Travel bucket list idea:

Helicopter flights over Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro , Southeastern Region, Brazil

Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 25 June, 2023

Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Rio is a city of beautiful views – and the best views of all are from a helicopter as it floats over the city’s boulder-like mountains, beach-fringed bays and sweeping Atlantic Ocean strands.

All flights fly right up to and face-to-face with the magnificent Christ the Redeemer statue, and drift over the dense rainforest that shrouds Tijuca National Park.

The views – of the city, sparkling bays with golden curves of beach, and hills covered with think rainforest or sprawling favela – are so breathtaking that you’ll be back on land before you remember you have vertigo, and the adrenaline buzz will be with you for the rest of the day.

Logistics

Price from: £50

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 10+

When: All year around

Duration: 30 mins

Getting there & doing it

There are three take-off points at Mirante Dona Marta (near Corcovado), Lagoa and Sugar Loaf mountain. From Copacabana and Ipanema, it’s 10 minutes by taxi to Lagoa and 30 minutes by taxi to Mirante Dona Marta; for these heliports you must book ahead. At Sugar Loaf, no bookings are taken; you sign up on a first-come, first-served basis and wait your turn.

Check the forecast before booking, especially during wetter months (December-February). You can choose varying flight paths ranging from 10-30 minutes’ duration; the price increases with the flight time.

When to do it

Flights run all year round, seven days a week, from sunrise to sunset, weather permitting.

Seeing Christ the Redeemer is what makes this special – if it’s wrapped in cloud, then try for another day. The wettest months – with the most cloud – and November to March. April-October, early in the morning when the air is clearest, is best.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour - Christ the Redeemer

Rio de Janeiro

A tour full of charms. Rio de Janeiro is an obligatory itinerary for visitors looking for breathtaking landscapes and that typical carioca friendliness. One of the most charming postcards in Brazil, it can be enjoyed in a unique and unforgettable way through a beautiful panoramic flight. *If on the date of the flight Christ is not visible due to the weather, the flight will be carried out over the beaches. Takeoffs require a minimum capacity of 3, 4 or 5 passengers, depending on the type of helicopter in use.

Price: $178

Min age: 0

Rating 4.95 / 5 [342 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

Helicopter Tour - Samba - (Private Flight - 4 people)

Rio de Janeiro

"Wonderful city, full of thousand charms .... Rio de Janeiro is a compulsory itinerary for visitors looking for breathtaking landscapes and that typical Carioca sympathy. One of the most charming postcards in Brazil, can be appreciated in a unique and unforgettable way through a beautiful panoramic flight. Live Rio de Janeiro from another angle and enjoy the moment to take panoramic photos of beaches, mountains and forests.

Price: $1,800

Min age: 0

Rating 4.96 / 5 [115 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

Rio de Janeiro Helicopter Tour

Rio de Janeiro

What could be better than a sightseeing tour of Rio de Janeiro from the air? From the vantage point of a helicopter, you'll have unforgettable views of this beautiful city, nestled against a backdrop of granite peaks like Sugar Loaf Mountain rising from Guanabara Bay. On this 9-10 minute helicopter tour with a professional pilot, you’ll take some of the most spectacular photos of Rio imaginable, including Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado Mountain, overlooking Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon Beaches and the Atlantic Ocean.

Price: $247

Min age: 0

Rating 4.07 / 5 [41 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

Helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro - 30 Minutes

Rio de Janeiro

The Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro is one of the most popular tours in the wonderful city. Visiting Rio de Janeiro and not taking the helicopter tour is the same thing as going to the beach and not going into the sea, it always leaves you wanting more. It's 30 MINUTES of an UNFORGETTABLE flight passing through the main tourist spots in RJ. You will get to know Rio de Janeiro in an incredible and unique way, we will fly over the most beautiful and most coveted places by tourists, passing alongside Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain, providing an unforgettable moment in your life.

Price: R1,150

Min age: 0

Rating 4.97 / 5 [40 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

Private Helicopter Tour over Rio de Janeiro - 03 people - 30 min

Rio de Janeiro

This tour is perfect for travelers who wish to see our beautiful landscape, mountains, beaches and architecture from a privileged angle. We have the best rates on Viator and Tripadvisor. Our 30 minutes panoramic flights will take you to the most important sites and tourist attractions , such as: Barra beach, São Conrado beach, Leblon beach, Copacabana beach, Ipanema Beach, Maracanã Stadium, Sugar Loaf ,Christ the Redeemer and the Tijuca Forest National Park. Our helicopters follow all the international safety standards. We have highly qualified mechanics and pilots, with international qualification. Do not miss the chance to fly over Rio with a reliable company that offers the most competitive rates on the market.

Price: $630

Min age: 0

Rating 4.36 / 5 [11 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

Website >

SEE ALL RECOMMENDED TOURS

Destination guides

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Rio de Janeiro

Southeastern Region, Brazil

Heaven for healthy hedonists – hang glide, surf or hike by day, relax on the beach and party all night. Then, of course, there’s that carnival…

Website >

More details >