
Favela Tours
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 672 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Favela Tours worth booking?
Favela Tours is a 3-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $47 per person. It scores 89 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 672 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 89 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (672)
- Duration
- 3 hours
- From
- $47 per person
Feel what life in a Favela is like. We take you to the top of the Rocinha Favela or Tavares Bastos and then descend on foot. On the way down, you get a unique insight into the vibrant spirit of the people, especially the kids. Discover what life is like inside the Favela. We take you to the highest part and then we walk down the small streets, where you can see everything very close.
What you get
About this experience
Feel what life in a Favela is like. We take you to the top of the Rocinha Favela or Tavares Bastos and then descend on foot. On the way down, you get a unique insight into the vibrant spirit of the people, especially the kids. Discover what life is like inside the Favela. We take you to the highest part and then we walk down the small streets, where you can see everything very close.
What's included
Included
- Private transportation
- Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
- localguide
Not included
- Food and drinks
What you'll see and do
Rio de Janeiro
Let's go from van até to the upper part of the community. Once again, we began to wander around the interior by foot, visiting various towns and learning about local life. The tour can take place both in Rocinha and in the community of Tavares Bastos.
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rio de Janeiro
Hotel pickup
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
Returns to the starting point
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 19 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Be a Local Tours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 672 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
8 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
5 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Good for families
2 mentionsReviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.
Traveler reviews
672 verified traveler reviews for Favela Tours. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Highly recommended.
A very good tour with Patrick, a passionate and knowledgeable guide. With only 5 on the tour, we were picked up from our hotel in a taxi, with one other stop to collect the other 3. In the favela, we did have stops at a couple of businesses, but there was no pressure to buy and the art for sale was of high quality. The capoeira show was great, in a small room with very talented performers right up close. We descended down through the favela via a myriad of tiny lanes and stairways. Patrick was greeted by so many people along the way, in particular children, with whom he is working to keep them in school and engage in interests apart from the grim underbelly of favela culture that is part of their day-to-day lives. All in all, a very enlightening and enjoyable experience.
Response from the operator: Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks a lot for your review and feedback, it is very important to us. We are glad that you enjoyed and had fun. Hope to see you back soon, cheers, Be a Local Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Unprofessional
Booked then got a message an hour later stating they had no more room. I asked them to cancel so I could book elsewhere. They said they would but never did. So I had to waste my personal time with Viator to obtain my refund.
Response from the operator: Hello, how are you? Sorry for the ploblem with the cancelation. As soon as we spoke to you, telling that we didn’t have more rooms available, we canceled it directly on the viator system. If you had a problem on the website, you might contact their customer info, to check what happened, because we don’t have how to follow up on the system. Sorry once again for the trouble. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team
via Viator
Uninspiring trip to the Favela.
It was a bad experience from the very start. Our guide turned up at 10.30am , half an hour late. We were in sqeezed into a tiny taxi, 5 of us plus guide being driven to the favela. The guide had no real talent at story telling, spat out statistics about everything other than the tour , spend a lot of time at an eatery , spouting on topics such as Angelina Jolies encounter with bees etc. Over all disappointing , listless and poor guiding.
Response from the operator: Hello, thanks for your review. We had a problem with the van on the way to the tour and had to change transportation. Sorry if you felt bad, the car was a 7 seat model. About the delay on the pick up, as Rio is a big city, traffic can be a problem, that’s why we keep in touch with out clients up dating the transfer location and timing. Thanks for your feedback. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Excellent trip
Great trip. Excellent guide. Very informative
Response from the operator: Hello, greetings from Rio. Thanks for your feedback. It was a pleasure to have you with us and we all hope to see you back soon. Cheers, Be a Local Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Interesting
Very eye-opening experience. Patrick, our tour guide, was very knowledgeable.
Response from the operator: Hi Diana, thanks for your feedback. It was a pleasure to have you with us. All the best, Be a Local Tours Team
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 3 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 235
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 89
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Favela Tours: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Favela Tours cost?
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Prices start at $47 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 Tours take?
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Plan for about 3 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 Tours worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 89 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 672 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most highly reviewed in Rio de Janeiro, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Favela Tours?
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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 Tours suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Favela Tours?
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Around 235 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 3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Favela Tours 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 Pedra da Gávea hike, your best experience in Rio, Favela Tour Rio de Janeiro - Vidigal Walking Tour by Russo Guide, Rio's Full Day: Selarón Steps, Christ & Sugarloaf – Tickets & Lunch Included. 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.
What is included in Favela Tours?
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Included: Private transportation; Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected); and localguide. Not included: Food and drinks. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
What languages is Favela Tours offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese, English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Favela Tours?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Favela Tours wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Favela Tours if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Favela Tours?
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Across 672 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, good for families. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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