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 15 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…”
Take a private helicopter flight for two to four people over Rio’s beaches, lagoon, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Christ the Redeemer. Choose hotel pickup or meet at Jacarepaguá Airport. English, Portuguese, and Spanish support is available, with Ricardo among the pickup drivers.
“Het was een hele leuke vlucht met een leuke piloot helaas was 1 oortje kapot waardoor niet iedereen te verstaan was”
Fly over Rio with 4FLY RJ on a 25-minute helicopter tour for up to six people. From Barra da Tijuca, you’ll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf, Lagoa, Ipanema, Copacabana, São Conrado, and Pedra da Gávea. A doorless option follows more beaches and returns along the shore.
“Amazing experience. 10/10. Smooth process and awesome pilot, even better views. A must do experience in Rio.”
Take a small-group helicopter flight from Helicentro do Pontal over Rio’s biggest sights. You’ll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana, Ipanema, and possibly Maracanã from the air, with a qualified Portuguese or English-speaking pilot at the controls.
“Very cool! a must-do in Rio, seeing the Christ from above was absolutely wild!!”
Fly from Jacarepaguá Airport on a shared, 25 to 30-minute doors-off helicopter ride over Barra da Tijuca, Ipanema, Arpoador, Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon, and Christ the Redeemer. English, Portuguese, and Spanish support is available, and you can take a shoe selfie near the statue.
Take a private 15 to 20-minute helicopter flight from Jacarepaguá Airport over Barra, Pedra da Gávea, Ipanema, Leblon, and Christ the Redeemer. The pilot circles the statue once or twice. Portuguese, English, and Spanish service is available, with optional hotel pickup.
“Excelente actividad, el chofer muy amable en los traslados, y la experiencia en el helicóptero impresionante”
You’ll take a doors-off helicopter flight from R. Dom Bosco, 644, with skilled pilots and wide views of Rio’s beaches, Pedra da Gávea, Tijuca Forest, Christ the Redeemer, and more. The flight is listed as 30 minutes, with one itinerary detail stating 35 minutes. Bring ID and a hair tie.
Take a 30-minute helicopter flight over Rio with round-trip hotel transfers and a certified pilot. You’ll see Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana from the air. Flights hold up to five people, and multilingual driver support is advertised.
“expérience extraordinaire ! le transfert est un vrai plus. je déplore cependant le manque d information sur le circuit réalisé en hélicoptère en amont car je pensais voir le stade, ce qui n a pas été le cas. il était noté que le chauffeur parlait français ce qui n était pas vrai du tout et le vol n a pas duré 30 min .”
Fly above Rio with Heli-Rio Táxi Aéreo on a 30-minute panoramic helicopter tour from Av. das Américas. You’ll see Ipanema, Copacabana, Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Tijuca Forest, and more, with English, Spanish, and Portuguese support.
“Kristus statyn var helt täckt av moln det var en besvikelse annars var turen ok lite lång transport sträcka till sevärdheterna.”
Take a 45-minute sunset helicopter flight over Rio with pickup from selected hotels or the cruise port. See Sugarloaf, Copacabana, Maracanã, and Christ the Redeemer from above, then return by car. Drivers and pilots may speak several listed languages, but language availability should be confirmed.
Fly above Rio in a doors-off helicopter with Vertical Rio, a small operator based at Clube de Aeronáutica. Expect a 30-minute shared flight, close views of Christ the Redeemer, 360-degree photo angles, a safety briefing, and seating assigned by weight and balance.
“Amazing… No words could describe all the feels. Obrigado.”
By what you want moving underneath the aircraft.
