Rio de Janeiro Tijuca Rainforest Hike with Waterfalls and Caves
Overview
Available languages
5 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover Rio’s Tijuca Rainforest on a guided jungle hike with waterfalls, caves, and chances to spot wild animals. Perfect for nature lovers seeking an eco-friendly adventure in Brazil’s tropical forest.
Morning pickup is 6:45–8:00AM year-round. Afternoon pickup: 12:45 PM (May–Oct) or 1:30 PM (Nov–Mar). Times may vary by location.
Stay alert for the vibrant wildlife that inhabits the park! While exploring, you might catch a glimpse of cuatis, monkeys, toucans, turtles, frogs, and even sloths. Who knows what surprises nature has in store for you?
The trails range from easy to moderate, with some elevation to reach caves and waterfalls, so basic physical conditioning is recommended. All waterfalls have crystal-clear natural water from the park’s pristine basins.
Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime!
*Participants should be able to hike short sections with some elevation.
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
The trails range from easy to moderate, with some elevation to reach caves and waterfalls, so basic physical conditioning is recommended.
Tip: We recommend booking on weekdays for a quieter experience and a higher chance of spotting wildlife. However, if the weekend is your only option, don’t worry—you’ll still enjoy an amazing tour!
Wildlife sightings aren’t guaranteed since animals roam freely and are influenced by weather, time of day, and season.
Tour duration may be affected by traffic, especially in a busy city like Rio, where congestion can sometimes extend the tour time. We STRONGLY ADVISE AGAINST booking on days with important commitments (flights, tours, etc.) as delays are possible. Morning tours typically offer a smoother experience.
Itinerary is subject to change based on various factors such as the park's regulations, prevailing natural conditions, and the physical capabilities of the group.
From May to October, reduced rainfall can impact the flow of certain waterfalls, affecting the itinerary. Please note that photos are for reference only and may reflect conditions during the wetter months.
Rainy weather does not affect the scheduled tour of the forest, which is known to be more enchanting and lively during such weather. The waterfalls are more magnificent and the chances of spotting wild animals increase during rainfall. Visitors are guaranteed a safe and unforgettable experience in the forest, regardless of the weather conditions.
For smoother logistics and a seamless tour, we may ask you to meet at a designated point, depending on your address.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Mirante das canoas
Our initial destination is Mirante das Canoas, a stunning viewpoint offering vistas of the Pedra da Gavea and Pedra Bonita mountains, as well as the Sao Conrado neighborhood. Following a brief stop, we'll proceed directly to Tijuca Park, just 15 minutes away.
Cascatinha Taunay
*Please note that the itinerary and times may change depending on the park's restrictions, the chosen tour option, weather conditions, and other factors. Witness the awe-inspiring Taunay Waterfall, the tallest in Rio, which cascades down from great heights and provides a serene atmosphere in the heart of the rainforest.
What‘s Included
Roundtrip Transfer: Air-Conditioned Vehicle (Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, São Conrado only)
Photos taken by the guide on your device (upon request)
Entrance tickets to Tijuca National Park
Certified, passionate nature guides (EN, ES, PT)
Food and beverages
Tips or Gratuity
Pickup and drop-off outside Copacabana, Ipanema, Leblon, and São Conrado
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
Private Tour
Refresh and escape the heat: Cool off amidst the tropical waterfalls of Tijuca Park!
Private Tour: This tour option offers a private guide exclusively for your group.
Pickup Area: Pick-up is available from all addresses within the Centro, South, and West zones.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate: Time spent in Tijuca Park: 3 hours approx., with stops at waterfalls and caves.
Pickup included
Shared Tour with Hotel Pickup
Rio’s #1 Tijuca Tour: Cool off amidst the tropical waterfalls of Tijuca Park!
Starting time: Morning: 6:45–7:30 AM
Afternoon: 1:00–1:30 PM
Duration: 5 hours: ~3 hours in the National Park, with ~1,5 hours of hiking and pauses at waterfalls, viewpoints, and caves.
Pickup & drop-off included: Travel comfortably in an air-conditioned vehicle with seamless logistics from start to finish.
Difficulty: Easy/Moderate: Age: 7-60 years. Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
Pickup included
Reviews
1,099 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Education in the Rainforest
larrylY7929VP,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eric was a spectacular guide, taking care or every point. Was an awesome hike enjoying the beauty of nature.
Beautiful experience ....
Sentrail G,,Feb 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Beautiful experience . Eric was very helpful and knowledgeable!! Views were breathe taking . Highly recommend .
Refreshing and worth it
Simon S,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00The hike started off slow with a few stops to refresh the group before the intense trail and to take photos of distinguished landmarks. My guide Samuel was kind, funny, informative, interesting and most importantly fluent in English. The hike itself is not easy but doable (taking into account your own physical fitness). We saw monkeys, cuatis and toucans on the trail and got to bathe in a waterfall. Moreover my guide took pictures of serroundings and of myself (upon request) and sent all of the photos by the end of the trip
Short summary
Gergely T,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Eduardo is a funny, friendly guide with a lot of experience. The tour is amazing, especially the waterfalls. We loved it.
Eric was a great tour...
Eric M,,Feb 12, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Eric was a great tour guide. Made the tour fun and informative. Gorgeous views and nature, hiking portion was very easy
Must do tour
Swarnav P,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Had such an awesome time on this hike! Eduardo was the best—super fun, engaging, and full of cool info about the rainforest. It’s a light, easy hike but still feels like an adventure. Loved spotting animals and checking out waterfalls along the way. Totally recommend this if you want a chill but unforgettable way to see Rio!
Amazing!
S5583XZbrunom,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Amazing the excursion, most of the good experience was thanks to Fabio, our guide, clearly passionate about what he does and shows it in every fact and story he tells.
This was a great little...
Isaac S,,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great little hike!Eric was very knowledgeable and so easy to converse with. The trail was great and not hard at all. Great views in the cave and at the waterfalls. Especially special when we were able to see the monkeys on the road at the end
Great, fun and informative
876eszterg,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Fun activity with a really nice tour guide 🤗
Half day rainforest tour - lots of animals
liamo665,,Feb 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A complete half day tour of Tijuca forest. It is great fun and covers a lot of different ground. The best part was seeing 2 types on monkeys and toucans! Samuel, our guide, and our driver were excellent.
From R$430.00
Want a private experience? Upgrade to a private tour
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Operated by Itaway Ecotours