Brazil · 1-DAY TOURS
Every trip has one free day too few. These 15 1-day tours justify the slot, priced and timed so you can decide in minutes and get back to the fun part.
Travel from Rio to Arraial do Cabo, then sail by schooner to Ilha do Farol, Prainhas do Pontal, Praia do Forno, Gruta Azul, and more. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish on land. Choose the lunch option, bring cash, and expect a very long day with about four hours of road travel each way.
“Really lovely day, guide was excellent and so helpful!”
Trade Rio’s city streets for Arraial do Cabo’s clear water and bright beaches on a full-day trip with hotel pickup, a schooner cruise, swimming stops, and a buffet lunch option. Guides such as Newton, Andrea, Vivi, and Israel have helped English-speaking visitors, though boat commentary is mainly in Portuguese. Expect a long road journey and possible weather changes.
“The tour is very good! the whole experience of getting to Arraial do Cabo was a dream! Food at casa do piedra was amazing. The weather was the only downside, it was very cloudy and rainy but even with that we had a wonderful time on this day trip. I would recommend and I will be back someday, hoping for a sunny day next time!”
This nine-hour small-group tour links the Argentine and Brazilian sides of Iguassu Falls, with pickup in Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú. Guides such as Bruno, Diego, and Andre handle the border crossings, explain the Atlantic rainforest, and keep the day moving. Entrance fees, lunch, and the optional Macuco Safari boat ride cost extra.
“This tour was brilliant ! You really will see “every side of the falls!” Bruno was a lovely tour guide and very friendly. As for the falls, they were incredible ! Our advice - don’t forget to pack a rain coat… Thanks again for a brilliant day Bruno - Nadia, Abbie, Ellie :)”
Travel from Rio to mountain-set Petrópolis with a multilingual guide such as Rafael, Julio, or Mama Chris. Visit the Imperial Museum, Quitandinha Palace gardens, Crystal Palace, and Cathedral of Saint Peter. Add a buffet lunch and Bohemia Brewery visit, then return after a packed 12-hour day.
“It was okay! The only downfall of joining big group with multi language is that it will take time to explain to you what was being shown/ discussed.”
Leave Rio’s southern beaches by licensed coach and head to Arraial do Cabo for a boat ride past Praia do Forno, Praia do Farol, Blue Grotto, and Fenda de Nossa Senhora. Guides speak English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Expect a long day, brief beach stops, extra port fees, and a buffet lunch with drinks and desserts sold separately.
“Great Logistics. Pick-up was arrange for us in Leme even though it was not in the area of the tour.”
Cross from Foz do Iguaçu into Argentina with a local guide such as Roberto, Henrique, or Fabio, then explore the Lower and Upper Circuits and Devil’s Throat. Hotel pickup helps with the border, but park fees, food, taxes, and visa costs are extra. A Brazilian-side option can extend the day to about 11 hours.
“It was great to have a guide take us to the Argentinian side of the Falls from Foz do Iguaçu. Makes the border crossing quick and effortless. Because we had 2 people in our group that had opted for the Brazilian side on the same day, I felt like we were rushing around to make sure they would have enough time for the second part of their tour. I picked a tour of just the Argentinian size specifically because I didn't want to be rushed. The people in the group should all be doing the same thing so we're not on someone else's schedule.”
Spend 12 hours exploring Brazil’s coast from São Paulo with a bilingual guide such as Mauricio, Santos’ Coffee Museum, São Vicente’s Itararé Beach and optional cable car, and Guarujá’s Campina viewpoint and Enseada Beach. The small group is limited to seven, with hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and beach time included.
“Mauricio Vergnano my tour guide was GREAT the best of the best GREAT person and so knowledgeable, intelligent, funny, awesome, Amazing, brilliant, excellent day trip,,, I would do this trip again...”
Spend about five hours hiking rough, steep trails in Tijuca National Park with a bilingual guide such as Gustavo, Ricardo, Pietro, or Tito. Reach Taquara Hill, explore coffee-farm ruins, grottos, Bat Cave, and waterfalls, then cool off under Cascata da Baronesa. Groups are limited to six, with pickup from selected South Zone hotels.
“The breathtaking views over the rainforest alone was worth it. But also the rest: I learned a lot and got to experience this incredible forest. Our guide was not only helpful but also passionate about what he was showing us. I loved it. One of my highlights of my trip to Rio.”
