Favela Tours: Experience Life Inside Rocinha or Tavares Bastos Favela
4.8
659 Ratings
Copacabana

Immerse yourself in the vibrant spirit of Rocinha or Tavares Bastos Favela. Experience life inside the favela, from the top to the bustling streets, and gain unique insights into the community’s culture and the resilience of its people.

Duration: 3 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • 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.
What's Included
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off (if option selected)
  • Local guide
What's Not Included
  • Food and drinks
Additional Information

Experience the essence of life in a Favela. We transport you to the pinnacle of the Rocinha Favela or Tavares Bastos and then make our way down on foot. As we navigate downwards, you’re privy to a distinctive understanding of the pulsating spirit of the locals, particularly the younger ones.
Uncover the reality of life within the confines of the Favela….

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Location
R. Barata Ribeiro, 111
Rua Barata Ribeiro
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(659 Ratings)
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1 star
Dougers-007
Oct 14, 2025
Do this tour! - Outstanding tout with a wonderful guide- Patrick. He displayed a clear and through knowledge with a lovely mixture of factual detail and local chat chat. And he knew everyone! It was superb. Strong recommendation for a tour we were unsure about at the point of booking!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Inspire56631791605
Oct 11, 2025
In Rocinha, see a tour of hope - Attend a Patric-led Rocinha tour, which is not just a sightseeing but a profound human experience. The corner sold dry food bags, and the streets were filled with cars and children laughing. Patric pushed to replace a toy gun in children's hands with football, symbolizing the hope to replace violence. Real, touching, worth a visit in person.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jennymy2343aw
Oct 2, 2025
Great Favala walking tour - Educational, informative and safely led by Patrick. Really enjoyed learning about the Favalas, their history and the residents. Would highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Caroline
Jun 3, 2025
A must do tour - Good communication prior to pick up which was from our hotel. Minibus transfer in a comfortable bus to the favela entrance followed by a walking tour of approximately 2 hours through the favela. Opportunity to buy snacks, drinks and local art. Good mix of main roads and side streets to explore. Patrick stopped regularly to give information on a range of topics about the history and life in the favelas. I left feeling better educated about the favela community. A thought provoking tour which I highly recommend.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Wilhelm_l
Mar 8, 2025
First time in the favela - A great way to see the favela. No need to worry about safety. Please be respectful to the locals and follow your guide :)
Review provided by Viator
Tony_v
Mar 6, 2025
Rio Favela Tour - This was a very enriching and moving tour as we learned that Brazil has 12,000 Favelas. Rocinha, which is what we toured, is the largest. It is an amazing experience that should be seen by everyone because it brings stark awareness of the difference in equality and also the tenacity and industriousness of a people to live and make life work. There is beauty in the art within the Favela and the scenery within Rio is spectacular. We learned of moving stories of families and children being positively motivated to become whatever they wanted to be. Patrick, our tour guide, has been very involved in being a mentor to young children to choose a positive path in life instead of being influenced by gangs, drugs etc. We would highly recommend this tour.
Review provided by Viator
Karim_m
Mar 2, 2025
Great - Great tour we saw the favela in a very safe environment would highly recommend tour guide is very passionate
Review provided by Viator
Emily_l
Feb 3, 2025
Such a fun and enriching... - Such a fun and enriching tour with a very knowledgeable guide. Great experience! 10/10 would recommend to groups or solo travelers!
Review provided by Viator
Tom_m
May 15, 2025
Patrick was a... - Patrick was a knowledgeable and kind guide (does good work in the community). Fantastic views from top of the favela and good to see a flavour of life in the town. Free drink and snack and good access to street art and craft goods.
Review provided by Viator
317shaunc
Mar 4, 2025
OK, but definitely could be improved to make it worthwhile. - Generally ok but nothing more! In my opinion there were a couple of serious shortcomings. Rio traffic is horrible and whilst it’s commendable to collect everyone from their hotels, we wasted more than an hour. Far better to get people to come to a central point (metro station). Also, I was expecting much more insight from the guide, Sergio. It was very basic and I didn’t really learn anything which I didn’t already know. It would have been far better to have had a good intro into life in a favela during the huge amount of time we were in the bus rather than just apologising for the endless stops we needed to make to collect people.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $47
From $47
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Select a date
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).