About Activity
8-hour fully customized tour of Rio with a private local guide. Have private transportation at your disposal to take you to all the sites you want to see in Rio. Great for experienced travelers who want to make the most of their visit. Whether you're looking to go to the main attractions, or the places that aren't so touristy, your private guide will be there to recommend the best spots and ways to beat the crowds. Tour is limited to a maximum of four people and includes pickup and drop-off from your accommodation in Rio, or the cruise port or airport.
Includes
- Local guide
- Tolls and parking fees
- Landing and facility fees
- Fuel surcharge
- Transportation in a private car
Excludes
- Customer’s admission tickets for the attractions visited on the tour
- Meals or drinks (if any)
Stop At: Sugarloaf Mountain Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The second most visited attraction in Rio, Sugarloaf is a monolithic solid granite block over 1,200 feet above sea level located at the very entrance of Guanabara Bay in Rio. The access to the monument is at Urca neighborhood. The monument can be reached by taking 2 cable cars straight to the summit of Sugarloaf.
Stop At: Sitio Roberto Burle Marx Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included A wonderful estate that belonged to the most acclaimed landscape designer in Brazil.
Stop At: Centro Cultural Municipal Parque Das Ruinas Former home to a preeminent female art supporter, Laurinda Santos Lobo, the Parque das Ruínas is now a cultural center that keeps her legacy of supporting artists everywhere.
Stop At: Theatro Municipal Do Rio De Janeiro Inaugurated in 1909, the Theatro Municipal is one of the most importante theaters of Brazil and Latin America. The Theatro Municipal has drawn international artists and important names from Brazilian culture, including dancers, musicians, opera singers, and performing artists. Since the 1930s, the Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro has maintained its artistic independence, and is the only Brazilian institution to have its own choir, a symphony orchestra, and ballet company. We do not enter, but we take time enjoying the architecture aspects of this building.
Stop At: Botanical Garden Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The garden was created in 1808 by order of the Portuguese prince Dom João VI as a temporary site for acclimatizing exotic plant species from all over the world broth there by the Portuguese. During the walk we will also be able to see the majestic imperial palm trees and the orchid and Bromeliad greenhouses.
Rio’s Botanic Garden is also one of the best spots to observe the city wildlife, such as capuchin and marmosets monkeys, toucans, red throated guan and several other animal species.
Stop At: Paco Imperial The Paço Imperial or Imperial Palace, previously known as the Royal Palace of Rio de Janeiro and Palace of the Viceroys, is a historic building.The Paço Imperial was built in the 18th century to serve as residence for the governors of colonial Brazil. From 1808, it was used as a royal residence by King John VI of Portugal as King of Portugal and later also as King of Brazil.
Stop At: Centro Cultural Banco Do Brasil - Ccbb Rio De Janeiro The CCBB in Rio de Janeiro is a building of neoclassical lines that in the past was connected to finance and business. Its foundation stone was launched in 1880, materializing the project of Francisco Joaquim Bethencourt da Silva (1831-1912), architect of the Imperial House, founder of the Society of Fine Arts and the Lyceum of Arts and Crafts
Stop At: Parque Nacional Da Tijuca The diverse fauna and lush vegetation of the park can be observed.
Stop At: Copacabana Beach This worldwide famous beach is also the area where most hotels are located in Rio.
Stop At: Ipanema Beach Simply put, the most beautiful beach, with the most beautiful people, in the south side of Rio. Don´t miss the opportunity to see Tom Jobim´s statue and take great shots of the beach and Dois Irmãos´hill.
Stop At: Mosteiro De Sao Bento A place of monastic simplicity that is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Brazil where there is a surprising contrast between the austere, purposefully simple appearance of the exterior and the richness of the interior highlighting gilded Baroque engravings with plants motifs. See for yourself the exuberant Rococo style in the engraving on the high altar, followed by a view of the dome and the Chapel of the Santíssimo Sacramento.
Stop At: Maracana Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Inaugurated in 1950 the stadium had 200.00 people capacity.
Stop At: Claudio Coutinho Trail This flat trail located at the base of Sugaloaf Moutain is a place for a short walk looking for marmoset monkeys with Sugarloaf and the Red Beach as background.
Stop At: Sambodromo Da Marques De Sapucai The stage for the city's main Carnival Parade.
Stop At: Forte Duque De Caxias This fort, located at the very end of Copacabana Beach, is a well-kept secret.
