3 Hour Rocinha Favela Walking Tour With A Local Guide

We had a very bad experience with the tour guide. From the get go he was not responsive and rude to us. We had one person in our group inquiring about restroom stop during the tour. He rudely said it was not possible to stop for restrooms. Later on during the tour we had a half hour rest in a restaurant with restrooms. There was no reason for telling us that such a stop was not possible and that too rudely. He was very friendly with all the European tourists and very unfriendly with the four in our group. He ignored the questions we were asking more than once. As we were walking in a line, he would not wait for our group to catch up before giving explanations. We found him very openly racist, with a chip on his shoulder. We are experienced travelers and have never experienced anything like this before. First time we experienced issue with Viator tour. We will not recommend this Viator guide to any of our friends. We will caution our friends to avoid this guide at all costs.

The Vespa ride was a surprise and fun. The tour was informative and enjoyable The view at the top was amazing. The walk was easy

Martin was so insightful about Rocinha - the history, how it works and about the people who live there. It was so worthwhile and Martin made it. Highly recommended.

Not what I expected. Great tour guide. Really knowledgeable and just a great guide. Felt safe, great insight.

Carlos was an excellent guide. He was very knowledgeable about Favela life as that is his home. It was wonderful to see the vibrant life in the Rocinha Favela. I felt very welcome in their community.

One of the coolest and most interesting things we did in Rio! Very authentic and Daniel was a great guide.

Our tour guide Carlos was very friendly and informative. He shared the rich history of the community. It was an unforgettable experience being immersed in the Rocinha community and culture including watching a Capoeira demonstration, grabbing a cafezinho and beer in the local bars and taking in the amazing views. We were late for the pickup time but they waited for us which we greatly appreciate!

Great walking tour with Ray. The only way to experience this interesting and eclectic area. Safety was not an issue at all.

Superb value, incredibly insightful and very well organised. Our tour guide, Ray, was excellent in every respect. Don’t miss this one when in Rio!

My Wife & I are in our mid 60's & we decided we had to do this tour so we could see first-hand what living in a favela was like. Bruno was our guide & because he had grown up in the Rocinha favela he had a lot of interesting information. It was a noisey, all go few hours we spent there, but we never felt threatened or in any danger. Obviously there would be rougher parts we probably didn't go to. There were areas that we weren't allowed to take pics or video, due to drug sales etc. It was amazing that there is everything there you have anywhere else really. But with approx 200,000 people living there, you have too. The people we saw on the streets seemed happy, the kids seemed happy, but I'm sure there would be some tragic tales as well. We highly recommend taking this tour to see how people in different circumstances survive.

An amazing and authentic experience! Our guide, Macedo, who lives in Rocinha, gave us a unique insight into everyday life in the favela, sharing his personal experiences and helping us understand the community beyond the usual tourist perspective. He was friendly, knowledgeable, and passionate about showing us his home with pride and honesty. One of the absolute highlights was the unique and truly WOW experience of riding scooters all the way from the bottom to the top of the favela! The scooter drivers were incredibly skilled, navigating the narrow, steep, and busy streets with amazing confidence and precision. It was an unforgettable adventure in itself! The tour was very interesting, eye-opening, and gave us a much deeper understanding of the local culture and people. I highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rio de Janeiro who wants an authentic experience with a local guide!

This was a fascinating tour made altogether more special thanks to our wonderful guide, Ray, assisted by Renan. They both live in the favela so were able to give us inside knowledge as to the history and how it operates. They were so kind and helpful and made everyone feel safe. Highly recommended especially if Ray and Renan are there to look after you.

Our tour of Rocinha was one of the most memorable experiences of our time in Rio de Janeiro! Not only was it incredibly enlightening and heartwarming, but it was also extremely fun. Our tour guide, Francisco, was patient, pleasant, professional, and made us feel safe and comfortable throughout the entire experience. We explored Rocinha by walking through the same pathways and routes that locals navigate in their daily lives, and we even enjoyed bike rides up through the favela! One of the coolest highlights was capturing an amazing drone shot from above the community, giving us a unique perspective of the area. We also had the opportunity to watch a cultural school perform traditional local dances, which was a wonderful way to experience the community's culture, creativity, and spirit. What made this tour particularly special was that it went beyond simply showing us the living conditions. Francisco helped us understand the aspirations, dreams, hopes, and potential future of the people who call Rocinha home. It was a beautiful reminder that behind every community are people with ambitions, resilience, and a desire for a better future. The juxtaposition of Rocinha alongside Rio's affluent neighborhoods is striking and, at times, chilling. Seeing these contrasting realities exist so closely together provides a powerful perspective on the city's social and economic disparities. This experience showed us a different side of Rio that many visitors may never get to see, encouraging reflection, understanding, and a deeper appreciation for the people and communities that make up the city. I wholeheartedly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Rio de Janeiro! Whether you're looking for adventure, cultural immersion, or a deeper understanding of the city's social realities, this experience offers all three. Francisco's knowledge, professionalism, and genuine approach made the entire tour exceptional. Come for the adventure, stay for the cultural experience, and leave with a new perspective on Rio. This is definitely a tour you should not miss!

