Brazil · BEACH DAY TRIPS IN RIO DE JANEIRO
Good beach day trips in Rio de Janeiro fill up weeks ahead and the great ones go first. Below: the 15 to book early, what each includes and how they differ.
Join S2 Rio for an early guided hike to Pedra do Telégrafo, with English, Spanish, or Portuguese support from guides such as Erick, Dayvison, Nicolas, or Felipe. Reach the photo rock before crowds build, then relax at Grumari or Prainha Beach. Hotel pickup, air-conditioned transport, and accident insurance are included.
“It was good. Nice views. Dayvison was a great guide”
Leave Rio early for Arraial do Cabo, then spend the day aboard a schooner visiting Ilha do Farol, Pontal do Atalaia, Blue Grotto, Fenda de Nossa Senhora, Pedra do Gorila, and Forno Beach. Guides such as Newton, Andrea, and Vivi may assist with translation. Expect beautiful water, a long road journey, and a lively boat.
“The boat ride between each island was fun and exciting also lunch was prepared fancy after our boat tour was done”
Meet near Posto 6, beside the Fairmont Hotel and Fisherman colony Z-13, for a 90-minute sunrise SUP outing. An instructor teaches basic technique before you paddle to Copacabana Fort and offshore viewing spots. Portuguese, English, Spanish, German, Dutch, and French are offered.
“Pior experiência da minha vida! Conselho que dou é NÃO FAÇAM. Primeiro que fui no ponto de encontro e não tinha ninguém lá, cheguei 4h15 e o horário marcado era às 4h30. Daí fiquei em plena madrugada do Rio esperando responderem as minhas mensagem ou atenderem as minhas ligações e nada. Daí tive que ir na orla da praia saindo de quiosque em quiosque procurando o responsável pela atividade. Só conseguir fazer pois tinha um lá que tinha parceria com a “ empresa” ao qual contratei, caso contrário não iria conseguir fazer a atividade. O rapaz que me atendeu me passou a informação que eles não tinham mais o ponto…”
Join Alessandra of Outer Ecotrip Turismo for an early-morning Pedra do Telégrafo hike near Rio. The 2.3-kilometer trail takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes, with time for views across Marambaia restinga and nearby beaches. Pickup, a mobile ticket, and summit photos are included.
“The city is beautiful and the guide Alessandra from Outer Ecotrip Turismo, with all her knowledge, professionalism, charisma and care, managed to capture wonderful and memorable moments. I just have to thank you.”
Board at Urca Pier for a three-hour private or small-group speedboat ride past Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Arpoador, Niterói, and Cagarras Islands. Captain Rafael may guide you in English, Portuguese, or Spanish, with beer, soda, and water included.
“me gustaría un tour en español o en otro idioma solo hablo en portugués”
Join guide Dudu or Eduardo for a moderate Telégrafo Rock hike from Rio, passing through White Stone State Park to ocean and beach views. Hotel pickup, photo help, and English, Spanish, or Portuguese guiding are included. Add breakfast and a 30-minute stop at Grumari, Prainha, Reserva, or Barra da Tijuca.
“I was the only person who booked and they did not cancel or have me move to another group. My guide Dudu was amazing. he took such great pictures and made the hike very enjoyable. He is very knowledgeable and really cares for his group. Definitely one of my favorite adventures here in Rio!”
Ride from Rio to Buzios for a full day of beaches, a schooner cruise, buffet lunch, and one hour on Rua das Pedras. A bilingual guide leads the outing in English, Portuguese, or Spanish. Expect a long road journey, basic lunch, and beach views that may be seen mainly from the boat.
“The trip was OK. The only thing I didn't like about it was they don't actually take you to the three beaches listed. You just sit on a boat for three hours and then have some time to explore one inland part of Búzios. There is no beach hopping or exploration of the various beaches despite what the listing says.”
Meet your bilingual guide at the Fairmont Copacabana and pedal at an easy pace past Copacabana, Arpoador, Ipanema, Leblon, and Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon. Guides such as Ulysses and Bruno have led past departures. Expect city views, photo stops, and a 3-hour ride without hotel transfers.
“The tour was incredible! The people who help you book your trip are very friendly and helpful, and the tour itself is amazing! Our guide, Ulysses, was very friendly and took us through Rio's scenic neighborhoods (Botafogo, Flamengo, Copacabana, and the beautiful center of Rio downtown). You will see views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, and much more!”
Ride from your Rio hotel to São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca, Prainha, and Grumari on a six-hour beach tour with an accredited guide. You’ll see free-flight landings, long coastal stretches, and wild beaches inside a natural park. Guides may speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese.
“We had a very nice English-speaking driver who showed us the most beatiful beaches. Thank you, Marcus, for this great trip and dafe driving.”
You’ll hike through Pedra Branca State Park to Pedra do Telégrafo with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide, pose for the famous cliff illusion photo, then stop at Grumari Beach. Hotel pickup, transport, entrance fees, and coastal stops are included.
“Great, my driver Sylvio, was very kind and knowledgeable. I recommend him, for sure.”
Join a small group of up to six for a moderate Pedra do Telegrafo hike with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese guide, followed by a swim at Grumari Beach. Raffael is one guide praised for his considerate approach. Pickup and air-conditioned transport are included.
Ride from your Rio hotel to Pedra do Telégrafo with a guide such as Leonel, Guilherme, or Nicolas. Walk a moderate 2-kilometer forest trail to wide views over Rio, then stop at beaches including Grumari and Prainha. Digital photos, hotel transfer, and English, Portuguese, or Spanish guiding are included.
“The whole tour was excellent, both the punctuality and the guide (Nicolas). The truth is highly recommended, they accompanied us throughout the entire experience!!! Thank you very much”
You’ll start with hotel pickup, ride two cable cars to Sugarloaf Mountain, then follow Rio’s coast past Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. A multilingual guide handles the outing, but traffic or extra pickups can shorten beach time, especially in high season.
“Von den angekündigten 4 Stunden saßen wir 2 Stunden im Auto um von der Copacabana bis zum Hafen hoch zu fahren um Kreuzfahrtgäste abzuholen um dann wieder herunter zum Zuckerhut zu fahren . Dafür hatten wir dann 70 Minuten für den Zuckerhut . Das war ok , der Reiseführer hat sich Mühe gegeben, wollte uns dann aber nach dem Zuckerhut nicht zurück zum Hotel fahren sondern in ein Uber oder Taxi setzten . Weil er schon soviel Zeit verloren hatte . Die versprochen Strände haben wir nicht besichtigt. Entsprechend enttäuscht sind wir von diesem Ausflug.”
Leave Rio’s South Zone for Prainha and Grumari with an English or Portuguese guide. Walk 2.8 km through Prainha park to Caeté summit, then swim and relax for about three hours at Grumari Beach. Groups are limited to six, with transport and insurance included.
Travel from Rio’s South Zone with a guide to Pedra do Telégrafo, a roughly one-hour hike with striking views and a playful photo spot. Then spend time at Prainha and Grumari beaches. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guiding, transport, and hotel pickup are included.
Pick a summit, a shoreline or a dancefloor.