The fort was built in 1776 as a lookout to spot incoming ships. To reach the summit of the 183m (600-ft.) hill we’ll walk for 20 minutes on an 800 meters cobblestone road that crosses the natural preserve area kept by the Brazilian Army.
Several species of the Brazilian fauna live in the area. It is not uncommon to spot mamorset monkeys, tropical birds and lizards on the way up.
Once we reach the summit, a series of spectacular views will be discovered. From the hill top we’ll have a vantage point of view of the entire extension of Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and the entrance of Guanabara Bay.
Stop At: Parque Lage This large park is located near the Botanic Gardens in the south part of the city. During the 16th century the place was a sugar mill owned by the governor of Rio de Janeiro province. In 1840 an English nobleman became the new owner and hired the landscape designer John Tyndale to design the romantic style garden at the property.
Stop At: Praia Do Arpoador A large rock at the end of Ipanema Beach considered one of the best spots in Rio to observe the sunset during the summer.
Stop At: Perigoso Beach A completely secluded and wild beach reachable by boat or hiking trail only.
Stop At: Rodrigo De Freitas Lagoon One of the nicest areas in Rio this tidal lagoon connects with the sea and it is surrounded by a bike lane.
Stop At: Avenida Atlantica The seaside avenue in Copacabana is the most famous beach area in Rio.
Stop At: Arcos Da Lapa Also known as Arcos da Lapa the aqueduct used to supply the city with water from the rivers born at Tijuca Forest. Now it is used as a passageway for the tram that connects Downtown Rio and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.
Stop At: Praia Da Macumba A beautiful beach in the west part of town.
Stop At: Praca Quinze De Novembro The square is located in the historical centre of Rio de Janeiro and is surrounded by the Palácio Tiradentes, the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro; and the Paço Imperial. The Praça XV Station is a ferry terminal servicing a number of destinations in the city of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi
Stop At: Aterro Do Flamengo A very large park area crossed by an expressway.
Stop At: Marina Da Gloria This is the place from where most bot tour departure from in Rio.
Stop At: Morro Da Urca The round shape of this mountain next to Sugarloaf reminded the Portuguese a ship used to carry sugar.
This is the first step to reach Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car.
Stop At: Arco Do Teles Named after the Portuguese judge Antônio Telles Barreto de Menezes the place preserves its colonial architecture.
Stop At: Santa Teresa This picturesque and well preserved colonial style area born in the mid-1800s is now an artsy neighborhood full of bars, cafés and good restaurants that offer a myriad food options including the best Acai and cheese bread in Rio.
The place offers great photo opportunities with its painted murals, street art, cobblestone streets and a variety of souvenirs shops, including the only one in Rio listed on Lonely Planet for having only items made by local artists.
Stop At: Parque Da Cidade This vantage viewpoint offers the very best view of Rio skyline.
Stop At: Feira De Sao Cristovao The Luiz Gonzaga Northeast Traditions Centre is the place where the traditional São Cristovão Fair is held. About 700 permanent tents offer a sample of Brazilian Northeast culture, such as typical food, handcrafts, forró players, dance, singers and also folk literature. The fair attracts visitors from all over the country and abroad. Every month about 450 thousand tourists and local people visit it. It is a place for dancing, handcraft shopping, and also a place to try some of the local specialties at one of the many typical Northeastern restaurants.
Stop At: Cosme Velho Drive through this neighborhood that was once the home for most embassies in Brazil when Rio was the country capital.
Stop At: Santuario Cristo Redentor Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The most iconic monument in Brazil was inaugurated in 1931 and is considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world. From the monument Rio can be seen at its entire splendor.
Stop At: Leme A less busy beach located at the very far end of Copacabana.
Stop At: Escadaria Selaron Selaron’s Staircase is a set of world-famous steps. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron who claimed that the staircase is his tribute to the Brazilian people.
The steps straddle both the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. There are 250 steps which are covered in over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world.
Stop At: Ipanema Farmer's Market Each morning farmers set it up on a different street.
These are the places where the locals go to do their grocery shopping, and tourists are welcome to walk around the several stands sampling fruits, street food and vegetables offered in the market. The fruit in Brazil really taste different. More than once I had people telling me “So that is what mango is supposed to taste like! I feel I’ve been cheated all my life…”.
Stop At: Sao Francisco Da Penitencia Church The laity of the Order of the Third Order of San Francisco settled in Rio de Janeiro in 1619, occupying a chapel inside the church of the Franciscan convent of Santo Antônio, located on the top of a hill (the Morro de Santo Antônio). In the middle of the seventeenth century, the Franciscan convent gave them a plot of land next to the convent's church to build their own temple there. The Church of St. Francis of Penance was built, with interruptions, between 1657 and 1733.
