See Escadaria Selarón, also known as the 'Selaron Steps', which is a set of world-famous steps in Lapa. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Carioca Aqueduct wich is an old aqueduct in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The aqueduct was built in the middle of the 18th century to bring fresh water from the Carioca River to the population of the city. It is a typical example of colonial architecture and engineering.
Depending on your hotel location and the itinerary of the tour we will see Santa Teresa – Ruins Park. Parque das Ruínas is a public park with an art gallery built around the ruins of a mansion, located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, better known as the Metropolitan Cathedral of Rio de Janeiro or as the Cathedral of St. Sebastian of Rio de Janeiro, is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of São Sebastião do Rio de Janeiro.
Depending on your hotel location and the itinerary of the tour we will see Cafe Colombo. A century-old café with huge built-in mirrors & classic pastry-store snacks & sweets.
You will see Praça XV or XV Square. a public square in the Centro section of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
See 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 in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The Paço Imperial was built in the 18th century to serve as a residence for the governors of colonial Brazil.
See Olympic Boulevard. Grand promenade created for the Olympics with artists' murals, museums, food trucks, etc.
See Kobra Mural. Amazing huge graffiti mural.
The Museum of Tomorrow is a science museum in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It was designed by Spanish neo-futuristic architect Santiago Calatrava and built next to the waterfront at Pier Maua.
The tour we will see Largo Da Prainha and Pedra do Sal (Little Africa). Pedra do Sal is a historic and religious site in Rio de Janeiro, in the neighborhood of Saúde. The site was originally a quilombo village.
Is the popular name of a major public square with beautiful buildings in french style in the center of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Depending on your hotel location and the itinerary of the tour we will see Portuguese Reading Room. The Royal Portuguese Cabinet of Reading is a library and lusophone cultural institution, is located in Luís de Camões Street, number 30, in the center of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
See Maracana Stadium. Maracana Stadium, officially named Estádio Jornalista Mário Filho, is an association football stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
See Municipal Theatre (Opera House). The Theatro Municipal is an opera house in the Centro district of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Built in the early twentieth century, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful and important theaters in the country. The building is designed in an eclectic style, inspired by the Paris Opéra.
The Sambadrome Marquês de Sapucaí is a purpose-built parade area built for the Rio Carnival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Sugarloaf Mountain is a peak situated in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the mouth of Guanabara Bay on a peninsula that juts out into the Atlantic Ocean. Rising 396 m above the harbor, its name is said to refer to its resemblance to the traditional shape of concentrated refined loaf sugar.
Christ the Redeemer is an Art Deco statue of Jesus Christ in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, created by French sculptor Paul Landowski and built by Brazilian engineer Heitor da Silva Costa.
We will see Dona Marta View Point. Cliffside's lookout point offers expansive, panoramic views of Rio and the Christ the Redeemer statue.
Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon is a lagoon in the district of Lagoa in the Zona Sul area of Rio de Janeiro. The lagoon is connected to the Atlantic Ocean, allowing seawater to enter by a canal along the edge of a park locally known as Jardim de Allah.
The iconic, 2.5-mile beach features a wide, sandy expanse, bustling promenade, food kiosks & hotels.
See Ipanema Beach. A long, popular stretch of beach known for sunbathing, along with soccer & volleyball.
Arpoador is a region located on the southern zone of the city Rio de Janeiro, in a small peninsula between Ipanema and Copacabana. Part of its territory belongs to the neighbourhood of Ipanema, and part to Copacabana.
At the end of the famous Leblon beach, there is a scenic mountaintop viewpoint.
Depending on your hotel location and the itinerary of the tour we will see Penhasco Park View Point. Tranquil natural area with trails & 4 viewpoints offering picturesque vistas of notable landmarks.
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden or Jardim Botânico is located at the Jardim Botânico district in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. The Botanical Garden shows the diversity of Brazilian and foreign flora. There are around 6,500 species distributed throughout an area of 54 hectares as well as numerous greenhouses.
