Rio de Janeiro · RIO FAVELA TOURS

The 15 Best Favela Tours in Rio de Janeiro

36 tours  ·  from $27

Rocinha is the largest in Brazil, Vidigal has the view and Santa Marta has the stairs. These 15 are led by guides who live there, and are compared on route, group size, walking distance and what your money supports.

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide - Pickup from Copacabana or Ipanema
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Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

1.Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide

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

Spend about two hours walking through Rocinha with a local guide such as Ray, Bruno, or Carlos. Pickup is available from Copacabana or Ipanema, with multilingual guides, air-conditioned transport, and a community contribution included in the $36 price.

“It was an amazing experience. And our guide Ray, was the best. Very good in English and she made you feel comfortable, which was nice, when it’s your first time in a favela.”

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Rio De Janeiro: Half-Day Rocinha Favela Walking Tour - Meeting at Copacabana Palace
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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, or Daniel, hearing about daily life, history, and local challenges. The three-hour route includes narrow alleys, steep stairs, a hilltop viewpoint, and often a capoeira visit. Small groups keep the experience personal and respectful.

“Wellington was a great tour guide. Very informative tour. Felt safe and residents were very friendly.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide - Mirante Dona Marta and the first big view
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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 a local guide such as Mario, Marco, Luis, or Raycca. See Michael Jackson Square, Mirante Dona Marta, filming locations, social projects, and a guide’s home, with samba, football, and time to meet residents.

“Great cultural experience. The tour didn’t feel exploitative and the history shared with us was appreciated. We highly recommend this tour to anyone looking for a true cultural experience and want to get to know the locals and what the Favelas are about from guides. This tour is hosted by a family that gives back to their community.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with Resident Guide - Starting in Santa Marta: orientation before the stairs
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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 through Rio’s Santa Marta favela with resident guide Gilson Fumaça, whose family has lived there for generations. Visit his mother’s clock-filled home, Michael Jackson Square, local projects, a restaurant, and viewpoints over Christ the Redeemer and Sugarloaf Mountain.

“Just great in all aspects, obrigado Gilson and best wishes for your future and your many projects!!”

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Rio: Favela Rocinha Tour with Local Guide & Secret Spots - Meeting at São Conrado metro station
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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 your English-, Portuguese-, or Spanish-speaking guide at São Conrado metro station for a two-hour walk through Rocinha. Expect local stories, viewpoints, motorcycle transport, community businesses, secret spots, capoeira, samba, and exclusive photos in a group of up to 10.

“It was amazing! My tour guide was awesome, very safe, but gave us a lot of opportunities to do different things:)”

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Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike - Moving through Vidigal by motorbike taxi
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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

Spend five hours exploring Vidigal with a local guide, ride through the neighborhood by motorbike taxi, then hike Morro Dois Irmaos. Guides such as Beatriz, Kako, Rafael, and Robinson lead small or private groups in English, Spanish, or Portuguese, with views toward Rocinha, Ipanema, Leblon, and Copacabana.

“Beautiful hike with amazing views of Rio from the top. Rafael was a great guide.”

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Favela Tour The Original, Rocinha & Vila Canoas since 1992 - Entering Rocinha, Rio’s largest favela
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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

Join Favela Tour, operating since 1992, for a three-hour visit to Rocinha and Vila Canoas. Multilingual guides explain Rio’s social contrasts as you walk alleys, visit a handcraft center, stop at a community school, and meet local people. Pickup is available in Rio’s South Zone.

“I enjoyed the tour. The guide was fantastic telling us many details about the favelas and life there. It was good to visit to favelas because they are completely different. The highlight of the tour was visiting the local school. If you are in Rio I strongly recommend to join this tour.”

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2h30 circuit in the Vidigal Favela - The one-hour climb on Morro Dois Irmaos
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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-Christophe for a 2.5-hour Vidigal experience combining a motorbike ride to the Dois Irmaos trail, a one-hour hike, a local home visit with Rio views, and a guided walk through Vidigal’s alleys and 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 - Meeting at Praça do Vidigal at 4:00 am
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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 at 4:00 am in Praça do Vidigal for a motorbike taxi ride up the community, then hike about an hour to Morro Dois Irmãos. Expect steep sections, sunrise views, photo stops, and a walk back through Vidigal. Groups are limited to 15 people.

