Our tour takes us from your hotel / pick up location, driving along the bay of Guanabara - where you will get great panoramic views of Sugar Loaf mountain and the picturesque marinas of Botafogo, Urca, and Flamengo, see Niterói (the city at the other side of the bay), and much more.

 

Cruising top-down, we’ll go through the historic city center where you can see the details of the buildings, learn to identify the various cultural centers, monastery, churches, and plazas (there's a lot to see!).  By foot, you’ll visit the iconic churches that mark the turn of different centuries.  You’ll have time to take fun pictures on the famous colorful steps of “Selarón” designed by a Chilena artist and also know for its debut in the Snoop Dog & Pharrell video “Beautiful”.

 

Having the opportunity  to explore the city center by foot and by jeep, creates a unique combination of sensorial & cultural experience.  The tour continues through the well known Lapa neighborhood, where you will tour under their famous “Arcos” (former aqueducts) and start the steep incline into the Santa Teresa neighborhood.  (You’ll be so sooooo thankful your travel uphill while riding inside the jeep.)   

 

The Santa Teresa neighborhood provides visitors with the quintessential Brazilian experience. Winding narrow streets and colorful historical buildings characterize the bohemian area, while from the top of Santa Teresa Hill, some of Rio’s best views of lush landscapes and Guanabara Bay unfold. 

 

In the 1750s, settlement expansion grew by the upper class where many houses and mansions were built inspired by the French architecture of the period. What makes this area so neat, is that the majority of these estates are still standing and they have transformed into restaurants, art galleries, independent stores, and so forth.  Some highlights include abandoned mansion turned restored park and adjacent museum holding 19th century works of art (Parque das Ruínas & Museu Chácara do Céu).   We can’t forget the iconic Largo Guimarães & Castelo Valentim.

 

You’ll enjoy walking through the cobbled roads, staircases, and alleys of neighborhood and getting a close up feel of the bohemian vibe.  Our tour guide will give you the cultural  and historic details all along the way and after a nice trek you’ll appreciate those gorgeous views, again,  on your descent quite comfortably in your Jeep - Rio is way better with the top down!