Frequently Asked Questions

Private-tour prices are shown in USD as the total for one private group and vary by group size. The one-person tier is the starting group total shown as ‘From’. Taxes, fees, private transportation, a licensed tour guide, a separate professional driver, and tickets to the listed attractions are included. Walking experiences use their own per-person pricing shown on each experience page.

All our tours include private transportation with a professional driver, a certified local guide fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, entrance fees to attractions, pickup and drop-off anywhere in Rio de Janeiro (including hotels, Airbnbs, airports, and the cruise port), and complimentary bottled water. Meals and gratuities are not included unless specified in the tour description.

Absolutely! That's what makes our private tours special. We can adjust the itinerary, change the pace, add or remove stops, and tailor the experience to your specific interests. Just let us know your preferences when booking, and we'll create the perfect Rio experience for you.

You can submit a request with no payment upfront. We review availability and operating details before accepting it and sending a secure Stripe payment link. The booking is confirmed only after acceptance and full payment, which is due at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time. Card payments on the English site are in USD, Pix receives a 5% discount, and installment payments are not available.

Cancel at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time for a full refund, including tickets and third-party services already purchased for the booking. Cancellations made less than 72 hours before the start time and no-shows are non-refundable. If severe weather, unsafe maritime conditions, an official closure, or another safety restriction prevents safe operation, we offer rescheduling or a full refund.

Our tours are conducted in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. For other languages, please contact us when booking and we'll do our best to match you with the right guide based on availability.

Yes — complimentary pickup and drop-off is included in all our private tours anywhere in Rio de Janeiro, including all neighborhoods, all three airports (GIG, SDU, and RRJ), and the cruise port at Pier Mauá. When booking, provide your exact address and we'll confirm your pickup time, typically 15 to 30 minutes before the tour start depending on your location.

Rio has a tropical climate, so wear light, comfortable clothing and walking shoes on hot days. Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. If visiting in winter (June-August), bring a light jacket as temperatures can be cooler, especially in Petrópolis.

Rio welcomes thousands of solo female travelers every year. Well-known neighborhoods such as Copacabana, Ipanema, and Leblon are generally safe during the day when basic, common-sense precautions are followed — staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding visible valuables, and favoring well-lit, lively areas in the evening. Choosing a private tour adds an extra layer of comfort and peace of mind: door-to-door transportation and an experienced local guide who understands the city’s rhythms and nuances. Many solo female travelers tell us they felt relaxed and confident exploring Rio with our team.

Rio de Janeiro is widely considered an LGBTQ+ friendly city, particularly in the South Zone neighborhoods of Ipanema, Leblon, and Copacabana. Same-sex marriage is legal in Brazil, and diversity is generally well accepted in everyday life and in tourist settings. As in any large city, awareness and common-sense precautions are always important, but most LGBTQ+ travelers feel comfortable exploring Rio openly. Our private tours offer a discreet, respectful, and welcoming environment, guided by locals who understand the city and adapt each experience to the traveler — without assumptions or labels.

Absolutely. Our private tours are well-suited for families traveling with children of any age. The pace, stops, and activities adapt to your group — more time at open spaces, interactive explanations for younger travelers, and flexibility to adjust on the fly. Children under 5 typically do not require paid attraction tickets; your guide will advise based on your specific itinerary.

Yes. We can design tours around reduced mobility, wheelchair users, and travelers who prefer a slower pace. Rio presents genuine accessibility challenges at some landmarks — cobblestone streets in Santa Teresa, steep terrain at certain viewpoints — but with advance notice we select appropriate sites, arrange suitable vehicles, and adapt the itinerary to ensure comfort and enjoyment throughout the day.

Our private tours accommodate groups of 1 to 12 travelers. Vehicle size scales with your group: sedans and SUVs for smaller parties, executive vans for larger ones. For groups above 12 or corporate events, contact us directly — we can arrange multiple guides and vehicles while keeping the experience coordinated and personal.

We accept major credit and debit cards through a secure Stripe payment link. English-site payments are in USD, Pix receives a 5% discount, and installment payments are not available. Full payment is due at least 72 hours before the scheduled start time. Last-minute requests are subject to availability and, if accepted, require immediate full payment.

Yes, subject to guide and vehicle availability. We do our best to accommodate last-minute requests — contact us via WhatsApp for the fastest response. For peak season (December through March) and specialty tours such as Ilha Grande by speedboat, we recommend booking at least 1 to 2 weeks in advance to secure your preferred date.

Yes. Be Free Tours has operated as a licensed private tour company in Rio de Janeiro since 2013. All our guides hold official Brazilian tourism certification (Cadastur) and have extensive knowledge of Rio de Janeiro. Service is available in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

A private tour is exclusively for you and your travel companions — no strangers join your group. You get a dedicated licensed guide, a private vehicle with door-to-door hotel pickup, and a fully flexible itinerary. Group tours share a bus with up to 40 strangers and follow a fixed schedule.

Be Free Tours holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating from over 800 verified reviews across TripAdvisor, Viator, and Civitatis — consistently ranked among the top-rated private tour operators in Rio de Janeiro since 2013.