Rio tour guide

The first question I'd ask myself, if I was you, is do you really need one? It's a valid one if you are baulking at price. The Cristo is easy and safe to access by yourself and requires no real explanation or interpretation. The same is true of most of the more popular tourist sites.

Not sure what you mean by waterfalls, there's aren't any of any particular note within the city limits so unless you are planning on a trip to the Serra dos Órgãos, Petropolis or the quaint liitle ones in the Baixada Fluminense. The only waterfall that would seem vaguely worthy of sightseeing within the city, that I know of is Cascatinha Taunay. That's accessible by cab.

Now if you are determined on a professional guide, then of course you will pay for it. I'd suggest Rafael Torres. I've never used him myself but have met him and a friend of mine who runs a guest house recommends him to her guests.

There are small waterfalls in Jacarepagua, Freguesia, Jardim Clarisse, Bosque dos Esquilos, Estrada do Sacarrão, Camorim, Parque da Pedra Branca, etc. in the west zone of the city. Don't know how much water are there now because this is the hottest and drier summer in the history of Rio de Janeiro. My grandson of seventeen has been at some of these places and other almost unknown like praia do Perigoso and praia secreta. He uses only public transportation and walks when it's necessary (student = tight budget). He doesn't speak English. Let me know if you want to make an attempt.

We didn't feel we needed a guide. The metro is clean and fast. The taxis are mostly not very expensive and so we took one to Corcorvado for the Cristo. Took the metro to Centro. Another day a taxi to Sugarloaf. Metro and bus to Leblon beach, for example.

Thanks for the tips, I found my way around on my own just fine as soon as I got my bearings!

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