3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide
Recommended by 94% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- 3 hours (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Get an in-depth local experience with this walking tour of one of Rio's "favelas," Rocinha. Follow your resident guide through the slum to get an insider's perspective on daily life and learn about the challenges these communities face. Upgrade your experience to a 2-day tour that includes a visit to Tijuca Forest.
- Enjoy a guided Rocinha favela walking tour
- Learn about the challenges of life in Rio's slums
- Gain insight into the community from a resident favela guide
- Price of tour includes monetary contribution to the community
What's Included
- Local guide
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (select hotels only)
- Access Contribution to community
- Gratuities
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting points
Select a meeting point
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Itinerary
Begin your experience with convenient pickup at your Rio hotel, then transfer to Rocinha, Brazil's largest favela.
Meet your local guide, a favela resident, and set off through community on foot. Learn about daily life in the favela and the challenges that residents face. Hear about the history of the favela and how these communities have become a large part of the culture of Rio.
The price of your tour includes a monetary contribution to the community.
Please note: We are sensitive to the issues and concerns surrounding favelas; we understand that this tour may not be suitable for everyone. The purpose of this tour is for educational reasons alone and allows for a better understanding of local life.
Meet your local guide, a favela resident, and set off through community on foot. Learn about daily life in the favela and the challenges that residents face. Hear about the history of the favela and how these communities have become a large part of the culture of Rio.
The price of your tour includes a monetary contribution to the community.
Please note: We are sensitive to the issues and concerns surrounding favelas; we understand that this tour may not be suitable for everyone. The purpose of this tour is for educational reasons alone and allows for a better understanding of local life.
1
Copacabana Beach
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
2
Ipanema Beach
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Not Included
3
Salocin Tour
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Near public transportation
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
- Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- May be operated by a multilingual guide
- Be aware of uneven steps
- For the privacy and comfort of all participants, we do not allow sunglasses equipped with cameras on our tours.
- You must be fit or in good condition to walk at least 5 km
- Our walking tour is around 3km downhill
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 45 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.8
based on 868 reviews
Aaron_M, Apr 2026
Best tour we have ever done Martin was great so knowledgable and engaging. I would highly recommend this to anyone
Anastasios_K, Apr 2026
The tour was very interesting and insightful. I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to learn how many Brazilians live like
Denise_K, Apr 2026
An incredibly fascinating and unique experience. Martin was an amazing guide, and what made it truly special is that he actually lives in the community, so you’re getting a real and authentic perspective, not just an outside view. It truly felt like a city within a city, with its own shops, culture, and daily life. Highlights included stopping at a local bar for drinks and watching a pickup soccer game with neighborhood kids.
I felt completely safe the entire time and was able to fully enjoy the experience. Just be ready, it’s a workout with lots of stairs and winding paths, but that’s part of what makes it so immersive. Highly recommend.
Angela_V, Mar 2026
Ray was an excellent guide. The tour was amazing, really informative. You really got to understand a bit of life in the favela. I felt really safe the whole time and enjoyed the experience.
yulitza_c, Mar 2026
10/10 experience. We got a good history lesson , a lot of sight seeing . Great customer service and more !
Rcm2, Mar 2026
Great way to see the biggest favela in Brazil. Jonny was great and the drone video was amazing! Thank you!
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! 😊
We’re really happy to hear you enjoyed exploring Rocinha with Jonny — he truly loves sharing his community and making the experience special for everyone. And yes, the drone footage is always a highlight!
It means a lot to us that you chose to visit with us. We hope to see you again on another adventure in Rio! 🇧🇷
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Leia_V, Mar 2026
Bruno was a great guide! The motorbike ride at the start was both thrilling and terrifying. Bruno was great at answering questions and telling about how the favelas operate. I felt very safe and was overall a very interesting experience.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your great feedback!
We’re happy to hear that you had such an exciting and interesting experience. The motorbike ride is definitely a unique way to start the tour — a mix of thrill and adrenaline that many guests never forget!
Bruno will be very pleased to know that you appreciated his guidance, knowledge, and willingness to answer questions. It’s also wonderful to hear that you felt safe throughout the experience, as that is always one of our top priorities.
Thank you again for sharing your experience with us!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Sue_A, Mar 2026
Amazing and insightful tour. Our guide Martin lives in the favelas and was really informative and made the tour incredibly interesting and memorable
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
We’re very happy to hear that you had an amazing and insightful experience with Martin. Being a local, he brings a unique and authentic perspective that truly makes the tour more engaging, interesting, and memorable.
