Disclosure
Jade Peak writes about places, experiences, and the people behind them, so hotels, operators, and companies come up often. We have no financial relationship with any entity named in this article. If that ever changes, we'll say so plainly, right here at the top.
Rio de Janeiro is a city whose best moments happen outdoors, in the light, with the wind coming off the sea, and that's why an open-top jeep tour with Rio Jeep Tour turned out to be one of the best experiences we've had in the city, and one of the best tours we've had at Jade Peak. Christiane was our guide, and she made the day. We highly recommend her if you are planning to take this service.
You see the real city that curtains and tinted glass hide
Rio's traffic is real, and in a sealed van it can turn a day of sightseeing into a day of sitting. In an open jeep it flips completely. You're outdoors in the breeze, watching everything unfold around you instead of peering through tinted windows or half-drawn curtains like you would on a big coach. There's nothing between you and Rio, so you see the streets, the people, the beaches, and the hills with total clarity, and the guide talks you through it as you drive without ever feeling heavy or like a lecture. The fresh air makes a difference too. One of our co-founders gets car sick easily, and out in the open breeze she was perfectly fine. Better still, the tour pulls over right in the heart of the city to show you what you're looking at, real, grounded facts delivered where you can see them with your own eyes, so you come away understanding the city.
On a sunny day, the whole tour opens up
Pick a clear day and the whole thing transforms. With the roof off and the sun out, Rio's mountains, forest, and coastline open up around you in a way no enclosed vehicle can match. Because you're exposed to the elements, the weather matters: try to avoid a rainy day, bring sunglasses and sunscreen for the open sun, and pack a light jacket for the wind as you drive. Get all that right and it's the kind of day you remember long after the trip is over.
It's boutique
This is what sealed it for us. On our day, the two of us shared the jeep with only four other people, a world away from a fifty-seat coach, which makes everything more personal and relaxed. Plus we didn't have to wait in long lines for the Cristo, Sugarloaf… It’s a massive perk. They also handle pickup and drop-off at your hotel and take care of food, so there's nothing to organise on the day. It's a low-stress experience you rarely get at this price.
Shooting Rio from an open jeep
More than anything, the jeep makes you feel part of the city. You see the real Brazil: people cycling, going about their day, living their afternoon on the beach. And because you're out in the open with no glass in the way, you can capture far more unique photos of icons like Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain than you ever could from inside a bus. We did the full tour and worried we'd be worn out by the end, but it was 100% worth it. One tip: stop for a good coffee before the restaurant, it's the perfect way to recharge partway through.
Originally published at jadepeak.com.
