Maracana Stadium Tour: Behind-the-Scenes Access

After pickup at your Rio hotel, meet your guide and travel to Maracanã Stadium to immerse yourself in the world of futebol (pronounced 'foo-chee-bol' by the locals.) This 3-hour tour gives you the opportunity to stand on the hallowed ground of this legendary stadium, renovated to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup. Originally built to host the 1950 World Cup (during which Brazil suffered a devastating loss), it was the largest stadium in the world at that time and was officially named Estado Jornalista Mario Filho. Stroll around the empty stadium, normally full of up to 183,000 screaming fans. Enter the locker rooms, decorated with the jerseys of famous retired players, and enjoy access to the press room. Park yourself on the Brazilian team bench, where players from Vasco, Flamengo, Fluminense and Botafogo have sat before you. Gaze out on the hallowed pitch, enjoying the same vantage point as the players do during a game. Walk up the entry ramp, just like Ronaldo used to in every game, and imagine the roar of a crowd around you as you step onto the field. Listen as your guide tells tales of the send off of Garrincha's earthly remains and Pele's thousandth goal. At the conclusion of this soccer-fanatic tour, enjoy transportation back to your Rio hotel.

• Professional guide

• Hotel pickup and drop-off to/from most hotels located in Rio's South Zone

• Ticket to the Visit through Maracanã Stadium

• Entry/Admission - Maracanã

• Gratuities

• Food and drinks