Rio de Janeiro

Top Rio de Janeiro landmarks

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

9 to 10 minutes
Pickup offered
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

Explore our promoted experiences

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

The Best Helicopter Flight Sugar Loaf and Christ the Redeemer

448

from $320.50

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro - 20 minutes

from $173.98

Rio de Janeiro, Southeast Brazil

Small-Group Sunset Helicopter 45min Tour in Rio

from $350.00

Price varies by group size

Viator earns higher commissions on experiences featured here

Overview

Fly over Rio's landmarks in a helicopter during this 9-10 minute tour from Rio de Janeiro. During the 9-10 minutes of flight time, get aerial views of the Rio skyline, Copacabana Beach and Guanabara Bay. See the spectacular granite peaks of both Sugar Loaf Mountain and Corcovado Mountain, as well as an up-close view of the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue. Round-trip transportation from Rio hotels is included.

9-10 minute guided helicopter tour over Rio de Janeiro
See all the major sights from the air, from Sugar Loaf Mountain to Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado
Spot sunbathers stretched on the sand at Copacabana Beach and Ipanema Beach
Enjoy the flexibility of various daily departures
Roundtrip transfers from Rio de Janeiro hotels included

What's Included

9-10 minute helicopter flight
Roundtrip Shared Transfer to Most Hotels in São Conrado, Leblon, Ipanema and Copacabana.
Professional Tour Guide

Gratuities
Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Pickup points

Select a pickup point

Start time

02:00 PM

Pickup details

Please stay at the hotel lobby 10 minutes before pick up time.

What To Expect

Begin your helicopter adventure with ground transportation from your hotel to the helipad. Meet your professional pilot for a safety briefing and receive all safety equipment necessary for your aerial tour.

As your helicopter ascends into the sky, enjoy the shrining cityscape below you and get out your camera for the spectacular photo ops to follow. During the 9-10 minute flight, you'll buzz the yellow-sand beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema and the lagoon at Rodrigo de Freitas, where Rio locals like to spend their leisure time.

Hove over the Botanical Gardens and the Tijuca National Park. Enjoy views out over Guanabara Bay and Sugar Loaf Mountain. Head for Corcovado Mountain, where your pilot will fly as close as possible to the Cristo Redentor (Christ the Redeemer) statue, ensuring fantastic photos from every angle.

Once your breathtaking helicopter tour is over, transfer back to your hotel for drop-off.

Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon (Pass By)

Leblon Beach (Pass By)

Ipanema Beach (Pass By)

Pedra do Arpoador (Pass By)

Corcovado - Christ the Redeemer (Pass By)

Botanical Garden (Pass By)

Sugarloaf Mountain Cable Car (Pass By)

Additional Info

Total weight per passenger: 221 lbs
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation
Infants must sit on laps
Most travelers can participate
NOTE: a window seat is not guaranteed

This tour requires a minimum number of 03 (three) passengers to operate. There is a possibility that the tour may be canceled after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be provided the option to take the tour on an alternative date, be refunded in full or buy a second ticket.
The flight is first come first served.
It is recommended you call us to check if weather conditions are preventing the helicopter from flying
Infants up to 02 years usually do not pay. However, if the pilot determines that for security reasons the child should occupy the seat, then the value for this seat will be charged.
The specific departure time for this tour will be determined upon reconfirmation.
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 4 travelers

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

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.

Cut-off times are based on the experience’s local time.
This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Featured review

Elizabeth_W

This trip was amazing! The view from the helicopter of monte Christo as well as the city was more than we could have imagined! Didn’t have to fight any crowds and we were treated like royalty the whole time! I highly recommend!!!

Reviews

4.0

41 reviews

Total review count and overall rating based on Viator and Tripadvisor reviews

Reviews by Viator travelers.

