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Offered languages
- Portuguese
- English
This cycling route along Guanabara Bay is a journey through Rio’s history and scenery. The ride begins in the revitalized colonial port district, now home to cultural landmarks like the Museu do Amanhã.
You’ll ride past ghost beaches that whisper stories from the city’s colonial past, where beach culture first took root nearly 500 years ago.
The path hugs the coastline, offering unforgettable views: Botafogo Beach, with Sugarloaf Mountain rising above the bay; Flamengo Park, a vast green space perfect for cycling; and the charming neighborhood of Urca, with its preserved 1920s houses and the famous seawall where locals gather at sunset.
Mostly flat and designed for comfort on quality mountain bikes, this 10km route blends nature, history, and culture into an outdoor experience. As a bonus, we accompany you with a tricycle that can carry your bike anytime, and if you’d like to end the ride early, we’ll wait with you at a convenient spot to catch an Uber or taxi.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
We meet at PortoMauá restaurant, Av Rio Branco 5, Centro. The restaurant is open from 7am every day.
The tour finishes in the neighbourhood of Urca. The Urca seawall is a popular lookout point and gathering place for people from Rio de Janeiro.
Itinerary
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1Museu do Amanha
We take in the Museum of Tomorrow's striking architecture from the outside. It is Latin America's most visited museum since opening as the centrepiece of reforms during Rio's Olympics. It was designed by Spanish Architect Santiago Calatrava, and makes a spectacular backdrop to views of Guanabara Bay.
5 minutes • Admission ticket free -
2Orla Prefeito Luiz Paulo Conde
This stretch of waterfront passes through the Brazilian Navy Headquarters as well as taking in the Candelaria Church and Olympic Pyre sculpture.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
3Marina da Gloria
We travel back towards the centre of the city, taking in the Gloria marina, where some of Rio's most upmarket yachts and launches are parked. From here to the city there were many of Rio's most popular early beaches, but many were lost as the Castello Hill was demolished and used to extend the port area.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
4Aterro Do Flamengo
The Flamengo Park, or Aterro do Flamengo, is one of the biggest urban parks in Brazil, stretching along 7km of Guanabara Bay on land reclaimed by demolishing Saint Anthony's Hill in the 1950s and 60s. It has spectacular views of the Sugarloaf Mountain, Guanabara Bay, and beautiful landscaping by Brazil's most influential landscape architect, Roberto Burle Marx.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free -
5Botafogo Beach
As you ride along the beachfront, Sugarloaf dominates the skyline, framed by the bay’s calm waters and the curve of the beach. It’s one of the most iconic perspectives in Rio. You’ll see the bustling Botafogo neighbourhood on one side, with its shops and cafés, and the open bay on the other. Here we have some of the best views of the Sugarloaf Mountain.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free -
6Praia Vermelha
Framed by Granite Giants: On one side rises Sugarloaf, on the other the Morro da Urca, creating a dramatic natural amphitheater. Island View: Looking out to sea, you catch sight of Ilha Rasa in the distance, perfectly framed between the two hills. Calm Waters: The bay here is sheltered, so the waves are gentler than at Rio’s ocean-facing beaches—ideal for a peaceful stop on a ride. Local Feel: It’s a less touristy beach, frequented by locals, which makes it feel more authentic and relaxed. It's also a good place to try a coconut water or popular snacks like corn on the cob or tapioca.
10 minutes • Admission ticket free -
7Urca
Architectural Charm: The houses from the 1920s–1940s are beautifully preserved, giving the streets a nostalgic feel. Many are low-rise, pastel-colored, and surrounded by gardens, unlike the high-rises you see elsewhere in Rio. Seawall Promenade: The Mureta da Urca (Urca seawall) is a favorite spot for locals and visitors. People gather here to watch the sunset over Guanabara Bay, with Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain in view. Community Vibe: Urca is quiet, residential, and safe, with a strong sense of neighborhood identity. It feels more like a seaside town than part of a bustling metropolis. Cultural Touches: You’ll find small bars and eateries tucked into corners, like the famous Bar Urca, where people sit on the seawall with a cold beer and fried snacks, enjoying the view.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have a high level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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