FAVELATOUR is indispensable if you look for a deeper perspective and wise informations on many aspects of Brazil`s socioeconomic issues. Tour integrates visitors to the local community revealing a new angle of favelas, Rio de Janeiro and its people, changing their reputation of exclusion. You will go to Rocinha, largest favela in Brazil, and possibly Vila Canoas, according to the program of the day. From there you will to see impressive panoramic views over Rio. We walk you through both residential and vibrant commercial area. Handcrafts can be available if you wish do buy. We will also lead you to a local school financed by FAVELA TOUR, and show other local community projects. Favelas are safer than most people believe, but no matter how adventurer you are, go to a favela with an organized tour. We are the pioneer of social tours to favelas since early 1992. If you really want to understand Brazil better, don´t leave Rio missing the FAVELA TOUR. Tours may need minimum quorun to go.
In demand: 19 of the next 56 departures are already sold out.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 6.
Arriving in Rocinha, explanation about the architecture, public services, local cultural aspects, carnival etc... Visiting the Rocinha handcraft center. Going to a local terrace, pause for pictures and images of a breathtaking view over Rocinha and Rio, talks about the security, local infrastructure and other aspects of favelas and favela life. Driving down through the "Estrada da Gávea", a former F1 race track. Walking on the commercial and central area. Visiting the "MORANGUINHOS" or "SACI SABE TUDO" community schools. These social projects are financed by FAVELA TOUR. Besides regular classes, the school teaches local kids initial computer skills, English classes, music, capoeira, ballet classes etc... These projects have absolutely no financial support from Brazilian government.
Part of the road trip trajectory towards and back from the Favela includes most South Zone beaches in Rio.
Part of the road trip trajectory towards the back of the Favela includes most South Zone beaches in Rio.
We can make pick ups from most Hotels/accommodations in the South Zone of Rio. Please indicate the Hotel/place you are staying during your reservation and if your Hotel is not listed please still inform us of your place of stay.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Excurgo comparison of 1,656 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Favela Tour in Rio de Janeiro lasts about 3 hours. The itinerary has 4 stops.
Prices start at $33 per person for this Rio de Janeiro experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 9:00 AM, 10:00 AM, and 2:00 PM.
It can: 19 of the next 56 departures are already sold out, so booking ahead is a good idea.
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Yes, pickup is offered. We can make pick ups from most Hotels/accommodations in the South Zone of Rio. Please indicate the Hotel/place you are staying during your reservation and if your Hotel is not listed please still inform us of your place of stay. Pickup points include OYO Rio Colinas Hotel, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Design Copacabana Hotel.
The experience is available in PT, EN, IT, FR, ES.
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 11 participants.
Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Travellers rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 524 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Favela Tour.
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
Interesting tour through the largest favela in Brazil. You see all sorts of things, including the more exciting matters. I felt 100% safe throughout the entire tour. The tour is completely structured. Our guide had to check in about 8 times in the favela for control.
If there is one trip you must do in Rio then this is it. An amazing insight into life in Rio for many locals. Great information and insight from our guide too!
Spectacular, the guide was excellent, I felt very comfortable. A place that must be visited to learn its history.
It was a great experience to see the way of life and culture in the area. How people live, the food they eat. The schools they have. Great all round experience
Very interesting tour. Our guide Brenda was very good and very informative about the favelas. Felt very safe.
The night before the tour, I was out late drinking and arrived feeling hungover. I let the driver and tour guide know that I needed to get something to eat because I was sweating and the stairs were a little uncomfortable for me at first. Thankfully, we stopped for food, and after that I felt much better and was able to fully enjoy the experience. The tour operator was excellent—very friendly, knowledgeable, and fluent in both English and Portuguese. He also has the unique perspective of having lived in the favela, which made the tour feel authentic and meaningful. I’m very grateful for the experience and would absolutely give this tour a five-star review. I also want to give a special shout-out because, likely due to my hungover haze, I accidentally left a folder with my travel information behind. The tour operator went out of his way to return it to me, and that level of care and honesty deserves recognition. One suggestion for consideration: seeing the motorcycles moving through the area with what appeared to be tourists riding on the back made me a little jealous because it looked like they may have been able to see certain areas more quickly. I completely understand the logistics and safety considerations of keeping the group together in the van, but perhaps a future option could combine parts of the van experience with a motorcycle component if practical. Overall, this was a great tour, and I highly recommend it.
I do not recommend it. The tour lasted 90 minutes. In which we mostly walked. While it is true that we visited some specific points, these same ones are intended for tourists, so you do not get that experience of a genuine place within the favelas. In this particular favela, I would only recommend taking motorcycle taxis and doing a tour with the inhabitants of that area. It is more economical and you get a more real experience of the favela. There are much better alternatives.
Hubo un tiempo en que las favelas no eran turisticas y nosotros estabamos en este tiempo cuando empezamos, hace 30 años, actualmente no más , hay muchos visitantes de toda parte con moto o en carro o caminando.. de eso no se escapa en la rocinha, por eso fuimos en Vila Canoas. El paseo empieza cuando el ultimo cliente embarca con nosotros, no cuando arribamos en la favela.
Such an eye opening and amazing insight into favelas of Brazil. Matheus, our guide was so knowledgable, friendly, made the tour enjoyable and clearly loves his job! I would recommend this tour to anyone!
Everything is a bit too touristy. First, they take you to Rocinha to a bar located in a scenic area. Then to a small favela, Vila Canoas, with a tour inside. Minimal explanation of the favela. The only multilingual guide who was not able to provide particularly useful information. Average rating. I have no comparisons with other tours, but this one seems lacking in content to me.
Nel bene e nel male, la favela è diventata di recente una meta turistica più frequentata; soprattutto in alta stagione – come ad esempio ad agosto – Rocinha pullula di visitatori brasiliani e stranieri, cosa che non si può dire per Vila Canoas. Quel giorno, la vostra guida ha dovuto impegnarsi a fondo per condurre il tour in italiano, inglese e un po' di francese: sono cose che a volte possono capitare.
Tour booked in French but given a good portion in English. Despite everything, a very comprehensive and interesting tour. Two favelas visited. One for the atmosphere, the motorcycle taxis, children dancing capoeira, the other, calmer with a visit to a school and a brigadeiro tasting. Thanks to Matheo.
| Tour | Duration | Rating | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Favela Tour in Rio de Janeiro | 3 hours | 4.6 (524) | $33 | |
 3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with a Local Guide | 3 hours | 4.8 (950) | $47 | View |
 Best of Rio in One Day: Christ Redeemer, Sugarloaf & Local Lunch | 8–9 hours | 5.0 (5,255) | $203 | View |
 Full Day in Rio: Christ, Sugarloaf, Selarón & Barbecue Lunch | 8 hours | 4.7 (3,393) | $77 | View |
 Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included | 6–8 hours | 4.9 (3,009) | $75 | View |
 Hang gliding Hang gliding Experience Rotorfly | 1h 30min | 5.0 (2,247) | $301 | View |
 The Best Half Day in Rio with Christ Redeemer and Sugar Loaf Hill | 5 hours | 4.8 (1,611) | $130 | View |