We really appreciate you taking the time to share your experience!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Stuart_C, Mar 2026
Martin,s tour was Excellent with lots of background information and Insight int Favela living. Very interesting morning
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind feedback!
We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Martin. His deep knowledge and personal experience truly help bring valuable insight into life in the favela, making the experience both informative and meaningful.
It’s great to know you had such an interesting morning with us!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Nick_P, Mar 2026
This was a super-interesting tour through the heart of the favela.
Our guide was Martin who was born and bred and lives in the favela. He clearly explained how life was and made sure we knew where we could (and occasionally could not) take photos.
We felt perfectly safe and I would thoroughly recommend this tour!
If you want to see the real side of Rio and then this is the tour.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your amazing feedback!
We’re really happy to hear that you found the tour interesting and authentic. Martin is truly passionate about what he does, and being born and raised in the favela allows him to share a genuine and insightful perspective that makes the experience even more special.
It’s great to know you felt safe and well guided throughout the tour, including clear instructions about photography — that’s very important to us.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another experience in Rio! 🇧🇷
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Stefania_B, Mar 2026
Super experience. Bruno was a great guide.
Totally recommend.
First part, like 10 mins, is with scooters
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We’re happy to hear you had a great experience and that you enjoyed the tour with Bruno. The short mototáxi ride at the beginning is a fun way to reach the top of the favela and start the walking tour with an amazing view.
We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again in Rio!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Sebas_R, Feb 2026
The guide take the time to explain us everything about the favelas. Also, he take us to a great place where we can see the whole favela and take dron videos easier than the other places.
I highly recommend you to bring water, cap and comfortable shoes/clothes to walk
Response from Host, Mar 2026
We’re really happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour and that your guide took the time to explain everything about the favelas. Our goal is always to provide a deep, respectful, and informative experience — not just a visit, but real understanding.
It’s great that you liked the viewpoint as well! The panoramic spot is definitely one of the highlights, and we’re glad you had the chance to capture some incredible drone footage from there. 📸
And thank you for mentioning the tips! Bringing water, a cap, and comfortable clothes really makes the experience even better, especially with the walking involved.
We truly appreciate your recommendation and hope to welcome you again in the future — maybe for another adventure in Rio! 🇧🇷
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
AnaMaria_T, Feb 2026
We liked Daniel (the guide) for its patience, shared information and entuziasm.
Great experience to have in Rio!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re very happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with Daniel — his patience, enthusiasm, and passion for sharing information truly make the experience special. It’s wonderful to know you had a great experience with us in Rio!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Scarlett_S, Feb 2026
Not really much of a tour in terms of information. Just really walking through the neighborhood with some stops at local shops.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We’re sorry to hear that the tour did not fully meet your expectations in terms of information. Our intention is always to provide meaningful context about the community, its history, and daily life, alongside the walking experience through the neighborhood.
We truly appreciate your comment, as it helps us evaluate how we communicate information during the tour and ensure that every guest receives a balanced and engaging experience.
Thank you again for taking the time to leave a review.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Jill_B, Feb 2026
Thus tour gave me a whole new perspective on favelas. Nothing like the dangerous, lawless areas that I had previously thought. Carlos was a great guide.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind review!
We’re very happy to hear that the tour gave you a new perspective on favelas and helped break some common misconceptions. That’s one of our main goals — to show the real community, culture, and daily life through respectful and authentic experiences.
Carlos will be very glad to know you enjoyed the tour with him — we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments!
Carlos is a star!!!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Brian_S, Feb 2026
Very exciting and unexpected.
So interesting and use of motor bike taxis. Excellent guide and seeing another side of Rio.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re really happy to hear that you had a great experience with Ray. He loves sharing real stories about the favela, and knowing that you felt informed and, most importantly, safe means a lot to us.
Very exciting and unexpected — it’s great to hear you found the experience so interesting and enjoyed using the local motorbike taxis. Seeing another side of Rio with an excellent local guide is exactly what we aim to offer.
Just as a small note for future guests: the favela tour with motorbike taxis is available exclusively on our 10:30 AM and 4:30 PM tours, as these times allow for the best flow, safety, and overall experience.
We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again in Rio!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Nancy_R, Jan 2026
A wonderful and informative experience giving an indepth understanding of the Rochinja favella. Ray was our knowledgeable guide and ambassador. A must see in Rio.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for your kind feedback! We’re so happy to hear that you had a wonderful and informative experience in Rocinha. Ray will be truly glad to know that his knowledge and role as an ambassador made such a positive impression.
