You will meet the guide at Vidigal Square. Guides will send a photo beforehand of the location and themselves to better identify them.
Description
Not all tours are created equal! We put the Favela and community first! We strive to uplift those around us. Touring with us impacts positively those who live in Vidigal.
Walk around the Favela with a local known for his love for Vidigal. You meet locals whose family lived here for half a century. Have the opportunity to see all the amazing secrets Vidigal has to offer with the best guides available.
Schedule & prices
Runs
Every day
Start times
12:00 PM
Next available
Tue, Oct 6
Adult (ages 12–75)
$35
Prices are per person when two book together; a solo traveller pays $37.
From the operator’s live schedule on Viator, checked Oct 5.
Tour Options
Rio Favela Tour
Itinerary
Vidigal
180 min
Come and explore the alleys and secret passageways of this concrete jungle. Meet the locals, get a feel of their lifestyle and discover the differences we all have. We promise a personal and truly local experience.
Where you will go - (Each area has no specific time limit. Some places you may want to stay for 5 minutes and others 30!
Pedra da Cruz (lookout inside the favela)
Rua 25 de Dezembro (area inside Vidigal, high up)
Lookout Vidigal and Rua 3 (top of Vidigal)
Eco Park (ecological park)
Rua 14 (lower Vidigal + art work)
And more! Various secret locations and special experiences.
What's included
Included
Guide services
Not included
Alcoholic Beverages
Motorcycle Taxi
Traveller Ratings
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
5.0
65 reviews
5
65
4
0
3
0
2
0
1
0
How it compares in Rio de Janeiro
Rated higher than 76% of 597 reviewed tours in Rio de Janeiro
Starting price $35 is 56% below the typical $80 for tours of similar length in Rio de Janeiro
Excurgo comparison of 1,658 Viator tours, recalculated daily.
Important Information
Public transportation options are available nearby
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Cancellation
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1+ days before100% refund
0–1 days before0% refund
Frequently asked questions
How long does Rio Favela Tour take?
Rio Favela Tour lasts about 2–3 hours. The itinerary has 1 stop.
How much does Rio Favela Tour cost?
Prices start at $35 per person for this Rio de Janeiro experience, booked through Viator with the price shown before checkout. That is the per-person price when two book together; a solo traveller pays $37. There is 1 booking option, so the final price depends on the option you choose.
What days does Rio Favela Tour run?
According to the operator’s current schedule, it runs every day, starting at 12:00 PM.
Can I cancel Rio Favela Tour for free?
Yes. Cancel at least 1 day before the start for a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable.
Where does the tour start?
The meeting point is You will meet the guide at Vidigal Square. Guides will send a photo beforehand of the location and themselves to better identify them. Hotel pickup is not part of this experience.
What languages is Rio Favela Tour offered in?
The experience is available in PT, EN.
Is this a private or a group tour?
It is a small-group experience with a maximum of 8 participants.
Will my booking be confirmed immediately?
Yes, bookings are confirmed instantly.
Is Rio Favela Tour worth it?
Travellers rate it 5.0 out of 5 across 65 reviews on Viator and Tripadvisor; it is run by Experience Rio.
Reviews(65)
Reviews collected by Viator and Tripadvisor
A
AlainrlgMelbourne
February 15, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Favela tour not to be missed
Great tour if you want an insight of a Rio favela. From start to end, it was professionally handed. Great communication on WhatsApp to confirm all the details. We were only 4 with our guide Ricardo. Being a local to the Favela, he took us right away from the tourists who just head to the bars at the top. He was able to tell us about the history of favelas and answer all our questions in details. We felt safe at all time ( although the motorbike ride is quite scary). However we needed to respect that sometimes we are not allowed to take photos but plenty of times we could. Ricardo is the most friendly guide and able to share his knowledge. We highly recommend this tour!
Operator response
Hey, thank you so much for this review! We always do our very best to respond on time and be as clear as possible. Anyone booking here with Experience Rio will be taken care of, especially if they communicate clearly on what they want and are respectful to our work. Take care Alain
2
252liuq
February 7, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Will totally change your perception of favela
Amazing tour guide and amazing tour. Ricardo did a fantastic job explaining the history and life in Vidigal.
