The 3 Best Rio de Janeiro History Tours

1.Historic Rio and Santa Teresa Half-Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 228 reviews · 4 hours · from $47Our pick

Spend four hours touring Rio’s historic center, XV de Novembro Square, Cinelândia, the Arcos de Lapa, and artistic Santa Teresa. Your multilingual guide drives between stops, explains Brazil’s past, and takes you to Parque das Ruínas for wide views over Guanabara Bay. Pickup is available from major central and beach neighborhoods.

“Lavinia was an excellent guide! We thoroughly enjoyed our time with her!”

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2.Little Africa Heritage Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 177 reviews · 2h 30m · from $40Best value

Meet an English-speaking guide at the Rio Art Museum for a 150-minute walk through Little Africa. You’ll see Mauá Square from a rooftop, learn about Afro-Brazilian food at Largo da Prainha, visit Pedra do Sal, and finish at Cais do Valongo. Guides such as Luana, Nathalia, Ryane, Larissa, and Eddie are known for warm, thoughtful storytelling.

“It was so nice and informative. We got to see some places that we, if we were alone, wouldn’t have seen. The guide was so kind and took her time explaining the history and culture of little Africa.”

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3.Ancient Rio and Santa Teresa Tour with Hotel pick-up and drop-off

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 154 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $55

Spend four hours with a local guide exploring Santa Teresa and Ancient Rio. See the 1897 tram, Parque das Ruínas, Lapa Arches, Praça XV, Cinelândia, and grand civic buildings. Hotel pickup and drop-off are included, but the tram ride and museum interiors are not.

“Interesting to see the other aspects of Rio de Janeiro away from tourist hot-spots of Corcovado and Sugarloaf.”

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