Parque Enrique Lage is a public park in the city of Rio de Janeiro, located in the Jardim Botânico neighborhood at the foot of the Corcovado, on top of which Christ the Redeemer is located.
The Tijuca National Park is an urban national park in the mountains of the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
This waterfall in the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro is 35 meters high.
Depending on your hotel location and the itinerary of the tour we will see Chinese View. The Vista Chinesa is one of the belvederes of Rio de Janeiro, at the topmost of one of the roads that connect the Jardim Botânico area to the Parque Nacional & Floresta da Tijuca, known as the Estrada da Vista Chinesa.
See Telegrafo Rock. Low-hanging rocky outcrop & photo op with the optical illusion of a dangerous cliff-edge drop.
The trail is relatively easy and from the top is possible to see the whole carioca South area.
We will hike Pedra Bonita mountain. Unique geological formation with a hiking trail & hang-gliding port offering panoramic vistas.
Favela Santa Marta is a favela located in the Botafogo and Laranjeiras part of the Morro Dona Marta, that is also divided by the neighborhoods of Flamengo, Cosme Velho, and Silvestre, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Niterói is a city in southeast Brazil, connected to Rio de Janeiro by a bridge across Guanabara Bay.
The Niterói Contemporary Art Museum is situated in the city of Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and is one of the city’s main landmarks. It was completed in 1996. The MAC-Niterói was designed by Oscar Niemeyer.
See City Park. Hilltop Park with iconic views of Guanabara Bay and surrounding hills, plus a paragliding launch.
See Barra da Tijuca Beach. Wide, bustling stretch of sand lined with food kiosks, open sea views & a relaxing vibe.
See Prainha Beach. secluded half-moon-shaped beach, bordered on each side by rocks and high cliffs. It is one of the best surfing spots in Rio.
See Grumari Beach. Prainha and Abrico beaches are amazing, its 15 min drive from Barra Da Tijuca. No public transportation, must go by car.
Daniel was an excellent tour guide. He arranged the day to be suitable for my unique needs since I use a wheelchair. The ability to customize the desired route, locations etc was exactly what we liked and needed. I highly recommend him.
We had a fabulous day exploring the sights of Rio with Danny…Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and the main highlights of downtown. Communication with Danny was excellent from start to finish and he told us which tickets to buy in advance, meaning we were able to avoid lengthy queues. We would highly recommend Danny as a guide.
We had an absolutely fantastic experience on this private full-day tour. From start to finish, Daniel was an outstanding guide—personable, incredibly polite, and genuinely funny. His deep knowledge of Rio de Janeiro’s history, culture, and hidden gems made every stop fascinating. Having private transportation made navigating the city effortless, and Daniel paced everything perfectly so we never felt rushed. If you are visiting Rio and looking for an unforgettable, seamless day, ask for Daniel. Truly a 10/10 experience!
Based on the glowing reviews for Daniel we had incredibly high expectations for our day with him in Rio. Not only did he meet these expectations but he far and away exceeded them. He is conscientious, thoughtful, knowledgeable and communicates with ease and effectiveness. I appreciated the communication prior allowing us to set a custom itinerary as well as the overall value for the $$. There is no way we could have done and seen so much of Rio without him as our guide. Thank you Daniel!
We hastily planned a half day tour to see the hidden gems of Rio. Danny answered our call and took us on a 4-hour whirlwind tour of sites that few visitors will go. In Santa Teresa, we climbed up a skelton mansion where we had a fantastic view of the city. Danny is very warm and knowlegeble. I will recommend Danny to my friends visiting Rio.
Daniel was a fantastic host. He was very prompt and very knowledge. I would thoroughly recommend this tour. We had a fantastic day in Rio. We saw all the sights and had a good meal
Daniel was amazing, from the day I contacted him, to going the extra mile on the actual day of our trip I am disabled, but he made the trip easy! We had a great time, he is very knowledgeable and made sure we were comfortable and felt completely safe at all times. He even took my son to get a SIM card ON A SUNDAY! And booked and rebooked dinner reservations! All after our tour had finished. Such a lovely man. Book with him if you can. You will not regret it!