Stop At: Mirante Do Leblon Nice vantage viewpoint at the end of Leblon Beach.
Stop At: Morro Dois Irmaos A seaside granite mountain at the end of Leblon Beach.
Stop At: Guanabara Palace This was once the home of Princess Isabel, the daughter of Brazil’s second emperor. Today the beautiful building houses the headquarter of Rio de Janeiro State government.
Stop At: Urca A small and picturesque neighborhood is located at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.
Stop At: Barra Da Tijuca Beach An area full of new developments and one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio.
Stop At: Abrico Beach The only nude beach in Rio.
Stop At: Praia De Grumari Very isolated and completely undeveloped beach area covered by the lush restinga vegetation and reachable only by private transportation.
Stop At: Praia Da Joatinga Surrounded by rocky clifs, this beach is reachable by a small hiking trail.
Stop At: Praia Do Leme At the very end of Copacabana Beach Leme Beach is the best place for a picture of Copacabana.
Stop At: Praia Do Recreio A 10 miles long beach in the west side of Rio.
Stop At: Praia Vermelha At the foot of Urca Mountain lies a small and beautiful beach with red sand and surrounded by mountains in both sides.
Stop At: Palacio Capanema Icon of Brazilian’s modern architecture, the Gustavo Capanema Palace, also known as MEC (Ministry of Education and Culture), stands out for its architectural composition and for its unique positioning within the surrounding urban context.
Stop At: Vista Chinesa Erected to celebrate of the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants to Brazil.
Stop At: Boa Viagem Island The ruins of a fort and a church lies in this island.
Stop At: Parque Nacional Da Serra Dos Orgaos A national park in the mountains at the end of Guanabara Bay and 50 miles away from Rio.
Stop At: Mirante Do Soberbo On a clear day the views of the mountains and Guanabara Bay are absolutely amazing from this viewpoint.
Stop At: Dedo De Deus One of the highest mountains of Serra dos Orgaos this peak rises towards the sky as if it was a finger pointing up.
Stop At: Prainha Beach Most well-kept secret of Rio this awsome beach is souronded by vegetation and is also a surfer’s paradise.
Stop At: Ponte Rio–niteroi A nine miles long bridge connecting the two sides of the road.
Stop At: Pedra Do Sal Part of Little Africa, Pedra do Sal is considered by some the birth place of Samba.
Stop At: Ilha Da Gigoia The small and quiet island is hidden gem where the best seafood place in Rio can be found.
Stop At: Pontal Beach At the very end of Recreio dos Bandeirantes lies this calm waters beach.
Stop At: Reserva Beach A large preserved area at Recreio dos Bandeirantes.
Stop At: Beco Das Sardinhas A small alley in the downtown district with preserved colonial Architecture.
Stop At: Museum Of Valongo Wharf The Museum is located where nearly one million captive Africans disembarked between 1811 and 1831 and tell us a bit more about the African heritage in Brazil.
Stop At: Centro De Visitantes Von Martius Museum The Von Martius Visitor Center in the Guapimirim Venue is housed in a 19th century mansion, restored to preserve its original features. The mansion belonged to the former Fazenda Barreira do Soberbo, being its owner during the Empire the medical doctor Henrique José Dias, who dedicated himself to planting cinchona (Cinchona calissaia).
This historical mansion houses a permanent exhibition with photos and information about the park, a model of the entire PARNASO area, as well as an interesting collection of works by botanist Von Martius.
Stop At: Cachoeira Do Rio Dos Frades One of the most beautiful waterfalls ever. Nice place to sunbathe and swim in the large pool formed by rocks and boulders.
Stop At: Pedra Bonita A hang-gliding take off spot is at the top of this mountain in Sao Conrrado.
Stop At: Cais Do Valongo The place of entry for millions of enslaved African for over 100 years.
Stop At: Caminho Niemayer An architectural complex that made Niterói the second city in the world with the largest number of works designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer.
Stop At: Morro Da Babilonia This solid granite wall rises above the entrance of Sugarloaf cable car. Here we’re very likely to observe climbers trying to reach the mountain summit.
Stop At: Mirante Do Caete The scenery is spectacular from this viewpoint overlooking Prainha.
Stop At: Mirante Do Joa Nice viewpoint at the foot of Gavea mountain overlooking the ocean.
Stop At: Trilha Pedra Do Telegrafo The two miles very steep hiking trail starts at Pedra Branca State Park. At the summit you’ll take the famous picture hanging from the cliff.