This totally changed my views of favela. I'd recommend everyone coming to Rio do it.
Operator response
Hey there. Thank you so much for your review!! I do want to state that I personally believe Favela tourism is something very unethical and questionable. Especially with all of these tours doing drone shots taking people to bars and clubs, which really don't reflect the reality nor the culture of the favela. Most of these tours don't work with social projects or actually bring long lasting benefit into the community. So I appreciate you doing our tour which focuses on education, history and impact in the favela. Unfortunately, the world has become really shallow, but it's always nice to have a few good tourists who want to see something in an ethical and impactful way.
E
evaDM66
January 9, 2026 · via Tripadvisor
Incredible experience to do necessarily
Great experience! In the heart of the favelas, one of the best known, close to the sea, breathtaking landscape and total immersion!! Ricardo, local guide is full of surprises and historical, cultural knowledge... he speaks English with excellence, Spanish too! It is an extremely interesting and kind guide!! I highly recommend this experience, this trip to the heart of favelas and safely!!
M
M6230WKandreasm
December 22, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Favela tours Vidigal
This was an amazing tour and our guide, Rodrigues, was very dedicated and good. Very interesting stories about the life of the people living in the favelas. If you are a bit uncertain about safety going here I can assure you it is most likely safer then the rest of the beautiful city of Rio
Operator response
Thank you guys very much for the review. Rodrigo is a great young man and has been working with us for several years now. Our goal is to uplift locals in the community, fund a few excellent social projects and educate the tourists in a way that is eye opening, respectful and responsible. Thank you again!
K
Katrin_T
October 15, 2025 · via Viator
Exceptional experience
This was an exceptional tour and Rodrigo was a wonderful teacher, not just a guide. Mindblowing experience
J
Jenny_S
October 14, 2025 · via Viator
An unforgettable experience
This tour of Vidigal was both beautiful and deeply touching. Rodrigo is not only a very engaged, knowledgeable and generous guide, he also manages to tell the story of the favela, its history and the current political situation from the point of view of those who live there in a way that resonates across national and cultural boundaries. This is simply unforgettable and we will carry this experience in our hearts for a very long time.
Operator response
Absolutely love to see these type of comments and reviews! Rodrigo is a fantastic tour guide, his professionalism is exceptional. He exerts such passion through his work and I'm super proud to have him on our team! Thank you!
W
walter S
August 27, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
Eye-Opening & Heartfelt Experience with Ricardo
Our favela tour with Ricardo was unforgettable. From the moment we started, we rode up speeding on the back of a moto bike, he made us feel safe and welcomed, guiding us with warmth and genuine care. His explanations weren’t just facts — they were stories that brought the community to life. His passion and respect for the favela and its people were clear in every word.
We didn’t just “see” a favela, we felt it. We walked through its streets, met its people, and left with a deeper understanding of the culture, challenges, and incredible resilience of the community. Ricardo’s excellent English, bright energy, and kindness made the experience not only informative but truly touching.
It was more than a tour — it was a meaningful connection, one that we will carry with us.
Operator response
Fantastic! This is exactly our goal and i'm super glad to receive such commentary about our work, tour and guides.. Ricardo is an absolutely wonderful young man!
W
Wang_W
June 20, 2025 · via Viator
An Unforgettable & Eye-Opening Experience
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 highlight was gaining a deeper understanding of a place often misunderstood by outsiders.
If you want to see a different side of Rio with a guide who truly cares, book this tour with Rodrigo or Henry ! 100% worth it—don’t miss it!
L
LandaWilce
May 2, 2025 · via Tripadvisor
100% worth it favela experience
I can’t even explain how much we learned in this trip thanks to Rodrigo. I cannot recommend more. This tour was enriching, fun and educational. We also had some amazing snacks and enjoyed a moto ride up the favela.
M
MEL_W
March 28, 2025 · via Viator
Learning Experience
I think this tour is meant to be a learning experience and you will get it. Worth taking if you want to get the real about the favelas
Operator response
That is exactly correct! In fact, we are one of the few agencies that truly give back 💪🤝🇧🇷. When someone is doing this type of tour, they should ask first what said agency does for the community. This is extremely important. So thank you for the review and comment!
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