Luis Darin Private Tour Guide In Rio

This is a tailor-made tour and is fully customizable. The tour is strictly based on your particular interests. Your guide will follow your interests and maximize your time in Rio. Let you guide know what your likes and dislikes are and he will take you to places you would not otherwise reach on your own. There is no preset itinerary; you are free to play it by ear, planning the day's activities as you go, based on interests, conditions, weather, and other needs. Below you'll find a list of places that can be visited on this tour. You may book the tour and reach me afterwards to discuss the itinerary, or contact me first so we can tailor the tour to your needs. Tour is conducted in an air-conditioned vehicle driven by your tour guide.

10 minutes

Sugarloaf Mountain (Pass By)

The second most visited attraction in Rio, Sugarloaf is a monolithic solid granite block over 1,200 feet above sea level located at the very entrance of Guanabara Bay in Rio. The access to the monument is at Urca neighborhood. The monument can be reached by taking 2 cable cars straight to the summit of Sugarloaf.

Sitio Roberto Burle Marx (Pass By)

A wonderful estate that belonged to the most acclaimed landscape designer in Brazil.

Centro Cultural Municipal Parque das Ruinas (Pass By)

Former home to a preeminent female art supporter, Laurinda Santos Lobo, the Parque das Ruínas is now a cultural center that keeps her legacy of supporting artists everywhere.

Theatro Municipal do Rio de Janeiro (Pass By)

Inaugurated in 1909, the Theatro Municipal is one of the most importante theaters of Brazil and Latin America. The Theatro Municipal has drawn international artists and important names from Brazilian culture, including dancers, musicians, opera singers, and performing artists. Since the 1930s, the Theatro Municipal of Rio de Janeiro has maintained its artistic independence, and is the only Brazilian institution to have its own choir, a symphony orchestra, and ballet company. We do not enter, but we take time enjoying the architecture aspects of this building.

Botanical Garden (Pass By)

The garden was created in 1808 by order of the Portuguese prince Dom João VI as a temporary site for acclimatizing exotic plant species from all over the world broth there by the Portuguese. During the walk we will also be able to see the majestic imperial palm trees and the orchid and Bromeliad greenhouses. Rio’s Botanic Garden is also one of the best spots to observe the city wildlife, such as capuchin and marmosets monkeys, toucans, red throated guan and several other animal species.

Paco Imperial (Pass By)

The Paço Imperial or Imperial Palace, previously known as the Royal Palace of Rio de Janeiro and Palace of the Viceroys, is a historic building.The Paço Imperial was built in the 18th century to serve as residence for the governors of colonial Brazil. From 1808, it was used as a royal residence by King John VI of Portugal as King of Portugal and later also as King of Brazil.

Centro Cultural Banco do Brasil - CCBB Rio de Janeiro (Pass By)

The CCBB in Rio de Janeiro is a building of neoclassical lines that in the past was connected to finance and business. Its foundation stone was launched in 1880, materializing the project of Francisco Joaquim Bethencourt da Silva (1831-1912), architect of the Imperial House, founder of the Society of Fine Arts and the Lyceum of Arts and Crafts

Parque Nacional da Tijuca (Pass By)

The diverse fauna and lush vegetation of the park can be observed.

Copacabana Beach (Pass By)

This worldwide famous beach is also the area where most hotels are located in Rio.

Ipanema Beach (Pass By)

Simply put, the most beautiful beach, with the most beautiful people, in the south side of Rio. Don´t miss the opportunity to see Tom Jobim´s statue and take great shots of the beach and Dois Irmãos´hill.

Mosteiro De Sao Bento (Pass By)

A place of monastic simplicity that is one of the most beautiful architectural complexes in Brazil where there is a surprising contrast between the austere, purposefully simple appearance of the exterior and the richness of the interior highlighting gilded Baroque engravings with plants motifs. See for yourself the exuberant Rococo style in the engraving on the high altar, followed by a view of the dome and the Chapel of the Santíssimo Sacramento.

Maracana (Pass By)

Inaugurated in 1950 the stadium had 200.00 people capacity.

Claudio Coutinho Trail (Pass By)

This flat trail located at the base of Sugaloaf Moutain is a place for a short walk looking for marmoset monkeys with Sugarloaf and the Red Beach as background.

Sambodromo da Marques de Sapucai (Pass By)

The stage for the city's main Carnival Parade.