Stop At: Praia Do Secreto As the name suggests this is a small hidden beach on the way to Prainha.
Stop At: Mirante Do Leme Most definitively the best spot to take a picture of Copacabana Beach.
Stop At: Parque Natural Municipal Da Prainha A city park behind the most beautiful beach in Rio.
Stop At: Travessa Do Comercio Beautiful and colorful colonial houses can be found in this old commercial part of the city.
Stop At: Maua Square Large square surrounded by 2 museums near Little Africa.
Stop At: Igreja Nossa Senhora Do Carmo Da Antiga Se The first cathedral in Rio de Janeiro.
Stop At: Statue Of General Osorio A war hero and the patron of the Brazilian Army.
Stop At: Poco Verde Magnificent waterfall inside Serra dos Orgaos National Park.
Stop At: Mestre Valentim Fountain Originally positioned next to the pier, it was used to supply the vessels, as well as the residents with fresh water from the mountains of Rio.
Stop At: Pedra Do Pontal Also known as Pontal de Sernambetiba the rock island divides the sandy oceanfront into two separate beaches, Recreio and Macumba.
Stop At: Trilha Do Pao De Acucar This hiking trail staring at Claudio Coutinho Trail also grants access to Urca Mountain.
Stop At: Largo Dos Guimaraes Central part of Santa Teresa District.
Stop At: Rio De Janeiro Historic City Center Rio downtown is full of buildings and places where you can get in touch with all this history.
Stop At: Boulevard Olimpico The area also known as Porto Maravilha houses a variety of museums and cultural centers. There is also a sequence of gratifies that make up an artistic pathway painted by 20 different artists and the famous street Etnias Mural painted by Eduardo Kobra.
Stop At: Painel Etnias Inspired by the Olympic rings representing the five continents and their people, the mural signed by Eduardo Kobra was named Etnias (ethnic groups).
Stop At: Morro Da Conceicao Marking the initial occupation of the city of Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese, the area has significant historical and architectural importance.
Stop At: Pier Maua The place where all cruise ships dock in Rio de Janeiro.
Stop At: Aquario Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The largest aquarium in South America houses about three thousand sea animals in 28 tanks.
Stop At: Igreja De Sao Francisco Da Prainha Built by the Veneravel Ordem Terceira de Sao Francisco da Penitencia in 1704 this church is considered one of the main Baroque style examples in Rio.
Stop At: Centro De Visitantes Paineiras The visitors center was created in 2013 and houses an environmental education center and can be visited when going to the Christ Monument by minibus.
Stop At: Rampa Pedra Bonita This hang gliding take off spot in Sao Conrado offers great views.
Stop At: Museu Historico Do Exercito E Forte De Copacabana Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included The Fort seats at the tip of the Copacabana Beach and offers some of the best views in of Copacabana.
Stop At: Praia Do Meio Along with Perigoso, Inferno and Funda beaches this is a very secluded beach reachable only by hiking trail.
Stop At: Floresta Da Tijuca Tijuca Forest is the largest reforested urban forest in the world. The forest takes 10% of the city area and houses the Tijuca National Park.
Stop At: Cascatinha Taunay One of the many waterfalls in Rio.
Stop At: Museu Selecao Brasileira - Cbf Admission Ticket:
Tickets are not included Located in the new headquarters of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation in Barra da Tijuca, this is a must for soccer lovers. The fans can follow the history of the Brazilian Team from their first games to the most important titles. There are nineteen facilities with technological resources that allow the interactivity of the public with the attractions. The collection also has relics such as uniforms, trophies and photographs.
Stop At: Confeitaria Colombo inaugurated in 1824 and is a icon of what was the Belle Epóque in Rio de Janeiro.
The Belgian crystal mirrors framed by hand-carved frames, the lamps and the beautiful stained glass skylight ceiling are stunning and the food is very representative of Brazilian culinary.
Specialized infant seats are available Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller Public transportation options are available nearby Transportation options are wheelchair accessible Suitable for all physical fitness levels Children must be accompanied by an adult A maximum of 4 people per booking Pricing is per group pricing Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking Vegetarian option is available, please advise at time of booking if required All tours are private and conducted in air conditioned vehicle. Your admission tickets for the attractions visited on the tour and any meals or drinks are not included. Admission fees will be paid directly at the attractions. Operated by Luis Darin Private Tour Guide For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
Superb Rio tour experiencetonyhF7999QQ
We did a private whole day tour with Luis last Friday and found it a wonderful way to see all the highlights of Rio. Luis contacted us in advance asking what we wanted from the tour and the sort of places we would like to visit and then gave us tips on places we hadn't thought about and advice for getting the most out of the tour such as purchasing Skip the Line tickets. On the day he picked us up from our hotel and drove us around Rio to the various places we had agreed on all the while giving us an insight into life in Rio. We are considering a return visit to Rio next year and we would definitely use Luis again for another custom tour.
