Favela Tours

Recommended by 97% of travelers

Badge of Excellence

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Great choice

5+ bookings last month.

3 hours (approx.)
Mobile ticket
Offered in: English

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Overview

Learn about life inside Rocinha, one of Rio de Janeiro's largest favelas. You're driven to the top of the slum community, located on a hillside that overlooks the city, before you descend on foot. Your guide offers insight on Rocinha's socioeconomic issues and the lives of its inhabitants during your walk.

Guided tour of Rocinha, the largest favela in Rio
See tremendous views of the city from the hillside
Learn about local businesses, childcare, and art by its residents
Hotel pickup and drop-off provided in the central district and South Zone

What's Included

localguide
Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)

Food and drinks

Meeting and Pickup

Meeting point

R. Barata Ribeiro, 111 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22011-001, Brazil

End point

This activity ends back at the meeting point.

Operating hours
.9:30 am

Itinerary

Rio de Janeiro

1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Additional Info

Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Not wheelchair accessible
Near public transportation

Infants must sit on laps
Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 19 travelers

Supplied by

Cancellation Policy

You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.

Traveler Photos

Gallery picture 1 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 2 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 3 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 4 (from a traveler's review)

Gallery picture 5 (from a traveler's review)

Reviews

4.8

based on 661 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

We perform checks on reviews

Solid tour and experience

JohnPaul_L, Jan 2026

This was a pretty cool tour. A bit pushy on the politics, but it was overall enjoyable. The tour guide was great.

Response from Host, Jan 2026

Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your feedback and review. The guide is free to explain about the favela and every subject envolved on that. It’s impossible to separate politics from life inside the community. Hope to see you back soon, cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Patrick was a...

Tom_M, May 2025

Patrick was a knowledgeable and kind guide (does good work in the community). Fantastic views from top of the favela and good to see a flavour of life in the town. Free drink and snack and good access to street art and craft goods.

Response from Host, May 2025

Hi Tom, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your review and feedback, it is very important to us. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

First time in the favela

Wilhelm_L, Mar 2025

A great way to see the favela. No need to worry about safety. Please be respectful to the locals and follow your guide :)

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Hi, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your feedback and review. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Rio Favela Tour

Tony_V, Mar 2025

This was a very enriching and moving tour as we learned that Brazil has 12,000 Favelas. Rocinha, which is what we toured, is the largest. It is an amazing experience that should be seen by everyone because it brings stark awareness of the difference in equality and also the tenacity and industriousness of a people to live and make life work. There is beauty in the art within the Favela and the scenery within Rio is spectacular. We learned of moving stories of families and children being positively motivated to become whatever they wanted to be. Patrick, our tour guide, has been very involved in being a mentor to young children to choose a positive path in life instead of being influenced by gangs, drugs etc. We would highly recommend this tour.

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lot for your review and feedback. It was a pleasure to have you with us and glad that you got the spirit of our experience. Hope to see you back soon, all the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Great

karim_m, Mar 2025

Great tour we saw the favela in a very safe environment would highly recommend tour guide is very passionate

Response from Host, Mar 2025

Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your time reviewing us. It was a plesasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Such a fun and enriching...

Emily_L, Feb 2025

Such a fun and enriching tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Great experience! 10/10 would recommend to groups or solo travelers!

Response from Host, Feb 2025

Hi Emily, how are you? Thanks a lot for your review and feedback, it was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Loved It!

Alexandra_B, Dec 2024

This was such an amazing, unique way of discovering a bit of an off-the-beaten-path side of Rio. Patrick was absolutely amazing. Not just as a guide but also as a person. Such a warm and caring man. We loved our time with him.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Hi, how are you? Thanks for your review and feedback, it was a pleasure to have you with us. Hope to see you very soon, Cheers, Be a Local Tours

Quite a good overview of...

PuayYorkPaul_L, Dec 2024

Quite a good overview of Rocinha. The guide, Patrick, was very insightful and provided a fresh perspective to the lives of the dwellers in Rocinha.

