The 15 Best Favela Tours in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide - Starting from Copacabana, Ipanema, or São Conrado

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 3,052 reviews · 2 - 3 hours · from $36Our pick

You’ll travel by air-conditioned minivan from Copacabana, Ipanema, or São Conrado to Rocinha for a two-hour guided walk. Local guides including Ray, Bruno, and Carlos explain daily life, answer questions, and help you explore with care.

“We learnt a lot from our tour guide Ray, she is from Rocinha and keen to share any details with you and answers questions in detail. She takes care of each guests individualy.”

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Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

2.Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 2,272 reviews · 3 hours · from $35

Walk through Rocinha with local guides such as Wellington, Alberto, Daniel, or Martin. Expect steep stairs, narrow lanes, local stories, city views, a possible rooftop drink, and a capoeira visit. The three-hour tour runs in English, Spanish, or Portuguese.

“The tour with Alberto — a guide who has lived and grown up in the favela for over 60 years — was absolutely fantastic. From the very beginning, we felt completely safe and well taken care of. We visited areas considered difficult, where gangs are present, yet at no point did we feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Alberto’s experience, local respect, and deep connection to the community created an atmosphere of trust and calm throughout the tour. It was a truly powerful and eye-opening experience to see firsthand how people live, work, and function in the favela — in an authentic, unfiltered way. Thank you for this unforgettable experience. I highly…”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide

3.Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 488 reviews · 150 minutes - 3 hours · from $28

Walk Santa Marta with residents such as Mario, Luis, Marco, and Raycca, visiting Michael Jackson Square, Mirante Dona Marta, social projects, local shops, and a guide’s home. Expect samba, football, frank stories, and a close look at daily life, with English, Portuguese, and Spanish guidance.

“Absolutely fantastic, so glad I decided to do this. Luis was an amazing guide”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide

4.Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 220 reviews · 2 hours - 150 minutes · from $27Best value

Walk Santa Marta with Gilson Fumaça, a lifelong resident and community guide. Learn about favela life, visit his family home and social projects, ride the cable car, see Michael Jackson’s video site, and enjoy views toward Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

“The best experience ever. I highly recommend this tour. We dived into culture of favela, we got to know how they live, how their houses look like, where kids study, how the favela functions. The guide is amazing, he could answer each our question and provide the best service.”

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Rio: Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots

5.Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 218 reviews · 2h 30m · from $43

Meet at São Conrado metro and spend about 2.5 hours exploring Rocinha with a resident guide such as Malu, Gisele, Jade, Antonio, or Felipe. Ride a moto taxi uphill, walk through local streets, visit lesser-known viewpoints and community projects, and watch capoeira and samba.

“Malu was an amazing host/guide who ensured we all felt safe and at home in the favela. Her experience as a local was priceless. From the motorbike transport to the top of the favela and the inclusive walk to the bottom, she shared her knowledge in impeccable English, explaining the history, culture and life of those who lived in the favela. Thank you for sharing your life with us, Malu, and thank you for your hug 🥰 Jillian”

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Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike

6.Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 121 reviews · 5 hours · from $88

Explore Vidigal with a local guide, ride neighborhood motorbike taxis, then hike Morro Dois Irmaos for views of Rocinha, Leblon, Ipanema, and Copacabana. Guides such as Robinson, Jessie, Beatriz, and Kako have led this five-hour outing in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.

“Raphael is a great guide, very comunicative and enthusiastic. He knows his stuff and safety always comes first. It's a pretty steep ascent but the panorama is worth it and also the insight of the Vidigal favela is priceless.”

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Favela Tour The Original, Rocinha & Vila Canoas since 1992

7.Favela Tour The Original, Rocinha & Vila Canoas since 1992

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 113 reviews · 3 hours · from $33

Since 1992, Favela Tour takes you from Rio’s South Zone to Rocinha and Vila Canoas for a three-hour walking tour. Expect local guides, alleyways, a community school, craft work, social context, and broad city views. Tours run in English, French, Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

“Amazing experience! A lot more value than expected! Our guide, Francesco, was knowledgeable, and explained everything about the history of the favelas and so much more. Can’t recommend enough!”

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2h30 circuit in the Vidigal Favela

8.2h30 circuit in the Vidigal Favela

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 88 reviews · 2 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $50Top rated

Join Jean, also known as Jean-Christophe, for a 2.5-hour walk through Vidigal and up Morro Dois Irmaos. Expect a motorbike transfer, sweeping views, a stop at a local home, favela alleys, and the resident-run Ecological Park. The group is limited to 10 people.

“I originally booked the tour to be a combination Dois Irmaos hike and Vidigal Favela tour. The latter was more of an afterthought for me; I was more interested in the hike.”