We perform checks on reviews

Showing 1-10 of 41 reviews

Awful experience

Craig_B, Jan 2023

Choose another tour. We were forced to pay for 3 people even though we paid as a couple. We were given the option to wait for a third person (with no guarantee one would show up). Clearly as tourists we couldn’t wait for a 3rd person and paid for an extra ride. I am a laid back professional and have never written a bad review but this was about as fraudulent as it comes. Please choose another tour company. Note Viator never provided a reason as to why there was a minimum charge for 3 and told me that it was for safety reasons even though the couples present all flew with only two people and paid this extra charge.

Amazing!!!

Elizabeth_W, Dec 2018

This tour was an amazing experience...

j_close, Mar 2017

This tour was an amazing experience, would definitely recommend it

The magnificence of Rio is well...

Brian M, Jan 2017

The magnificence of Rio is well worth seeing from the air and we were looking forward to the flight but this was a disappointment from the beginning to end. We would certainly recommend using another helicopter provider because the choppers used by the flying company do not have intercom facilities or headphones so that the pilot cannot communicate with the passengers. This meant that we had to rely on our eyes and because there is so much to see, I missed half the flight around Christ, the Redeemer. Moreover, the flight was scheduled for 11 minutes but we landed after 8 minutes and 30 seconds my wife filmed the entire flight on her iPhone, missing almost a quarter of the scheduled flight. This can be considered to be almost a rip-off by the chopper company. We complained to the person who picked us up at the hotel but he shrugged his shoulders and suggested that we should complain to Viator. We insisted that he should complain to the helicopter company before leaving the airstrip because by the time Viator made a decision we would be back in the UK and it was highly unlikely that they would compensate us by flying us back to Rio for another 11 minute fight. As we informed the person who took us to the airstrip, we did not have a chance of a second bite of the cherry so whatever compensation we receive was of little comfort for not doing a proper helicopter flight around Rio. The guy did not complain to the helicopter company and instead just kept walking towards the massive coach that brought us to the airstrip in order to take us back to our hotel. This flight was going to be one of the highlights of our trip around Brazil but instead it turned out to be our biggest disappointment.

Weather played a big part in this...

Steve M, Jan 2016

Weather played a big part in this tour as it was windy. we waited and rightfully so because safety is key and of the utmost importance and we understand that and finally got to take our flight. Good news is it was a clear day for some wonderful views and pictures...however, the tour flight time and route was shortened and we flew to the Christ statue, did one circle to the left then one to the right allowing both sides of the helicopter to view equally and flew straight back...no sites of the beaches other that from far away nor sugarloaf other than off in the distance. We talked with the lady at the counter when we returned our guide was not helpful and she noted there wouldn't be any discounts or refunds and that was the best they could do. Again, it is worth doing but know there are chances it is not what you think you are signing up for...or PAYING for.

I enjoy helicopter ride's to the...

Book373, Dec 2015

I enjoy helicopter ride's to the fullest and this was my third so far in my travels. This one was ok, we toured around the Christ Redeemer statue and that was cool. But that was it. A few of us thought maybe we were going to Copacabana beach area, nope nothing. The flight seemed very quick as well! I wasn't as happy because I was stuck in the middle in the rear and I barely got any photos and that's never fun! The tour is cool, just make sure you get one of the three window seats or you'll be upset like me-lol!

A bucket-list and once in a lifetime...

Carolyn B, Dec 2015

A bucket-list and once in a lifetime experience. Expensive but worth it, excellent!

OMG this was the highlight of my...

Julie G, Nov 2015

OMG this was the highlight of my visit to Rio, this was awesome! I sat in the front of the helicopter - it was so cool, Im terrified of heights and just couldnt believe my luck, it was an absolutely thrilling experience. The day before I went to the Sugar Load and Redeemer and the weather was very cloud and no visibility and the next day was the heli ride and was in for a treat as the cloud cleared. Thanks guys this was fabulous.

The local company did a good job of...

