Rio de Janeiro · resident-led
Rocinha, Vidigal and Santa Marta are neighbourhoods — homes, schools, bakeries, football pitches, bus routes and some of the best views in the city. The walks below are the ones run by residents, and they are listed without a ranking, because which one suits you depends on the hill, the length and whether there is samba at the end. Each entry says who leads it, how long it takes and what it costs.
Private Rio tour linking favela viewpoints with Little Africa sites. Skip crowds, ride in comfort, and learn the story in 7 hours.
“Andre is. GREAT guide! He is very knowledgeable and personable. It seemed like we spent the day with a genuine friend. Our driver was kind and knew his way around thru the traffic. I highly recommend this tour!”
A 2.5-hour Vidigal circuit with Morro Dois Irmãos views, local-home break, and an ecological park walk with guide Jean-Christophe.
“Jean gave us a breathtaking tour of Vidigal and hike up Two Brothers mountain. He really looked after us the whole time and we felt incredibly safe in his company. He was very knowledgable about the area, full of information - I would highly recommend his tours!”
Walk Rocinha with a resident guide in Rio de Janeiro, with hotel pickup and an included community contribution. 3 hours, teachable, real.
“Amazing experience. Martin is the best guide made us all extremely comfortable and enjoyed it thoroughly. We did all the major tourist things in Rio and walked away feeling like this might have been the best overall. Thanks for a great experience. Don't hesitate just do it”
Walk Rocinha with a bilingual woman-led guide, start by moto-taxi, see street art, meet local youth, and get Rio views in about 2 hours.
“A huge thank you to Gabriela for the visit !! Even if she prefers Flamengo to Paris Saint Germain ahahah 😂 It was a very good moment of exchange with her.”
Afro-Brazilian roots tour in Salvador with hotel pickup, museum stops, a Candomblé terreiro visit, and lunch at Favela Gamboa.
“A Soulful Journey Through Salvador’s Afro-Brazilian Heart If you’re seeking a tour that goes far beyond sightseeing and dives deep into the soul of Salvador, the Afro Brazilian Roots City Tour with Monia is an absolute must. From start to finish, our day was a masterclass in history, resilience, and cultural pride. Monia, a native Bahian and deeply knowledgeable guide, brought every moment to life with her insider perspective on Afro-Brazilian traditions. Her storytelling was rich, layered, and full of reverence for the people and practices that have shaped Salvador’s identity. One of the most moving stops was our visit to a Candomblé Terreiro, where we learned about the sacred…”
Hike through Vidigal favela and up Morro Dois Irmãos to 539 m, then unwind at Mirante do Arvrao bar with Rio views.
“Amazing views of the city, a very unique experience walking up the favela and then onto the mountain trail. I would deffinatly recommend this trip for someone who likes to hike. My guide Raphael was such a great guy, who was very knowledgeable and easy to get along with. Thanks again Raphael.”
Hike to Vidigal’s Two Brothers (2 Irmãos) mountain, eat street food, then ride down by moto taxi, with 4K photos included.
“Raphael was AMAZING! So informative, fun and supportive. He motivated me when the hike was challenging and gave a lot of information about the history of Brazil and the favelas of Rio. The view and the end of the hike was breathtaking I would recommend this to anyone and everyone so worth it!”
Baile funk party in Rocinha, Rio de Janeiro. A small-group night with local hosts, safety guidance, and real favela culture.
“Tour operator didn’t show up or send any communications. Waste of time and money. Please book another company.”
Guided Rocinha tour with panoramic views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf and the sea, plus colorful alleys. Transport included.
“une visite formidable avec un guide exceptionnel un grand merci à lui pour toutes ces connaissances qu il ́ous a partagé”
A 5-hour private Paraisópolis tour in São Paulo with community history, radio live shows, artists Berbéla and Gaudí of Paraisópolis, and more.
“Wonderful trip to change the prejudices regarding the favelas and to get to know some kind and friendly artists and other people. I can highly recommend the guide and the agency.”
Motorcycle up Rocinha for Rio’s top view, local culture stories, dance and acrobatics, then a guided walk back through daily life. 3 hours.
“Tour guide didn't arrived to meeting point. When we was already waiting him there when he wrote on watsapp that the price he want is higher and he can't this day, trying to change dates! After that he canceled our refund an now I'm fighting to have my money back!!!!”
Rocinha favela tour in Rio with a motorbike intro, Vila Laboriaux views, Rua 1 walk, and Bella Vista rooftop stops. Small-group guided.
“Gabriella was the best tour guide ever!!!!! Please book her she’s extremely knowledgeable and funny. She made sure we were hydrated and continued to ask if we were okay made sure we were comfortable”
Santa Marta favela tour in Rio with big bay views, a Michael Jackson stop, and a respectful community visit with a local guide.
“Feb 2024 - If you’re visiting Rio, you have to visit the favelas! Dispel your stereotypes and open your mind. This is an excellent way for you to interface with the people and the culture! Pedro was an amazing guide very knowledgeable and passionate on educating people on life in the Favela. Santa Marta is a beautiful place and the energy I received there was like no other! The people shine like the 🌞”
Walk Dona Marta with a local guide, ride up by funicular, see arts, sports, murals, and the Laje do Michael Jackson viewpoint.
“Mauvaise expérience. Début initiale à 10h, notre guide n’est arrivé qu’à 10h45 et nous avions stipulé une visite en français hors le guide attribué ne parlais que quelques mots. Pas beaucoup d’explication sur la visite et juste une balade dans la Favela.. bref, très mauvaise expérience et très peu d’information sur l’histoire de ce lieu.”
Walk through Rio’s Rocinha on a 4-hour favela tour with pickup, English guide, optional moto taxi, and admission included for $55.
“The tour guides were nice. I was one of the only english speaking people on the tour and there was only 1 tour guide that spoke English. We started by taking moto taxis up to a restaurant and then we sat at the restaurant for about an hour. The tour guide gave me maybe 3-4 sentences about the favela there. We then went down to an art studio and walked around for a bit, stopped at a school, and then walked down the hill. I was really hoping this would be much more educational, explaining the culture, history, and experiences of people living in the favela. It really fell flat…”
Pick a coast, a city or a river, and start there.