Danny provided a first class experience from start to finish. He was professional, informative, and executed the itinerary superbly. If you want the best tour guide in Rio, Danny is your man.
We are a family of 2 adults and 2 teenagers from Ireland and we spent today with Danny and had such an enjoyable day. He had great communication with us once I booked him and he advised me how to prebook tickets for the main attractions to save time on the day. He also arranged an early morning pick up so we could start the day early and not waste time queuing and get the most from our day. He has such a lovely manner, excellent English, very knowledgeable about Rio and such great company! Nothing was a problem to him and he accommodated our preferences as to where we wanted to go etc. I would highly recommend using Danny’s service as I feel we learnt far more about Rio rather than trying to figure it out in our own - nothing beats local knowledge! Yes you can get Ubers to the various attractions but you won’t have the same experience. Thank you Danny for a most memorable day. We love Rio!
Daniel gets 10/10. Speaks good English. Very knowledgeable. Gives the right information in right time. Understands well the need of the customer. Very professional.
Danny was an incredible guide! Very knowledgeable, customized the tour to accommodate our family, and was so personable. He also made it so easy with knowledge of quick places to park and ease of transport. We had him for two days and enjoyed him tremendously. Highly recommended!
Danny is extremely knowledgeable, kind and an excellent planner. He knows exactly how to plan each stop so that you get the most from your time. Regardless of whether you are a fast or slow tourist, Danny knows how to accommodate, and will make sure you are comfortable at all times.
This was such an incredible experience!! Our guide Gus was so fun, nice and knowledgable. He showed us around and made seeing Rio so easy. I would HIGHLY recommend them for anyone trying to see Rio without having to worry about transportation, parking or anything else. AMAZING experience!!
I had a wonderful experience touring Rio with Daniel (“Danny”). From the very beginning, communication was thoughtful, responsive, and organized. I shared a few places I hoped to see — Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, and more — and he built a plan around weather, crowds, and timing to make the day flow smoothly. What stood out most was how much local insight he brought to the experience. He suggested additional stops I wouldn’t have thought to include, like the Saint Sebastian Cathedral, which made the day feel more authentic and personal rather than just a checklist of tourist sites. I especially appreciated getting to share lunch together and having the chance to learn more about Rio through a local perspective, not just from sightseeing alone. It made the experience feel much more personal and connected to the city itself. Danny was warm, professional, flexible, and clearly passionate about Rio. He also proactively advised me to buy tickets in advance and adjusted the schedule early that morning due to rain so we could still make the most of the day safely and efficiently. The entire day felt relaxed, well-paced, and genuinely memorable. I would absolutely recommend him to anyone visiting Rio — especially solo travelers looking for a guide who is knowledgeable, communicative, and genuinely cares about creating a meaningful experience
We can fully recommend Danny. We had amazing 1 1/2 days with him. He showed us the must-sees but also things off the beaten track with taking into account our cravings (acai & specific havaianas). Was so convenient to have him on our side discovering Rio (and be driven around without thinking how to get from A to B). Thank you so much!
Daniel is a great guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and calm, experienced and flexible, creating a memorable and fully customised tour for us. 23 years of experience in providing tours don't go unnoticeable! He tailored our tour according to our wishes, always offering his advice and knowledge of the city he was born in. We also visited Santa Marta favela together, and we totally felt in good hands whilst exploring the secret side of Rio city and learning about the way of living of the less privileged people of Rio. Not a single question left unanswered! We are truly impressed, and cannot recommend him enough!
If you want a tailored tour I could not be higher in praise for Danny. You tell him where you want to go and how long you have and he tailors the day around you. He also gives practical advice on how to fit in other activities if a single day is not long enough.