Definitely RecommendV5175UOcorys
Lus was great. He was flexible with our schedule. He was very knowledgeable of the area and took us to great locations. He is a great driver in a very busy city and I felt comfortable the entire time
Awesome experience!Wanderer40739353489
Oct 14, 2026, 11:01:14 AM We spent 2 full days with Luis. Luis was punctual and provided safe and comfortable transportation throughout the tour. Luis is very knowledgeable of Rios history, customs and culture and provided commentary throughout the day. I would highly recommend going to Sugarloaf and Christ the Redeemer on your own since they consume so much time standing in lines. Time better spent with Luis taking you to places not in any brochures.
Highly recommended full day customisable tour of RioSWALondon
We had a fantastic customised private tour of Rio with Luis. From the very beginning, communication was excellent and Luis took the time to understand what we were interested in and what was realistically possible to fit into one day.
It was particularly useful to know in advance about the works at Christ the Redeemer, and Luis’s recommendation to buy fast-pass tickets for Sugarloaf Mountain was absolutely brilliant — we saved so much time.
We also saw some fantastic neighbourhoods that we would never have discovered on our own, followed by a fabulous lunch surrounded by locals and live samba, where we seemed to be the only tourists!
Luis was exceptionally knowledgeable and clearly passionate about Rio. He was great company, and the whole day was relaxed, enjoyable and felt completely tailored to us. He kept things flexible too and gave us various options which was great.
We couldn’t recommend Luis and this tour highly enough a fantastic way to experience Rio beyond the usual tourist trail!
Excellent private tour of Rio!!!ShaliniS824
I highly recommend Luis for a private tour of Rio. He reached out ahead of the tour date to enquire about my interests and what else I had planned during my stay. He then fully customised the tour taking that into account. The tour I did was varied and included a visit to a local fruit and vegetable market, church, a tour of the botanical gardens, lookouts, Santa Theresa and the Selaron steps. Luis was also able to give an excellent overview of the history, economy, culture and horticulture. He also didn't hestitate to answer the many questions I had!
A very worthwhile and informative tourstarvingsteven
We were an intimate group of 2 grandparents and one 17 yr old granddaughter - each with different priorities and needs. Luis struck precisely the right balance, showing great sensitivity and perception. We got a great overview of Rio, concentrating on those aspects which appealed particularly to our priorities and interests. Luis also has an excellent knowledge of the country’s history and very effectively placed all that we saw into historical context - all delivered in excellent English.
Highly recommend. What a great way to fit in a lot.Ailsa_Body
Luis was a wonderful guide. We (2x adults, 2x teenagers) had a lovely day exploring based on our interests. It was a great mix of feeling relaxed as Luis had such a chilled way about him while actually seeing and doing lots. He had tips that made the visit much better and provided lots of history and information about the city, the places we passed/visited and the country/culture as a whole.
Thoroughly recommend.
Luis Is More Than a Tour Guide—He Gives You the Best Possible Experience of RioSeaside50583922581
Luis is truly exceptional and far more than a typical tour guide. He knows Rio inside and out—not only its famous attractions, but also all the practical “tricks” that make an enormous difference when visiting a busy city. He knows precisely when and how to visit each location, how to avoid long lines and unnecessary waiting, where to enter, where to stand or sit for the best views, and how to organize the day so that you experience as much as possible without ever feeling rushed. His planning and efficiency allowed us to make the most of every minute.
What makes Luis especially unique is the extraordinary breadth of his knowledge. He is a fountain of information about Rio and Brazil, including their history, culture, architecture, neighborhoods, and people. At the same time, his knowledge of nature is remarkable. He can identify and explain the plants, trees, birds, and other animals encountered along the way, making visits to the rainforest, gardens, and viewpoints much more meaningful. He also has an excellent eye for photography and knows exactly where to position you to capture the best photographs and panoramic views.
Luis does not simply take you from one attraction to another and repeat memorized facts. He brings every place to life, explains its context and significance, and adapts the conversation to your interests. The experience feels like exploring Rio with an exceptionally knowledgeable local friend who genuinely loves his city and wants you to understand and appreciate it.
