Frequently Asked Questions

Private city tours in Rio start at USD 365 for a group of 1, with most full-day tours ranging from USD 440 to USD 610 depending on the itinerary and group size. Day trips to destinations like Petrópolis, Búzios, and Ilha Grande start from USD 390. All private-tour prices include transportation, a certified local guide, and entrance fees to the listed attractions. Walking-based local experiences are priced separately under our Experiences line.

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 reserve your tour with zero payment upfront. Payment is only required 72 hours before your scheduled tour date. This gives you flexibility to plan your trip without immediate financial commitment. We accept all major credit cards — Visa, Mastercard, and others — through our secure payment link, as well as PayPal. American Express is not accepted.

We offer free cancellation up to 72 hours before your tour start time for a full refund. Cancellations made within 72 hours are non-refundable. Weather-related cancellations decided by our team are fully refundable or can be rescheduled at no extra cost. Exception: tours that include the Roxy Dinner Show have non-refundable show tickets regardless of notice given — this is stated clearly at booking.

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 all major credit and debit cards. Payment is only required 72 hours before your tour — you can reserve your date today with no upfront charge. For last-minute bookings made within 72 hours, full payment is required at the time of reservation.

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 are native Rio locals fluent 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.