First of all, Danny is a fantastic tour guide. He’s easygoing and knowledgeable, and customizes the tour to whatever you are interested in around Rio. We chose a food tour, and Danny took us to several locations in the city center, both storied establishments and holes in the wall. Highly recommend Danny and any tours he provides!
Highly recommend a tour with Danny! He’s knowledgeable, a gentleman and looks out for his guests on the tour. He was flexible and curated the tour to what we needed and wanted. He never seemed pressed for time or rushed. It was a perfect way to get a feel for Rio as a first time visitor. Also gave a stellar recommendation for dinner!
Danny was the best guide we have ever had. He is knowledgeable and eager to make your day perfect. He knows the ins and outs of every location and is great at reading your reaction to make the day perfectly tailored for your likings. Don't look any further for a guide for Rio. He is great.
We loved our tours with Danny! He is so very personable and friendly that I felt like I had known him a long time. He was very helpful in planning beforehand and made the 2 tour days efficient and memorable. He knows so much and clearly has a lot of passion for the history, culture and people of this beautiful city. He was able to incorporate all of our personal interests and made recommendations for our remaining days to enjoy our hobbies of hiking, food, photography and birding. High praise for this amazing tour guide, Danny!
So glad we found Danny on the Internet. Great comms from day 1. His English is excellent and his knowledge of Rio is second to none. Early start but it meant we got to places before the crowds which made a big difference. If you are in Rio, book Danny!
We only had a single day in Rio, coming off a cruise boat, so we had to try to plan a realistic tour itinerary for our day, with Dani’s assistance. He met us at the cruise terminal and was very friendly and helpful, with excellent English skills. Out mutual love of football helped make a tour of the Maracanã really enjoyable. Then it was off to take the cable cars up Sugar Loaf Mountain. On both occasions Dani smoothed the way to make sure we always knew where to go and the quickest route. The Selarón Steps and Copacabana Beach followed, then the Opera House. All in all a fantastic tour, expertly guided by Dani. We would recommend him wholeheartedly to anyone looking to see Rio with a short time to spare only - a wonderful day!
Luís Darin was a terrific guide. After 3 days of private tours we found it difficult to see sites we had not already seen. Luís came up with some good ones for us an managed to make the whole day exciting. Our favorite “off the beat” activity was our trip to the Botanical Gardens (Note: admission to the gardens is not included in tour price) but was well worth the cost. Simply beautiful. Aside from that, Luís was a regular Tarzan. He could identify every plant & tree, every animal making a noise, and even make animal calls to attract the animals for photos. He also took us to various markets and to the St Teresa district for a traditional Brazilian lunch. Great guide. Highly recommend him
Don’t even hesitate just book it. You’ll be in good hands with Danny. Pick up at 6.30 allowed us to be first up to Christ the redeemer monument. Even though we were early there was still a queue to collect tickets. Danny used his expertise to navigate the queue and save us some extra time and we got amazing crowd free photos. His knowledge is outstanding. He knew the answers to every one of my many questions and his easy friendly manner made the day our highlight of our trip. After sugarloaf mountain he took us for a bite to eat at a very beautiful old coffee shop in Centro. It was such a great day. For me it was just the ease of it. I didn’t have to worry about where we were going or how we were going to get there and Danny made us feel relaxed and comfortable from the minute we met him.
Danny is an incredible guide knowing all the best spots to see and where to get the best pictures, often off the usual tourist trails. If you are in Rio and looking for a guide Danny is your man, he will tailor the tour as you require and give you a great day seeing the sights in the city. We’ve been lucky enough to do many tours all over the world but honestly this has been one of the best.
We took two Half day Tours of Rio with Danny with pickup from our hotel. Danny speaks perfect English and spanish. he gave us a lot of information on Brazil in General, and specifically on Rio. He gave comprensive answers to all of our questions, and We had a lot of them. And the most important, he is very nice person that made us enjoy our two intensive half days with him. I think he is a perfect choice for private guide in Rio.
