Tours

Cisne Branco. Cruise around the Guaíba estuary aboard the 200-seater Cisne Branco motorboat, which has tables up on the roof deck. At 10:30 am, a one-hour excursion takes in the estuary's main islands while the happy hour trip at 6 pm heads along the shoreline as the sun sets. Drinks and snacks are available on board. More expensive lunch and dinner cruises can also be arranged. Port of Porto Alegre, Main Gate, Av. Mauá 1050, Centro, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90010-110. 051/3224–5222; www.barcocisnebranco.com.br.

Galápagos Tour. This travel agency works with international as well as national destinations. Keep it local with one of their Rio Grande do Sul packages, either up in the Serra Gaúcha, trekking in the canyons around the Aparados da Serra national park, or heading west to São Miguel das Missões. Rua Siqueira Campos 1184, Room 209, Centro, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90010-001. 051/3286–7094; www.galapagostour.com.br.

Noiva do Caí. Leaving from the Usina do Gasômetro, Noiva do Caí runs three boat tours per day, taking in the city shoreline and some of the islands in the Guaíba estuary. On Sunday, an extended 2½-hour boat ride includes a stop-off for lunch in a fishing village. Usina do Gasômetro, Av. João Goulart 551, Centro, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, 90010-120. 051/3211–7662.