Alternative Viewpoints 4 Hours Private Tour: Discover Offbeat Rio Perspectives in a Crowd-Free Tour

Experience the hidden beauty of Rio de Janeiro with a private tour to offbeat viewpoints. Avoid the crowds and discover the city’s best-kept secrets in this 4-hour adventure.

Duration: 4 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio - Your journey begins with a visit to Parque do Penhasco in Leblon. The route to the first attraction will vary based on your hotel location. The tour is conducted in an air-conditioned vehicle driven by your guide.

  • Morro Dois Irmaos - Located at the base of a massive seaside mountain at the end of Leblon Beach, Parque do Penhasco offers the best views of Leblon and Ipanema beaches. From here, you can see the lush mountain vegetation contrasting with the bustling city intersections. After taking some photos and enjoying the viewpoint, we will proceed to the Chinese Pagoda inside Tijuca National Park.

  • Mirante Do Leblon - A great vantage point at the end of Leblon Beach.

  • Leblon Beach - Depending on your hotel location, we may pass by this beautiful beach in the most expensive neighborhood in South America.

  • Ipanema Beach - Known for its beauty and vibrant atmosphere, Ipanema Beach is a must-see. Don’t miss the chance to see Tom Jobim’s statue and capture stunning photos of the beach and Dois Irmãos hill.

  • Arpoador Beach - A large rock at the end of Ipanema Beach, considered one of the best spots in Rio to watch the sunset during the summer.

  • Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana - This fort at the tip of Copacabana Beach offers some of the best views of Copacabana.

  • Copacabana Beach - This world-famous beach is also home to many of Rio’s hotels.

  • Avenida Atlantica - The most famous seaside avenue in Copacabana.

  • Praia do Leme - Located at the very end of Copacabana Beach, Leme Beach is the perfect spot for a photo of Copacabana.

  • Leme - A quieter beach at the far end of Copacabana.

  • Forte Duque de Caxias - This fort, built in 1776 as a lookout for incoming ships, is a hidden gem. To reach the summit of the 183m (600-ft.) hill, we’ll walk for 20 minutes on an 800-meter cobblestone road through a natural preserve maintained by the Brazilian Army. The area is home to various Brazilian fauna, and it’s common to see marmoset monkeys, tropical birds, and lizards along the way. Once at the top, you’ll be rewarded with spectacular views of Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Guanabara Bay.

  • Mirante do Leme - The best spot to take a picture of Copacabana Beach.

  • Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon - A beautiful tidal lagoon connected to the sea and surrounded by a bike lane.

  • Botanical Garden - Established in 1808 by Portuguese prince Dom João VI, the garden was initially a site for acclimatizing exotic plant species brought by the Portuguese. During our walk, we’ll see majestic imperial palm trees and the orchid and bromeliad greenhouses. The garden is also a prime spot for observing local wildlife, including capuchin and marmoset monkeys, toucans, red-throated guans, and other species.

  • Floresta da Tijuca - The largest reforested urban forest in the world, Tijuca Forest covers 10% of the city and houses the Tijuca National Park.

  • Vista Chinesa - Built to commemorate 100 years of Chinese immigration to Brazil, this pagoda is surrounded by tropical forest and offers a spectacular view of the southern part of the city. We’ll reach the monument by driving up a winding asphalt road through Tijuca National Park, passing a couple of waterfalls along the way. It’s not uncommon to see capuchin and marmoset monkeys here. After visiting the Chinese Pagoda, we’ll drive to the Dona Marta viewpoint for another breathtaking view of Rio.

  • Cosme Velho - Drive through this neighborhood, which was once home to many embassies when Rio was the capital of Brazil.

  • Mirante Dona Marta - This viewpoint offers one of the most incredible views of the city, including the Christ Monument, Sugarloaf Mountain, Maracanã Stadium, Guanabara Bay, and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. It’s also the best spot to take a perfect picture of the Christ monument. After leaving Dona Marta, we’ll drive to Parque das Ruinas in the Santa Teresa district.

  • Santa Teresa - A picturesque and well-preserved colonial-style area that emerged in the mid-1800s, now an artsy neighborhood full of bars, cafés, and restaurants offering a variety of food options, including the best açaí and cheese bread in Rio. The area is great for photos, with painted murals, street art, cobblestone streets, and souvenir shops, including one listed in Lonely Planet for its locally made items.

  • Largo dos Guimaraes - The central part of the Santa Teresa district.

  • Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas - Located in Santa Teresa, this former home of a prominent female art supporter is now a cultural center in Rio’s most authentic and picturesque district. Our last stop is a lookout on the rooftop of this cultural center, offering breathtaking views of downtown, Guanabara Bay, Sugarloaf, and Corcovado mountains, well worth the climb up three flights of stairs.

  • Carioca Aqueduct - Also known as Arcos da Lapa, this aqueduct once supplied the city with water from rivers in Tijuca Forest. Now, it serves as a passageway for the tram connecting Downtown Rio and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.

  • Aterro Do Flamengo - A large park area crossed by an expressway.

What's Included
  • Local guide
  • Tolls and parking fees included
  • Free entry to all attractions
  • Fuel surcharges covered
  • Private car transportation
What's Not Included
  • Meals or drinks (if any)
Additional Information

This excursion takes you to four hidden gems in Rio, providing an authentic snapshot of the city. You’ll get to appreciate the city’s most remarkable view, away from the hordes of tourists at popular sites.

Ideal for those who admire beautiful sights but prefer not to endure long lines at the major attractions.

I’ve handpicked the top four cost-free viewing locales in Rio.

Parque do Penhasco
Chinese Pagoda
Mirante Dona Marta
Parque das Ruinas

The tour includes transportation to and from your hotel in Rio, the cruise port, or airport.

  • Children must be accompanied by an adult
  • All tours are private and conducted in air conditioned vehicle.
Location
Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
5.0
(8 Ratings)
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Amor_m
Jul 20, 2024
Luis Darin must be your first encounter in Rio! - For anyone looking to understand what’s in the “tissue of Brazil/ Rio” beyond what’s invisible to the eye must meet and experience this tour by Luis Darin. From communing with wildlife in secret vistas in Rio to dining in top places for locals to really truly understanding history.
Review provided by Viator
Shlomo_m
Jan 29, 2024
Terrific Experience - Our driver Luis made our trip! He gave us a tasting menu of a number of regions with full explanations, including horticultural details of the flora and fauna. His explanation of history and culture set the stage for trips with others and most noteworthy was how memorable he made those explanations: truly terrific.
Review provided by Viator
Alexanderbp9330ja
Oct 27, 2023
One of the best days of my life - One of the best days of my life. Completely catered for my interests and got to find some interesting art studios and have try the local cuisine! A REAL insight in to life living in Rio
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Acatlin13
Oct 2, 2023
Perfect private tour guide - We did a 6 hour private tour with Luis and it was fantastic! Luis was great, very knowledgeable and took us to some great spots away from the typical tourist ones we had already done. His English is perfect and communication great. We booked with him direct via WhatsApp and everything was arranged easily and quickly. Hopefully see you again Luis! Angela and Ben
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Davidzas
Aug 14, 2023
Unforgettable private tours of Rio with Luis Darin - I visited Rio in June 2023. During my stay, I did two amazing private tours with Luis. The first one covered Santa Teresa, Lapa and downtown. The second one covered unique point of views of Rio, including visiting Niteroi with amazing views of the bay. Luis also took me to charming local restaurants, with a special mention to the fejoada we had in Santa Teresa. During the tours, Luis shared his insights of Rio’s history, culture and nature which gave me such a deeper understanding and appreciation of this extraordinary city. Thank you Luis for such an unforgettable experience!!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Julianrivington
Apr 12, 2023
Rio from a different angle. - With so much to see in Rio & having no idea what to see we let Lous take control! We were so glad we did this. First stop was out of Rio over the amazing Niterio bridge where he drove us up hidden roads to then see the most magnificent view of Rio in all its glory. Then onto Santa Teresa, an area we’d probably avoided without a superb guide to show us some interesting places & again great views down towards the Sambadrome.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Glory453
Jan 24, 2023
Great tour! - Excellent tour including copious amounts of historical information and foodie tips. The guide was friendly, helped me get my luggage into the car and when he dropped me off, helped me get my luggage out of the car. Guide also took me to a waterfall and a couple of extra stops along the way including wild life viewing. Guide was also excellent at answering all of my questions and even took some very good photos of me. Really appreciate it! Recommend this tour if you've already been to all the main sites and want to see something new.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
583clara
Oct 26, 2022
Excellent way to spend a day in Rio! - After spending the day with Luis in Rio, I am not surprised at all by the many 5 star reviews he has. Myself, my partner and my parents had a fantastic time. Luis gave us a 100% personalized day in Rio starting off with the farmer's market, feeding the monkeys in the botanical gardens, followed by a gorgeous authentic lunch and then seeing the steps of Lapa. His knowledge of Rio was immense and love of the city was infectious. Would highly recommend Luis!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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1 Adult
September 2024
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