Response from Host, Jan 2025

Hi, how are you? Thanks for your feedback, it is very important to us. It was such a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Eye Opening to the Real Rio

hoosain_k, Nov 2024

Wonderfull experience for visitors to understand the real Rio and peopl that make the city work everyday

Response from Host, Nov 2024

Hi, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your review and feedback, it is very import to us. We are glad that you liked it and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

A walk through the favela

Erwin_D, Oct 2024

Walking through the favela was an amazing experience and our guide knew all the do’s and dont’s. Surreal at times but never felt unsafe

Response from Host, Oct 2024

Hello Erwin, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your review and feedback, it is very important to us. Great to know that you had a great time. Hope to see you back soon, all the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Great Tour Option for Visiting Rio Favelas

Jamerson_M, Sep 2024

If you are in Rio and looking to do a favela tour, this is a great option. You'll be part of a small group, but your tour guide is an asset. Patrick was our tour guide, and he helped to humanize and place into proper context life in the favelas. This is a safe tour. I had no concerns about my safety, and these sorts of tours happen all the time. This would be the best experience for anyone wanting to see a whole different reality in this beautiful, vibrant city. The tour comes highly recommended.

Response from Host, Sep 2024

Hi James, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lor for your review and feeback. You did realy get the spirit of our tour. We all hope to see you back soon. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Fabulous!

Andrew_S, Jun 2024

What an experience! Tourguide was very professional and made us feel very safe. Definitely worth the visit. What an eye-opener.

Response from Host, Jun 2024

Hi Andrew, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lot for your review and feedback, it is very important to us. We are glad that you liked and we all hope to see you back very soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Great tour and guide

Sylvester_N, Apr 2024

Transport - the van was spacious and clean. Guide - Patrick was great and he seems very welcomed in the community. He wasn’t pushy at all and kept the tour interesting while providing a ton of information. Tour - it didn’t feel as if we were intruding while walking around. It was very insightful and a great way to spend money with the people directly.

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hello Sylveter, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lot for your review and feedback. Hope to see you back soon, cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Favela Tour

Polona, Mar 2024

The favela tour was excellent. Our guide Patrick had a wealth of knowledge and shared many interesting insights about the way of life in the favela. It was heartwarming to see Patrick's friendly relationship with the local residents, especially the children. 😊

Response from Host, Apr 2024

Hi, how are you? Greetings from Rio. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Interesting view of Rio

joanneporter, Mar 2024

Knowledgeable guide. Didn’t feel as if we were intruding. Made us aware that the favela accepts tourists if the tour is done sensitively which it was

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hello, greetings from Rio. thanks for your review and feedback. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Spring Break Getaway

Carol_C, Mar 2024

We had a great tour with Patrick! He was really informative and led us through all the streets of the Favelas. We enjoyed every bit of it. Immersing ourselves in the culture is key, and Patrick made sure we knew the history and took us through it all. Such a great tour, and we will definitely be back for more, very soon!

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Carol, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lot for your review and feedback, it was a pleasure to have you with us. Take care and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

A contrast of how people live there lives

Janet_C, Mar 2024

The climbing up and down so many steep stairs and alleyways where people live their daily lives, there was on the journey to the Favelas many nice houses and then you get there and make your way through the narrow streets there the accommodation for families is very tight, my main little worry was as a tourist we were perhaps intruding into the world in which they live and we did feel a little uncomfortable with that, our guide Patrick was very patient and informative and answered all our many questions which did put us at ease.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Janet, thanks for your time reviewing us. It was a pleasure to have on the tour and we all hope to see you back soon, All the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Amazing Rocinha tour!

Paula_G, Mar 2024

Patrick our guide was amazing very knowledgeable and gave us lots of information about Rocinha and its history. We felt very safe through the whole tour and stoped in some amazing places. I highly recommend it.

Response from Host, Mar 2024

Hi Paula, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your review and feedback it is very important to us. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Favela tour 👍

douglas_s, Feb 2024

Going right into the heart of the favela and seeing how people lived day by seeing the little kids and the animals that lived there as well.Also the services that are provided for the community.

Response from Host, Feb 2024

Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your review and feedback, it was a pleasure to hear from you. Hope to see you soon, cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Best part of our trip to Rio

Kara_S, Jan 2024

Highly recommended this tour. Not only do you get to see some incredible views, you also get to see and experience the real Rio. The guides are incredibly knowledgeable and make you feel very safe at all times as well as answering all your questions.