He is also extremely flexible and continuously adjusts the itinerary according to your preferences, the weather, crowds, traffic, and opportunities that arise during the day. His warm personality, intelligence, humor, enthusiasm, and patience make the entire experience enjoyable and effortless.
A tour with Luis is not a standard sightseeing excursion—it is a personalized and uniquely memorable introduction to Rio and Brazil. His combination of knowledge, experience, organization, flexibility, and genuine passion is extremely rare. I cannot recommend him highly enough. If you want to experience the very best of Rio in the most enjoyable and efficient way possible, Luis is the guide to choose.
Great Tour Guide in Riosylvia_p
Jul 23, 2026, 11:22:28 PM Our tour guide was amazing and super friendly and knowledgeable. His English was impeccable. We had a great time, felt safe, and got to explore the city. Our favorite part was the Botanical Gardens where we got to see so much wild life. Our highlight was wild monkeys and toucans. Thank you!
1 Day Rio when it rains and having fun ... DOROTHEE_R
Despite the fact that it was a very rainy day and there was no chance of seeing or climbing Pao de Acucar and seeing Cristo, my tour guide Luis managed to organize an unforgettable day in Rio. A great mix of sights, architecture, food and just Rio life ... Highly recommendable. I felt safe and very well taken care off.
Terrific tour guide.Compass62414058452
Jun 15, 2026, 10:28:55 PM My wife and I really loved the tour. Luis knows Rio completely, speaks perfect English, and made the day a delightful experience. Of course, the fact that Rio is spectacular helped!
Full day trip in RioEwelina A
Great experience, we had a full-day tour of Roo. Luis tailored the attractions to our needs.
Luis is the best tour guide EVER!!F5490SGamys
Luis is the best tour guide I've ever had! He pointed out interesting trees at the botanical gardens and crumpled leaves in his hand, so I could guess what tree it was. I saw a cinnamon tree, vanilla plant and did you know that cashews are attached to an apple?! At the market, he gave me several fruits I'd never heard of, then we drove around Tijuca National Park, where I smelled tobacco leaves and watched him make ants come out of a tree! He took me to Santa Teresa, downtown, beautiful churches, and the Escadaria Selaron staircase, and was knowledgable about everything. I also took a tour of G.R.E.S. Unidos da Tijuca, where I got to see Carnaval floats and try on costumes. Awesome experience!
The best decision we could have made. Luis showed us everything we requested in 1 day. He knew all of the tricks to bypass lines and get the most of our time. So pleased with our entire experience!! Thank you Luis.
Perfect tour of Rio!KellFamily
Dec 25, 2025, 12:33:33 PM Luis was an excellent guide for our family of 4 (two teens). He was very patient and flexible and added additional stops that we didn’t know to ask for. Speaks excellent English! Thank you Luis for a fun day!!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Friendly & Conversationaljefferym2015
Last October we booked a private tour with Luis Darin Private Tour Guide, and it exceeded our expectations. Luis showed us places we never would have found on our own, including a private waterfall, the Botanical Garden, local markets, historic neighborhoods, and stunning cathedrals.
He’s knowledgeable, flexible, local and great to spend the day with. If you’re on the fence don't hesitate to book him. Also if you can, book more than one day. You won’t regret it.
Our tour guide Julio was...Nadith_K
Our tour guide Julio was really nice and friendly.
The reason for my three star rating was based on the lack of information and guidance we have received throughout the tour.
Some of the best tours we have been, usually start with the tour guide asking us of our interests and what information we would like to receive?, such as historical, cultural and so on.
Unfortunately the tour we have had, failed to provide any such information. So we felt that, we could have simply hired a taxi for the tour at a fraction of the price.
The reason we hire a tour guide is not just to see the places, but also receive some key background information and historical and cultural contexts.
Highly Recommend This Experience!Vivian_D
An amazing tour from start to finish! It felt like the itinerary was created just for me — because it was! Luis was fantastic, knowledgeable, and made every stop interesting. Everything was well organized, flexible, and tailored to my interests. He took the time to understand what I wanted to see and made thoughtful adjustments along the way, even going a bit over the allotted time n order to do so. I felt well taken care of and enjoyed every moment. Highly recommend!
Informative customised private tour of RioCobus C
Luis is an excellent guide, very entertaining and has a good knowledge of Rio de Janeiro in particular but also Brazil in general.
He accommodated our needs and interests and I will highly recommend this tour when visiting Rio.
