Helicopter Tours in Rio: The 15 Best Flights

1.Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 530 reviews · 20 - 30 minutes · from $220Our pick

Meet at Jacarepaguá Airport for a shared helicopter flight over Rio. Choose the 20-minute route for Christ the Redeemer, Ipanema, and Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, or the 25-minute route adding Copacabana, Urca, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Arpoador. Flights carry three or four passengers, with Portuguese, English, and Spanish support.

“Fantastic activity with amazing views. Small intimate group was a much better experience with a good all round view for everyone involved”

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2.Helicopter Flight Christ the Redeemer 30 min

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 250 reviews · 30 min · from $231

Fly over Rio for 25 to 35 minutes with a Portuguese, English, or Spanish-speaking guide. From Recreio, the route takes in Barra and Copacabana beaches, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Tijuca Forest, and more. Pilot Juliana has earned special praise for her calm, professional handling. Arrive one hour early and expect shared seating.

“What a wonderful activity! I’d never been on a helicopter before so was quite apprehensive about booking, my partner was very excited about the idea though so I relented. I expected it to be terrifying and I braced myself at takeoff ready to spend the trip praying for it to be quick but it took off and was smoother than my flight home! It looked “easy” for the pilot who is obviously very experienced and a total pro. I still imagined it hit falling into the see every 2 minutes but surprisingly that had no effect on my enjoyment of the trip. Rio is the perfect location for a helicopter…”

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3.Private Helicopter tour – Rio de janeiro in 30min

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 173 reviews · 30 min · from $281

Take a private 25 to 30-minute helicopter flight from Jacarepaguá Airport over Rio’s beaches and landmarks. You’ll pass Barra, São Conrado, Ipanema, Copacabana, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer, with one or two circles near the statue. English and Portuguese support is available, and hotel transfers are optional.

“Our pilot was professional and the staff super helpful and easygoing. The ride itself was an amazing experience. We were alone in the helicopter and we were very comfortable. We took the last slor before sunset and we had great lighting. We highly recommend this tour over Rio.”

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4.Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour without Doors

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 121 reviews · 35 to 40 minutes (approx.) · from $392Top rated

Join Rio2Fly for a 35 to 40 minute doors-off helicopter flight over Rio’s beaches, mountains, forests, and famous landmarks. With certified pilots, headsets, safety equipment, and a maximum of three people, you’ll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Ipanema, and more from the air. Flights leave from Vargem Grande and depend on weather and air traffic clearance.

“Amazing experience, I was smiling like a Cheshire Cat the whole time, views were insane, what a way to see Rio. I would do it again in a heartbeat. One if the best things I did”

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5.Helicopter Ride Over the Iguazu Falls – Admission Ticket

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 119 reviews · 10 min · from $189

Take a 10-minute helicopter flight over Iguazu Falls from the Brazilian side. You will see the falls from above in a small group of up to six people, with Portuguese, English, and Spanish support. The flight is weather dependent, first come first served, and requires a minimum of four passengers.

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6.Helicopter Ride in Rio de Janeiro – 30 Minutes by Comandante Nobre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 69 reviews · 25 to 30 minutes (approx.) · from $309

From Comandante Nobre’s Barra da Tijuca hangar, you’ll fly for about 25 to 30 minutes over Rio’s best-known sights, including Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, Rocinha, and Tijuca Forest. Weather and air traffic can affect departure times, so leave your schedule flexible.

“Tour was great, before you book… PLEASE CHECK WEATHER. Visibility can change so fast and we got lucky the clouds cleared up for us during our time slot. We were delayed 30 mins due to the clouds. Other than that, so memorable to see Rio from above. The pilot doesn’t speak English very well but that wasn’t an issue since we were focused on the views. Checking in was easy and efficient.”

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7.Helicopter Flight over São Paulo City

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · 10 to 12 minutes (approx.) · from $390

Take a private helicopter flight over São Paulo from Campo de Marte Airport. In about 10 to 12 minutes, you’ll see the Sambadrome, Copan Building, Pacaembu, Municipal Theatre, historic stations, major skyscrapers, and soccer venues. Headsets let you hear the pilot, and coffee or tea is included before or after the flight.

“The helicopter tour at night was incredible. Amazing service and views. The photographer took some beautiful photos as well.”