Forte Duque de Caxias (Pass By)

This fort, located at the very end of Copacabana Beach, is a well-kept secret. The fort was built in 1776 as a lookout to spot incoming ships. To reach the summit of the 183m (600-ft.) hill we’ll walk for 20 minutes on an 800 meters cobblestone road that crosses the natural preserve area kept by the Brazilian Army. Several species of the Brazilian fauna live in the area. It is not uncommon to spot mamorset monkeys, tropical birds and lizards on the way up. Once we reach the summit, a series of spectacular views will be discovered. From the hill top we’ll have a vantage point of view of the entire extension of Copacabana Beach, Corcovado Mountain, Sugarloaf Mountain and the entrance of Guanabara Bay.

Parque Lage (Pass By)

This large park is located near the Botanic Gardens in the south part of the city. During the 16th century the place was a sugar mill owned by the governor of Rio de Janeiro province. In 1840 an English nobleman became the new owner and hired the landscape designer John Tyndale to design the romantic style garden at the property.

Praia do Arpoador (Pass By)

A large rock at the end of Ipanema Beach considered one of the best spots in Rio to observe the sunset during the summer.

Perigoso Beach (Pass By)

A completely secluded and wild beach reachable by boat or hiking trail only.

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Pass By)

One of the nicest areas in Rio this tidal lagoon connects with the sea and it is surrounded by a bike lane.

Avenida Atlantica (Pass By)

The seaside avenue in Copacabana is the most famous beach area in Rio.

Arcos da Lapa (Pass By)

Also known as Arcos da Lapa the aqueduct used to supply the city with water from the rivers born at Tijuca Forest. Now it is used as a passageway for the tram that connects Downtown Rio and Santa Teresa neighborhoods.

Praia da Macumba (Pass By)

A beautiful beach in the west part of town.

Praca Quinze de Novembro (Pass By)

The square is located in the historical centre of Rio de Janeiro and is surrounded by the Palácio Tiradentes, the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro; and the Paço Imperial. The Praça XV Station is a ferry terminal servicing a number of destinations in the city of Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi

Aterro Do Flamengo (Pass By)

A very large park area crossed by an expressway.

Marina da Gloria (Pass By)

This is the place from where most bot tour departure from in Rio.

Morro da Urca (Pass By)

The round shape of this mountain next to Sugarloaf reminded the Portuguese a ship used to carry sugar. This is the first step to reach Sugarloaf Mountain by cable car.

Arco do Teles (Pass By)

Named after the Portuguese judge Antônio Telles Barreto de Menezes the place preserves its colonial architecture.

Santa Teresa (Pass By)

This picturesque and well preserved colonial style area born in the mid-1800s is now an artsy neighborhood full of bars, cafés and good restaurants that offer a myriad food options including the best Acai and cheese bread in Rio. The place offers great photo opportunities with its painted murals, street art, cobblestone streets and a variety of souvenirs shops, including the only one in Rio listed on Lonely Planet for having only items made by local artists.

Parque da Cidade (Pass By)

This vantage viewpoint offers the very best view of Rio skyline.

Feira de Sao Cristovao (Pass By)

The Luiz Gonzaga Northeast Traditions Centre is the place where the traditional São Cristovão Fair is held. About 700 permanent tents offer a sample of Brazilian Northeast culture, such as typical food, handcrafts, forró players, dance, singers and also folk literature. The fair attracts visitors from all over the country and abroad. Every month about 450 thousand tourists and local people visit it. It is a place for dancing, handcraft shopping, and also a place to try some of the local specialties at one of the many typical Northeastern restaurants.

Cosme Velho (Pass By)

Drive through this neighborhood that was once the home for most embassies in Brazil when Rio was the country capital.

Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer (Pass By)

The most iconic monument in Brazil was inaugurated in 1931 and is considered the largest Art Deco statue in the world. From the monument Rio can be seen at its entire splendor.

Leme (Pass By)

A less busy beach located at the very far end of Copacabana.

Escadaria Selaron (Pass By)

Selaron’s Staircase is a set of world-famous steps. They are the work of Chilean-born artist Jorge Selaron who claimed that the staircase is his tribute to the Brazilian people. The steps straddle both the Lapa and Santa Teresa neighborhoods. There are 250 steps which are covered in over 2000 tiles collected from over 60 countries around the world.

Ipanema Farmer's Market (Pass By)

Each morning farmers set it up on a different street. These are the places where the locals go to do their grocery shopping, and tourists are welcome to walk around the several stands sampling fruits, street food and vegetables offered in the market. The fruit in Brazil really taste different. More than once I had people telling me “So that is what mango is supposed to taste like! I feel I’ve been cheated all my life…”.

