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Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro provided by Brazil Expedition

See all things to do

Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro

See all things to do
See all things to do
Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro
5
26
By Brazil Expedition
Book in advance
from
RM 153.03
per adult
Reserve now & pay later: Save your spot free of charge with flexible booking.
100% of travellers recommend this experience
This number is based on the percentage of all Tripadvisor reviews for this product that have a bubble rating of 4 or higher
Free cancellation
Not sure? You can cancel this booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.
Full view
Tour snapshot
Walk through Rocinha, the largest hill favela in South America, with a guide
Duration:
4h
Taking Covid-19 safety measures
Group size:
14
Ticket type:
Mobile
Free cancellation
  • Duration:
    4h
  • Taking Covid-19 safety measures
  • Group size:
    14
  • Ticket type:
    Mobile
  • Free cancellation
About
Head to the largest hill favela in South America for a half-day walking tour. Learn about the Rocinha community and the daily lives of its inhabitants as you interact with them. Learn the history of Rio de Janeiro and this infamous place to gain a better idea of the economic and political factors that influence it.
Know before you go
  • Duration: 4h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
  • Instant confirmation
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Available languages
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Highlights
  • Learn the history of the favela and interact with some of its residents
  • Get acquainted with economic and political factors that shape the society
  • Enjoy a personalized experience with a small group of 10 or fewer
What to expect
Meet at Copacabana Palace Hotel to begin this half-day walking tour of Rio’s largest hill favela, Rocinha. This is an educational tour organized by local guides and favela residents so that it doesn’t disturb the community. The tour aims to educate participants and show the daily life of its inhabitants to give a true perspective of the society to outsiders. Walk through small streets with no more than 10 guests to meet a few locals and listen to their stories. Discover the history of the favela as well as the challenges it faces, both past and present.
Know before you go
  • Duration: 4h
  • Mobile tickets accepted
  • Instant confirmation
Available languages
Portuguese, English, Spanish
Cancellation policy
  • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Highlights
  • Learn the history of the favela and interact with some of its residents
  • Get acquainted with economic and political factors that shape the society
  • Enjoy a personalized experience with a small group of 10 or fewer
What to expect
Meet at Copacabana Palace Hotel to begin this half-day walking tour of Rio’s largest hill favela, Rocinha. This is an educational tour organized by local guides and favela residents so that it doesn’t disturb the community. The tour aims to educate participants and show the daily life of its inhabitants to give a true perspective of the society to outsiders. Walk through small streets with no more than 10 guests to meet a few locals and listen to their stories. Discover the history of the favela as well as the challenges it faces, both past and present.
Need help booking?
Call the number below and use the product code: 10351P2
Important information
Inclusions
  • Transport
  • Local guide English & Spanish Speaking
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Duration
4h
Departure details
  • Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001, Brazil We are meeting by the statue in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel
Additional information
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Minimum age is 5 years
  • Meeting point at Belmond Copacabana Palace at 13:25
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travellers
Inclusions
  • Transport
  • Local guide English & Spanish Speaking
Exclusions
  • Food and drinks
  • Gratuities
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
Departure details
  • Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001, Brazil We are meeting by the statue in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel
Duration
4h
Return details
  • Returns to original departure point
Additional information
  • Confirmation will be received at time of booking
  • Not wheelchair accessible
  • Not recommended for pregnant travellers
  • No heart problems or other serious medical conditions
  • Not recommended for travellers with back problems
  • Travellers should have a moderate physical fitness level
  • Minimum age is 5 years
  • Meeting point at Belmond Copacabana Palace at 13:25
  • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travellers
Travel safe during COVID-19
What you can expect during your visit
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
What you can expect during your visit
  • Guides required to regularly wash hands
  • Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
  • Transportation vehicles regularly sanitised
  • Face masks required for guides in public areas
  • Gear/equipment sanitised between use
  • Face masks required for travellers in public areas
  • Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Itinerary
  • You'll start at
    Av. Atlântica, 1702
    Av. Atlântica, 1702 - Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22021-001, Brazil
    We are meeting by the statue in front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel
    See address & details
  • 1
    Rocinha
    Stop: 3 hours
    We will walk across the Favela of Rocinha and show you how life is in there
    Read more
  • You'll return to the starting point
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
5.0
26 reviews
Excellent
26
Very good
0
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Chan Boon Kian
Singapore, Singapore21 contributions
Guided tour of Rocinha
Dec 2017 • Solo
I enjoyed the tour of Rocinha favela by tour guide Edmundo. He is knowledgeable and has friends in the neighbourhood - in a way that made me feel safe walking around with him.
Written 16 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
lbramley
Bucharest, Romania88 contributions
A great day trip
Jul 2019 • Friends
This was an insiteful tour of the favela. Enjoyed walking through the narrow streets and seeing how people lived. Learnt a great deal. Tour guide was excellent.
Written 2 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Compass23513802571
Thank you for your comment! We are all happy that we are doing a great job and also helping our new partner NGO- aceprojects.org If you have time take a look in the organization. All the best!
Written 5 August 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
FaithL089
Sydney, Australia83 contributions
Eye opening experience
Jan 2019 • Couples
It was easy to find the tour guide out the front of the Copacabana Palace Hotel. It took about 20 minutes to drive to Rocinha where we disembarked and walked up a steep hill to a vantage point above a house overlooking the favela. The tour was informative and our guide Wellington was passionate about showing tourists that favelas are filled with "real people" and nothing to be scared of. We felt safe on the tour but I am not sure I would venture there alone - particularly as it is very hard to navigate! During the tour we stopped at a local cafe to have lunch. Although it was nice to sit down and observe the locals it felt a little strange sitting there not eating (as we ate before the tour unaware that the tour included a stop at a cafe). I was interested to see people living in the favela who did not look like the sort of people one would expect to find living in a favela. It was definitely an eye opening experience.
Written 1 January 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Diane H
Chester, UK19 contributions
Brilliant
Aug 2018 • Couples
This was the best thing that we did in Rio by far. Excellent, knowledgeable tour guide(sorry I can’t remember his name) who took us round the twists and turns of the favela. Did not feel threatened once in the three hours that we spent there. My only criticism is that I could happily have spent a full day there, maybe eating in one of the local places could be included which would also put money back into the community. Would highly recommend this tour to anyone.
Written 27 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Educruxen
Hey Diane It's great that you liked it! And thanks for the feedback. It's a great idea to help the community and we are glad you think that way. Thank you!
Written 13 December 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Emesjay
Cape Town, South Africa47 contributions
Favela tour
Dec 2017 • Family
Awesome tour by a resident of the Favela - well done to Alex Birkutz for an exciting tour. The pride the residents have in their neighbourhood is evident with the clean streets and welcoming charm. This is a must for any visitor to Brazil as it offers an insight into how the working class live. We felt totally safe at all times. Due to the nature of the narrow walkways and many stairs, not for the the elderly or families with very small children.
Written 4 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Leo C
3 contributions
An absolute eye opener
Oct 2018
I couldn't believe the way they just build homes one on top of the other, or how the supermarket can leave pallets of liquor out on the street 24/7 and nothing gets touched for fear of getting bashed, (or worse), by the favela bosses.
Written 3 September 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Mintybear
Rickmansworth, UK39 contributions
Don’t miss this experience
Aug 2019 • Family
As a family of six, with our youngest being 15yrs old, we wanted to experience more of Rio than just the beaches and Caipirinha bars.
Martin, our excellent and informative guide, took our group on a rainy day to the Rocinha favela where we were privileged to meet the friendly, polite and hardworking local community and spend time exploring their fascinating and astoundingly resourceful world. A city within a city - the company’s promise of a non-intrusive visit was very much the case.
We all felt much safer in Rocinha than in downtown Rio and were encouraged to use our cameras and iPhones and were completely relaxed in doing so. Our son said it was the best day he had ever spent on a holiday - high praise indeed and a sentiment we all agreed with.
Many thanks to Martin, the company and the residents of Rocinha for providing us with such an eye-opening visit - uplifting proof of people’s creativity and community-spirit in the face of hardship.
Written 14 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Compass23513802571
Thank you! Safe travels!
Written 13 February 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Michael A
1 contribution
Best experience in Rio!
Apr 2018 • Couples
My girlfriend and I went for this Favela Tour with Brazil Expeditions. We have been on many tours in the past but this is absolutely the best one we have ever been at! The guide was fantastic. He has lived in the Favela his entire life and therefor knows everything about the history, culture, political aspects and almost all people in the Favela! If you want to learn that side of the Favelas the medias don't tell you about, join this tour!
Written 13 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Declan S
3 contributions
Amazing, knowledgable and Authentic
My wife and I would strongly recommend the walking tour of the Rocinha Favela.

