Best of · BRAZIL HISTORY TOURS
This is the shortlist you would send a friend: 15 brazil history tours worth the money, each with its price, its traveller verdict and the one thing to know before you commit.
Spend six hours exploring Tijuca Forest on a 6.2-kilometer moderate hike. Visit Taunay Waterfall, Morcego’s Grotto, Mayrink Chapel, coffee-farm ruins, and Baronesa Cascade. Guides such as Vini, Riccardo, Tito, and Renata explain Rio’s nature, geology, and past in English or Portuguese.
“the experience is worth every single penny and the guide is amazing.”
Spend about five hours tracing Italian immigration and wine production in Bento Gonçalves. The tour includes Epopeia Italiana, Garibaldi Winery, Devorata craft truffles, and the Maria Fumaça wine train, with transport, a guide, tastings, and entry fees included.
“They really made an effort for me because I dont speak Portugese. And everything was arranged really well.”
See Rio’s old center, XV de Novembro Square, Cinelândia, the Carioca Aqueduct, and artistic Santa Teresa in four hours. Guides such as Dario, Monica, Thiago, and Millene add history and local tips, while Parque das Ruínas provides broad views across the city and Guanabara Bay.
“Edwardo was brilliant!! Lots of information and we had a feed laughs too”
UrbanBikeSP’s three-hour ride covers Paulista Avenue, MASP, Copan, Luz Station, Pátio do Colégio, Sé Cathedral, and Liberdade. Guides such as Juliana, Arthur, Pedro, and Roberto lead small groups in English, Spanish, or Portuguese. Expect 9 to 12 miles, city traffic, and plenty of history.
“The tour was amazing - well organised, insightful and I felt safe at all times (despite the traffic!) as we were mostly on bicycle paths. I’d highly recommend it for anyone visiting the city either for a short trip or to orient yourself at the beginning of a longer trip. Roberto was a great guide and we also had someone at the back of the group to make sure we were all ok!”
You leave Curitiba around 7 a.m. by bus, ride the 19th-century Paranaguá-Curitiba Railway through Serra do Mar, then visit Morretes, Antonina, and Hisgeopar. A local guide leads the day, with train snacks, lunch, and a return by road included.
“Pedí especialmente u servicio con guía en español y todos los guías hablaban portugués , entonces entendí menos de la mitad de todo el tour. Yo no hablo nada del idioma”
Meet your English-speaking guide at the Rio Art Museum for a 150-minute walk through Little Africa. Learn about Brazil’s colonial past, see Mauá Square from a rooftop, visit Pedra do Sal and Valongo, and hear personal, thoughtful commentary from guides such as Luana, Nathalia, Eddie, and Larissa.
“Nathália was an amazing guide! Very friendly and knowledgeable! I highly recommend doing this tour!”
This four-hour Rio tour pairs Santa Teresa’s old mansions, street art, and historic tram with downtown landmarks such as Arcos da Lapa, Praça XV, Cinelândia, and the Theatro Municipal. Guides including Renato, Dario, Wagner, and Romeu have led highly praised outings, but the tram ride and museum entries are not included.
“Ut us Very useful to be drop off at thé hôtel Thé guide was sympathic and thé trip was cool and interesting”
Travel from Foz do Iguaçu to the Triple Frontier Landmark for river views, sunset, historic obelisks, and an evening show of Brazilian, Argentine, and Paraguayan dances. Hotel pickup, return transport, and admission are included. Dinner and the Ferris wheel cost extra.
“It's good value for the price! The transport was on time. Our guide didn't speak English but it didn't matter as once you arrive you have free time. He asked another guide to translate the meeting time and place for the return to be sure it was clear for me. I really enjoyed the sunset and the show.”
Meet your English, Portuguese, or Spanish-speaking guide at Santa Rita’s Church for a 90-minute walk through Paraty’s old center. Learn about colonial trade, Freemasonry, and local culture, then finish with Cachaça Gabriela, a sweet blend of cachaça, honey, clove, and cinnamon.
“Thiago was amazing. The tour was interesting and informative. The freemason stuff was so interesting and the history of Paraty is beautiful. I loved it”
Spend about eight hours visiting Ilhota, Blumenau, and Pomerode from Balneário Camboriú. Expect German-influenced food, architecture, festivals, shops, and local products, with an air-conditioned vehicle and guide included. Guides such as Fabio, Rosana, Fernando, Jilson, and Junior have led past departures.
“Fui con mi hermano y la pasamos genial. Fuimos en febrero 2025 y eramos los únicos Chilenos en el tour y todos los demás de Brasil jaja pero Fabio que era el guía se portó súper bien con nosotros, se tomaba el tiempo de explicarnos en español y luego en portugués, pero algunas veces no era necesario ya que se entendía completamente la explicación del tour en portugués y el se daba cuenta. Recomendado al 100% este tour, lo van a disfrutar a tope”
Join a small-group, 2.5-hour walk from Cine Metha through Salvador’s historic center and Pelourinho. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guides cover the Lacerda Elevator, Rio Branco Palace, Cruz Caída, São Francisco Church, local culture, and food. Groups are limited to 10 people.
“The tour was a leisurely stroll around the beautiful Pelourinho neighborhood. The guide shared interesting information about the history and culture of Salvador and its inhabitants. While I enjoyed the tour, it felt like it could have been more substantive in the number of sights covered. Also the cost felt too high — possibly double the value of the tour as it structured at present.”
Spend four hours with a live English, Spanish, or Portuguese guide exploring central Rio. Visit Valongo Wharf, Kobra’s giant mural, the Museum of Tomorrow, Saint Benedict Monastery, Praça XV, and Confeitaria Colombo, with hotel transport from the South Zone.
“Emanuella jest wspaniałym przwodnikiem.Dużo nam opowiedziała o historii Brazylli omawiała wspaniałe budowle Świetnie spędziliśmy czas na wycieczce.”
Meet your English-, Portuguese-, or Spanish-speaking guide at Theatro Municipal and walk through Rio’s historic center and Lapa. You’ll enter the old cathedral, Imperial Palace, and National Library, while learning how royal, political, and everyday life shaped the city.
“O MEU TOUR FOI EXCLUSIVO, APENAS O GUIA E EU. O GUIA FOI MUITO ATENCIOSO E TEVE TOTAL DISPONIBILIDADE DE MOSTRAR E PRESTAR INFORMAÇÕES SOBRE OS LOCAIS, RESPONDER MINHAS PERGUNTAS E FAZER AS ALTERAÇÕES DE ROTEIRO QUE SOLICITEI.”
Take the subway from Copacabana to central Rio for a four-hour guided walk through Cinelândia, Praça XV, Travessa do Comercio, and Candelaria. You’ll see ornate churches, former palaces, cultural centers, and Confeitaria Colombo, with guides such as Lucien, Monique, Ernani, or Mathilda depending on the departure.
“The tour was great! Our tour guide answered plenty of our questions, gave us a lot of information about history, politics, economy of the country. We fully enjoyed this tour!”
Travel by newer vehicle from northern Florianópolis with a Portuguese or Spanish-speaking guide. Visit the cathedral, Public Market, beaches, natural pools, Jurerê Internacional, and Santo Antônio de Lisboa in a packed nine-hour tour.
“Excelente guía Beatriz, un city tour interesante y pintoresco.”
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