Spend about 12 hours traveling from Rio to Angra dos Reis and Ilha Grande by bus and schooner. Swim at Freguesia de Santana, Aracatibinha, Lagoa Verde, and Lagoa Azul, then enjoy a Brazilian buffet at Praia de Japariz. Bilingual guides such as Daniel, Nayt, and Fabio have helped make the long day run smoothly.
“We had a fantastic tour. It was nice to see another part of Rio/Brazil during our trip, and the islands were gorgeous. A few notes for anyone looking to book in the future… Avoid booking on Fridays/Weekends unless you want to sit in 5+ hours of traffic on the way home. The drive was made much longer by the weekend traffic, and our guide said it was the usual. We went during high season, so the islands/bays were extra packed. It sorta took away from the trip a bit. The boat had bathrooms (wouldn’t call them the nicest but they worked… ish) and enough food/drink options to get you by.…”
Travel from Foz do Iguaçu with a private guide such as Gabriel, Marcos, Fabio, or Luis, crossing into Argentina for Devil’s Throat and three major trails before returning to Brazil for wide views of the falls. Expect 7 to 9 hours, 7 to 10 km of walking, border assistance, and ticket costs paid separately.
“Marcos is an experienced Tour guide. He knows the routes well and the tour is well organised. It was smooth and enjoyable.”
Travel from Rio to Petrópolis with a guide, visiting the Imperial Museum, St. Peter of Alcantara Cathedral, Crystal Palace, and Quitandinha Palace. You also get free time for lunch and shopping, with optional visits to Santos Dumont’s house or Cervejaria Bohemia. Pickup and museum entry are included.
“The mini bus transport was clean and comfortable, our tour guide TTUHLALA was brilliant, she kept us entertained and informed even though we were the only British couple on the tour. The Petropolis trip started at a chocolate store, which was okay then on to the shopping centre in Petropolis which was not for us. From there we visited the Crystal Palace, quite interesting. We made a short trip to Santo Dumont's house 8 reals entrance fee where a video explained the inventors life. We then had a buffet meal 40 reals good food and value. Next was a visited to the Cathedral followed by the museum Royal Summer Palace,…”
Patricia Cannabrava and her team take your private group of up to four around Rio’s essential sights in 6 to 7 hours. You’ll visit Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, the Selarón Steps, and the Metropolitan Cathedral, with private transport, WiFi, and a guide included. Attraction tickets, food, and drinks cost extra.
“Patricia picked us up at the Port from our cruise ship and took us on a customised tour for the whole day. We visited the Maracana Stadium, learnt all about Carnival, walked up the Seralon Steps then went to Christ the Redeemer. We had Patricia’s wonderful descriptions of all of the history. After driving along Ipanema and Copacabana beaches, we parked at the Cathedral then walked downtown to the beautiful Library and visited Confeteria Columbus. We were returned to the port in time to get ready for dinner on the ship. Thank you for your wonderful and warm conversation- your English is excellent!”
You visit both sides of Iguazu Falls in 8 to 10 hours from Foz do Iguaçu or Puerto Iguazú. Guides such as Charles, Bruno, and Anderson handle park routes, border crossings, and timing. Expect long walks, a panoramic train, wet viewpoints, and an optional Macuco Safari boat ride.
“This was one of the best tours we have done. Charles was an amazing tour guide who was patient and knowledgeable. He expertly guided us around the falls! The drive was smooth and we arrived back after having a full day exploring the falls.”
Travel from Natal to João Pessoa on a 14-hour guided outing with accredited interstate transport. See Tambaú, Cabo Branco, Ponta dos Seixas, historic sights, and Jacaré Beach at sunset, where a saxophonist plays Bolero. Boat rides, meals, and São Francisco Monastery admission cost extra.
“The catamaran was fantastic. The guides were good. Hotel Globo was a failure. Summary: Pretty good trip”
Leave Campo Grande at 4:30 am for a private three-hour drive to Fazenda San Francisco in the Pantanal de Miranda. With a Portuguese-speaking local guide, you’ll take an adapted-truck photo safari, walk the Carandá Trail to the Miranda River, ride a chalana through St. Dominic’s Coryx, fish for piranhas, and enjoy lunch and an afternoon snack.
“Great place. Beautiful area. Definitely a hidden gem I wish I spend more time here. Loved my experiance”
Pick a summit, a stretch of coast or a dancefloor.
