Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide
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September 2026
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Adults
Age 13 and over
Children
Age 12 and under
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Free cancellation up to 24 hours before. Same price on Viator, Outty earns a commission.
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 31 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide worth booking?
Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide is a 2-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $80 per person. It scores 63 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 31 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 63 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (31)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $80 per person
FAVELA TOUR SANTA MARTA EXPERIENCIE, IS A TOUR WITH PROPROSITION, is much more than a simple excursion or walk through slopes and alleys of the Favela. It is the connection / exchange between tourist and resident, we ha
What you get
- Entrance to the Favela cable car
- Visit to the House of Watches. resident with a collection of more than 350 watches throughout the house.
- Visit the guide's house. Visit to the +Que Turismo Social Project.
About this experience
FAVELA TOUR SANTA MARTA EXPERIENCIE, IS A TOUR WITH PROPROSITION, is much more than a simple excursion or walk through slopes and alleys of the Favela. It is the connection / exchange between tourist and resident, we have the mission to take the visitor for an immersion into the favela, to know the daily life of the resident, to understand the challenges and achievements over more than 100 years since the creation of the first favela, is to have a broad view of the day-to-day of a favela resident of Rio, since more than 25% of the population of Rio lives in Favelas. In addition to understanding our daily life, your visit contributes 100% to the development of educational, linguistic, sports or cultural projects within the Favela, since part of the value paid by tourists 50% is applied to these actions, developed by residents, without any support from the public authority. We introduce you to much more than a simple excursion or walk through the favela, but rather a FAVELA TOUR EXPERIENCE with a purpose. COME LIVE THIS TRUE EXPERIENCE.
What's included
Included
- Entrance to the Favela cable car
- Visit to the House of Watches. resident with a collection of more than 350 watches throughout the house.
- Visit the guide's house. Visit to the +Que Turismo Social Project.
Not included
- Private transportation
What you'll see and do
TOURIST INFORMATION STAND.
10 minutes here
We walk to the Inclined Plane. We go to the top of the hill, view of the City, the top of the Capela Santa Marta Church. We started walking down the stairs.
30 minutes here · Admission included
Michael Jackson Statue
At the place where the statue of Michael Jackson is located, we will visit some artisan souvenir shops. They can marvel at the view and take souvenir photos. We will then visit a Mundo Infantil crèche, a community crèche that serves around 80 children from the community who also receive support as a result of our guided tours. We continue the visit through a cultural corridor where it is possible to see the development of our community through photographs.
45 minutes here
This is the end of our guided tour.
5 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rio de Janeiro
Praça Corumbá in Botafogo at the tourist information stand, look for the guide Gilson Fumaça and present the reservation number
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Praça Corumbá in Botafogo at the tourist information stand, look for the guide Gilson Fumaça and present the reservation number
Options you can book
Favela tour of Santa Marta with local Guide
LUNCH TOUR
LUNCH TOUR
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- FAVELA TOUR SANTA MARTA - TURISMO COMUNITÁRIO E SOCIAL
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Not recommended for people with limited mobility
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 31 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
6 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
3 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Photo opportunities
2 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Traveler reviews
31 verified traveler reviews for Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
great look into the lives of favela residents
the tour was great, very candid look into the lives of the folks who live here. I would highly recommend this tour for anyone visiting the area, the guide is excellent and a proud resident here
via Viator
Would highly recommend...
Would highly recommend this tour. We were a bit worried about the ethics of favela tours, and several of the providers we found didn't put us at ease: it looked as if you would show up in a huge bus and be shuttled around to gape at various sights. We wanted something more laid back and in touch with the locals, and this is exactly what Gilson provides. It was just me and my partner on the tour, and we essentially went on a walk through the town. Gilson knows pretty much everyone, and you really feel like you're getting an insider's perspective. The tour is more about getting a feel for the place and less about the "sights", but such as they are they include: the funicular railway, UPP station, football pitch, Gilson's house and clock collection (!), town square and church. Gilson is super knowledgeable, having lived in Santa Marta his whole life. Instead of giving a prepared spiel, at each point he gives a brief explanation and then lets you ask questions, which he's always able to answer. We preferred this approach. If you want a chill experience that really lets you feel like you're participating in the life of the favela, then highly recommend this tour.
via Viator
Not recommended
It was actually quite bad. The guide didn’t really care it didn’t give any information about the community. We didn’t feel comfortable being around the are. After arriving at the main attraction with the graffiti there was a band playing and they insisted on giving tips, 10€ minimum. It was not okay but we were scared not to give it. In the end of the very poor guide experience he requested tips as well, we were also scared not to give some, but then he tricked us and withdrew more money than expected. Overall not recommended, you get much better experience in other favellas or other tour guides
via Tripadvisor
Einfach kulturell!
Top! The Guide made us feel the life of the favela, the organisation and the culture! The food was delicious and very friendly!
via Viator
We felt safe with our...
We felt safe with our guide. The view was spectacular from the top. Expect to look down as you’re going down the stairs as there is poops from the cats and the dogs here and there.
Response from the operator: I'm glad you felt safe! We always work to break this paradigm that exists in relation to the favelas of Rio! I was born and raised in the Santa Marta favela and we always seek to work towards improving the quality of life of the favela's residents and also of our visitors. Thank you for your visit! We have several mobilization and awareness-raising projects about regular garbage disposal, collecting coconuts on the hill, so much so that we have several plastic bottles with bags spread around the hill with the aim of keeping the favela organized and clean! If you thought it was dirty, believe me, it was much worse. Thanks to our community work, we are gradually reaping positive results from our cleaning campaign through our social and community tourism.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 2 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $80 to $220
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Why this scores 63
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide cost?
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Prices start at $80 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Rio de Janeiro usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide take?
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Plan for about 2 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Rio de Janeiro is not rushed.
Is Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 63 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 31 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Rio de Janeiro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 2-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Rio de Janeiro can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Rio de Janeiro and add a light layer if any part of the 2-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Favela tour Santa Marta with local guide start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Rio de Janeiro within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Rio de Janeiro?
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On Outty we rank every Rio de Janeiro experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included, Rio: Tijuca Rainforest Hike, Wildlife, Waterfalls & Caves, Explore the Best of Tijuca Forest – Hike to Peaks, Caves & Falls. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Rio de Janeiro?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
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