Rio de Janeiro · RIO FAVELA TOURS

Rio Favela Tours: The 15 Best Walks in Rocinha, Santa Marta & Vidigal

36 tours  ·  from $27 a head

The good ones are walked, small and led by people who live there. These 15 cover Rocinha, Santa Marta and Vidigal, with prices, group sizes and which hilltop each one finishes on.

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide - Two hours on foot in a residential community
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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

This two-hour walk through Rocinha is led by a local guide, with guides such as Ray, Bruno, and Carlos named on recent departures. You’ll hear about daily life, ask questions, and travel by air-conditioned minivan from selected Copacabana or Ipanema meeting points. The tour aims to be educational and respectful, with part of its cost going to the community.

“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 - Hearing the human story behind the headlines
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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 Rocinha with local English-, Spanish-, or Portuguese-speaking guides, hear about daily life and local challenges, and take in views over Rio. Routes have included a rooftop stop and a capoeira visit. The three-hour tour meets outside the Copacabana Palace and involves steep stairs and narrow alleys.

“The tour was great and Daniel was the best guide we could have wished for. I recommend everyone doing this and ask for Daniel! He showed us al the good spots of the favela and showed us how the favelas really are and not the stereotype everyone believes”

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Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Top Tour with Local Guide - Mirante Dona Marta brings the wide 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 guide who lives in the community. The two-and-a-half to three-hour visit may include Michael Jackson Square, Mirante Dona Marta, a local home, samba, football, and community projects. Guides such as Mario, Marco, Luis, and Raycca have led tours. Tram tickets are included; transport to the meeting point is not.

“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 - The Cable Car and the Hillside Views
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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

Join Santa Marta resident Gilson Fumaça for a two to two-and-a-half-hour walk through the Rio favela where he grew up. Hear its history and daily realities, ride the cable car, visit Michael Jackson’s video location, and learn about local education and sustainability projects. The route includes steep stairs and is not suitable for wheelchair users.

“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 - Walking the lanes and hearing local history
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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 guide at São Conrado metro station for a 2.5-hour small-group visit to Rocinha. Expect a local-led walk, hillside views, a moto-taxi ride for an extra fee, community stops, and a brief capoeira and samba presentation. Guides include Malu, Jade, Felipe, and Antonio, though your assigned guide may vary.

“Really insightful one of my fave activities in Rio! Jade was amazing.”

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Rio de Janeiro: Vidigal Favela Tour and Two Brothers Hike - Climbing Morro Dois Irmaos
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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, then hike Morro Dois Irmaos for views over Rocinha, Pedra da Gávea, Corcovado, and Rio’s beaches. The route uses local neighborhood transport, including motorbike taxis on some outings. Guides speak English, Spanish, or Portuguese; the hike is steep in places.

“Really a great tour. Great views, very interesting tour of the favela, very good guide. It was like a personal tour.”

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Favela Tour The Original, Rocinha & Vila Canoas since 1992 - Walking Rocinha and Vila Canoas
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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

In three hours, visit Rocinha and Vila Canoas on a guided walking tour with hotel pickup in Rio’s South Zone. Hear how favelas fit into Brazil’s social and economic life, pass homes and local businesses, and visit a handcraft center and a community school supported by the tour. Guides work in English, Portuguese, Spanish, French, or Italian, subject to availability.

“Amazing tour with very friendly, knowledgable guide! You really get to see positives and challenges on this tour - highly recommended!”

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2h30 circuit in the Vidigal Favela - A pause at a local home
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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

Spend 2.5 hours with local guide Jean-Christophe in Vidigal, combining a motorbike arrival, a hike at Morro Dois Irmaos, a scenic break at a resident’s home, and a walk through the favela’s lanes and ecological park. The 8 a.m. tour is capped at 10 people.

“Jean gave us a breathtaking tour of Vidigal and hike up Two Brothers mountain. He really looked after us the whole time and we felt incredibly safe in his company. He was very knowledgable about the area, full of information - I would highly recommend his tours!”