Response from Host, Jan 2024

Hi kara, how are you? Thanks for your review and feedback. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you soon.Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Excellent guide, must do.

Zhen_T, Sep 2023

Guide was excellent, knew exactly how to take us through the maze of the Favela to get the best views. Highly recommended.

Response from Host, Oct 2023

Hello, how are you? Thanks for your feedback and review, it is very important to us. Hope to see you back soon, all the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Highly recommended!

Ferdinand_S, Jun 2023

Had a great time with Patrick in Rocinha, learning about the history, challenges, development and life in the community. Profited a lot from Patrick’s inside knowledge and felt safe at all times. There were a few options to buy arts and souvenirs to support the local community, but we never felt any pressure to buy or felt uncomfortable in any way. Can only recommend!

Response from Host, Jun 2023

Thanking will always be little to recognize the good it provides us and the privilege of having you as our customers. Hope to see you soon, cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Favela

Sally_W, Mar 2023

Patrick was an extremely knowledgeable guide. He gave us a lot of insights into Favela life and at no time did we feel unsafe.

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi Sally, how are you? Thanks for your review and feedback, it was a pleasure to have you with us and to alow us to show you the other part of Rio that most of people don't go. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Amazing!

Ruben_N, Mar 2023

Amazing tour. A must do when here. We got to see so much in the favelas. A gem of an experience and a fabulous guide!

Response from Host, Mar 2023

Hi Ruben, how are you? Thanks for your time reviewing us, it was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Rocinha Favela

John_H, Nov 2022

Awesome tour that was very interesting and enlightening. Highly recommended. The guide, Fernando, knows all about the history of Rocinha, the society, challenges, improvement projects, and the daily life of the people who live there. It was very safe, so that is not something you need to worry about.

Response from Host, Nov 2022

Hi John, thank you, it was a pleasure to have you with us. Hope to see you back soon. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team

It was a very pleasant experience!

Tim_P, Aug 2022

It was a great experience. Luis was a knowledgeable guide, very clear to understand, was a joy to be around, and showed us all the interesting spots. I would recommend this to anyone!

Response from Host, Aug 2022

Hi Tim, how are you? Thanks for your feedback and review, it was a great pleasure to have you with us. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team

Brilliant and safe

Santiago_P, Jun 2022

Incredible experience that is also a mandatory visit to understand the realities of Rio and its people. A landscape that is both stunning and baffling, but definitely worth witnessing. The tour was very well organised, and felt safe at all times.

Response from Host, Jun 2022

Hi, how are you? Thanks a lot for your time reviewing us. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team

10/10 Tour. Highly Recommended.

Joel_H, Nov 2020

Amazing tour. It was exactly as I expected it would be and even better than I was hoping for. The tour guide for the day picked me up at the hotel and he was actually a couple of minutes early. We then took his car through Sao Paulo's famously crowded streets to the favela. Along the way, he answered any questions about the town I had which was really nice. In the actual favela, he took us to quite a few different places and even took a lot of time to talk about the favela and different parts of Brazil which I found really interesting. The last part of the tour (getting back to his parked car) was a little too rushed for my tastes but I'm sure it had more to do with time constraints and me not taking the initiative to ask to stop for something than a lack of caring on his part. Overall, highly recommended.

Response from Host, Nov 2020

Hi Joel thanks for your feedback and review, it was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you soon. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team

Favela Rochina

Donald_P, Feb 2020

Patrick was very knowledgeable. He knew the people within the favela and the people knew and trusted him. Those on the tour really need to understand how to follow the guide’s instructions. At times, photos were not allowed yet people took pictures which were later deleted. We had many nice stops within the community to purchase gallery art, bakery items and handmade jewelry. Highly recommend this cultural tour. You must be able to walk steep steps and narrow walkways with cobblestone.

Great tour, but perhaps not for senior citizens

Stanton_S, Dec 2019

My wife and I, well into our senior years, took this fascinating tour. The only thing is that we didn't know in advance that we were in for several hours of walking over precarious, uneven surfaces and clambering around difficult terrain. Patrick, our guide, was excellent. And I think that there is nothing to criticize but I don't think that we were aware of the challenges for people our age. We were certainly introduced into a world that we did not know.