Brilliant visit. Martin our guide was excellent and gave good background to the visit. One of our favourite trips on the holiday.

Rio de Janeiro: Rocinha Favela Walking Tour with Local Guide (on GetYourGuide) A safe but rushed and superficial favela tour that we booked on GetYourGuide. The tour was reasonably well organised, with a convenient meeting point at a hotel and excellent transportation in an air-conditioned van. Our guide, Martin, introduced himself as a local resident living high up in the favela, which initially gave us confidence that we would gain some genuine local insights. The walking route itself felt relatively safe and well established. However, a couple of people in our group were yelled at by a local schoolteacher for photographing children. This was understandable, but Martin should have clearly explained the photography etiquette and restrictions beforehand. Unfortunately, several aspects of the experience were disappointing. 1. Far too rushed. The walking portion felt like a constant case of “go, go, go”, with very little opportunity to properly observe or understand the community. Strangely, Martin spent a considerable amount of time at the beginning stopping at a souvenir shop, followed by approximately 30 minutes at a bar for drinks and photo opportunities. That time would have been better spent exploring and learning about the favela. 2. Questionable and exaggerated explanations. Martin repeatedly suggested that virtually everything in the favela was built or operated illegally, with absolutely no government involvement. Given the presence of electricity, internet and other infrastructure, these sweeping claims deserved considerably more explanation and nuance. Rather than providing a balanced picture, some of his commentary felt exaggerated. 3. Very limited historical or social insight. This was probably my biggest disappointment. Martin didn’t seem able to explain much about the history of the favelas, their development, infrastructure, governance or the social and economic challenges residents face. Most explanations were superficial. Given that he is a local resident, I had expected a much more informative and insightful experience. 4. Unusual personal stops. On multiple occasions, the group was left waiting while Martin stopped to get himself coffee or lunch. This seemed rather unprofessional, particularly considering how rushed the actual walking tour felt. Finally, the return transportation arrangements appeared to be adjusted to accommodate certain passengers but not others, without a clear explanation. This was a rather bizarre way to conclude the tour. Overall, this is a reasonably safe and organised walkthrough of a favela, with plenty of photo opportunities and some shopping stops. However, if you’re hoping for a genuinely educational experience that provides meaningful insight into favela life, history and the complex issues these communities face, you may be disappointed. It felt more like a rushed sightseeing and shopping tour than a substantive cultural experience.

Waited right in front of the Palace Hotel, would have been better if we were asked to wait by the statue.

Pickup was from both Copacabana and Ipanema beachfronts by minibus, and we were cleverly taken to an Favela entrance which was partway up the hill. That meant our walk up was shorter than the walk down. We met our guide, Carlos, who has lived in this favela for over 30 years. A second trainee guide Willian was using his tips to pay for online English lessons. Carlos was so informative and enthusiastic, briefing us on the do's and don'ts (no photos at certain points where dealers were known to hang out). We were taken to the top of the favela with spectacular views of Rio, before seeing a Brazilian martial arts demo by some of the incredibly fit youngsters. Over the time of the tour you get a feel for the life of the 100,000 people crammed onto the hillside - how their ancestors ended up there (lied to by the government after fighting for Brazil in a war), their commute to work in the city, the motorbike taxis for the steep hills, the policing, schooling, etc. All this as you slowly make your way down through the favela to an exit at the very bottom. There we were met by the minibus to return to the two pick-up points. Overall very good value, and you will learn so much about urban life and the politics of Rio / Brazil. Hints - be prepared for a lot of steep steps/hill walking (trainers advised over flipflops); take hand gel (you'll touch a lot of handrails, walls etc.) and water; take some cash for tips; follow your guide's instructions to the letter! Think twice if you are limited in your movement, strength or stamina because the group has to move at the speed of the slowest.

In incredible tour with great stories and a fascinating insight into the favella and its workings. Easy bus trip with hotel collection. Highly recommend

Riding up the whindy road on the back of a motorcycle is exciting to me. Not for the faint of heart. A walk back down through the paths. Our guides were friendly. A fun new experience.

A brilliant trip in to Rochina favela. Safe and beautifully lead. Ray was a brilliant guide and explained how the favela functions so well. I would highly recommend this!

It was very cool and very safe, would recommend this as a great way to see a different and authentic side of Rio.

Local guide was wonderful and its clearly an eye opener into their daily life . Taking this tour supports their local community and gives the guide a job

I keep talking about how epic this Favela tour was. My sister and I booked this tour and were lucky to have Daniel as our tour guide. He was outstanding. He gave us a lot of information about the history of the favelas, fun facts about Rio and much more. This was definitely unlike any other experience I’ve done while traveling.

The tour was super interesting and eye-opening. It was a great opportunity to immerse ourselves in the local community, hear personal stories, and learn about everyday life in the favela. Our guide was excellent and made the experience truly meaningful. I highly recommend this tour!

Going to a favela with a guide is not dangerous in the slittiest. The people are very welcoming and governed by very strict rules which they will not break. It was a great Experience and I’d highly recommend it. Are guide Martin was was very matter of fact which added to the experience!