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Sunrise at Morro 2 Irmãos - Vidigal - Rio de Janeiro - Meeting in Vidigal at 4 a.m.
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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 in Vidigal at 4 a.m. and ride a motorcycle taxi up the favela before hiking for about an hour to Morro Dois Irmãos. Local guides such as Christian, also called Chris or Christyan, and Junior lead the climb and share stories about Vidigal and Rio. After sunrise, walk back down through the community.

“The experience was amazing, Chris is a great tour guide. The hike it self wasn’t difficult at all, just be sure to check the weather while planning”

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Half Day Hiking Tour Morro Dois Irmaos and Favela Vidigal - A descent into Vidigal, not just a viewpoint
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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

This four to five hour tour pairs a moderate hike in the Morro Dois Irmaos reserve with a walk through Vidigal. Expect a motorcycle taxi ride, sweeping views toward Rocinha and the coast, and time at a hilltop hostel and kiosk. Fernando is named as a guide for the experience; confirm who will lead your date.

“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 - Riding uphill by moto-taxi
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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’s alleys, upper streets and ecological park with a local guide such as Rodrigo or Henry. This small-group tour covers favela history, community life and striking views of Rio, with stops that can vary in length. Plan on about three hours; motorcycle taxi transport is not included.

“I highly recommend this favela tour with Rodrigo—it was one of the most memorable and insightful experiences of my trip to Rio! Rodrigo is an exceptional guide—knowledgeable, respectful, and deeply passionate about sharing the real story of the favelas. His connection with the community made the tour feel authentic and safe, while his storytelling brought the history, culture, and daily life of the area to life. We visited vibrant streets, met friendly locals, and learned about the challenges and resilience of the community. Rodrigo answered all our questions with honesty and warmth, making the experience both educational and deeply human. The views were breathtaking, but the real highligh...”

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Guided Tour to Favela Santa Marta - Community projects, local services, and daily life
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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 in Rio’s Santa Marta favela with an accredited local resident guide. Visit the Michael Jackson statue and music-video steps, hear about daily life and community projects, and take a tram ride when it is running. The private tour also includes a caipirinha workshop and starts and ends in Botafogo.

“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 - Look for the community work, not just the photo stops
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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 exploring Santa Marta, also called Dona Marta, with an official local resident guide. The route includes colorful streets, community projects, murals and the Michael Jackson viewpoint. Tours run in English, French, Spanish and Portuguese. Marco has been praised by name, but guide assignments can vary. Price: $34 per person.

“C était vraiment superbe, très interessant on a adorer avec ma fille Et encore un grand merci à Marco notre guide ☺️”

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Rocinha Local Tour - Stories about daily life, history, and misconceptions
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Rocinha Local Tour

14.Rocinha Local Tour

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

This small-group walk takes you through Rocinha with a locally raised, English-speaking guide, often named Luiz. Expect an introductory briefing, a downhill route, neighborhood stories, photo stops, and optional souvenir shopping or lunch at a family restaurant. The tour costs $33.33 per person, lasts about one to two hours, and does not include food or transport.

“Luis was a lovely host, very informative and interesting. Be warned though lots of steps to ascend / descend.”

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Favela Tour in Rio with Transfer service - The walk: stairs, steep stretches, and a flexible pace
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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 either Rocinha or Vidigal with a local guide, with round-trip transport from the Rio Othon Palace meeting point. Expect a walk through a lived-in neighborhood, local history and social context, and, in Vidigal, expansive city views. Guides such as Hélio and Elio have led tours, though your guide and route can vary.

“An absolutely fantastic tour with Leo (Leonardo) a local guide. He went out of his way to make me feel comfortable and see life in Rochina. I was the only one on the tour, so a massive thank you for allowing this to go ahead before my flight later that day! A valuable experience. I’d highly recommend this tour. Go for it!”

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New in Rio Favela Tours

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