Discovering Rio: An Amazing Experience with LuisPamela K
We had two fantastic days in Rio with Luis, who expertly tailored our experience to our interests. A highlight was exploring vibrant street markets, where we sampled exotic fruits and authentic street foods that we wouldn’t have experienced on our own. He also arranged for us to visit Christ the Redeemer at the perfect time for the best photos.
Luis's deep knowledge of Brazilian culture enriched our tour as he shared captivating stories about landmarks and traditions. His dining recommendations for lunch were excellent, and we enjoyed lively samba music, which became a trip highlight.
Luis’s friendly demeanor and passion for the city made our experience unforgettable. We highly recommend him for anyone looking to explore Rio in a safe and flexible way. Thank you, Luis!
Iconic Views & Authentic Flavors – Perfect Day in Rio!LVShogun
Luis gave us an outstanding tour of Rio de Janeiro, showcasing iconic landmarks like Christ the Redeemer, the colorful Selarón Steps, the stunning San Sebastian Cathedral, and the breathtaking Sugarloaf Mountain. We also savored authentic Brazilian cuisine in Santa Teresa, including a delicious feijoada — a traditional black bean stew with pork. Highly recommend this tour for anyone wanting an unforgettable experience in Rio!
Excellent guide — knowledgeable and engagingMaria C
We had a wonderful experience with Luis in Rio de Janeiro. He gave us a fascinating historical perspective on Brazil, making the country’s past come alive in an engaging way. He also had an impressive knowledge of local plants and nature, which added a unique touch to our tour. Friendly, professional, and very informative — highly recommended!
One of the best guided tours we have ever done. Superb from start to finish. Luis is such a knowledgeable guide and personable individual. I highly recommend this tour!
If you are short on time and want to see the main attractions Darin is highly recommended. He will customize your private tour. Incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about his country. We saved so much time from Darin knowing all the ins and outs of popular attractions, we didn’t have to wait as long as others.
Great Start to RipDavid_M
If you want an intro to Rio, this is the tour for you! Knowledgable, enthusiastic guide, very in tune with us.
Famous and less known gems of RiodanielbG5902DC
Luis is a great guide, will take you on a customised tour of interesting places and entertain with interesting stories.
Amazing Insider Tour of Rio with LuisM3263UGmarkm
Luis was an incredible guide! He was extremely helpful and knowledgeable, and made our time in Rio truly unforgettable. His local insights and deep understanding of the cities, culture, history, and hidden spots, and it’s so much value to our experience. We saw and learned things we never would have on our own. I would definitely recommend Luis to anyone looking to explore Rio beyond the typical tourist path.
A Wonderful Way to Experience RioSusan_S
My full-day custom private tour with Luis was an outstanding way to begin my month in Brazil. His prompt responses to all my questions set the tone from the moment I booked my tour. He worked with me to ensure we wouldn't duplicate any of the sights I'd be seeing with my other tour company. Additionally, he developed an itinerary that took into account my recent knee replacement. Our day was full of outstanding activities an sights. Luis was very pleasant to be with and extremely knowledgeable of the area. I highly recommend this tour to anyone who wants a private, customized experience in Rio.
Two Day Tour of Rio.Damian M
We have spent the last two days with Luis on his full day guided tour of Rio de Janeiro. We enjoyed every minute. The tours were built around places we wanted to visit and Luis added extra experiences that enhanced our trip. He is an extremely knowledgeable and experienced guide who knows the city so well. I would definitely recommend his tours to anyone planning to visit this wonderful city. Thank you Luís!
We had a full Day Tour with Luis , he was incredibly knowledgeable and engaging, right from the start Luis made the experience not only informative but also a lot of fun and he knows all the short cuts to the front of the queues and where to stand to get good train seats, we went to Christ the Redeemer in the morning and visited a lovely little coffee shop after when we got off the train, we then headed to the botanical gardens, Selaron Steps and finished with a guided walk around Santa Teresa and then a small cafe for cheese bread and the best Açai sorbet , we had a fab time and any one who books with Luis is guaranteed to have a great time , thanks Luis , until the next time, Spencer , Donna and Byron x
Enjoyable day tour with LuisRon P
Great day trip around Rio. I had already been to Sugarloaf and seen Corcovado from a helicopter so skipped the 2 most popular tourist sites. This gave me the opportunity to enjoy Rio with a lifelong Carioca who speaks excellent English (Luis) and get a good feel of the food, music, art, architecture and local neighborhoods. We went to the Botanical Garden, Laranjeira farmers market, Centro (for feijoada, COLD beer, and samba), amazing view of the Museum of Tomorrow, and Santa Teresa neighborhood.
