Rio de Janeiro · TIJUCA FOREST & WATERFALLS
22 reviewed
The largest urban rainforest in the world sits right behind the beaches, full of waterfalls, monkeys and lookout points. These jeep and hiking tours are the ones that make the most of it — which reach the Cascatinha falls and the Vista Chinesa, how long each takes, what you’ll walk versus ride, and what a half-day in the green costs.
A guided 7-hour Rio loop: early Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca rainforest views, downtown icons, Selarón Steps, and optional Sugarloaf sunset.
“It was phenomenal. The tour, restaurant. The group can't stop talking about the trip. The tour guide was exceptional.”
Open-top jeep plus an easy rainforest hike in Rio’s Tijuca National Park, with waterfall stops and multilingual guiding.
“Wonderful ride with short hike through the amazing Tijuaca Forest. The guide was knowledgeable with interesting stories. Highly recommend”
Jeep tour through Rio’s Tijuca Rain Forest with hotel pickup, easy hike to waterfall, and panoramic stops like Vista Chinesa and Emperor’s Table.
“I don’t recommend using this company-they didn’t show up and didn’t text or call letting us know they were not coming. It’s unprofessional to let customers pay and plan a tour and not show up. Stay away!”
Moderate Tijuca Forest hike with waterfalls, caves, and coffee-era ruins, plus South Zone hotel pickup. 6 hours, small group.
“Riccardo was an amazing guide. He was very knowledgable and informative. The pace of the day was just right, and we had the time to make the most of all the sites. If you are into forest walks then you should give this a go!”
4x4 jeep through Serra da Bocaina waterfalls, rock-slide fun at Tobogã, a swim at Poço do Tarzan, and Engenho D’Ouro cachaça tasting.
“Amazing day trip! The guides were fantastic, especially in the waterfalls helping us to take brilliant pictures and helping us get to tricky spots right under the waterfall. The distillery was really interesting and great to have the opportunity to sample all of the different types of cachaca. The lunch restaurant was great too, one of the best self-serve we’ve had. 10/10 would recommend!”
Top-down Jeep into Tijuca National Forest: Christ views, Vista Chinesa history, waterfall dip, easy trails, and São Conrado gliders.
“Great guide, great driver. Very knowledgeable about the forest and super friendly taking pictures for the group.”
Botanical Garden plant walk, Tijuca rainforest trail with Taunay Waterfall, plus Vista Chinesa and São Conrado views in 4 hours.
“We learnt interesting things about Jardim Botanical, Tijuca Forest and the city of Rio de Janeiro. Huge thanks to the best guide here Alan Denis. He is intelligent person who can tell you a lot of stories about everything in Rio. Obrigado, Alan!”
Half-day Rio tour with guided walks through the Botanical Garden and Tijuca Forest, plus views of Christ and Sugarloaf.
“Guide was very knowledgable about the different plants/trees in the Botanic Gardens. However, if one is not interested in botany, one can easily tour the gardens without a guide. There are many people there and it is safe. To get to the forest though, a guide/transport is needed. It is not really worth it to go to the forest unless you want some aeriel views of Rio. This tour is something you can do at the end of the trip if you have time.”
Hard 10.4 km Tijuca hike with coffee-farm ruins, waterfalls, caves, and big viewpoints, led by a small bilingual group in Rio.
“Ricardo is an excellent guide! Despite the rain in the forest, he made it feel like the sun was shining all the time. He made jokes, he told lots of interesting facts & figures, took endless pictures of the group. Would really recommend Ricardo as a tourguide for this trip!”
4 hours in Rio’s Tijuca Forest by open-top 4x4 jeep: viewpoints, bilingual guides, short walks, and a brief natural pool swim.
“Our guide Gabriel was so nice and knowledgeable and wanted to help beyond what was expected from him! We had a lovely time with him”
Hike Tijuca National Park’s Horto trails to bathe at Jequitibá and Cachoeira do Chuveiro, with a guided shower stop and wildlife sightings.
“Pietro was an amazing guide. He knows all the great falls as he has been raised around this beautiful Forest which has all kinds of animals. We got to see 2 types of Monkey’s, I recall the name of the bigger one which is all black its called a “Prego” meaning a nail. Loads of Jackfruit which isn’t originally from Brazil. The Portuguese brought in lots of animals, plants, trees etc from Africa. I was very impressed as I had no idea and the Horto exists thanks to Dom Pedro Portuguese King with the influence of his wife Queen Isabel who convinced him Rio needed a forest if it would…”
Tijuca Forest by convertible jeep with short walks, waterfalls, and Rio viewpoints. Great half-day nature plan with big scenery value.
“Disappointing tour. It wasn’t as good as I had expected. Spent too long at a few sights when we could have seen more places. The tour guide was ok but kept repeating stuff multiple times to each group rather than addressing us all together. Tour operator was 45 mins late picking us up from hotel. Failed to respond to any messages.”
Small-group hike in Rio’s Tijuca National Park to Cascatinha Taunay waterfall and refreshing swim stops with safety-trained guides.
“Thomas is an excellent guide with more than enough info to share with you about Tijuca. The walk throughout the park was very eye opening and fun. Would definitely recommend this tour for anyone who loves a good time in nature”
Half-day Tijuca National Park tour from Rio with rainforest walks, waterfalls, caves, and viewpoints, plus bilingual guiding and photos.
“We really enjoyed our trip, saw lots of beautiful waterfalls, a green vine snake, blue morpho butterflies, hummingbirds and a ring tailed Coati came right up to us. We could swim in a lush pool to cool off. Our guide Dudu was great, he was informative and took us at a relaxed pace to some scenic places with the noises of the forest all around. Would recommend!”
A small-group hike through Tijuca’s rainforest to Pedra Bonita, with expert guiding, big Rio views, and history of the Atlantic Forest.
“Great half day trip - funny guide Alex. Collected on time & lots of information given & time for photoes.”