We took a custom private tour with Danny and this was a wonderful experience. Danny is knowledgeable, informative, accommodating and flexible. We got a great overview of Rio, visited amazing sights and leaned about the culture and the people. We highly recommend him!
Daniel is a great guide, very knowledgeable, friendly and calm, experienced and flexible, creating a memorable and fully customised tour for us. 23 years of experience in providing tours don't go unnoticeable! He tailored our tour according to our wishes, always offering his advice and knowledge of the city he was born in. We also visited Santa Marta favela together, and we totally felt in good hands whilst exploring the secret side of Rio city and learning about the way of living of the less privileged people of Rio. Not a single question left unanswered! We are truly impressed, and cannot recommend him enough!
Danny was an exceptional guide—deeply knowledgeable about the history of Rio de Janeiro, incredibly friendly, and always ready to help capture the perfect photo. Our tour included a scenic drive through the lush Tijuca Forest, where we visited the tranquil Cachoeiras do Horto and even spotted a curious capuchin monkey near the Chinese View! We immersed ourselves in the vibrant Carnaval experience, admired the stunning St. Francis Church, and marveled at the grandeur of the Portuguese Reading Room. Lunch at Bar Amarelinho was delicious and authentic, followed by a delightful coffee and dessert break at the iconic Confeitaria Colombo. We also visited the impressive Sambadrome, rounding out a day full of culture, nature, and unforgettable memories! We highly recommend this experience to anyone visiting Rio!
We had an absolutely amazing 2 days touring Rio with Danny. From our initial email communication, it was clear we were in expert hands. Danny was not only punctual and professional, but also incredibly warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about his city. We saw the iconic landmarks—Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Selarón Steps—but also explored other sights that gave us a deeper feel for the culture and rhythm of Rio. Danny's insights brought every location to life, and his attention to detail ensured everything ran smoothly, from timing and tickets to photo stops and lunch stops. He also knows where all the best toilet stops are! We felt completely safe and well taken care of throughout the day, and Danny’s genuine enthusiasm made the experience feel more like spending the day with a friend than a guide. This tour was the highlight of our trip to Rio, and we can't recommend Danny highly enough. If you're visiting Rio and want a personal, enriching, and stress-free experience, this is the way to do it! Danny also organised our airport transfers and again this was an excellent service and we had great drivers for both transfers.
Luis gave us an incredible tour of Rio de Janeiro! We marveled at Christ the Redeemer, took in panoramic views from Sugarloaf Mountain, and wandered through the colorful Selarón Steps. He also guided us through the charming neighborhood of Santa Teresa and the striking Saint Sebastian Cathedral. Along the way, we tasted authentic Brazilian cuisine and learned fascinating stories about the city's rich history. Luis's passion and deep knowledge made the experience unforgettable. Highly recommend!
Enjoyed visiting the major sights of Rio with Gus. He was friendly and knowledgeable and was great at navigating us through the crowds. We covered a lot and the day went smoothly with his help. Would highly recommend.
Danny created a personal tour for myself and my wife and it was just amazing. If you are coming to Rio do not hesitate to book Danny. He will provide great comms with you before you arrive and really go at your pace. I cannot count the times that whilst on the tour other guides said "hey you have the best guide in Rio" and truly we did. We visited Christ the Redeemer, sugarloaf and the Cathedral and we had a really great light lunch in Costello a truly beautiful art deco establishment. Driving back to our hotel we stopped by in Leblon. If you are coming to Rio and its a once in a lifetime trip make it extra special and by having a tailored tour makes this possible. Also what really impressed me was Danny is always happy to give you such information on the history of Rio, Brazil, the different areas and in fact anything that you want to know. You will forget you are with a guide and know that you are with a friend!
Daniel was awesome! Best guide ever! He was punctual, spoke great English, and took us in the most amazing tour of Rio! I’d highly recommend him!
The tour guide was really great and was able to see so much in a little bit of time. Highly reccomended tour!
