Little Africa Tour: Discover Rio's Hidden Narratives

Explore the rich history and cultural impact of the African diaspora in Rio de Janeiro’s Saúde neighborhood. Discover Little Africa’s hidden gems and vibrant sites on this engaging walking tour.

Duration: 3 hours, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Museu de Arte do Rio - MAR - Meeting Place for “No Hotel Pick-Up” - Museum de Arte do Rio (MAR). The museum is located at Praça Mauá, 5 - Centro, Rio de Janeiro.
  • Igreja de Sao Francisco da Prainha - At Largo da Prainha you’ll see the Mercedes Baptista Statue. She was the very first African-Brazilian ballet dancer to enroll in the Municipal…
What's Included
  • In-vehicle air conditioning
  • Guide
  • 20 Pages PDF with the highlights of the Tour
What's Not Included
  • Gorgetas
Additional Information

Embark on a transformative journey through the hidden narratives of Little Africa in Rio de Janeiro’s bustling Port with Florencio’s immersive walking tour. Delve into the profound legacy of over four million Africans enslaved in Brazil over three centuries, where Rio emerged as the epicenter of the global African slave trade in the 19th century,…

Location
MUHCAB - Museu da História e da Cultura Afro-Brasileira
Rua Pedro Ernesto
Cancellation Policy

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

Customer Ratings
4.9
(224 Ratings)
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M_b
Jul 15, 2025
I took the 5 hour tour... - I took the 5 hour tour with Guide Escarlate and had the most amazing time! I wanted to be fully immersed in the Afro- Brazilian culture and let me just say, "mission accomplished." We went everywhere and did so with a purpose. Each stop fed into the next and by the time the tour was over, I understood everything that went into making the Afro-Brazilians great! I would recommend this tour to anyone who wants to gain an understanding of not just the people but also the history of the country as a whole. Side note: Escarlate doubled as a photographer and took the most memorable pics.
Review provided by Viator
674maressam
Jul 3, 2025
Highly recommended. One of the best cultural experiences I’ve ever had! - My Little Africa tour with Ana Julia was hands down one of the most meaningful cultural experiences I’ve had while traveling in Rio! Ana brings a depth of knowledge that’s rare. She doesn’t sugarcoat history—she gives it to you raw, and with purpose. From past to present, she connects the dots in a way that feels personal, informed, and passionate. It’s immediately clear this isn’t just a job for her but something she deeply cares about. The tour itself was well-paced and immersive. I never felt rushed, and there was enough space to really take in what we were seeing and hearing. Ana also brought a strong awareness of the city as a whole—not just Little Africa itself. Her energy was amazing throughout, and the fact that she’s bilingual made everything feel accessible and smooth. We also had lunch together after the tour, which added a personal touch that I genuinely appreciated. It was more than just a guided experience—it felt like a conversation, a connection, and a cultural deep dive all in one. This is the kind of tour that stays with you long after it’s over. If you want to experience Rio beyond the postcards—if you want to feel the weight, resilience, and richness of its history—don’t leave without doing this tour.You're definitely in for a treat if Ana Julia is your guide!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Carmel_b
Jul 1, 2025
Extremely informative tour of little Africa! - This tour of little Africa was exactly what I had hoped for! Ana (Scarlet), my guide was very friendly and extremely knowledgeable, thoughtfully guiding me through different museums, points of interest and landmarks. She gave me time to read things, supplementing information as I needed and made sure I was safe throughout! I thoroughly enjoyed the tour and feel like I learnt a lot in a short period of time. The organisers were able to fit me in last minute which I am very grateful for - thank you for a great experience!
Review provided by Viator
943diamonds
Jun 29, 2025
Ana Julia - She was such a warm, welcoming & informative tour guide. It is clear that she takes pride in her job and did everything possible for us to enjoy the tour. I'd choose her anytime!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Yaasantewam2025
Jun 29, 2025
Ana Julia, best guide ever!!! - Ana Julia was AMAZING!!! She was intelligent and knew valuable information that made the tour truly phenomenal. She was kind, had the best energy, and showed a true passion for black history in Rio. My friends and I learned SOOOOO much!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
The_p
Jun 29, 2025
Great Tour & Great Price - Scarlet from the Florencio tour company was so knowledgeable and friendly! You could really see her passion for the topic and the love of her country. She made sure everyone was safe and comfortable! I learned a lot and had a good time. I wouldn’t recommend Going on a Saturday as some places are closed. But all in all it was very very great!
Review provided by Viator
Tatiana_k
Jun 14, 2025
Incredible Tour Capturing the Essence of Afro Brazilian Culture! - Outstanding Tour of the culture, significance and impact of Africa within Brazil! Our guide Gabo was incredible and exceptionally knowledgeable and kind. We learned an incredible amount of history and information about Rio and Brazil overall within a relatively short period of time. From the cultural landmarks, museums and sites and art we reviewed we felt so much more educated about the country. Everything from samba to language and religion is deeply influenced by Africa. It was amazing to have both verbal and visual understanding of Little Africa and it's importance to the region and gaining deeper respect for the history. We would absolutely recommend this tour to anyone who visits Rio to really gain awareness and insight into the beauty of Afro-Brazilian culture!
Review provided by Viator
Melanie
Jun 13, 2025
Great tour of Little Africa. - This was an excellent tour that focused on the African Brazilian connection. The tour explained how samba was formed and why it is important to the community. All of our questions were answered and the guide explained Brazilian history to us. We really enjoyed and appreciated all of the information that was given. I’m so glad that we booked this tour!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Gregory_g
May 31, 2025
7 wonders tour! - The experience was great we learned a lot and Scarlett was very knowledgeable about everything we asked, we really enjoyed it and it was a great experience!!!!
Review provided by Viator
Ivetth_s
May 31, 2025
Illustrative - Excellent. It helped us to have a better perspective on the moment in history that Brazil is in, the tour was very interesting and our guide Carolina took a 10.
Review provided by Viator
From $46
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).