Kevin F, Sep 2015

The local company did a good job of communicating with me but unfortunately there were not enough people booked for the day that I wanted to do the flight. The company did offer alternative dates, but I either had other activities or it was after my departure from Rio. However, I was able to book a helicopter tour with a different company after I arrived in Rio and I highly recommend doing a flight. The views from Sugarloaf and Corcovado are amazing, but the view from the helicopter was the best. Make sure it is the twelve minute flight that flies over the beaches and Corcovado.

Helicopter ride was great...

twills, Apr 2015

Helicopter ride was great but...... We had to wait 2 hours at heliport then we only got an 8 min flight instead of 12 minute flight so we missed flying over a few landmarks. I dont blame Viator but rather the tour guide Louis who probably did not advise helicopter operator. Well worth the experience though especially circling Christ the Redeemer staue on Corcorvado.

The helicopter tour by itself - is...

Konstantin R, Jan 2015

The helicopter tour by itself - is breathtaking! The ride to the station and back was endless.

I followed the steps calling by...

EduDeLaPlata, Dec 2014

I followed the steps calling by telephone 72 hours before, and a second call the same day of departure in the morning. Pick up at the hotel at 2:30 p.m. was nice and fun, people at the heliport was nice and smiling, and the helicopter was even nicer! With capacity for 4 people and the pilot, everyone was able to see, photograph and record almost everything. Flight was super stable by a pro pilot. Even the noise was not a problem. Happy passengers, happy hosts, happy day! P.S: Oh, and I was in the "worst" seat with no window. It was still perfect to see both sides and ahead.

What an amazing experience. The...

Ian I, Dec 2014

What an amazing experience. The views of Rio from above are spectacular. The air time is short but we felt like we got our money's worth.

It was a good experience. Although...

Marius S, Nov 2014

It was a good experience. Although it is quite short (11 minutes) we could see a lot of Rio from above. The weather was not perfect, pretty windy around the Christ Redeemer but the pilot kept us safe. Also Anna (the guide) made the trip from hotel to heliport and back amusing.

Really good experience pick up was...

John H, Aug 2014

Really good experience pick up was on time and trip was awesome need to do it twice though as first trip is camera dominated. Fantastic views.

Very nice, Short but nice. It goes...

J_v, Jan 2014

Very nice, Short but nice. It goes from the lake, over the beaches to almost Sugarloaf, but not quite, then back over the beaches and around Corcovado. Good views. Shaky for pics, get the fast aperture setting. Well organized by Gray Line. Pilot is stunning young lady. Windows are very low for tall people, Most enjoyable.

We didn't get to go on the tour as...

Alison J, Apr 2013

We didn't get to go on the tour as there was not enough partcipants, and it was our last day so we couldn't reschedule. I would suggest that you book you flight nearer the beginning of the tour so that you and rescheudle if necessary. It's a real shame as I was really looking forward to the trip.

This helicopter ride is definitely...

Carma H, Mar 2013

This helicopter ride is definitely worth doing. Seeing all the views from so high is amazing - especially if you get a clear day and get up close to Christ the Redeemer. The only downsides were that the helicopter takes 5 passengers - 4 of who sit in the back. This means that 2 people don't get to sit a a window. Also, there are special openings in the windows for taking photos, but only in the front and 1 side of the back. Overall, it was an exciting and fun ride. The pick-up and drop-off was quick and easy, the company had a good safety information handout and the flight felt safe, but there were still enough tight turns to make it feel a little thrilling.

Original date cancelled apparently...

Peter A, Mar 2013

Original date cancelled apparently not enough takers. On the day we did go it was grey cloudy and raining. Hardly ideal. But the pilot did his best to show us the main attractions. Also the arrangements for confirming are a be awkward if your are travelling into Rio the days preceding your flight.

It was very fun, a little beat...

Rafael S, Dec 2012

It was very fun, a little beat expensive, but It is the best view you can have of Rio!!