We really appreciate the recommendation and hope to welcome you again on another experience in Rio!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Matthew_V, Jan 2026
Ray was amazing in showing us the favela and informing us on everything there is about it. Felt super safe.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re really happy to hear that you had a great experience with Ray. She loves sharing real stories about the favela, and knowing that you felt informed and, most importantly, safe means a lot to us.
We truly appreciate you joining us and hope to welcome you again on another experience in Rio!
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Anonymous, Jan 2026
Great tour guide. Real life experience of the favelas. Moped to the top & walk down.
Thank you Daniel.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your feedback.
We are very happy that you took our tour and that it has been a good experience for you.
We wish you all the best
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Henry_K, Jan 2026
This was a really great eye-opening tour.
Martin was my tour guide and he was really great
Definitely would recommend this to anybody
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re really happy to hear you had such an eye-opening experience.
Martin will be very glad to know you enjoyed the tour — he truly loves what he does and sharing local perspectives with our guests.
Thank you for the recommendation, and we hope to welcome you again in the future! 😊
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Antonio_S, Jan 2026
Exploring Rocinha with Carlos was a powerful and eye-opening experience. From the very beginning, he created a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, making it easy to ask questions and truly engage with the surroundings.
Carlos has a deep understanding of Rocinha’s history and present-day life, which he shared in a thoughtful and respectful way. His explanations were clear, balanced, and full of context, helping us understand the community beyond common stereotypes.
What stood out most was his genuine connection to the place and the people. The tour felt personal, informative, and meaningful from start to finish. I would highly recommend Carlos to anyone interested in experiencing Rocinha in a responsible, authentic, and well-informed way.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for this thoughtful and detailed review.
We’re truly happy to hear that your experience in Rocinha with Carlos was meaningful and eye-opening. Creating a relaxed, respectful, and informative environment is exactly what we aim for, and it’s great to know Carlos achieved that so well.
His deep knowledge of the community, along with his genuine connection to the people and the place, makes a real difference — and your words reflect that perfectly.
Thank you for the recommendation and for choosing to experience Rocinha in a responsible and authentic way. We hope to welcome you again in the future!
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Christian_S, Jan 2026
Our visit to Rocinha was unforgettable thanks to Junior.
He’s incredibly dynamic, deeply knowledgeable, and instantly likeable. Junior shared the history, culture, and daily realities of Rocinha with clarity, respect, and genuine passion, creating a visit that felt both insightful and human. His great energy and warm vibe made everyone feel comfortable and engaged throughout the tour.
I would absolutely recommend Junior to anyone wanting a meaningful, authentic, and well-guided visit of Rocinha.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for this amazing feedback! 🌟
We’re truly delighted to hear that your visit to Rocinha was such a memorable experience thanks to Junior. His energy, passion, and deep connection to the community really shine through, and it means a lot to know that this made the tour feel both human and insightful for you.
Sharing the history, culture, and daily realities of Rocinha with respect and authenticity is at the heart of what we do, and Junior embodies that perfectly. We’ll be sure to pass on your kind words to him.
Thank you for the strong recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back again in the future!
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
Richard_R, Jan 2026
I had messaged this guide 3 times on the run up to this and I got no reply.
I tried to ask how if it was going ahead due to the heavy rain but no reply, it went ahead and we got completely soaked through and as a result damaged my phone.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback. We’re really sorry to hear that you had a frustrating experience. We would like to clarify that our customer service team was in touch with you continuously before the tour and on the day itself, providing all necessary information and confirming that the visit was going ahead.
The tour did operate as scheduled, but we understand that the heavy rain made it challenging. Unfortunately, weather conditions are not something we can control, and rain is a normal part of an outdoor walking tour. For safety reasons the tour can still proceed unless authorities issue an official cancellation.
Regarding your phone, we genuinely regret the damage you mentioned. However, getting soaked due to rain is an inherent risk of any outdoor activity, and we always recommend that guests bring appropriate protection for personal belongings and electronics.
We appreciate your comments and will continue working to make our communication even clearer in the future. Thank you again for taking the time to write.
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour Team
Phil_M, Dec 2025
Really informative and felt very safe with two guides from the community. We got to see experiences that a tourist would not normally see.
Highly recommend to help support the community.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your thoughtful review! We’re happy to hear that you found the tour informative and felt very safe with our local guides from the community. Offering experiences that go beyond the usual tourist perspective while supporting the local community is at the heart of what we do. We truly appreciate your recommendation!
