Santa Marta Favela Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Santa Marta Favela. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Favela Santa Marta Tour

• Guided Tour to Favela Santa Marta

• Favela tour Santa Marta With Local Guide

Guided walking tours of Santa Marta Favela in Rio de Janeiro start at US$28 per person. Most tours with a local guide include a ride on the Santa Marta cable car, and some also include round-trip transportation from downtown Rio de Janeiro. A percentage of profits usually supports local initiatives.

Santa Marta Favela is located on the steep hillsides on the western borders of the Botafogo neighborhood. It’s about a 25-minute drive or taxi ride south of Rio de Janeiro’s Centro neighborhood, or you can take the 309 bus to Botafogo. A cable car runs to the top of the favela.

Yes. Santa Marta was the first of Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to be occupied by a Pacifying Police Unit, and it is largely considered safe to visit as part of a guided tour. However, make sure to follow the advice of your guide, leave valuables at home, and stay with the group or guide.

Yes, but it’s not recommended. While it’s possible to walk around the favela during daylight hours, it’s far safer to visit with a local guide. Taking a favela tour is also a way to learn about the area’s history and life in the favelas, meet local residents, and help support local projects.

Guided tours of Santa Marta Favela offer glimpses into local life and culture. Tour experiences often include riding the Santa Marta cable car to the top of the favela, meeting locals, seeing the Michael Jackson Statue, and admiring the street art. Some tours also include lunch or an overnight stay in the favela.