Rio de Janeiro, Brazil - Panama Canal, Central America and Mexico Cruises

Escape the hustle and bustle of the city of Rio with a visit to the historic summer getaway of Petropolis.

Petropolis is a beautiful mountain town, located in the north eastern region of Brazil. The town’s name ‘City of Peter’ honours the first emperor of the nation.

A spectacular scenic drive takes you through the often unseen mountains outside of Rio to the popular summer resort of Petropolis. Also known as ‘The Imperial City of Brazil’, this quaint European-like town was once the summer residence of Dom Pedro II, Brazil’s last emperor.

Spend time at the beautiful Cathedral before visiting the Imperial Museum, home of the crown jewels as well as an impressive collection of fine china, furniture, paintings and tapestries from the imperial court.

Luncheon is served in a typical churrascaria (traditional steakhouse) in Petropolis.

After luncheon, you will have an opportunity to visit Santos Dumont House, former home of the aviation pioneer, Alberto Santos Dumont, also known as Casa Encantada (enchanted house).

Note: Order of highlights may be reversed. Please be advised that there is approximately one hour of walking on this tour over mostly flat terrain.

The perfect option for those who would like to see the sights of Rio, without the walking.

Your scenic drive will take you through downtown Rio, where the colonial past meets the modern day skyscrapers. Visit Rio’s modern Cathedral, which in spite of its size, has no columns inside to support it, making it a most interesting piece of architecture. The Cathedral is the seat of the cardinal archbishop of Rio De Janeiro and stands at a height of 246 feet. Pass the Sambodromo district where the famous world Carnival parades are held. See Flamengo Park, the largest leisure area and urban park in Rio with its strong sporting traditions.

Continue to the exclusive Botafogo Bay, the high class commerce community area, which offers stunning views of the legendary Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Pass by the Botanical Gardens, the Barra da Tijuca district and travel along the coast passing Rio’s popular beachfronts. See São Conrado, Leblon, famous Ipanema and, of course, Copacabana with its vibrant bars, elegant hotels and fashionable nightclubs.

Note: This tour does not include entrances and involves little walking. Neither flash photography, short sleeves nor shorts are permitted in the Cathedral.

Discover the outstanding sights of Rio from the famed Sugar Loaf Mountain.

Your scenic drive takes you to the bustling downtown area, the heart of the commercial city, where traditional Rio blends with modern architecture. Passing through Rio Branco Avenue, you will see the classic Candelaria Church. Highlights en route include the Opera House, Cariocan Square and the 17th century Church of Santo Antonio. The dramatic contrasts between old and new Rio can clearly be seen during the tour.

Visit Rio’s modern Cathedral, with its fascinating architecture: in spite of its size, there are no columns inside to support it. Towering at 246 feet, the Cathedral has the capacity to hold 20,000 people.

The highlight of your tour will, without doubt, be a visit to the infamous Sugar Loaf Mountain. Transfer by cable car to the first stage of the giant rock, towering over the entrance to Guanabara Bay. The midway station invites you to admire the surroundings, before embarking on the second stage of the ride to the peak. From 1,230 feet, enjoy breathtaking views of the city on both sides.

Note: Order of highlights may be reversed. There is little walking involved on this tour, however guests are advised that there are approximately 20 steps or a ten-minute walk up an incline at Sugar Loaf. Please be prepared for queues at the cable car. Neither flash photography, short sleeves nor shorts are permitted in the Cathedral.

An opportunity to see virtually every landmark in Rio, with breathtaking views from Sugar Loaf and Corcovado Mountains.

Start your day with a fascinating city tour taking in the highlights and sights of this amazing city, featuring a ride along Rio’s most celebrated Guanabara Bay.

Ascend via cable car to the stunning Sugar Loaf Mountain rising 1,299 feet above sea level and experience breathtaking views of the Corcovado, sandy beaches, Rio de Janeiro-Niteroi Bridge and the city of Niteroi across the Bay.

A drive along Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon beaches leads you to a delightful luncheon venue, where you can relax and soak up the atmosphere of this unique city.

After luncheon, visit one of the new seven wonders of the modern world, the famous and awe inspiring Statue of Christ the Redeemer at the top of the Corcovado Mountain. You will reach the monument aboard the cogwheel railway, climbing 2,400 feet. From here, you can enjoy an outstanding view of Guanabara Bay.

Note: There are approximately 20 steps or a ten-minute walk up an incline at Sugar Loaf. Although there are now elevators and escalators available to reach the final summit of Corcovado, they may not, however, always be operational. Please be advised that due to the popularity of both highlights, especially at peak times, boarding of the train and cable car may involve a long wait, which is unavoidable as tickets cannot be pre-booked. The highlights on this tour may operate in reverse order to avoid congestion and the tour duration may be extended due to possible heavy traffic.

This tour offers the fantastic opportunity to witness the beautiful coastline of the Guanabara Bay by schooner.

Your scenic transfer will take you to the appealing Marina da Gloria to board your schooner and set off on your unique journey to unforgettable shorelines.

The schooner will sail along the coastline of Rio de Janeiro, passing by the famous beaches such as Flamengo, Botafogo and Urca, offering outstanding views of Sugar Loaf Mountain. Glide towards the Niterói beaches; Niterói is separated from the capital by the Guanabara Bay.

Relax onboard whilst enjoying local refreshments admiring the brilliant coastlines of Jurujuba, Charitas and Icaraí. You will also enjoy views of Fiscal Island, Rio-Niterói Bridge and historic fortresses.

This cruise is a wonderful opportunity to become acquainted with Rio and the beautiful Guanabara Bay from a totally different perspective.

Note: Please be advised that there is approximately 15 minutes of walking from the coach to the pier. The operation of this tour is dependent on weather and sea conditions and the boat is only partially covered.

Embrace the magic of this amazing city from the iconic mountain of Corcovado.

The mountain of Corcovado is topped by the immense 150-foot-high statue of Christ the Redeemer facing out over Guanabara Bay; it is one of the great enduring images of Rio de Janeiro. On a clear day you can virtually see the entire city, from the bustling downtown business district to the fantastic beaches of Copacabana.

Your scenic drive to Corcovado station will show you the sights and sounds of the city before boarding the cogwheel train to reach the peak of this outstanding monument. Climbing the 2,400 feet to the top is a breathtaking experience; be sure to take your camera to capture the incredible sights. Marvel at the magnificence of the statue and the wonderful views from this world famous landmark.

Your return drive will take you via some of the famous beaches in Rio including Leblon, Ipanema and the well known and beautiful Copacabana Beach.

Note: This tour involves approximately one hour of walking. Please be advised that there are many stairs to negotiate and possible long queues at Corcovado. The duration of the tour may be extended due to possible heavy traffic.