Wonderful private tour with Danny! He explained everything and took us to where we wanted to go plus additional sights of Rio. He also got us to a wonderful meal. Many thanks.
Danny was exceptional from start to finish. He contacted us in advance to plan the trip, ensuring every detail was covered. Some of the sights we wanted to see were closed because of renovations and an international conference happening on the tour day. Danny informed us in the pre-planning and suggested alternatives. When unexpected rainfall threatened to derail our plans, Danny seamlessly reorganized the itinerary so we didn't miss a thing. He provided insightful information about Rio de Janeiro and all the sights we visited. His flexibility to customize the tour to our needs was greatly appreciated. He even provided fantastic restaurant recommendations that truly made our time in Rio memorable. Highly recommend!
Words can’t express enough about our guide Danny. From the time we booked this tour for our visit to Rio de Janeiro Brazil he was in contact with us. Recommending the sites we should visit, the websites to visit for the advance tickets to Christ the Redeemer and Sugar Loaf to cut the waiting time in line to a minimum. He is a wealth of knowledge, born and raised in Brazil. 23 years experience as a guide. Speaks outstanding English. He will customize your tour to your interest and specifications. We had the perfect experience. Thank you Danny for making our day a memorable time.
This was a perfect introduction to RIo. Daniel Cabral was well organised, provided us with lots of information, and was open to our suggestions and wishes. We only had one day, as we had to work. However, the trip inspired us to go back and experience more of Rio in the future.
Ease of travel started with a hotel pick up and drop off which makes this tour convenient from the beginning. Daniel took us to see the main sites. Its a full day adventure and his professional expertise made it so much better. Highly recommended.
An excellent tour! We got to see everything we wanted and more in good time. Which despite our short time in Rio meant that we saw more than we could have hoped. Highly recommended tour if you’re on a schedule or just want to get the key stuff completed so you can head off the beaten track!
Daniel was a great tour guide. Picked us up promptly from our hotel. Full of interesting information. Friendly and engaging. Took us to all the main sights. Managed to see everything we wanted to see in one day. Would not hesitate to recommend. 5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
We spend a brilliant, fun, interesting and informative day with Danny. We got an insight into the history and culture of both Brazil and Rio. We visited Christ the Redeemer, Sugar loaf mountain and went to a huge food market trying lots of local specialties. I would highly recommend spending a day with Danny he was the highlight of our stay in Rio!
Best experience yet. Luis was tge perfect tour guide. We went to out of the way places. Perfect day.
Daniel is a great and fun tour guide. Friendly, timely, and professional. Excellent communication. Able to see things would never have been able to experience and tried local food and drink at a restaurant that mostly locals go to. Highly recommend. Thanks for a most excellent tour Daniel.
Daniel was an excellent tour guide. The airline lost our luggage. Daniel was able to change plans on the fly so we could get to the airport and pick up our luggage. He was wonderful. We highly recommend him.
Daniel was a great guide for my wife and I . He communicated with us prior to our visit on what we wanted to see and he delivered. He picked us up at the appointed time and had all his parking places planned. He also organised a tour of a Favela which we requested with a local Favela guide which was fascinating. He is very knowledgable and calm and he speaks excellent English as well. We only wanted a quick lunch at a cafe and he organised that so we're on our way without delay. He was a pleasure to be with for the day as we learnt heaps about life in Rio. Thankyou Daniel.
we toured with Daniel last Friday. He was excellent. Offers airport pickup. The full day tour can be structured however you want, but we opted to let him decide. We went up Christ the Redeemer and up Sugarloaf, and he had figured out strategies to avoid crowds and lines. He then took us downtown, to the Cathederal and some other sites, as well as a very local lunch. I never felt rushed or unsafe. Daniel's English is nearly perfect, and he is a very engaging. Highly recommend him
Luis was very informative he showed us everything we asked him and explained any questions we asked, he have lots of knowledge of Brasil history we highly recommend him .
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