Private tour in Rio De Janeiro Lais T

Carioca for a day - Private tour

5.0

(16) reviews

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later

Lais T.

5.0

Guide rating

364

Reviews

Tours delivered

15 hrs

Avg. response time

Hi! My name is Laís Tammela. As cariocas say, I am "carioca da gema" (which means I was born and raised in Rio). I love to travel, but most of all, I love to share with others my love for the city of Rio de Janeiro! I am certified by Ministério do Turismo to serve as a tour guide in Brazil and South America. I am also a Biology Bachelor and licensed for teaching Science and Biology. For seven years, I worked as a Science and Biology teacher, attending students from 5 to 17 years old. In 2000, I lived in Brisbane, Australia, where I studied English and worked in an Australian Zoo. That was a great experience!! In 2007, I lived in Dallas, U. S. , where I studied tourism, worked at Farmers Branch CVB and taught Biology at Richland College. In 2014, I had a marvelous season in Europe, living in Berlin for 4 months and travelling through Finland, Hungary, Czech Republic, Holland, France, Germany, Denmark and Austria. For years I have hosted my friends from all over the world in Rio and I just LOVE to do it! Since 2009, I decided to become a full-time professional tour guide. I take private tours in Rio with my car (Jeep Renegade Moab) but I can also make arrangements for larger groups (up to 42 people). I have biking and walking tours or we can have fun navigating the Public Transport system in the city - subway, tram, light rail, bus and ferry. Please check all different tour options I have below, all private and personalised to you, including: Tailored tours for 4h, 6h or 8h; Highlights tour - Christ and Sugar Loaf; Nature tours - Botanic Gardens (my favorite), Sitio Burle Marx, Hiking in the jungle, observing Birds, Capibaras and Caimans (aligators); Historic or Political tours; African Heritage tour; Food tours - Farmers market; Art and Culture tours - Santa Teresa, The Maze, Art Museums or Galleries; Soccer Games; Carnaval Experience; Biking tours; Favela tours; Coffee Valley tour; Petropolis Imperial City tour; Rio for Kids; etc. I am fascinated about different people and cultures and it is with great pleasure that I spend the day sharing the "carioca's way of life" and Brazilian culture with others. If you are willing to become a citizen of the world, like myself, come visit Brazil and share with me the wonders of Rio de Janeiro city!! I will tailor the tours according to your interests. In 17 years of guiding, I have hosted couples and families in Rio for up to 10 days straight. And we did different things every single day. :-) Be my guest!! I will be pleased to arrange your pick up from the airport. Ask me how. :-) "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. " Mark Twain - Accredited by the Official Brazilian Tourism Board (Min do Turismo) and Ministry of Tourism - Bachelor in Biological Sciences - Major: Ecology and Licensed for Teaching by Federal University of Rio de Janeiro - Brazil - Travel, Tourism and Management Certificate by Richland College - Dallas, TX - Adoption Doula Training Program by Instituto Doulas de Adoção - Member of the Waldorf School in Rio de Janeiro - Wilderness First Aid Trained

Have a question or want to customize this tour? Message Lais T.

Overview of your Rio De Janeiro tour

If you want to get mixed with real cariocas and enjoy history and architecture, this is the tour for you! Let me show you what locals do in their daily lives. . . where they eat and what? How they have fun? What are their working hours? How does education and politics work? How does we move around the city? All along the tour we are going to use public transportation in Rio (subway, light rail, tram and possibly bus) and take a pleasant walk in our financial and historic district. We will visit the most important historic sights of our Colonial and Imperial time, stop at one of the best and most traditional bakeries in Rio and visit the bohemian neighborhood of Santa Teresa. We will take your pace and make as many stops as you need.

Recent Reviews

Mary B.United States
March 2026

Lais is truly an amazing guide...one of the best we have hired through TBL or other service providers. She is a delight, knowledgeable, accommodating, willing to change the program as needed, cared about all four of our needs and wishes. Her driver and transportation were fantastic. Pre arrival communication was perfect, including links to attractions for me to purchase tickets in advance. Great restaurant advice. If she is available when you are in Rio, hire her!!!

Curtis R.United States
August 2025

We booked with Lais for four tours in Rio de Janeiro. This was the forth tour. Lais has 18 years as a tour guide in Rio, and is amazing. Her knowledge about everything in Rio, and is a biologist too. On this tour we took the TRAM which was built in 1865 to Santa Teresa, which is so fun and interesting, and several other places, including the ornate Cathedral near the original port. Lais is flexible, and tailored our day to best help my wife and I have a wonderful, pleasant day. She recommended amazing things for us to do and restaurants after the tour. We, highly recommend Lais!! She is the best. The next time we are in Rio, we will book another tour with Lais via Tours By Locals for certain!!! We love you, Lais!!

Harry M.
July 2025

We had a great time exploring Rio with Lais. She was very well informed and taught us loads about the history, politics, culture and buildings of the city. She was also great fun to be with, and patiently answered our many questions. We were especially impressed by the way she tailored the tour to suit our interests, not only those we expressed at the start but also those she could see emerging as the tour progressed. As she says, she never does exactly the same tour twice. We can recommend her most strongly.

