
Rio Favela Tour
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 65 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Rio Favela Tour worth booking?
Rio Favela Tour is a 2-hour experience in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from $35 per person. It scores 80 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 65 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 80 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (65)
- Duration
- 2 hours
- From
- $35 per person
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.
What you get
About this experience
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.
What's included
Included
- Guide services
Not included
- Alcoholic beverages
- Private transportation
What you'll see and do
Vidigal
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.
180 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Rio de Janeiro
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
No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.
Ends at
You will meet the guide at Vidigal Square. Guides will send a photo beforehand of the location and themselves to better identify them.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- pt, en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 8 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Experience Rio
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 65 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Photo opportunities
5 mentionsThe views and photo stops come up again and again.
Value for money
2 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Traveler reviews
65 verified traveler reviews for Rio Favela Tour. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and 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!
Response from the operator: 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
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.
Response from the operator: 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.
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
Response from the operator: 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!
via Tripadvisor
Exceptional experience
This was an exceptional tour and Rodrigo was a wonderful teacher, not just a guide. Mindblowing experience
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.
Response from the operator: 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!
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
- $35 to $37
- Hotel pickup
- No pickup, meet at start point
- Booked in 30 days
- 23
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Why this scores 80
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Rio Favela Tour: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Rio de Janeiro.
How much does Rio Favela Tour cost?
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Prices start at $35 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 Rio Favela Tour 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 Rio Favela Tour worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 80 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 65 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 Rio Favela Tour?
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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 Rio Favela Tour 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 Rio Favela Tour?
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Around 23 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 Rio Favela Tour 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 Rio Favela Tour?
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Included: Guide services. Not included: Alcoholic beverages; and Private transportation. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Where is the meeting point for Rio Favela Tour?
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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 included, so plan your own transport and arrive 15 minutes early.
What languages is Rio Favela Tour offered in?
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It is offered in Portuguese and English. 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 Rio Favela Tour?
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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.
What happens to Rio Favela Tour 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 Rio Favela Tour?
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Across 65 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, photo opportunities. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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