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Adam_P, Dec 2025
Great walking tour
Authentic experience of Favela life
Shows you through the heart of an urban slum city
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your review! We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the walking tour and found it to be an authentic experience that offers real insight into daily life in the favela. Showing the true heart of the community is exactly what we aim to do.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Kaitelyn_H, Dec 2025
Our tour guide Ray, was very personable and knowledgeable. The tour moved at a reasonable pace and provided great insight.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your kind review! We’re happy to hear that you enjoyed the tour with our guide Ray and that her personable approach and knowledge helped create a great experience. It’s also wonderful to know that the pace felt comfortable and that the tour provided valuable insight.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Joy_Z, Dec 2025
With the local tour guide Martin, not only we saw the streets and houses in Favela, but also we learned the people daily life there.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for your kind review! We’re very happy to hear that, together with our local guide Martin, you not only explored the streets and houses of the favela but also gained a deeper understanding of the daily life of the people who live there. This personal and authentic insight is exactly what we aim to offer on our tours.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Zachary_B, Dec 2025
I’d reach out to the number listed the day prior we had pick up issues. The experience however was so fun and interesting. No danger at all loved the culture.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you for your feedback. We appreciate you letting us know about the pickup issue and recommend reaching out to the listed number a day prior to help ensure everything runs smoothly. We’re very happy to hear that despite this, you found the experience fun, interesting, and completely safe, and that you enjoyed the culture.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
Claudia_S, Dec 2025
Stupendous tour of Rochina Favela. The tour requires a lot of walking so be prepared to do so in this tour. You see another life in Brazil that one would never see before but worth every minute.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for your wonderful feedback! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the Rocinha Favela tour and found it both eye-opening and worthwhile. It’s true that the walking can be demanding, but we’re glad you felt the experience was worth every minute and offered a meaningful glimpse into a side of Brazil not often seen.
Kind regards,
Favela Walking Tour
JB_B, Dec 2025
A very enlightening tour of one of Rio's favelas giving an insight into the community.
Our guide was a resident there, and having his first hand knowledge and guidance makes for a very special experience.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you very much for your feedback. It is really nice from you. Our guides are local people who love their community and this makes a real difference on our tours. Have a lovely trip in Brazil.
Kind regards
Favela Walking Tour
From $46.26
per personup to 24 hours before the experience starts (local time)
Compare Similar Experiences
Current
3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide
868
3 hours
Free Cancellation
From
$46.26
Customers Who Bought This Tour Also Bought
Explore Similar Things to Do
- Full-day Tours
- Walking Tours
- Beer & Brewery Tours
- Bus Tours
- Historical Tours
- Day Trips
- Tours, Sightseeing & Cruises
- Private and Luxury
- On the Ground
- Cultural Tours
- Food & Drink
- Rio de Janeiro
- Walking Tours - Mangaratiba
- Historical Tours - Mangaratiba
- Full-day Tours - Ilha Grande
- Walking Tours - Ilha Grande
- Historical Tours - Ilha Grande
- Full-day Tours - Arraial do Cabo
- Walking Tours - Arraial do Cabo
Attractions in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Leblon Beach (Praia do Leblon) Tours & Tickets
- Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) Tours & Tickets
- Cagarras Islands (Ilhas Cagarras) Tours & Tickets
- Sao Francisco da Penitencia Church (Igreja Sao Francisco da Penitencia) Tours & Tickets
- Sao Bento Monastery (Mosteiro de Sao Bento) Tours & Tickets
- Cosme Velho Tours & Tickets
- Copacabana Fort (Forte de Copacabana) Tours & Tickets
- La Candelaria Church (Iglesia de Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria) Tours & Tickets
- Maracana Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) Tours & Tickets
- Mirante Dona Marta Tours & Tickets
- Prainha Beach Tours & Tickets
- Lage Park (Parque Lage) Tours & Tickets
- Crystal Palace (Palácio de Cristal) Tours & Tickets
- Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden (Jardim Botanico) Tours & Tickets
- Floriano Peixoto Square (Cinelandia) Tours & Tickets
- AquaRio Aquarium Tours & Tickets
- Itaipu Beach (Praia de Itaipu) Tours & Tickets
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar) Tours & Tickets
- Teles Arch (Arco do Teles) Tours & Tickets
More attractions near Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Christ the Redeemer Statue (Cristo Redentor) Tours & Tickets
- Sugarloaf Mountain (Pao de Açúcar) Tours & Tickets
- Maracana Stadium (Estádio do Maracanã) Tours & Tickets
- Tijuca National Park (Parque Nacional da Tijuca) Tours & Tickets
- Selarón Steps (Escadaria Selarón) Tours & Tickets
- Copacabana Beach (Praia de Copacabana) Tours & Tickets
- Ipanema Beach (Praia de Ipanema) Tours & Tickets