Lapa & Santa Teresa Walking Tour

PRIVATE TOUR

Take a walking tour around Santa Teresa and Lapa, two neighborhoods known as Rio de Janeiro’s artistic and bohemian region, and visit the famous Selarón Steps.

Overview

Get to know two of the most bohemian districts in Rio de Janeiro strolling around its streets full of history.

In this Lapa and Santa Teresa Walking Tour, you will visit these two historical and cultural neighborhoods in the town’s central area.

Our tour starts with a ride on one of the oldest tramways in the world: the Santa Teresa tram. The tram passes on the top of the Lapa Arches (Arcos da Lapa), from which we can view Lapa from above.

In Santa Teresa, we will walk around its cobblestone streets, observing its historical houses and hidden views. Then, we will stop to try the local cuisine in the neighborhood’s trendy restaurants and bars.

Afterward, we’ll visit its cultural center, Artcraft shops, and local artists’ ateliers and then walk towards Lapa, passing by the colorful Selarón steps that connect the two neighborhoods. 

Highlights
  • Have a ride on the historic Santa Teresa Tram, the oldest electric railway in all of Latin America;
  • Discover the charms of Santa Teresa, a historic and bohemian neighborhood;
  • Try Feijoada, the national dish, at an award-winning local bar;
  • Visit Parque das Ruínas (Ruins’ Park), a cultural center that has one of the most beautiful views in the neighborhood;
  • Visit the Escadaria Selarón, an outdoor work of art.

Why book this tour with us?

  • Visit the city’s most popular attractions in a single tour, but in a different way – with more time at each attraction, without rushing;
  • Experience authentic local cuisine – on this tour, you will have the opportunity to try famous dishes from the city’s gastronomy in award-winning restaurants;
  • Enjoy the comfort and safety of traveling in a private vehicle with professional and skilled drivers;
  • Have the company of an accredited, friendly local tour guide, who will give you insights on the attractions in a unique and genuinely local way;
  • Take this tour in the most flexible way for you, whether in terms of time or itinerary, ensuring an experience perfectly suited to your needs.
Book your tour
What includes

Included:

  • Santa Teresa tram ticket;
  • Accredited tour guide

Not Included:

  • Food and Drinks;
  • Personal shopping;
  • Tips for your local guide.
Important Information
  • You must book this tour at least 24 hours in advance.
  • This tour is done on foot + public transport (Santa Teresa tram). If you prefer to do this tour by private car, send us a message.
  • Our tours are private. That is, prices vary depending on the size of your group. The greater the number of people, the lower your rate per pax.
  • Children up to 5 years old do not pay.

*Ruínas Park is only open from Thursday to Sunday and therefore cannot be included in tours that take place on other days.

Reviews

★★★★★ “Foi uma ótima experiência de passeio, o guia Celso foi muito prestativo e aprendemos mais sobre a cidade alem de conhecer um bar muito interessante e com uma feijoda ótima. Recomendo bastante, principalmente para quem quer conhecer melhor o Rio.” Anderson Sales

★★★★★ “Fizemos o bairro de Santa Teresa e Lapa, com guia exclusivo, pela “Rio de Janeiro by Cariocas”, percorrendo as suas ruas belíssimas e únicas. A nossa Guia foi maravilhosa, proporcionando-nos uma experiência inesquecível, a todos os níveis. Além de conhecer o bairro e pontos que jamais iríamos sem eles, parámos para almoçar num restaurante típico, com comida deveras saborosa. Super que recomendamos esta empresa, pois proporciona uma experiência personalizada, bem carioca e sem as correrias habituais que as agências de turismo tanto implicam.” Michaela Farinha

★ See all our reviews on Google and Trip Advisor.

Frequently asked questions (F.A.Q.)
How can I book this experience?

Click the ‘Book your tour’ button. Choose the date you want and the number of people taking the tour. Then add to cart. Click on the cart icon in the lower right corner of your screen to open your shopping cart. Fill in the primary contact information and then ‘Continue’ to be directed to payment. Once your reservation has been processed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with all the information about the experience.

Our online booking system is simple and secure, and we accept various credit and debit cards. But if you prefer, you can make your reservation directly with our sales team by e-mail: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com or by phone (WhatsApp): +55 21 99552-3996.

 

Is it possible to have this experience without being private?

Our experiences are private to offer you a safer, more personalized, and more comfortable experience. By opting for a private tour, you can enjoy the company of your loved ones or a select group of friends without worrying about strangers. This creates a more unique environment, allowing for greater flexibility regarding the itinerary, the pace of the tour, and even adjusting the schedule to your personal preferences.

Our guides will be exclusively available to you, offering in-depth information and interesting stories and answering all your questions. This will ensure you have an enriching experience, learning about the local culture, history, and traditions more intimately.

 

What should I wear or take on the tour?

There is no general rule of what to bring or use. Still, we recommend bringing an identification document (it doesn’t have to be the original), money, and a lot of energy and excitement. Any specific recommendations will be noted on your voucher.

 

Can this experience be done with children?

Yes, this experience can be done with children, accompanied by at least one responsible adult.

 

Is there a discount for children?

Yes, we offer complimentary value of our experiences for children up to 5 years old (4 years and 11 months), accompanied by a paying guardian.

 

What happens if, on the day of my experience, it rains or there is bad weather?

We do not cancel tours due to bad weather, so the tour will take place even with rain and/or cloudy weather, except in cases of force majeure. We adapt the script or, if possible, change the date. If you cancel the tour less than 48 hours in advance (except in extreme cases), there will be no refund as per our cancellation policy.

 

Do you pick it up and return it to my accommodation?

No, as this is a walking tour, this experience does not include transportation to the meeting point. If you want to add transport, please get in touch with our team.

 

What are the preventive measures against covid-19 adopted on the tours? Do I need to be vaccinated or follow them?

As part of our commitment to Safe Travels, we follow all security measures recommended by the UNWTO and city laws. All our guides and drivers are fully vaccinated, and our vehicles are sanitized.

As per the national rule, visitors must be vaccinated or have a negative COVID test to enter the country. Face masks are no longer mandatory, but we recommend using them for people with health problems. 

 

What do I do if I need to cancel my tour after booking?

You must request the cancellation of your experience by e-mail to the following address: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com. Once we receive your order, we will determine the refund due as follows:

– If you cancel 7 (seven) days or more before the start of the tour: no cancellation fee, i.e., a full refund.

– If you cancel between 6 (six) and 3 (three) days before the start of the tour: 50% cancellation fee. If you paid in full for your experience, we’ll issue you a 50% refund of the amount paid.

– If you cancel less than 48 hours (2 days) before the start of the tour: 100% of the cancellation fee, i.e., there is no refund.

If your tour is carried out by one of our suppliers, the cancellation will be carried out according to the supplier’s rules.

I have a question that doesn’t appear in this FAQ. How should I proceed?

If you have any other questions about our services, please contact our team at +55 21 99552-3996 or by e-mail: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com.

Meet Your Tour Guide

As a typical carioca, Monique’s day begins with a stroll along the Copacabana boardwalk and ends at a very bohemian bar, preferably accompanied by a traditional Roda de Samba. Her guided tours are full of history and local lifestyle, all in a very extroverted, friendly and fun way.

Meeting Point

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