Guided tour

Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with a Local Guide

4.9  / 51342 reviews
Certified by GetYourGuide
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Guided tour
Rio de Janeiro: Favela Santa Marta Tour with a Local Guide
Certified by GetYourGuide
4.9  / 51342 reviews

Experience Rio's favela culture on a guided walking tour of the Santa Marta favela. Visit your guide's house for drinks, be taken to craft shops, and discover some social projects.

About this activity

Free cancellation
Cancel up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund
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Keep your travel plans flexible — book your spot and pay nothing today.
Duration 2.5 - 3 hours
Check availability to see starting times.
Live tour guide
English, Spanish

Experience

Itinerary

  • getyourguide-logo-icon.svg

    2 starting location options:

    R. São Clemente, 307, Favela Tour Santa Marta

  • Cable car

    (20 minutes)

  • View point

    Photo stop, Scenic views on the way (15 minutes)

  • Michael Jackson Square

    Guided tour, Walk (25 minutes)

  • Local restaurant

    Aperitif, Beer, Shopping, Local snacks (15 minutes)

  • Secret stop

    Cocktail, Guided tour, Shopping, Welcome refreshments (25 minutes)

  • main-stop-icon.svg

    Visitor center

    Visit (20 minutes)

  • Secret stop

    Sightseeing, Walk, Hiking (20 minutes)

  • 2 drop-off locations:

    R. São Clemente, 307, Favela Tour Santa Marta

Main stop
Other stop

For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.

Highlights

  • Visit the favela with one of the most beautiful views in Rio de Janeiro
  • Getyourguide award in 2019 as one of the best walking tours in Latin America.
  • See places with amazing views to take great pictures
  • The most visited tour by celebrities and famous people in the favela.
  • Visit the guide's house, meet his family and get a free drink

Full description

Take the opportunity to glimpse life in the favelas on this guided tour. Your guide is a Santa Marta resident who will be able to share with you an authentic perspective of the beautiful favela they call home. Using the Santa Marta cable car, your guide will take you to the top of the favela. From here you will be able to witness one of the best panoramic views of the city. Discover Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Botafogo Beach, Lagoa Rodrigues de Freitas and the entire neighborhood of Botafogo. Then, explore the streets and alleys enjoyed by both residents and Favela Santa Marta's many famous visitors, from Queen Elizabeth II to Michael Jackson. Stroll through the favela, seeing the best tourist attractions and stopping at several local craft shops along the way. Discover the guide's home, his family and the projects that Thiago carries out in the favela for children and adults. A tour that really helps the favela with activities. Beware of fake tours that harm the site. An important detail. In addition to other awards we have already won, our tour was chosen in the Getyourguide awards in 2019 as one of the best walking tours in Latin America and in April 2024 it won the Gentle and Responsible Tourism Awards for the greatest tourism achievement in Latin America.

Includes

  • Favela walking tour
  • Free welcome drink
  • Local resident guide
  • Visit to the guide's house
  • Visit to community daycare (when open)
  • Visit to handicraft shops
  • Visit to the Residents' Association and social projects
  • Food (available to purchase at a pub)
  • Private car pickup is 125 BRL per person (request on Whatsapp)

Not suitable for

  • People with mobility impairments
  • People with heart problems
  • Wheelchair users
  • People with altitude sickness

Select participants and date

Participants

Date

Meeting point

Meeting point may vary depending on the option booked.

Important information

What to bring

  • Comfortable shoes
  • Cash
  • Credit card

Know before you go

  • If the Santa Marta Cable Car is not operating on the day of your tour, you will have to walk to the top of the favela accompanied by your guide - Alternatively, you can take a taxi (about R$ 15).
  • Please bring some cash with you if you want to buy souvenirs, food or drink at local stores.
  • The tour can take place in light rain, so please dress accordingly.

Customer reviews

Overall rating

4.9 /5

based on 1342 reviews

Review summary

  • Guide
    5/5
  • Value for money
    4.8/5
  • Service
    4.8/5
  • Organization
    4.8/5

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P
Pietro – ItalyOctober 8, 2024  – Verified booking
An interesting walk through the Santa Marta Favela. The tour was interesting and enlightened a lot about how it's living there and how everything is different from the city. Differently of how People see Favela, the place is more secure than we think. But keep always an eye open, and don't film when you don't have permission.
Helpful?
L
Lesley St – United KingdomSeptember 28, 2024  – Verified booking
The tour guide Peter was fantastic, very informative and made us feel very welcome
Helpful?
S
Srekanth – United KingdomSeptember 27, 2024  – Verified booking
Tour guide Juliana was brilliant. She was patient and gave good knowledge about the place.
Helpful?

Product ID: 140271

Activity provider:Favela Santa Marta Tour

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