Swim Under Tijuca Waterfalls — Hike, Caves, Wildlife & Rio Views
Description
Escape the crowds and discover a different side of Rio de Janeiro on an unforgettable adventure through Tijuca National Park, home to the world's largest urban reforested rainforest. Your experience begins with convenient hotel pickup before heading into the heart of the Tijuca Rainforest. Accompanied by an experienced bilingual guide, you'll explore scenic jungle trails, hidden caves, crystal-clear waterfalls, and breathtaking viewpoints while learning about the unique ecosystem that makes this park one of Rio's greatest natural treasures. Along the way, keep an eye out for local wildlife, including toucans, monkeys, coatis, butterflies, and many other species that call the rainforest home. They might appear to welcome you! Unlike traditional city tours, this experience takes you beyond Rio's famous landmarks and into the wild heart of the city, offering an authentic connection with nature and one of the most diverse environments in Brazil.
Tour Options
Itinerary
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.
*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.
Our next stop is Cachoeira das Almas — a 30 to 40-minute hike through the heart of Tijuca's rainforest. As you walk deeper into the jungle, the canopy closes above you, filtering sunlight into golden shafts across the forest floor. Listen for toucans overhead, watch for sloths in the trees, and keep an eye out for capuchin monkeys darting through the branches. The terrain is gentle, winding through ancient Atlantic rainforest where the air is thick with humidity and birdsong — and the distant sound of rushing water grows louder with every step. Then the waterfall reveals itself: crystal-clear mountain waterfall, surrounded by lush vegetation and absolute tranquility. Step in and let the rainforest do the rest. Depending on the season, we may visit Cachoeira Diamantina instead — equally stunning, equally unforgettable.
This is one of the first grottos on the caves circuit within Tijuca National Park.
Explore the mysterious beauty of the Bat Cave, a 100-meter-long cave in Tijuca Park. Discover this enchanting world and marvel at the spectacular rock formations while learning about the cave's fascinating history.
Cool off in the refreshing waters of Baronesa Waterfall, immerse yourself in the natural beauty of the rainforest, and take a break from the heat in this picturesque and tranquil setting.
Vista Chinesa is a popular lookout point located in the Tijuca Forest in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It offers stunning panoramic views of the city and surrounding landscape, including the famous Christ the Redeemer statue. It's the perfect way to cap off your tour and experience the beauty of Rio from above! **Unavailable on weekends and holidays.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
Pick-up is between 7–7:30 AM (morning departures) or 1:00–2:00 PM (afternoon departures) from easily accessible locations across Rio's main touristic areas. You will receive your exact pick-up time by 9:00 PM the evening before your tour — or by 11:00 AM for afternoon departures. If you're unsure where to meet, we'll help you find the most convenient pick-up location via email after booking. Please note that guests picked up at Sheraton Resort, Hotel Nacional, and Zona Sul Market are dropped off at Leblon Shopping to ensure all tour highlights are covered. This applies on Mondays through Fridays only. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, drop-off is at the original pickup location.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- 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. The trails range from easy to moderate, with some elevation to reach caves and waterfalls, so basic physical conditioning is recommended. Walking distances range from 2 to 5 km (1.2 to 3.1 miles).
- Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed
- 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.
Reviews(1,307)
Lucas was an amazing tour guide! He was informative and insightful. He took us safely through the urban rainforest and gave plenty of time to both see the forest and explore.
I had an amazing time on this tour! Eric was a fantastic guide, he was very funny and provided a feeling of safety and comfort. He was also very knowledgeable and taught us a lot about the local history and wildlife.
Thank you for your review! We're so glad Eric made your tour such a great experience, his humor, knowledge of local history and wildlife, and the sense of safety he provided really reflect what we aim for on every tour. We'll be sure to share your kind words with him. We hope to welcome you back to Rio soon!
Fantastic trip from start to finish. Pickup was easy, and the drop-off right outside my hotel made everything hassle-free. Our guide was brilliant—very knowledgeable, observant, and friendly. We saw sloths and monkeys, learned so much along the way, and had an all-round amazing experience. I would definitely recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rio!
Thank you so much for your review! We're delighted the pickup and drop-off were seamless and hassle-free, that's exactly the kind of smooth experience we work hard to provide. Having a knowledgeable, observant, and friendly guide truly makes all the difference, and we're so glad ours added so much value to your day. Sloths, monkeys, and great learning along the way, every tour is unique, and it sounds like yours was a memorable one! We hope to welcome you back to Rio soon!
I liked that the guide provided us with interesting information about the park.
¡Muchas gracias por su reseña! Nos alegra saber que disfrutó de los datos interesantes que nuestro guía compartió sobre el parque, siempre buscamos que cada tour sea también una experiencia educativa sobre la riqueza natural de Tijuca. ¡Esperamos darle la bienvenida de nuevo a Rio pronto!
Super great tour! Very informative!
We're so happy to hear you enjoyed the tour and found it both informative and enjoyable. Creating memorable experiences while sharing the beauty and history of the rainforest is what we strive for. We hope to welcome you back for another adventure in Rio soon!
Eric was very friendly & knowledgeable about the rainforest and environmental issues in general, it was a pleasure listening about his adventures - really enjoyed the day
We're delighted to hear you had such a great time exploring the rainforest with Eric. His passion for nature and environmental conservation truly makes each tour special, and we're glad you enjoyed hearing about his experiences and adventures. We hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable day in Rio!
This tour was absolutely amazing! Lucas made for a really memorable excursion, showcasing his vast knowledge of the rainforest’s diverse wildlife, plant life, and history. From start to finish, this experience was smooth and so enjoyable!
Thank you for your review! We're delighted Lucas made this an unforgettable excursion, sharing his deep knowledge of the rainforest's wildlife, plants, and history and truly bringing the magic of the forest to life. A smooth, enjoyable experience is exactly what we work hard for, so it means a lot to hear it showed. We hope to welcome you back to Rio soon!
Nice visit to Tijuca forest (Brazil)
We're thrilled Lucas shared his passion for nature with you, from the trees to the plants, he truly knows how to bring the magic of the forest to life. Tijuca Forest has so many stories to tell, and we're glad you got to experience them with him. We hope to welcome you back to Rio soon!
Daniel was an amazing guide, told us about all the native plants and trees. He also showed us the waterfalls and just had an amazing vibe. In the end we even got lucky as our guide managed to spot a sloths and some special birds like toucans. In general a really amazing experience and very well organized.
We're so happy Daniel made your day so memorable. Spotting a sloth and toucans was such a special bonus, those are the moments that make the rainforest unforgettable. We're also really glad our organization stood out, we work hard behind the scenes to make every experience as smooth as possible. We hope to see you again in Rio!
Great experience! We were safe and had a nice time with Viktor!
We're thrilled to hear you had a great experience with Victor. Providing a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience is always our top priority, so we're happy to know you felt well taken care of throughout the tour. We hope to welcome you back to Rio for another adventure soon!
