South America · WALKING TOURS IN BRAZIL
Here are 15 walking tours in Brazil that hold up, each one with its price, its length and the thing worth knowing before you commit to it.
Spend about two hours walking through Rocinha with a local guide such as Ray, Bruno, or Carlos. The educational tour covers daily life, local challenges, and Rio from a different angle. Air-conditioned minivan transport connects meeting points in Copacabana, Ipanema, or São Conrado with this small-group experience.
“Learnt about the Favela and save how people live very safe”
Walk through Rocinha with an English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking local guide. You’ll learn how the community developed, hear personal stories, visit a capoeira school, and stop at a rooftop viewpoint. Guides such as Wellington, Alberto, Daniel, and Martin have been praised for making the visit thoughtful, clear, and reassuring.
“The tour was absolutely fantastic, the favela was so different then expected. This is a must-do tour when you are in Rio if you ask me. I learned a lot today about the culture also. Our tour guide was absolutely fantastic! you can really feel he loves to do his work and explained everything very well, he is also a very funny guy! I will never forget the experience of today!”
Meet local guide Rodrigo, Milena, Leo, Jessie, or another accredited guide at Vidigal before sunrise. Ride a community motor taxi or van to the trail, then hike 1.5 km through Atlantic Forest to Morro Dois Irmãos. Lanterns, photos, safety support, and local stories are included. Expect steep sections, darkness, and a spectacular Rio panorama.
“Our tour guide Rodrigo was absolutely amazing and we had an amazing time. I would highly recommend doing it”
Spend 150 minutes walking Rio’s port district with an English-speaking guide such as Luana, Nathalia, Larissa, or Eddie. Learn how African culture shaped Brazil, pause for Mauá Square views from the Rio Art Museum rooftop, visit Pedra do Sal and the Valongo sites, and finish back at the museum.
“I just loved the tour. Our guide Nathalia knows a lot about the history of Brazil and in special about the slavery and the heritage of little africa. She showed us all the nice and hidden spots and could tell a lot about it! Highly recommended!”
Meet your English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking guide at Santa Rita Church for a 90-minute walk through Paraty’s old center. Learn about Indigenous peoples, colonization, Freemasonry, and the town’s sugar, gold, coffee, and pau-brasil eras. The tour ends at a local bar with a taste of Cachaça Gabriela, a sweet blend of cachaça, honey, clove, and cinnamon.
“The tour of Paraty was absolutely wonderful. Thiago is incredibly knowledgeable, bringing the town’s history to life and helping you truly understand its roots. A journey through the past, expertly guided and deeply engaging. The cachaça tasting is also a must! Daniela”
Join Giuliano for a two-hour, 3-kilometer English walking tour through central São Paulo. See Copan, the Municipal Theatre, Pátio do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, and Liberdade while learning about architecture, immigration, coffee, politics, and local food. Groups are limited to 10 people.
“Great overview of the history of São Paulo! Our guide was thorough and gave us a ton of information on the history and socioeconomic reasons behind the changes the city saw. There was no question he could not answer. I could probably read about all of this on Wikipedia, but Guilliano really fleshed it out and brought it to life in a way that will stay with me a long time. Highly recommend!”
Join Giuliano of Concrete Jungles Walking Tours for a two-hour English walk through São Paulo’s old and new centers. See Copan, Galeria do Rock, churches, cultural centers, Pateo do Collegio, and Sé Cathedral while learning how Indigenous paths, immigrants, banks, and skyscrapers shaped the city.
“Guilano was a great guide. We've learned a lot about the history of Sao Paulo and he was able to answer all of our questions. Furthermore he provided some information about secret spots to find vegetarian food in Sao Paulo. We can highly recommend him as a guide, especially for the first days of your stay in Sao Paulo to get inspired for further places to visit.”