Jason Z.United States
April 2024

Lais is one of the best tour guides we've had - she is a great communicator planning the tour until you arrive, and she is friendly and flexible and incredibly knowledgeable of Brazil / Rio. She knew local sights and local eateries that you will miss on the big tours. For this tour, we had a great day in Santa Teresa walking through all the sites and hearing all the stories and having great local snacks along the way. Lais was flexible to change based on our interest. We now have a friend in Brazil - A+

Lila N.United States
October 2023

Lais is a great guide, understanding our preferences as the tour went on, and able to provide a very comprehensive and multi faceted tour of Rio. She has a very pleasant personality. We had an emergency before tour end and Lais was more than helpful with our emergent needs. I hope I get an opportunity to tour with Lais again.

Sanjay A.United States
March 2019

We THOROUGHLY enjoyed all 3 tours with Lais. She was very knowledgeable and showed deep interest in explaining Brazilian history and culture. Meeting and spending 3 days with her over different tours was best decision we made regarding our trip to Rio. Thank YOU, Lais. -Sanjay, Rita and Sarju

Your Rio De Janeiro tour itinerary

This tour may be affected by hotel location, traffic, weather conditions and, most of all, adjusted to your interests and pace. During our tour we will come by: - St. Sebastian Metropolitan Cathedral, - Selaron steps, - XV de novembro square, - Travessa do mercado, - Opera House, - National Library, - Museum of Fine Arts, - Lapa arches, - Royal Reading Room, - Largo da Carioca, - Baroque churches, - Santa Teresa district, among others.

Want to customize this tour?

Tell your guide which places matter to you, skip what doesn't, and tailor the experience for your group's needs. Not finding what you want? Message your guide to build something unique.

Transport details
Type: Public Transportation / Category: Subway

We will use public transportation all along the tour (subway, light rail, tram, bus) and walk a lot.

What's included
Other: Fluent english speaking local guide The best of Brazilian hospitality
Private Guide
What's not included
Other: Personal expenses. Transportation tickets (subway, tram, bus), drinks and snacks, souveniers
Public Transportation
Food Drinks Snacks
Tickets
Meeting location

Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Hotel (South Zone or Downtown Rio)

  • You can request a specific meeting location (for example, your hotel) during the checkout.
Other details
Tour categories
City Highlights
Art And Culture
History
Tour reference number
20179
Languages
Portuguese
English
Spanish
Activity level
Moderate
Accessibility
Kid Friendly

Traveller reviews

5.0

FAQs

Who is this private tour in Rio de Janeiro best suited for?

This private tour is perfect for those who want to immerse themselves in the local culture of Rio de Janeiro. If you're interested in experiencing the daily life of cariocas, exploring history and architecture, and enjoying a mix of walking and public transportation, this tour is ideal for you. It's also great for travellers who want to connect with a local guide like Lais T. for deeper insights into the city.

Can this private tour in Rio de Janeiro be customized to focus on what I want to see and skip places I've already visited?

How long is the tour, and can the start time or duration be adjusted?

Where does the tour start and end?

Is transportation included?

How much walking is involved, and is it suitable for kids, seniors, or travellers with mobility concerns?

What languages is this tour offered in?

What's included in this private tour, and what should I budget for separately?

Is this a private tour? What is the maximum group size and the starting price?

AI-generated. Please confirm details with your guide

-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
-
Hours icon 8 hours
Public transportation
Private tour for 1-8 people
Your party size

1

Tour date
View our cancellation policiesUpgrade for total flexibility with Any Reason Cancellation
Book with a depositSecure your tour today and pay your balance later
More tours in Rio De Janeiro by Lais T.
Similar tours in Rio De Janeiro
Explore more of Rio De Janeiro
Rio Classic TourPrivate Tour - 7h Tailored - Rio your own wayVan, Driver and private tour guide up to 7 hoursFull-Day Rio de Janeiro Highlights TourCustom Private Rio Tour with Local Guide in Rio de JaneiroOne day trip: Favelas, Christ, Sugar Loaf, Selarón, Urca, Copacabana - Private Full Day TourRio de Janeiro Your Way – Highlights, Viewpoints and Local ExperiencesThe Custom TourRio de Janeiro Private Tour - 7h tailoredRio Highlights Private TourHighlights of Rio, Private TourThe highlights of the city in a 7 hour tourRio Nightlife TourRio Private Tour for Groups – van for up to10 peopleLet's Create a Custom Tour For You !!!Private Tour - 4h Tailored - Rio your own wayRio's local Foodie TourRio de Janeiro, meet my hometown! Full Day Private tour - 8hTijuca Forest, wild life and pontoon boat9-hour Full-Day Tour of Rio de JaneiroTwo day tour with pick ups and drop offChrist the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor) + Sugar Loaf + Tijuca Forest + Copacabana beach + Sambadrome + Santa Teresa + MORE!Two day private tour in Rio de JaneiroPrivate Sugar Loaf and City - Skip The Line TourPrivate Half-day Tour of Rio de JaneiroRio Must-see attractionsRio de Janeiro Customized TourFull Day Private Tour - with van - up to 13 peopleThe Best of Rio de Janeiro!Rio Day TourRio’s Must-Sees in One Day – Private Tour with Local GuidePrivate Tour - 6h Tailored - Rio your own way.Rio Private Tour for Groups – van for up to10 peopleAngra dos Reis in one day. (Private speed boat trip)Rio private tour - Guide + Private Transportation - 8hPrivate Transfer from Rio to São Paulo Road TripHalf-Day Rio de Janeiro Highlights City TourPrivate 04 Hours Custom TourThe Ultimate Rio Soccer Experience Christ the redeemer & Sugar Loaf