PRIVATE · FROM RIO DE JANEIRO
Trade the city for a mountain palace, a Costa Verde island, or the beaches of Búzios — private, guided, and planned around your group. A professional driver and a certified guide handle the day — the driving, the timing, the details — so you don't have to.
Where to next
A day trip from Rio is really a question of what kind of day you want. Cooler mountain air and imperial history point to Petrópolis; clear water and a private boat point to Ilha Grande; laid-back beach hopping points to Búzios.
Every route runs privately for your group only, with a professional driver and a certified local guide handling everything — vehicle, timing and the details — so the day stays relaxed.
For history & mountains
Climb the Serra dos Órgãos to Brazil's former imperial summer capital, where the Crystal Palace, the Imperial Museum and mountain-cool streets make for a calm, culture-rich day. It's the most weather-proof of the three — good year-round and easy on the pace. Private vehicle, licensed guide and mineral water are included; entrance fees and lunch are on your own.
See the Petrópolis day trip
For beaches & boat time
This private 10–12-hour day trip combines road transportation between Rio and Mangaratiba with approximately five hours aboard a private speedboat. Groups of 1–9 can choose the Classic Ilha Grande Route or the Lopes Mendes Route; groups of 10–12 require another boat and a specific quote. Lunch at Restaurante Gruta das Estrelas and an onboard barbecue are optional, not included and subject to availability. Stop order and viability depend on sea, weather, safety and operating conditions. If safe navigation is not possible, you may choose rescheduling or a full refund. See the full tour page for stops, prices and complete details.
See the Ilha Grande day trip
For beach hopping
The Búzios peninsula packs dozens of beaches, a walkable old town and a relaxed seaside rhythm into one stretch of coast north of Rio. As a private day trip it's arranged on request, shaped around your group's pace and the season — tell us what you're after and we'll build the day and send a quote.
Request a Búzios quote| Petrópolis | Ilha Grande | Búzios | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best for | History & mountains | Beaches & boat time | Beach hopping |
| The day | History and a scenic drive up the Serra dos Órgãos | Road transportation and approximately five hours by speedboat, with a choice of the Classic or Lopes Mendes route | The peninsula's beaches and the Rua das Pedras |
| Season | Year-round — the most weather-proof of the three | Stop order and viability depend on sea, weather, safety and operating conditions | Arranged around the season, on request |
For history and cooler mountain air, choose Petrópolis. For clear water and time on a private boat, choose Ilha Grande. For easygoing beach hopping, choose Búzios. If you're still unsure, tell us your dates and travel style and we'll recommend one.
Plan on a full day. Petrópolis takes about 8 hours, and we recommend starting between 08:00 and 10:30 to make the most of the visit. Ilha Grande takes 10–12 hours, including approximately five hours by private speedboat, and starts early between 05:30 and 07:30. Búzios is arranged on request.
Yes. Pickup and drop-off are included at hotels, Airbnbs, airports and the cruise terminal within the municipality of Rio de Janeiro. Locations outside the municipality may require a separate quote or an additional charge. Each day trip uses private road transportation with a professional driver. For Ilha Grande, a guide registered with Cadastur accompanies the group and a separate skipper operates the private speedboat.
Lunch is not included. On Ilha Grande, both routes may include an optional stop at Restaurante Gruta das Estrelas in Saco do Céu. Consumption is paid separately and service depends on restaurant availability. An optional onboard barbecue is also available on either route at a price on request and may coexist with the lunch stop.
Yes. Every day trip is private for your group. Ilha Grande has a regular capacity of 1–9 people. Groups of 10–12 are accepted only on request because they require another boat and a specific quote.
Yes, we recommend booking ahead — Ilha Grande in particular has limited early-morning departures. To plan a trip or get a Búzios quote, email contact@befreetours.com.br or WhatsApp +55 21 97927-1637.
Tell us your dates, your group and the kind of day you're after — Petrópolis, Ilha Grande, Búzios or something custom. Reach us at contact@befreetours.com.br or on WhatsApp at +55 21 97927-1637 and we'll shape the day and send a quote.
Plan your day trip