Address: Copacabana
http://www.donrafaguestsinrio.blogspot.com/

Traveler Reviews

The Only Person You Need to Know in Rio
Reviewed by OsiristheDog on Aug 22, 2010


To the Bing - to the Bong. I have used Rafael as my tour guide on two different trips to Rio and the surrounding region (Tirandentes, Buzios, etc.). I've been to over 70 countries and used hundreds of different tour guides (almost always private guides - not big groups). There are two things I know for sure: Rio De Janeiro is one of the most amazing cities on Earth, and there is nobody better to show it to you than Rafael. You're not just going to see the highlights with Rafael, but he will show the true soul of the people. He will take you to places no other tourists go. He speaks immaculate English, and he has a huge passion for his country, his people, and the culture of Brazil. Southern Brazil is one of those magical places that will get under your skin (in a good way) with a spirit and rhythm that will remain with you forever. Don't experience Southern Brazil without getting in touch with Rafael. It just won't be the same. He's reliable, on time, hard working, and a lot of fun to hang around with. You'll leave Brazil with a new friend for life.

Rafael Torres Lopes
Reviewed by mags095 on Aug 1, 2010


We have never booked a guide before, always being dependent on the tours provided by the company our holiday was booked with. On our last cruise, we were asked to join a couple of holidaymakers on an independent day?s guided tour with Rafael. With some trepidation, we agreed. WE DIDN?T KNOW WHAT WE HAD BEEN MISSING. There was no pushing and shoving into large coaches of up to 50 people for a ?one size suits all day out?. Instead we got a day tailored to our individual needs. We had a guide who knew his stuff, and he explained clearly and with great patience all we should know about Rio . This was done in a very enjoyable way, and at a pace suitable for our party. He was very adaptable, and made the best possible use of every minute of the day. We also saw many interesting things that tour operators would find impossible for larger groups. In addition, Rafa has a very happy personality, lots of patience and lots of fun. Our party was made up of a German and an English couple, and we were all of an older than average age group. No problems there! I can?t compliment Rafa enough, and can offer no better recommendation than to say that I have already booked him for our next visit to Rio in 6 months time.

A local guide who you can trust 100% to do a good job with ANY type of group
Reviewed by CruztheCoast_Jane on Jul 15, 2010


I have worked for the past 10 years as a tour leader for various international tour operators. I know how hard it is to find a local guide who you can trust 100% to do a good job with ANY type of group. With different ages, nationalities, personalities and backgrounds. When I was recommended Rafael I knew he had a background working with a huge variety of groups and individuals but I still wasn´t 100% sure if he would be suited to guide the type of clients I receive for my new company Cruz the Coast Brazil (flexible tours for backpackers and independent travellers). He was fantastic! I hired him to take the group to Arraial do Cabo for the day, on a boat trip with snorkelling and sunbathing. Rafael was perfect for the job! Really good fun. The group loved him. He was like a friend and a guide at the same time. I was so glad he came along. He gave just the right amount of information as to not bombard them with too much. Without me saying anything he could read their personalities, it was amazing! It´s rare to find a guide who can tune in so well to individual´s personalities to automatically know what they like and what they need. I was really impressed. So was the group. Rafael is intelligent, fun, knowledgeable and reliable... always online, always ready to help you, always smiling!. What else could you ask for in a guide? I would recommend him to anyone!

An excellent and unique, fun and knowledgeable guide in Rio! Rafael Torres Lopes
Reviewed by MontrealCarioca on Jul 14, 2010


Rafa was recommended to me by a friend of mine in Montreal, and now I in turn would highly recommend him to everybody who wants to have a memorable, enjoyable experience in Rio! Rafa obviously loves his city and his country very much, and is very enthusiastic about showing to visitors ... he will custom tailor his tour to exactly what you want (so it's not anything like those pre-packaged tours with 3 or 4 typical tourist spots and overly long stops at gift shops ... though if that's what you want I'm sure he'd be happy to accommodate you no matter what :). For the first few days I had been mostly hanging out in the concrete jungle of Rio soaking up the culture, which is wonderful, but one day I really wanted to see the real jungle, and some nature. Rafa took me to the Floresta da Tijuca to see a beautiful waterfall - along the drive there we saw some gorgeous old homes from the colonial era nestled into the green hillsides - and we also stopped at a special natural-source-fed water spout where all the locals go to cool off, and just across the road there were some spectacular views of Rio just above the botanical gardens ... but of course the urbanite/music lover in me could not rest for long, so at night we went to Carioca da Gema, one of Rio's best and most famous samba clubs, in Lapa, and danced until midnight. I still hadn't had enough, and even though I'm sure Rafa had to get up and work the next day too, he decided to take me all the way across the bay to Niteroi to visit his favorite samba school Viradouro (people in Rio love samba the way they love soccer ... everyone has a favorite soccer team and a favorite samba school!) ... they had a rehearsal that night and the drumming, singing, dancing and partying went on into the wee hours!! This was very special because not many tourists get out to Viradouro ... there are a couple of schools much more accessible to the downtown core of Rio - Viradouro is a bit far out and in a less populated area so it definitely has more of a country/village feel to it than the other schools. I think one thing that makes Rafa so unique is that he will operate on whatever schedule you want, and will take you anywhere you want to go. No pre-set agenda, no strict hours ... he just wants you to have a great time and wonderful memories of his land, and if you're open to it (which most of you probably are), to learn a thing or two as well ... if you want he'll do tours of local markets, fishing villages or even favelas, to give visitors a glimpse of real life that many tourists don't get to see ... you can google him and check out his blog, he posts lots of great photos, videos and descriptions of his tours ... Also - just to address a concern that many travelers have when they come to Rio - safety ... I felt completely safe and at ease around Rafa, he really knows what he's doing; of course like any big city things can happen anywhere ... use common sense and don't draw unnecessary attention to yourself whether you're with a tour guide or not; but I can say that I felt Rafa could expertly handle any situation that may come up, so you'll be in good hands wherever he brings you, and you'll have a really great time!

The best driver in Rio!
Reviewed by consul10t on Jul 11, 2010


I used Rafael Torres Lopes (Rafa) as my driver in Rio on my first trip there in 2009, because he came highly recommended in other forums. I did my airport transfers and three full day tours with him. I recommend him to anyone headed to Rio. He knows everything about the history, culture and area. His English is flawless and he is a safe driver. I probably covered five days of vacation in three because Rafa always knew where, when and how to see the sights as well as how to find authentic Brazilian food with a good view. Beyond just the typical tourist places, Rafa took me to places few tourist ever go, like the Marapendi Wetlands on a private boat captained by his friend. He also knows his way around a camera and took some shots that will become lasting memories for me. Having his car to keep my stuff in allowed me to bring extra photo equipment, drinks and tour books that I otherwise wouldn't have bothered to carry. Rafa is also one of those increasingly rare, genuinely nice guys. The kind of person you feel glad that you met in your travels. My highest recommendation for Rafa, my friend in Brazil.