A typical yellow taxi in Rio de Janeiro. It serves tourists as well as locals.
There is no such a thing as tourist taxis in Rio de Janeiro. By definition, a tourist taxi would be a taxi that takes only tourists, and that does not officially exists in Rio de Janeiro.
However, there are taxi stands near or right across certain hotels in Copacabana where you can take a cab whose driver specializes in driving tourists to the airport (GIG or SDU), to Christ the Redeemer, to Sugar Loaf, and to other attractions in Rio de Janeiro as well as outside the city such as the small towns Buzios, Paraty, and Petropolis.
Typical taxi stand. There are many of these near hotels, attractions, and nightlife areas.
Many of these drivers are very experienced, being in the taxi and tourism business for many years. Some speak foreign languages such as English, Spanish, and more rarely French and Italian.
Some of these taxis are yellow, and run on the meter. Others have other colors, and are called special taxis (or radio-dispatched taxis). The special taxis have no meter, and run on a flat rate. They are considerably more expensive than the yellow taxis that run on the meter.
Taxis near Sugar Loaf
For a tourist, one of the best ways to visit Rio de Janeiro is by taxi. That’s why I have created a self-guided taxi tour detailed itinerary. That’s the perfect companion for the visitor who doesn’t speak Portuguese and who hires for a day tour a taxi driver who doesn’t speak English (which is very common).
This taxi tour itinerary is aimed at the independent traveler who wants to explore Rio de Janeiro on his own. Bear in mind that Rio is very spread out, so a vehicle (a taxi in this case) is essential to visit all the attractions that are geographically far from each other.
This comprehensive itinerary and its map allows the tourist to go sightseeing on a taxi and visit the top attractions as well as the off the beaten path ones.
Don’t hesitate in having in your hands an essential resource to visit Rio on a taxi. Get your copy of My Rio Travel Guide and start planning your self-guided taxi tour of Rio de Janeiro.
Click below to have a great taxi tour of Rio de Janeiro!
