Take an afternoon sightseeing tour of Old Rio on foot, and get a feeling for the legends and history woven around the narrow streets and superb baroque buildings of downtown Rio de Janeiro. While you walk, your knowledgeable and entertaining guide will bring the city and its stories alive.
You'll gain unforgettable insights into Rio and its history on this four-hour afternoon walking tour, visiting the following highlights:
Sao Bento Monastery, dripping with gilt carvings and paintings
Nossa Senhora de Candelaria, Rio's most impressive church
Praca XV de Novembro, the square where many important events in Rio de Janeiro's history took place, such as the coronation of Brazil's emperors
Imperial Palace, built in the style of a Portuguese manor house for Brazil's rulers
The walk continues down Uruguaiana Street to Carioca Square and the Metropolitan Cathedral, where your afternoon walking tour of Old Rio's historic sites concludes. This afternoon walking tour takes you behind the scenes of Rio's famous sights, leaving you with time in the day free to explore Rio on your own.
Another great tour. It was not a hard walk. Good pace and lots to see on this tour. Worth taking this one.
Review by: Purnima B, August 2017
JB was a great tour guide- very energetic and well- informed. He gave us a good introduction to Rio downtown and we enjoyed walking around that area. Worth- taking
Review by: Jean-Claude B, June 2017
It turned out to be a private tour ! Therefore our guide could be flexible and adapt the program to avoid the places we had already visited the day before. Jean-Baptiste proved to be a great guide because he knows Rio, loves the city and makes you love it too._br/_ We discovered places we would not have thought of visiting. The walking experience is definitely the best way to discover a city and its people.
Review by: Nicholas C, September 2016
JB was knowledgeable, spoke English well and is obviously very passionate about his city. WE got a view of the Museum of Tomorrow from the Benedictine monastery that normally you would not see so got a cracking photograph. Excellent value for money, as got lots of info about getting about Rio in general,
Review by: ROGER T, August 2016
A pretty relaxed meander round the downtown area of Rio which I probably would not have seen otherwise. Quirky guide who looked after us well.
Review by: jflinen, June 2016
So interesting with John Baptiste
Review by: delalando, May 2016
Despite a bad start, Juan Bautista provided an interesting walking tour from the Sao Bento monastery to the Metropolitan Cathedral in Rio. His passion for the history and architecture of Rio was obvious. The tour was quite expensive and I would recommend a tour arranged locally, instead, especially since we spent 30 minutes in a tea shop albeit beautiful, but at the expense of seeing more. As it is, the tour ended one block short of seeing the Teatro Municipal and the Catedral Metropolitana. Fortunately, we were able to continue the walking tour on our own a couple of days later for just the cost of the metro. _br/_ The tour started badly as the bus went to the wrong hotel at the wrong time and left without us a group of four. We had to take a taxi to catch the group one other person at the monastery. A big problem with arranging tours thru third parties is the communications gap/delay. Between Viator, the local tour company and the tour guide, there were three different stories.
Review by: Williampetersmd, March 2016
He did not show up.
Review by: BusyM, February 2016
This was one of my best tours booked on the Rio trip. It was highly personalized since I was the only one on the tour. The guide was very friendly, warm and knowledgeable and well planed. I had an amazing experience with JB. I wanted to book him for another tour, but he wasn't available. It was a pleasant surprise. Thank you JB! You are the best.
Review by: Christopher L, February 2016
There is generally not a lot of history in Rio to be seen. I would re-title this tour the Old historic churches tour. Very underwhelming.
Review by: Catherine L G, February 2016
A good afternoon and a great way to see parts of Rio you would not normally visit. Good too having a local guide who knows the area, gives lots of history and background and shields you from pick pockets. Thanks JB.
Review by: janefuller40, January 2016
It was set at a nice pace and he was a very knowledgeable guide.
Review by: Nicola G, January 2016
This was a really good way to spend a few hours. Gave a good overview of old Rio and some sites you may not visit on your own.
Review by: sbshorr, February 2015
The tour was very worthwhile. tour guide well informed. Very patient. Was very passionate about Rio and the history of the city. Answered all questions and had time to answer individual questions.
Review by: horse, February 2015
We did this our first day and had a wonderful introduction to Rio. Our guide, JB (short for Juan Batiste), gave us a detailed history of all we saw. He was funny, personable and has left a lasting memory of Carioca hospitality.
Review by: Lauline B, February 2015
This tour was amazing!
Review by: Ramon B, February 2015
Very interesting. The guide was very repetitive, too. This was tiresome!
Review by: Chacko G, January 2015
A little background about myself: this was my first trip to Rio, and before this tour, I had not spent any time in downtown Rio. I am generally interested in history, perhaps more than the average person.
Review by: Trevor H, November 2014
A nice way to see the old city
Review by: Mariana M, August 2014
Our guide JB was perfect! Very kind and funny, but most of all PASSIONATE about the city. He will bring you to the best spots. Thank you for the amazing tour, we learned a lot!
Review by: Peter K, July 2014
The highlight of this tour was undoubtedly the guide - J.B._br/_
He managed to make everything so interesting and included everyone in his question and answer sessions. Within 20 mins he had remembered all our names. Old town Rio is starting to become dilapidated and the old historic buildings are gradually being replaced by modern skyscrapers. Such a shame really, these places must have look magnificent in their heyday. The visit to the Cake and coffee shop was a well appreciated break in the walk which took approximately 4 hours.