Walk through Rio’s historic center with a private guide, starting at the Municipal Theater and ending at Paço Imperial. You’ll see Cinelândia, Selarón Steps, Lapa’s arches, the Metropolitan Cathedral, Largo da Carioca, and Confeitaria Colombo. Guides such as Rafael and Danielle have been praised for friendly, clear storytelling, and your group can request itinerary changes.
“Although we saw some great sites, the guide made us feel like he needed to be somewhere else, and our 2 1/2-hour tour ended after 1 1/2 hours. It was not an inexpensive tour so we left feeling taken advantage of (and perhaps not seeing everything we were supposed to see?). Perhaps a price adjustment is in order.......”
Walk from Praça Castro Alves through Salvador’s historic center and Pelourinho with a guide in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. See Rio Branco Palace, the Lacerda Elevator, Cruz Caída Square, colonial mansions, and São Francisco Church. Guides including Maria, Eduardo, Lara, and Aldison tailor the walk to your interests.
“Maria è una guida molto brava e professionale, ha tarato il tour sui miei interessi e curiosità. Bellissima esperienza ! Grazie”
Walk through Salvador’s historic center with Adriano, an English-speaking local guide. In 90 minutes, you’ll see Praça Castro Alves, Rua Chile, the Lacerda Elevator, Praça da Sé, the first Faculty of Medicine in Brazil, Igreja de Ouro, Olodum’s house, and Michael Jackson’s Pelourinho filming site.
“Very accommodating and plenty of interesting facts about Pelourinho and surrounding areas. I would highly recommend.”
Walk 3.5 km through Costa do Sol State Park to Pedra do Guardião, Enseada das Poças, and Praia dos Amores. Guides such as Nicole, Loan, and Nay tailor the pace, explain the area’s geology and culture, and help you enjoy swims along the way. The private outing lasts about 3.5 hours and costs $48.03 per person.
“Es una experiencia diferente. Recorres y al mismo tiempo aprendes sobre la historia geológica del lugar.”
Walk Paraty’s colonial center with a private bilingual CADASTUR guide, meeting at your hotel or Paraty Tours. In about two hours, you’ll visit historic churches, the Religious Arts Museum, Casa da Cultura, and streets marked by Freemasonry symbols. Guides such as Christiano, Chris, and Ramon add different stories and local tips.
“Christ was a great guide made the trip fun and very informative, learnt a lot about the history of Brazil as well as Paraty. Would recommend the tour with Chris.”
Spend three hours walking through Ipanema and Copacabana with Guilherme, a guide, singer, and guitarist. Visit ten Bossa Nova sites, hear live music, and learn how Tom Jobim, Vinícius de Moraes, João Gilberto, and others shaped Rio’s signature sound.
“Learned more about the history of bossa nova from our knowledgeable guide Guilherme. Very personable guy to be with! Enjoyed it!”
Spend 150 minutes walking Santa Marta with a local resident guide in English, French, Spanish, or Portuguese. Ride the funicular to the top, visit arts and social projects, browse handicrafts, and stop at the Michael Jackson viewpoint. The tour is private or small-group, with guides such as Marco available depending on your booking.
“Mauvaise expérience. Début initiale à 10h, notre guide n’est arrivé qu’à 10h45 et nous avions stipulé une visite en français hors le guide attribué ne parlais que quelques mots. Pas beaucoup d’explication sur la visite et juste une balade dans la Favela.. bref, très mauvaise expérience et très peu d’information sur l’histoire de ce lieu.”
Walk through Downtown Rio with a multilingual guide, tracing Brazil’s story from monarchy to republic. Visit XV de Novembro Square, Candelária Church, CCBB, Cinelândia, and Colombo Bakery. Guides such as Angelica, Antonio, Lavinha, and Renato are praised for clear explanations and warm service. Bring comfortable shoes and leave large bags behind.
“Renato el guía local fue muy amable, correcto calificado en sus aportes históricos, arquitectonicos y culturales excelente manejo del idioma español. Fue puntual en su llegada.”
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