Rio de Janeiro tours and MSC Shore Excursions

Rio de Janeiro tours, Guanabara Bay| MSC Cruises

Rio de Janeiro is the consummate coastal metropolis, where laidback beach life meets cosmopolitan city break. MSC shore excursions whisk you from the waves of Ipanema Beach to the heights of Sugarloaf Mountain, ensuring your holiday to Rio de Janeiro is unforgettable.

Bike along the Olympic Boulevard, where warehouse buildings are emblazoned with vibrant murals, including Eduardo Kobra’s 190-metre masterpiece of indigenous portraiture, and scientific breakthroughs are brought to life in the Museum of Tomorrow. Hop on a 4x4 to Corcovado Mountain in Tijuca National Park to see Christ the Redeemer – no trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is complete without a visit to the iconic statue, and there are plenty of Rio de Janeiro tours to make that happen.


The city’s bountiful beaches are also part of our Rio de Janeiro excursions. Join the cariocas (AKA Rio’s residents) catching some waves on Ipanema or watch a beach volleyball match on Copacabana Beach. Step off the sand to discover Art Deco squares and sidewalk cafes in the Copacabana neighbourhood. Or ride the trolley through the hilly streets of Santa Teresa, many of its turn-of-the-century mansions converted into art galleries.

As evening falls, MSC has several Rio de Janeiro tours for sampling the city’s legendary nightlife. Admire the glittering cityscape from Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, tuck into dinner at a buzzing restaurant or sample live music venues in bohemian Lapa, before being whisked back to the comfort of the ship.

Excursions in Rio de Janeiro

Our Rio de Janeiro excursions are the ideal way to get acquainted with this sprawling, ever-changing city. Expert guides bring to life the most iconic Rio de Janeiro attractions and distil the essence of local neighbourhoods, from Lapa’s lively samba clubs to street art-filled Santa Teresa. The sheer amount of things to see in Rio de Janeiro makes every day feel like a carnival. Investigate our Rio de Janeiro tours and start planning your adventure.

Rio de Janeiro tours, Copacabana Beach | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Aerial View | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Ipanema | MSC Cruises

Sink your toes into the sand at Ipanema and Copacabana

Copacabana or Ipanema – which of these oceanfront locales is the one for you? Well, both have had famous songs penned about them and offer miles of golden sand. At Copacabana Beach, the atmosphere’s typically more vibrant, its calçadão (promenade) always thronging with activity, while neighboring Ipanema Beach is seen as chicer, with upscale restaurant and boutiques, plus top-notch surf breaks. For the best of both worlds, pick an excursion that covers the two areas – then you can be the judge.

Rio de Janeiro tours, Sugarloaf Mountain | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Sugarloaf Mountain | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Sugarloaf Mountain | MSC Cruises

Swoop up Sugarloaf Mountain in a cable car

Sugarloaf Mountain cuts a striking figure out in Guanabara Bay. Its name comes from the packs of sugar that were shipped from this port in colonial times, and although the craggy granite peak is nothing like sugarcane up-close, the views from the top are sweet indeed.

 

Glide up to the peak by cable car and learn why this is one of Rio de Janeiro’s most important landmarks, while snapping as many pictures as you please of the epic panorama.
Rio de Janeiro tours, Cristo Redentor | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Cristo Redentor | MSC Cruises
Rio de Janeiro tours, Cristo Redentor | MSC Cruises

Greet the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue

Arms outstretched, this Art Deco masterpiece seemingly welcomes all visitors to Rio de Janeiro. Whether silhouetted against a sunset or emerging through the clouds after a storm, the Christ the Redeemer statue is dazzling when glimpsed from the city streets – but there’s nothing quite like getting up-close on a visit to Corcovado.

Ascend the mountain by cogwheel train, 4x4 or hiking trail, and freely roam around the site, sharing the statue’s bird’s eye view of the city.

Book your cruise to Rio de Janeiro

Ready to be embraced by Brazil? A cruise to Rio de Janeiro puts an exhilarating mix of soccer, samba, street parties, beaches and supersize statues at your fingertips.

Beyond the urban forest, sail to laid-back fishing villages and castaway islands along the coastline of the Atlantic, or even continue your South American adventure in the capitals of Argentina and Uruguay. Browse our range of Rio de Janeiro cruise itineraries to inspire your next holiday.

Rio de Janeiro itineraries | MSC Cruises
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Rio de janeiro tours and excursions FAQ

In which language Rio de Janeiro excursions are conducted?

MSC Shore Excursions in Rio de Janeiro can be provided in 5 languages (English, German, French, Spanish and Italian) based on guide availability. We'll confirm the final language during your cruise.

Are Rio de Janeiro tours always available to be booked?

Due to their popularity, some Rio de Janeiro excursions may not always be available. For this reason, we strongly recommend booking your Rio de Janeiro tour in advance to ensure availability.

Can Rio de Janeiro excursion programme be changed?

The excursion programme only provides an overview of the tours that can be arranged in Rio de Janeiro.

The final tour descriptions and prices will be confirmed on board. MSC Shore Excursions programs and itineraries may vary due to local conditions or unforeseen events, which may impact the timing of the tour. Also, the program is subject to change in compliance with local regulations or other restrictions.

Is there a beach tour of Rio de Janeiro?

Enjoy Rio’s most famous beach at your own pace on MSC Cruises’ ‘A Day at Copacabana Beach’ excursion, where there’s free time to sunbathe, swim or explore the local shops and food vendors.

Or go further afield on the ‘Praia do Forte and Tamar’ excursion, which offers a memorable escape outside of the city. The tour starts with a scenic ride to Praia do Forte, a charming fishing village that has become a must-visit on the Brazilian coast. The tour includes free time at the beach and a visit to the Tamar Project, a Brazilian maritime complex for sea turtle preservation.

What is included in the Rio de Janeiro ‘Corcovado’ tour?

MSC Cruises offers several excursions to Mount Corcovado. On the ‘Look Down on the City from Corcovado’ tour, travel by coach to Tijuca National Park before boarding a train up to the monumental Christ the Redeemer statue, where you can also take in the stunning views. On the way back, there’s a tour of some famous city beaches, including Copacabana.


For guests eager to experience both of Rio’s sky-high sights, the ‘Corcovado and Sugarloaf Mountain Grand Tour’ is a must. On this full-day excursion, a coach transports guests to Tijuca National Park to board the popular train that winds up Corcovado to see the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue. After lunch, there’s a tour of Rio’s beaches, including Ipanema and Copacabana. End the day in style by taking a cable car to the summit of Sugarloaf Mountain for views over a spectacular city.

Is there a bike tour of Rio de Janeiro?

With biking becoming more popular in Rio, MSC Cruises’ ‘Bike, VLT and Museum of Tomorrow’ excursion invites guests to explore Rio by bike, on foot and on the Rio de Janeiro Light Rail system, also known as VLT.

 

The bike tour travels along the Olympic Boulevard waterfront and past colourful murals, later passing Paço Imperial (the Imperial Palace) and historic church Igreja da Antiga Sé. Then, board the VLT and travel to Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow). This highly interactive museum (designed by visionary Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava) explores the connection between science and art and is a great visit for all ages.