Strongly recommend Luis. He spent over a decade living in the US so perfect for English speaking tourists. Very knowledgeable about nature, history, culture, society, food, anything. We covered a lot of ground.
Was visiting Rio de janeiro and booked a tour with Luis. Was definitely worth it. Booked an additional tour with him. He is someone who is helpful, friendly, and willing to go the extra mile for you. Recommended 5 stars!
100% recommended709patriciop
100% recommended. Luis is very profesional and friendly. He is very experienced. Knows a lot about history and the city
Luis the Redeemer!Andrew M
Luis is THE master tour guide, and quite the character! I cannot recommend him enough. He's very considerate and accommodating and knows the area better than those who designed it.
You can’t go wrong by booking LuisCarl V
Just the best guy to work with. Totally flexible with a wealth of knowledge. He also took us to the best Seafood Restaurant of our whole trip.
Wonderful timeP8138BRmarcusm
May 31, 2025, 11:49:22 AM Luis is an amazing guide. Very knowledgeable and easy to relate to. My girlfriend and I had a wonderful time. He took us to a local market, cafe, and sightseeing. Highly recommend
Terrific private guideabs1950123
We booked Luís Darin through Tours by Gus- He was fantastic- couldn’t have asked for anything more. Really took us around , explained everything and his English is excellent- couldn’t have asked for anything more
Luis was amazing, so knowledgeable, lots of great stories and local highlights. Would recommend this tour for all. We spent the day with him, and it was the highlight of the trip .
Full custom toursamaracwb
Custom tour attending our every need. Fantastic views. High level knowledge of historical facts.
Courtesy throughout the entire experience.
5-star tour guide Dorothy_Y
Luis is a very experienced tour guide and knows about Rio up and down, left and right. We were lucky to have him as our tour guide.
Feb 27, 2025, 12:37:52 PM We were able to choose what we wanted to see and do. We visited farmers market, botanical garden, Tijuca Forest, Selaron Steps. We even had time to stop in Santa Teresa for an authentic Brazilian lunch! Our guide Luis was a wealth of knowledge from food, restaurants, history, even the types of trees and leaves! We had one more stop planned but given the hot weather Luis offered is expertise and suggestion for the remainder of the day, which we happily accepted. We highly recommend Luis!!
First time in RioP7954HQjohnp
Luis did a great job and we really enjoyed the entire day. highly recommend to anyone looking for a more personal tour. it was very casual and flexible.
Rio with a private guide.Ron_V
Louis was outstanding. Very knowledgeable about the areas that we visited and let us spend as long as we wanted at each stop.
Great conversationalist and guide through the city!Emma M
Wonderful guide and knowledgeable. A great day we would not have been able to experience on our own. See the major sites and some local spots!
A private tour extraordinaire! The best way to experience Rio in the timeframe we had. Highly recommended!Dreamer813038
Jan 30, 2025, 10:08:00 AM We had Luis take us to the botanic gardens, the beaches, an authentic local restaurant for lunch and Saint Teresa. All throughout we got history learnings and answers to any questions we had. We felt safe everywhere. He was a first class guide!
Nice mix of visits that gave us the ability to feel Rio. Difficult day because of the amount of tourists in town. Julio did a good
8 hours private tour of RiomiguelsN4527VO
Nov 12, 2024, 11:48:18 AM Luis was really knowledgeable and friendly and we had a fantastic time on the tour.
Really fascinating insight into Brazilian history and tradition
Most amazing 5 star tourAndr_P
Luis was an awesome guide. I appreciated his flexibility,his knowledge and his willingness to include extra visits I truly enjoyed.. My day in Rio was memorable thanks to his skill and generosity.
Strongly recommend this Full-Day Custom Private Tour of Rio accompanied by Luis.
Unforgettable Customized Rio Tour587stacya
Muito Obrigada, Luis, for a great trip around Rio! We learned so much about Rio in a way that was truly meaningful and unforgettable. Not only was he very knowledgable about the city but he asked what we were interested in to make sure the tour suited our interests. My favorite part was going through the botanical garden where he guided us through the gorgeous grounds and we learned about the indigenous plants. Definitely will recommend this tour to my friends and family.
Must do tour with the best guideMia B
Luis was a phenomenal guide. He spoke perfect English and was very accommodating. He let you customize the tour and gave a few options and suggestions along the way. One of our favorite tours in Rio.