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Sunrise at Morro 2 Irmãos – Vidigal – Rio de Janeiro

9.Sunrise at Morro 2 Irmãos – Vidigal – Rio de Janeiro

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 80 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $57

Meet Christian or Junior at 4:00 a.m. in Praça do Vidigal, ride a motorbike taxi up through Vidigal, then hike about an hour to Morro Dois Irmãos. Reach the summit for sunrise over Rio, and walk back through the community while learning about its history and sights.

“The hike was incredible! Christyan was a great tour guide and allowed us to hike at our own pace since we don't hike too much on a regular basis. Plus he messages me ahead of time to let us know the meeting point and sent pictures to ensure we arrived at the correct spot. Would highly recommend to anyone going to Rio!”

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Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal

10.Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 65 reviews · from $53

Meet near the Sheraton Grand Rio for a four to five-hour hike through Morro Dois Irmaos and Vidigal. Guide Fernando leads you by motorcycle taxi to the trail, with sweeping views of Rocinha, São Conrado, Christ the Redeemer, and the coast. Snacks and drinks are optional.

“Fernando is a Star. This is the best tour in South America that I have done thus far (travelled ~5 months over multiple years throughout South America). My partner and I took this tour for the sunrise option and the views are absolutely stunRead more”

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Rio Favela Tour

11.Rio Favela Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 64 reviews · 2 to 3 hours (approx.) · from $35

Walk Vidigal with Rodrigo or Henry on a three-hour small-group tour through alleys, lookouts, art-filled streets, and Eco Park. You’ll hear local history and current issues, meet residents, and see Rio from high above. The tour starts at noon and returns to its meeting point.

“I think this tour is meant to be a learning experience and you will get it. Worth taking if you want to get the real about the favelas”

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Guided Tour to Favela Santa Marta

12.Guided Tour to Favela Santa Marta

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 60 reviews · 3 hours (approx.) · from $35

Join a Santa Marta resident such as Mario or Marco for a three-hour private walk through Rio’s favela. Visit Michael Jackson Square, community projects, the neighborhood association, local transport, and a caipirinha workshop. Expect steep steps, narrow lanes, and an honest look at daily life.

“I rarely write reviews but this tour was so heart-warming that I would like to share it with all. We were staying in copacabana and very worried how safe it will be to go to favella. To our surprise, our guide was the sweetest person who made us feel safe at every moment. It was even safe to have our mobile phones with us and take pictures. The guide is well-respected in favella and they are like community where everyone knows each other. You will see colorful, real Brazil and leave with good memories. Our guide was actually born and raised in this Favella and we even visited his house.…”

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Favela Santa Marta: Walking Tour with local guide

13.Favela Santa Marta: Walking Tour with local guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 41 reviews · 2h 30m · from $34

Spend 150 minutes walking through Santa Marta with a local resident guide. Ride uphill by funicular when operating, visit arts and social projects, see Michael Jackson’s statue and enjoy broad mountain views. Tours run in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese, with private and small-group options.

“Mauvaise expérience. Début initiale à 10h, notre guide n’est arrivé qu’à 10h45 et nous avions stipulé une visite en français hors le guide attribué ne parlais que quelques mots. Pas beaucoup d’explication sur la visite et juste une balade dans la Favela.. bref, très mauvaise expérience et très peu d’information sur l’histoire de ce lieu.”

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Rocinha Local Tour

14.Rocinha Local Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 41 reviews · 1 to 2 hours (approx.) · from $33

Meet local guide Luiz at Rocinha’s municipal health center for a two-hour English walking tour through the community. Learn about its social, political, and economic life, stop for photos, and optionally eat at a family restaurant or shop for souvenirs that support the favela.

“I highly recommend this tour to anyone staying in Rio. We were a bit hesitant booking this tour but our guide luiz put our minds at rest and opened our eyes on life in a favela. I guarantee you will truly see what life is really like instead of what the films show you! I'd recommend doing a favela tour with a local guide, luiz was very knowledgeable and open to answering any questions we had. Thanks luiz!”

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Favela Tour in Rio with Transfer service

15.Favela Tour in Rio with Transfer service

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 40 reviews · 4 hours (approx.) · from $50

Spend about four hours exploring Rocinha or Vidigal with a local guide such as Hélio, Dario, or Carla. Walk narrow lanes, hear how the community formed, meet local people, and take in wide Rio views. Transport is included, but expect stairs, a long walk, and a possible crowded minivan.

“I loved this tour to the favela and enjoyed our guide Lydia. She took us to great places--especially the viewpoints. I would've given this 5 stars but the ride to the favela for 5 people was very tight--not comfortable. It would have been sufficient if only three people, but five, it was crowded--especially since the ride took about an hour due to traffic. Still seeing the favela up close and personal was a real treat. We felt safe and comfortable there.”

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