“Excellent and safe tour. Early start, but this ensures you get to the viewpoint with the best spot before all of the other hikers show up. Recommend to anyone of good hiking ability who has the morning available to them.”

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Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal - Sunrise adds a second mood to the hike
Dois Irmaos Hikes, Hiking & Trekking, Rio Favela Tours, Rio Hiking Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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

Join a small group of up to 10 for a 4 to 5 hour hike on Morro Dois Irmaos and a guided walk through Vidigal. Fernando leads you by motorcycle taxi to the trail, with views of Rocinha, Christ the Redeemer, Pedra da Gavea, and the coast. Sunrise departures are also available.

“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 - The moto-taxi ride up Rocinha
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Rio Favela Tour

11.Rio Favela Tour

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

Walk through Vidigal with Rodrigo or Henry on a small-group tour focused on local life, favela history, politics, art, and extraordinary Rio views. Expect alleys, lookout points, Eco Park, secret corners, and time to meet people who call the community home. The tour lasts about three hours.

“This was an exceptional tour and Rodrigo was a wonderful teacher, not just a guide. Mindblowing experience”

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Guided Tour to Favela Santa Marta - The free tram and the steep walk
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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

Spend about three hours exploring Santa Marta with a resident guide such as Mario, Marco, or Luis. Visit Michael Jackson Square, ride the community tram when operating, see social projects and the neighborhood association, and learn about daily life, local culture, and community efforts.

“One of my favorite tours I’ve done on a trip. Gave so much perspective and insight while also being a good time”

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Favela Santa Marta: Walking Tour with local guide - Riding up to the highest part of the favela
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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

Ride to the top of Santa Marta, then walk with a local resident guide through colorful streets, community projects, art spaces, shops, and the Michael Jackson viewpoint. Tours run in English, French, Spanish, and Portuguese, with private and small-group options available.

“pas de visite d école de musique, pourtant on entendaient des percussions, on nous a dit que c étais l après midi, après l école”

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Rocinha Local Tour - Luiz, the Local Guide at the Center of the Experience
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Rocinha Local Tour

14.Rocinha Local Tour

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

Walk downhill through Rocinha with local guide Luiz, who explains community life, history, politics, and daily routines in English. You can stop for photos, shop for souvenirs that support the favela, and eat at a family restaurant. Expect about two hours of walking and many steps.

“We had the most incredible tour with Luis. He gave a full insight to the favela-community and created a safe and friendly space. Thank you Luis for an amazing experience”

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Favela Tour in Rio with Transfer service - Vidigal offers a different view of Rio
Rio Favela Tours, Tour Reviews, Tours

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 visiting Rocinha or Vidigal with a local guide such as Hélio, Dario, Carla, or Elio. Walk narrow streets, hear how the community developed, meet residents, and see wide Rio views. Transport is included, but bring water and expect stairs.

“Enjoyed this tour of the favela. It was a good experience to see the neighborhood with someone who is familiar with the area. Though the favela's have a reputation of being dangerous I felt comfortable and safe with our guide.”

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New in Rio Favela Tours

★ 4.4Vidigal Favela TourFrom $4926 reviews
★ 5.0Explore the history and culture of Favela da RocinhaFrom $3930 reviews
★ 3.8Rocinha Jeep Tour: A Journey into the Soul of the Favela!From $863 reviews
★ 4.7Favela Walking Tour of Rocinha with a Resident GuideFrom $1063 reviews
★ 3.0Rocinha Favela guided tourFrom $434 reviews
★ 4.8the biggest favela tour in Rio, lest go!From $8017 reviews
★ 4.34-Hour Guided Tour of Rocinha FavelaFrom $4412 reviews
★ 3.9Favela Jeep Tour to Rocinha and CapoeiraFrom $655 reviews
★ 4.0Favela Tour with Hotel TransfersFrom $4720 reviews
★ 4.6Jeep’n’Culture: Rocinha Favela and Tijuca Rainforest TourFrom $9212 reviews
★ 5.0Hike Dois Irmãos + Vidigal Favela ExperienceFrom $366 reviews
★ 4.7Guided Excursion: Get to Know RocinhaFrom $593 reviews
★ 4.5Discover Rocinha: Guided Tour of the Famous FavelaFrom $583 reviews
★ 4.8AVenturismo 2 Irmãos hill + Vidigal FavelaFrom $487 reviews
★ 5.0A Walk in the Rocinha Favela: Women Leading the WayFrom $4218 reviews

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After dark

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