Martin was an amazing guide. He provided a lot of education about the favela and is very passionate about the community he lives in. This was a great experience and I definitely would recommend to anyone interested in learning about the community.

I'm sad i cant remember my guides name because he was incredible. You can tell he not only cared for the area but talked with locals to give their narrative when giving the tour. Would absolutely recommend this tour when in Medellín!

Thank you to Martin for opening up his home to me and my daughter. We learned that residents of the community are like everyone else. We loved seeing all the colors and all the activity. We felt safe the whole time. Thanks again.

Really felt like i got the authentic experience which is what i wanted, our tour guide was so insightful and nice.

I had an absolutely amazing tour with Ray as my guide! One of the most enjoyable and interesting tours I've taken on any trip, period. She gave so much good information, and was very thorough. If you visit Rio, I would consider this trip an absolute must! 11/10, highly recommended.

Highlight! Rocinha is like its own little universe. The efficiency of how it seems to run is amazing. And really some of the most stunning views of the city.

Stunning views and friendly guide. Great experience. A little bit hot walking down the road so stay hydrated.

Very interesting tour. We enjoyed it. Local guide who lives on Favela so good to hear first hand experiences.

Was very undecided about this tour because of reading many negative reviews across various companies but we are so glad we did it! If you ask questions, the tour is amazing but you have to be curious in my opinion. We learnt so much and it’s very different from similiar areas we’ve been to in other parts of the world. Been on many a motorbike across Asia but this was a different level, highly recommend it. Felt super safe and enjoyed this trip very much so! We knew we would regret not doing it and so glad we went for it

Daniel was a great guide! We had some great surprises along the way with a perfect view of the favela.

This was a great tour. We had Ray as our guide, and I would go again in a heartbeat. I learned a lot from Ray and also from looking around while walking. My only regret is losing all my photos from that day. If anyone else toured Rocinha with Ray the last week of July 2026 and would be willing to share some photos with me, please contact me (kejordan@gmail.com)!

Daniel, our guide knows first hand the life of the Fravelo and it was obvious that he shared insights that were genuine without sugar coating the reality. I enjoyed it very much although there are probably too many tours running at the same time.

A long drive to pick people up, while it is hard to understand the English of the guide. We made several stops during the Favela tour which ended up asking for donation / small payments, which is not pleasant to find out they are trying to make money off of each stop. Not an experience living up to my expectation specially the guide not that helpful.

Best trip in Rio. Our guide is from the favela community and he speaks excellent English, very passionate, engaging and knowledgeable. I like how the tour is organized and designed. We spend time with children who teach us capoeira, and boys who can play football with us. I really enjoy it and I hope everyone can come and support the community.

The favela tour was absolutely incredible and one of the highlights of our trip. João was an outstanding guide—extremely knowledgeable, engaging, and genuinely friendly. He made us feel welcome from the start and shared so much insight into the community, its history, and daily life. His passion and personality truly made the experience unforgettable. This tour was 100% worth it, and I highly recommend it to anyone visiting Rio.

Brilliant tour, our guide Carlos was passionate, knowledgeable and clearly local and loves his Favela. He was entertaining and kept the tempo of the group up and explained everything, our Son loved him. We'd literally just landed in Rio that morning itself after a 12-hour flight from Rome, but Carlos kept the energy levels up. I won't give away the context of the tour, but do not be afraid, embrace it and just book this tour, you won't regret it.

Visit the favella with a knowledgeable guide who knows what it means to live there. A superb insight into an interesting community

very educational, fun, and useful tour. carlos the guide could be a cultural studies professor!

Clear communication from tour orgnaisers. Met our guide Ray and travelled to the favela on a minibus. Ray was great throughout the whole tour, really friendly, answered loads of questions and gave us lots of info about the Favela and the people within. We had some great opportunities for photos and even got to play basketball against the locals. We felt safe throughout the tour, would definitely recommend.

Both a fun activity and a highly educative adventure for those looking for more in Rio than beach time and constant entertainment. Edson, our friendly and energetic guide, gave us some insight into the life of a favela and shared a lot of first - hand experiences. I'm quite sure that once taken part in this tour, one can never view a favela and its dwellers the same way as before. As expected, the views from the top of a favela building., all the way up on the hill, are magnificent.

The experience was amazing. Our tour guide was knowledgeable, kind smart, and very intuitive toward our surroundings. Bruno was the best many thanks to him and his services that he’s rendered by giving these tours.

The Rocinha Favela tour was entertaining, exhilarating, culturally rich, and enlightening. A great way to see Rio De Janeiro and the daily lives of Cariocas!

Amazing, amazing experience. Carlos, our guide, was great and it was so wonderful to see the pride he takes in his community and his passion to share that with us. We had our 4-year old with us, who loved all the stairs we walked down and the capoeira show. Don’t think I’d necessarily recommend it for younger kids, but definitely a worthwhile experience for us.

Guia Ray was the best guide, not only was she informative but she had a true passion for Rochina and shared all her knowledge and experience with the group. Guia Ray made this day truly special. Loved every minute of it. Thank you for a fantastic experience.