Sao Francisco da Penitencia Church (Pass By)

The laity of the Order of the Third Order of San Francisco settled in Rio de Janeiro in 1619, occupying a chapel inside the church of the Franciscan convent of Santo Antônio, located on the top of a hill (the Morro de Santo Antônio). In the middle of the seventeenth century, the Franciscan convent gave them a plot of land next to the convent's church to build their own temple there. The Church of St. Francis of Penance was built, with interruptions, between 1657 and 1733.

Mirante Do Leblon (Pass By)

Nice vantage viewpoint at the end of Leblon Beach.

Morro Dois Irmaos (Pass By)

A seaside granite mountain at the end of Leblon Beach.

Guanabara Palace (Pass By)

This was once the home of Princess Isabel, the daughter of Brazil’s second emperor. Today the beautiful building houses the headquarter of Rio de Janeiro State government.

Urca (Pass By)

A small and picturesque neighborhood is located at the foot of Sugarloaf Mountain.

Barra da Tijuca Beach (Pass By)

An area full of new developments and one of the most beautiful beaches in Rio.

Abrico Beach (Pass By)

The only nude beach in Rio.

Praia de Grumari (Pass By)

Very isolated and completely undeveloped beach area covered by the lush restinga vegetation and reachable only by private transportation.

Praia Da Joatinga (Pass By)

Surrounded by rocky clifs, this beach is reachable by a small hiking trail.

Praia do Leme (Pass By)

At the very end of Copacabana Beach Leme Beach is the best place for a picture of Copacabana.

Praia do Recreio (Pass By)

A 10 miles long beach in the west side of Rio.

Praia Vermelha (Pass By)

At the foot of Urca Mountain lies a small and beautiful beach with red sand and surrounded by mountains in both sides.

Palacio Capanema (Pass By)

Icon of Brazilian’s modern architecture, the Gustavo Capanema Palace, also known as MEC (Ministry of Education and Culture), stands out for its architectural composition and for its unique positioning within the surrounding urban context.

Chinese View (Pass By)

Erected to celebrate of the arrival of the first Chinese immigrants to Brazil.

Boa Viagem Island (Pass By)

The ruins of a fort and a church lies in this island.

Parque Nacional da Serra dos Orgaos (Pass By)

A national park in the mountains at the end of Guanabara Bay and 50 miles away from Rio.

Mirante do Soberbo (Pass By)

On a clear day the views of the mountains and Guanabara Bay are absolutely amazing from this viewpoint.

Dedo de Deus (Pass By)

One of the highest mountains of Serra dos Orgaos this peak rises towards the sky as if it was a finger pointing up.

Prainha Beach (Pass By)

Most well-kept secret of Rio this awsome beach is souronded by vegetation and is also a surfer’s paradise.

Ponte Rio–Niteroi (Pass By)

A nine miles long bridge connecting the two sides of the road.

Pedra do Sal (Pass By)

Part of Little Africa, Pedra do Sal is considered by some the birth place of Samba.

Ilha Da Gigoia (Pass By)

The small and quiet island is hidden gem where the best seafood place in Rio can be found.

Pontal Beach (Pass By)

At the very end of Recreio dos Bandeirantes lies this calm waters beach.

Reserva Beach (Pass By)

A large preserved area at Recreio dos Bandeirantes.

Beco das Sardinhas (Pass By)

A small alley in the downtown district with preserved colonial Architecture.

Museum of Valongo Wharf (Pass By)

The Museum is located where nearly one million captive Africans disembarked between 1811 and 1831 and tell us a bit more about the African heritage in Brazil.

Centro de Visitantes Von Martius Museum (Pass By)

The Von Martius Visitor Center in the Guapimirim Venue is housed in a 19th century mansion, restored to preserve its original features. The mansion belonged to the former Fazenda Barreira do Soberbo, being its owner during the Empire the medical doctor Henrique José Dias, who dedicated himself to planting cinchona (Cinchona calissaia). This historical mansion houses a permanent exhibition with photos and information about the park, a model of the entire PARNASO area, as well as an interesting collection of works by botanist Von Martius.

Cachoeira do Rio dos Frades (Pass By)

One of the most beautiful waterfalls ever. Nice place to sunbathe and swim in the large pool formed by rocks and boulders.

Pedra Bonita (Pass By)

A hang-gliding take off spot is at the top of this mountain in Sao Conrrado.

Cais do Valongo (Pass By)

The place of entry for millions of enslaved African for over 100 years.

Caminho Niemayer (Pass By)

An architectural complex that made Niterói the second city in the world with the largest number of works designed by architect Oscar Niemeyer.

