Best of · RIO DE JANEIRO HELICOPTER TOURS
Four-seat aircraft and one weather window a day mean the good rio de janeiro helicopter tours go early. Below: the 5 to book ahead, what each includes and how they differ.
Meet at Jacarepaguá Airport in Barra da Tijuca for a shared 20 or 25-minute helicopter flight over Rio. The route can include Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, and more. Pilots speak Portuguese, English, or Spanish, and pilot Pedro has earned special praise for his friendly commentary.
“Great, it was well worth it. Great view of the city from up there. Beautiful.”
Fly for about 30 minutes from Heliporto do Recreio with Portuguese, English, or Spanish support. The route takes in Rio’s beaches, Rocinha, Christ the Redeemer, Tijuca Forest, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and Sugarloaf Mountain. Seats are assigned by draw among three passengers.
“Amazing experience, a really worthwhile and special trip. The staff were all really helpful and communicated everything that was required.”
Fly privately over Rio with a Portuguese or English-speaking pilot, taking in Barra, Copacabana, Ipanema, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer. The flight lasts about 25 to 30 minutes, with one or two circles near the statue. Transfers can be added.
“Awesome experience, such a great way to take in all of Rios beauty. Seeing Christ the redeemer was me and my girlfriends highlight and the private tour made it all that much better!”
You’ll take a shared, doors-off helicopter flight from Vargem Grande, lasting about 35 to 40 minutes. With a certified pilot, headset, and safety gear, you’ll trace Rio’s western beaches, southern shore, Tijuca Forest, Corcovado, and Christ the Redeemer.
“10/10. Don’t read too many reviews, just go and let yourself be surprised by the experience. One of my favourite travel experiences.”
Fly from Barra da Tijuca with Comandante Nobre for roughly 25 to 30 minutes over Rio’s beaches, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, Tijuca Forest, Sugarloaf, and Christ the Redeemer. The route is spectacular, but weather and air traffic can affect both visibility and departure time.
“The provider’s website offers various time slots for helicopter tours on its homepage. I booked a 3:00 PM slot, thinking it was a fixed time for my flight. Unfortunately, this turned out to be completely inaccurate, and I had to wait nearly four hours before the flight finally took place. While the flight itself and the staff were friendly and tried their best to make the experience as pleasant as possible, the poor planning caused me to lose half a day in Rio. The provider waits until there are enough passengers before the flight takes off. This means that the time slots shown on the website are essentially placeholders. The…”
By what you want moving underneath the aircraft.