Review by: Shannon M, March 2014
Our tour guide JB was really quite fabulous. Full of energy, just a great ambassador for the city. I really enjoyed it.
Review by: Monique S, February 2014
It was fantastic. Very interesting and got a good feeling and understanding of the city
Review by: Mary E, January 2014
Wonderful! We learned so much about Rio/Brasil and saw sites that we would never had seen if we hadn't taken the tour. JB was well-informed and very pleasant.
Review by: Basema, November 2013
one of my favourite.. gives taste of Rio
Review by: Robert M, July 2013
Very informative, good guide who spoke English , nice to have door to door service. overall an enjoyable tour. only issue was amount charged differed from website , I contacted the email for customer service but no reply
Review by: Susan G, July 2013
I booked 3 tours through Viator. JB, the tour guide is the best. He is very passionate about his job and tour reflects it.
Review by: marcus570, June 2013
Great tour given by JP, he is very knowledgeable and a truly dedicated tour guide. We were quite fortunate to be only 3 and got a very personal tour, It was amazing to go through the old city and see the sites. It made the trip more enjoyable and much more worthwhile.
Review by: Anatoli S, March 2013
The historical center of Rio de Janeiro is interesting. Our guide was very knowledgeable and efficient. Don't miss the famous cafe "Colombo".
Review by: Richard G, March 2013
We had an invigorating tour with our guide John the Baptist. Highly recommend this walk for those interested in the history of Rio de Janeiro -- as well as good exercise. Get off the beach and see the real Rio and learn about its architecture and history.
Review by: JOHN R, February 2013
Excellent tour with a very knowledgeable guide, JB. Saw and toured the important sites of the city and learned its history.
Review by: Linda F, January 2013
Excellent trip. JB is so enthusiastic and knowledgeable. We visited places that we would never have found on our own. And the cake shop - fab!!!
Review by: Barbara Z, January 2013
Our tour guide "JB" was very amusing. The walk is about 3-4 hours through downtown. JB was sure to stop for breaks and snacks. We also had 3 small children who did well on this tour. Note, we went during summer, and a couple people struggled in the heat, so be sure to bring big hats and water.
Review by: Ron B, November 2012
Guide very knowledgable and friendly. They called my hotel before pickup to confirm my availability and if not available they would reschedule tour. Can't beat that! Ron from toronto
Review by: Deborah, November 2012
Just OK at best. Joe the guide was on was so far ahead of us we could have veered off the path and he would never have noticed. Plus he provided little info and never encouraged questions. Should be called a church tour.
Review by: Connie W, November 2012
Delightful tour! Excellent, knowledgeable guide. Small group made this tour extra special!
Review by: Jean F, October 2012
Really enjoyable afternoon out. "JB" was our guide and what a true pro....we were a small group of 4 women and he made sure we were well looked after. His knowledge of Rio's history, the architecture and his sheer enthusiam made this a treat
Review by: Laurence C, October 2012
A great way to see central Rio, with a wonderfully charismatic guide. Lots of interesting insights and we had delicious cakes when he took us to a famous cafe.
Review by: NeilC, August 2012
Tour should be called the Walking tour of CHURCHES. All we seemed to do was entering free churches and miss out on the cities more historical buildings like the newly renovated Opera House, National Theatre, Library and other significant buildings in the city.
Review by: Elizabeth P, August 2012
JB our excellent guide showed us the delights of Rio. His knowledge and enthusiasm made it a day to remember. A definite highlight was the Confeitaria Colombo as well as the description of Carnevale!
Review by: Stephanie C, May 2012
It was safe, you should definitely take this tour.
Review by: Jerry W, May 2012
JB was an excellent tour guide!
Review by: bassam, May 2012
Excellent guide, very informative. Enjoyed it a lot.
Review by: Pegah J, February 2012
I really liked the tour,wished more places would have been covered fro example the Opera house.Our tour guide was great.The transport was not good a little bit.And also if the tour is done in one language is much better.
Review by: prince_nz, January 2012
Excellent tour. Our guide had a wealth of knowledge. This is an excellent way to see things that you wouldn't otherwise on your own. I would recommend this tour to all other travelers. Upon pickup they were late, as they had an accident, however sent a nice car which was excellent and at the end of the trip arranged for a bus (which was brand new) for transfer back to our hotel.
Review by: izausa, December 2011
It was really fun to see all the old beautiful churches, walk the streets of old town and then have a coffee and pastries in wonderful Cafe Colon - for a moment I felt like I was in Vienna._br/_
I really enjoyed this tour immensely. The guide was very knowledgeable .
Review by: Natalia K, December 2011
I enjoyed the content of the tour very much. It was interesting to see old Rio and walk its streets. The pace was a bit too fast for my taste -- too much information in a fast tempo. I could not quite absorb it all. Nice coffee break at the end in a beautiful cafe.
Review by: Maria B, November 2011
Perfect guide, nice walk!
Review by: Robert S, September 2011
Great tour. At least half of it was churches though, although they were very nice. Guide was very informative but it seemed a bit rushed. Though we did cover alot of ground. Got to see much or Rio which I didn't think about before hand. Definitely worth while if you already saw the major highlights (Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf etc) and are looking for something more to see in Rio.
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