Morro da Babilonia (Pass By)

This solid granite wall rises above the entrance of Sugarloaf cable car. Here we’re very likely to observe climbers trying to reach the mountain summit.

Mirante do Caete (Pass By)

The scenery is spectacular from this viewpoint overlooking Prainha.

Mirante do Joa (Pass By)

Nice viewpoint at the foot of Gavea mountain overlooking the ocean.

Trilha Pedra do Telegrafo (Pass By)

The two miles very steep hiking trail starts at Pedra Branca State Park. At the summit you’ll take the famous picture hanging from the cliff.

Praia do Secreto (Pass By)

As the name suggests this is a small hidden beach on the way to Prainha.

Mirante do Leme (Pass By)

Most definitively the best spot to take a picture of Copacabana Beach.

Parque Natural Municipal da Prainha (Pass By)

A city park behind the most beautiful beach in Rio.

Travessa do Comercio (Pass By)

Beautiful and colorful colonial houses can be found in this old commercial part of the city.

Maua Square (Pass By)

Large square surrounded by 2 museums near Little Africa.

Igreja Nossa Senhora do Carmo da Antiga Se (Pass By)

The first cathedral in Rio de Janeiro.

Statue of General Osorio (Pass By)

A war hero and the patron of the Brazilian Army.

Poco Verde (Pass By)

Magnificent waterfall inside Serra dos Orgaos National Park.

Mestre Valentim Fountain (Pass By)

Originally positioned next to the pier, it was used to supply the vessels, as well as the residents with fresh water from the mountains of Rio.

Pedra do Pontal (Pass By)

Also known as Pontal de Sernambetiba the rock island divides the sandy oceanfront into two separate beaches, Recreio and Macumba.

Trilha do Pao de Acucar (Pass By)

This hiking trail staring at Claudio Coutinho Trail also grants access to Urca Mountain.

Largo dos Guimaraes (Pass By)

Central part of Santa Teresa District.

Rio de Janeiro Historic City Center (Pass By)

Rio downtown is full of buildings and places where you can get in touch with all this history.

Boulevard Olimpico (Pass By)

The area also known as Porto Maravilha houses a variety of museums and cultural centers. There is also a sequence of gratifies that make up an artistic pathway painted by 20 different artists and the famous street Etnias Mural painted by Eduardo Kobra.

Painel Etnias (Pass By)

Inspired by the Olympic rings representing the five continents and their people, the mural signed by Eduardo Kobra was named Etnias (ethnic groups).

Morro da Conceicao (Pass By)

Marking the initial occupation of the city of Rio de Janeiro by the Portuguese, the area has significant historical and architectural importance.

Pier Maua (Pass By)

The place where all cruise ships dock in Rio de Janeiro.

AquaRio (Pass By)

The largest aquarium in South America houses about three thousand sea animals in 28 tanks.

Igreja de Sao Francisco da Prainha (Pass By)

Built by the Veneravel Ordem Terceira de Sao Francisco da Penitencia in 1704 this church is considered one of the main Baroque style examples in Rio.

Centro De Visitantes Paineiras (Pass By)

The visitors center was created in 2013 and houses an environmental education center and can be visited when going to the Christ Monument by minibus.

Rampa Pedra Bonita (Pass By)

This hang gliding take off spot in Sao Conrado offers great views.

Museu Historico do Exercito e Forte de Copacabana (Pass By)

The Fort seats at the tip of the Copacabana Beach and offers some of the best views in of Copacabana.

Praia do Meio (Pass By)

Along with Perigoso, Inferno and Funda beaches this is a very secluded beach reachable only by hiking trail.

Floresta da Tijuca (Pass By)

Tijuca Forest is the largest reforested urban forest in the world. The forest takes 10% of the city area and houses the Tijuca National Park.

Cascatinha Taunay (Pass By)

One of the many waterfalls in Rio.

Museu Selecao Brasileira - CBF (Pass By)

Located in the new headquarters of the Brazilian Soccer Confederation in Barra da Tijuca, this is a must for soccer lovers. The fans can follow the history of the Brazilian Team from their first games to the most important titles. There are nineteen facilities with technological resources that allow the interactivity of the public with the attractions. The collection also has relics such as uniforms, trophies and photographs.

N/A (Pass By)

Confeitaria Colombo inaugurated in 1824 and is a icon of what was the Belle Epóque in Rio de Janeiro. The Belgian crystal mirrors framed by hand-carved frames, the lamps and the beautiful stained glass skylight ceiling are stunning and the food is very representative of Brazilian culinary.