Experience Rio through culture, history & soul.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
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 Marian D 
 
 
 
 Verified 
“ The ladies that brought the rain to Rio.” We could not have seen this beautiful city without Florencios Tours!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Gabriela R 
 
 
 
 Verified 
For those hesitant No matter the words I choose to use for this review, it will be an incredible understatement to the profound impact it has left on me. Gabriella who was our tour guide is absolutely incredible and was able to help us navigate very sensitive and difficult subject matter while showing us the beautiful resilience of the people built who built the incredible city (from buildings to the vibrant Brasilian culture) that we now know and love. There is so much about this history that is not taught anywhere in the world and you can only truly experience it through excursions like this. Black history is world history and it is the history of human kind. If you are reading this review and hesitant about booking – book it, as long as you do so with an open mind and open heart. It will change you, like it did for me. You might also leave with new heroes and names you did not know before this tour and you will never be able to forget after. Thank you Gabriella for this incredible experience. You are incredibly talented and I’m so grateful for your perspective. You truly embodied the spirit of Sankofa, showing us the past and empowering us to take the lessons into the future. This will sit in my heart for the rest of my life.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 pas london 
 
 
 
 Verified 
An Afro-Brazilian journey in Rio Today I experienced an unforgettable tour of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro with our guide, Rafael. I left my hotel in Copacabana knowing that the area in which I was staying represented only a small fraction of the life, history and experiences that make up Rio. Rafael took us on a journey through the history of Africans who were brought involuntarily to Brazil — a journey marked by blood, sweat, resilience, resistance and survival. Through the streets of Little Africa, we began to understand how generations of Africans, despite unimaginable obstacles, shaped the culture, identity and soul of Brazil and became part of what we now recognise as Afro-Brazilian history. The story was honest, powerful and deeply moving. Hearing it told by an Afro-Brazilian guide gave the experience an additional depth and authenticity. Rafael did not simply explain dates and historical events; he connected us to the people, their struggles, their achievements and the legacy they left behind. It made me reflect on how easy it is as a visitor to experience the beauty of Rio without fully understanding the history beneath its streets. Little Africa is not simply somewhere to visit. It is somewhere to listen, learn, reflect and remember. Thank you, Rafael, for sharing this history with such knowledge, passion and humanity. This was much more than a tour — it was an education and an experience I will carry with me long after leaving Rio.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Cynthia Gillespie 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Unforgettable Experience with Florencios Tours! My friends and I booked Florencios Tours for our trip to Rio de Janeiro, and it was one of the best decisions we made. We wanted a balance between the major tourist attractions and a deeper dive into the Afro‑Brazilian cultural history of Rio — and Florencios Tours delivered this perfectly.A huge thank‑you to Damanica and our amazing tour guide, Gabrielle, who were both incredibly knowledgeable, warm, and attentive. They listened to our interests and crafted a day that felt personal, meaningful, and beautifully paced.From iconic landmarks to powerful cultural sites, every stop was intentional and enriched with stories that helped us understand Rio beyond the surface. We left feeling connected, inspired, and grateful for the experience.Highly recommended for anyone seeking a tour that goes beyond the typical itinerary and truly honors the client!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Eliza626 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Memorable Adventure We arrived in Rio on July 2 for a four day stay before going to São Paulo. So it was important for us to have a structured tour so we could get the most out of our visit. Gabriella our very knowledgeable and caring tour guide met us in the airport and escorted us to our van where Paulo our driver was waiting. There were five people in our group and they took great care of us. They took us to our hotel in Copacabana where we checked in and came back down to go on a sunset tour of Sugar Loaf mountain. After we went to the Ginga Show which wasn’t that far from our hotel. The Gabriela explained our itinerary for the next few days which included some of the closures for the July 5 FIFA Brazil vs Norway. The next morning we visited Christ the Redeemer Statue and Gabriela made certain that accommodations were made for me since I have issues with my knee. We took the train up to the statue which was amazing!! After we went to lunch at a steak house where the food was phenomenal. We visited the Samba School which I personally loved and we did a walking tour of Little Africa. Gabriella explained in detail what we were looking at and the history behind it. We were a group of educators from New York City so we had an eagerness to learn as much as possible to bring back to our schools and classrooms. The museums she took us to were very deep in revealing the AfroBrazilian experience in ways that we did not know. The murals, favelas, and mansions, and people we experienced along the way will require another trip. Of all the places I’ve been, Brazil 🇧🇷 Rio is the most memorable. We will be back!
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Cruiser59305256980 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Little Africa Tour If you’re ever in Rio, please book this tour. Our tour guide carol was absolutely amazing!!! She’s very knowledgeable, organized and has such a sweet spirit. We learned so much about the history of Brasil and Carol also shared a little bit about her own personal background. Whenever I’m in Rio, I will definitely book again with her. Please ask for Carol when you book. Thank you again, Carol and team for putting together such an amazing tour.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 twinklesva 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Phenomenal history and culture tour! This is a wonderful, must do tour while in Rio!! Our stops at museums, important statues, the famous ethnicities wall and Pedra do Sal are experiences that our group will always remember! Ana Julia was an expert and exceptional tour guide. She is a passionate ambassador for Brazil and Rio! She offered tremendous insight that helped us to better appreciate the rich culture, diversity, fantastic experiences that Rio has to offer today. We asked a lot of questions about the history and struggles, similar to the US, both past and present. The tour company, Florencios Tour, was easy to reach via WhatsApp, provided us with timely information regarding how to meet our guide. We appreciated the timely pickup, drop off and safe ride with the professional limo driver.
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 catherine c 
 
 
 
 Verified 
Good Time The tour was the highlight of my trip
  
 
  
 
 
 
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 Dr. Lisa 
 
 
 
 Verified 
This is the tour you came to Rio for Our group of 18 friends and family arrived in Rio as part of the Dave Koz Cruise. My mother discovered Florencios Tours & Travels and connected directly with the owner, Damiana. As fate would have it, she didn't just book us a tour — she introduced Damiana to the entire Dave Koz Cruise community. We were the first cruise ship group to receive the full Florencios experience. We would not be the last. Several dozen other Dave Koz cruisers followed. Way to go, Mom. By the time we confirmed our booking, Damiana felt less like a tour company owner and more like a friend my mom had known for years. That kind of warmth sets a tone — and it carried into every single moment of the day. Our guide was Larissa, with Lucas alongside her to help navigate the group. Larissa is extraordinary. She is energetic, deeply knowledgeable, and genuinely passionate about what she does. She didn't just show us places — she told us their stories. From the excavated auction site to the museum, she kept our group engaged with thoughtful questions and a command of Black African history, culture, and celebration that made everything feel alive and meaningful. Then came the carnival site — and Julia. To experience carnival from the inside of the process is something most cruisers never get to do. Our group tried on costumes, danced, and played instruments alongside actual carnival artists. Not as observers. As participants. The kind of moment you cannot manufacture and cannot forget. If you are looking for a tour that centers the Black African diaspora experience — its history, its traditions, its joy — with intelligence, intention, and heart, this is it. Not a footnote. Not a detour. The main event. Damiana, Larissa, Lucas, and Julia: thank you for making Rio unforgettable in all the right ways. This is exactly the kind of experience that stays with you long after the ship has sailed.