How to take a Helicopter Tour in Rio de Janeiro, Iguazu Falls, and more
- Rachel
- Apr 19
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 3
Brazil’s breathtaking landscapes make it a prime destination for panoramic helicopter and plane tours, offering unparalleled aerial views of its natural and urban wonders. In Rio de Janeiro a doors-off helicopter tour soaring above Sugarloaf Mountain and Christ the Redeemer reveals the city’s dramatic coastline and hillside neighborhoods. Over Iguazu Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls, helicopter tours capture the grandeur of the cascades plunging into the jungle below.
Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, also offers spectacular aerial views of its skyline, giving a change to see one of South America’s most dynamic metropolises from a new angle. Meanwhile, flights over the Amazon Rainforest provide a unique glimpse into one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth.
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Whether seeking adventure, photography opportunities, or a deeper appreciation of Brazil’s geographical diversity, panoramic helicopter and airplane tours offer a truly unmatched way to witness the country’s best sights.
Below are some of the top rated helicopter and plane tours that you can experience in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Iguazu Falls, and the Amazon Rainforest of Brazil.
Helicopter tours in Rio de Janeiro
Here are some of the top highly rated helicopter tours in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. These tours typically allow to you see some of Rio's best sites, including Christ the Redeemer and Copacabana Beach, from the sky.
Flights typically last between 25 to 35 minutes (with optional upgrades), and routes may vary slightly based on weather conditions but consistently highlight Rio's dramatic natural beauty and urban skyline. You can choose to upgrade to a doors-off helicopter for an extra price, giving you a greater view of the city below.
What will you see during a helicopter tour in Rio de Janeiro
The sites seen vary depending on the tour company, but typically include:
Christ the Redeemer (Cristo Redentor)
Sugarloaf Mountain (Pão de Açúcar)
Copacabana, Ipanema, and Arpoador Beaches
Downtown Rio (Centro do Rio)
Tijuca Forest (Floresta da Tijuca)
Maracanã Stadium
Guanabara Bay
Barra da Tijuca Beach
Pedra da Gávea
Niterói
Helicopter tours in Iguazu Falls
One of the most unique helicopter tours in Brazil can be found in Iguazu Falls. This helicopter tour in Iguazu Falls offers a breathtaking aerial view of the falls, one of the New Seven Wonders of Nature and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, providing an unmatched perspective of their vast scale and power in a way that cannot be compared to seeing them from land. During your helicopter tour, you can capture photographs of the cascading waterfalls from above.
Here is a highly rated helicopter tour over Iguazu Falls, allowing you to see the falls from a unique perspective.
Helicopter & plane tours in Sao Paulo
In Sao Paulo, choose between a helicopter tour or a light plane tour, allowing you to see South America's largest city from above.
Light Plane Tour (Bragança Paulista, interior of São Paulo): This customizable panoramic flight departs from Bragança Paulista and offers a tailored experience over the countryside of São Paulo, allowing you to celebrate special occasions or simply enjoy scenic views from above. Passengers can also receive a technical introduction to aviation and participate in flight planning.
Helicopter Tour (São Paulo city): Departing from Campo de Marte heliport, this helicopter tour offers stunning aerial views of São Paulo’s most iconic landmarks, including Avenida Paulista, Ibirapuera Park, and the Cathedral da Sé. The experience includes a scenic flight over the city's skyline, valleys, and architectural highlights aboard a Robinson helicopter.
Here is a highly rated helicopter tour and panoramic flight over Sao Paulo,
Panoramic Airplane tours in the Amazon Rainforest
This a highly rated panoramic flight tour over the Amazon Rainforest gives you a glimpse into the immense scale of the Amazon, that is not possible to experience on land.
This scenic flight (chose between a 30- or 60-minute tour) over the Amazon rainforest departs from Manaus and flies over the UNESCO-listed Anavilhanas Archipelago, the Rio Negro, vast stretches of primary forest, jungle lodges, and small riverside villages. During the dry season (June to October/November), you can also see white-sand beaches along the islands. The tour includes hotel pickup and drop-off.
Have you taken a helicopter or plane tour in Brazil? Tell me about your experience in the comments below!
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