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8.Private Helicopter Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 53 reviews · 30 min · from $200

You’ll fly privately over Rio with an English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking crew, taking in Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Ipanema, and more. Choose hotel pickup or meet at Falcon Táxi Aéreo at Jacarepaguá Airport. The flight is for two, three, or four people, with a VIP waiting room, water, and coffee.

“Awsome driver (Ricardo) who picked up from hotel and stayed with us all the time, really appreciate it. And the trip itself was amazing.”

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9.Iguassu Falls Brazilian Side: Macuco Safari, Helicopter Flight and Bird Park

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 53 reviews · 10 hours (approx.) · from $415

Spend about 10 hours seeing Iguassu Falls from every useful angle. Walk the Brazilian-side trails, fly over the falls for about 10 minutes, ride the Macuco Safari boat under the Three Musketeers, and visit Parque das Aves. Hotel transfers and a guide are included, but park entry and food cost extra.

“We had a very nice and knowledgeable guide called Bhrenno who took us to the bird sanctuary and through the falls :) it was such a great way to celebrate my birthday between snapping pictures of the waterfalls and seeing some wildlife. We were lucky that the sun came out in the afternoon so we could still do our helicopter ride which was so much fun and the views were great.”

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10.Helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro – 25 Minutes

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 51 reviews · 25 minutes (approx.) · from $230

Fly with 4FLY RJ from Barra da Tijuca for about 25 minutes over Rio’s major sights. The route covers Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado, Barra, Pedra da Gávea, and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Small groups, smartphone safety equipment, and bottled water are included.

“This was the best way to see the entire city of Rio de Janeiro. Thiago and his crew made me feel absolutely safe throughout the entire process. I would definitely book with him again to see the "Cidade Maravilhosa" from a different point of view. I was completely satisfied by the service and the attention I received from the crew. Thanks Thiago!”

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11.Rio De Janeiro Helicopter Flight Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 25 reviews · 30 min · from $279

Take a small-group helicopter flight from Helicentro do Pontal over Rio’s best-known sights. Your Portuguese- or English-speaking pilot handles the flight while you view Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, and possibly other city landmarks from above. The aircraft holds up to four people, with headsets provided.

“Very cool! a must-do in Rio, seeing the Christ from above was absolutely wild!!”

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12.Helicopter flight no doors in Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 22 reviews · 25 min · from $320

Take a shared, doors-off helicopter flight from Jacarepaguá Airport over Barra da Tijuca, Leblon, Ipanema, Arpoador, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and Christ the Redeemer. Your English-, Portuguese-, or Spanish-speaking team gives a safety briefing and provides the chance for a shoe selfie near the statue. Bring ID and wear closed shoes.

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13.Private Helicopter tour – Rio de janeiro in 20min

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 18 reviews · 20 min · from $180Best value

Fly from Jacarepaguá Airport over Barra da Tijuca, Joá, Pedra da Gávea, São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema, and Christ the Redeemer. The private 15 to 20-minute flight is available in Portuguese, English, or Spanish, with optional hotel transfers. Expect one or two full circles near the statue, subject to weather and air-traffic rules.

“Excelente actividad, el chofer muy amable en los traslados, y la experiencia en el helicóptero impresionante”

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14.Helicopter Flight over the Iguassu Falls

★★★★★★★★★★4.4 · 16 reviews · 2 hours · from $235

From your Foz do Iguaçu hotel, private transport takes you to the Helisul helipad near Iguassu National Park. Your 10-minute flight covers the full Falls and Devil's Throat. English, Portuguese, and Spanish service is available, but the $235 price does not include park admission and flights require at least four paying passengers.

“Enjoyed the Helicopter tour, it was a 10 star ride. I was so satisfied I didn't take the next 2 tours to walk through. it was 37° centigrade. that was at 11 in the morning. to hot for this Northwest old lady from Washington. I recommend anyone going to see the Fall's it is worth spending the money. It is a short ride but a great one. The pictures were perfect.”

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15.Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour | DOORS OFF

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 9 reviews · from $367

Take a doors-off helicopter flight from R. Dom Bosco, 644 over Rio’s beaches, mountains, rainforest, Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas, and Christ the Redeemer. The flight is listed as 30 minutes, while the itinerary notes 35 minutes. Skilled pilots fly the route, and you can buy 360-degree filming separately.

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