First of all don't be put off by the stories you hear. When you hear Favela you think it will not be safe. This company will only take you to a location that is safe. We were made to feel even safer thanks to our tour guide Edmundo.

Edmundo was very knowledgable about the Favela and gave an amazing description as to how and why the Favelas started. Even pointing out little details such as graffiti and wall art and what they meant for the people who lived there.

Edmundo answered questions with real honesty that gave you an even more in depth knowledge about the day to day life there. There was no stone unturned in the types of questions being asked. But Edmundo would answer them honestly and explain why.

Overall the tour was absolutely amazing, a must do activity to see the varying lifestyles associated with Rio. It left my wife and I feeling enlightened and thankfull for what we have.

5 stars all the way.

Thank you Edmundo - you were great
Written 5 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Educruxen
Hey Declan! Wow, so glad you liked it that much! It gets us really happy to see people learning more about the city and the people on our tours Thank you very much for the review
Written 13 June 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
jacqueline j
Brooklyn, NY15 contributions
A Must Do!
Apr 2018 • Solo
Forget the rumors Do this tour to be informed and separate the myths from the facts! The tour started out with our guide, Carlos who is obviously very passionate and even more informative about life in the Favela. He is a resident of a Favela too. This tour basically showcased the political and social disparties of Brazil.
Written 4 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Educruxen
Hello Cherryl! We are happy to know you had a good time doing our tour! :)
Written 13 June 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
2
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Frequently Asked Questions about Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro
Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro will start at 1:25 PM. Discover and book Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro on Tripadvisor
During this experience, places you will visit include:Discover and book Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro on Tripadvisor
Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro price starts from RM 148.03. Discover and book Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro on Tripadvisor
Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro cancellation policy: For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Discover and book Favela Walking Tour in Rio de Janeiro on Tripadvisor