests may make partial payments via PIX until the established payment deadline.
- Credit card installments are subject to the fees and conditions disclosed before booking confirmation.
- A booking will be considered fully paid only after all outstanding amounts have been received and cleared.

### 4. Cancellations and Refunds

- 30 days or more before the tour: full refund of all amounts paid.
- Between 29 and 8 days before the tour: refunds will be determined based on documented expenses and applicable legal requirements.
- 7 days or less before the tour: refunds will be assessed considering services already booked and non-recoverable costs.
- No-shows: the applicable contractual terms and legal requirements will apply.

Important: All applicable consumer rights, including the statutory right of withdrawal where applicable, will be respected in accordance with Brazilian Consumer Protection Law.

### 5. Date Changes and Rescheduling

- Requests to change tour dates must be submitted in advance.
- Rescheduling is subject to the availability of tour guides, transportation, admission tickets, and service providers.
- Any applicable price differences will be communicated before the new date is confirmed.

### 6. Proof of Payment

After each payment, guests must send their payment confirmation through one of the agency's official communication channels.

### 7. General Terms and Conditions

Tour prices, included services, schedules, meeting points, and any specific conditions will be detailed in the official quotation or booking confirmation voucher.

RAFA_BRASIL_TOURS
Tourism Rooted in Ancestry
Brazilian Business Registration (CNPJ): 50.321.656/0001-84
Email: rafaelazevedowork@gmail.com

FAQ

Before you book

Is the price per person or per group?

Per group, up to 4 people, transport included. Larger groups get a quote over WhatsApp. Tickets (Christ, cable car) and meals are extra, and I tell you the prices beforehand.

How does payment work?

To confirm your booking, a 30% deposit of the total tour price is required via Pix, bank transfer, or payment link. The remaining 70% balance must be paid at least 48 hours before the experience begins. For bookings made less than 48 hours in advance, full payment is required at the time of confirmation, subject to availability. We accept Pix, bank transfers, and credit cards. Credit card payments are subject to a 6% surcharge, which will be disclosed to the customer in advance. Special payment arrangements may be considered upon request and are subject to agency approval.

What if it rains?

**Do tours operate on rainy days?** Yes! Rafa_Brasil_Tours operates tours on rainy days, provided that weather conditions allow activities to be carried out safely. Tours may be suspended or canceled in the event of severe storms, extreme temperatures, hazardous weather conditions, or official alerts and recommendations issued by the relevant authorities. If a guest voluntarily requests to reschedule due to rain, even when conditions are safe for the tour to operate, a rescheduling fee equivalent to 30% of the total experience price will apply. The new date is subject to availability. If the agency suspends or cancels a tour for safety reasons, this rescheduling fee will not apply. Alternative dates or refunds will be offered in accordance with the applicable conditions and consumer protection laws. Our guests' safety and well-being are always our priority.

Do you do cruise shore excursions?

Yes. I pick you up at Pier Mauá and guarantee you're back at least one hour before boarding.

Is the tour suitable for kids and people with reduced mobility?

Yes, I adapt the route. I flag which lookouts have stairs, use a van with a child seat when there are kids and choose easy trails or none, depending on the group.

How many people can join a private tour?

Up to 4 people by car. For groups of 5 to 19 I work with an executive van and driver; just tell me the group size in your request.

Tour guide in Rio de Janeiro: why choose a private tour

Looking for an English-speaking tour guide in Rio de Janeiro to explore the city safely, without lines and with someone who truly understands the place? A private tour in Rio is the most efficient way to make the most of a few days: instead of waiting for crowded buses and following a fixed route, you get a licensed guide, exclusive transport and an itinerary built around your interests.

The most requested itineraries are the Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf tour, the cultural tour of Santa Teresa, Lapa and the Selarón Steps, a respectful favela visit with a resident guide, and nature days in Tijuca Forest and the wild beaches of Prainha and Grumari. I also run cruise shore excursions from Pier Mauá, photo tours and day trips to Petrópolis, Búzios, Arraial do Cabo and Paraty.

All tours are led in English, Spanish or Portuguese, with pickup at your hotel, the airport or the ship, and booking with no upfront payment. Pick your date on the calendar above, send the request and I'll confirm availability within 24 hours.

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