Favela Tour

What is a favela?

A group of five women standing on a bridge in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with the city's hillside and buildings in the background.

Favelas in Rio de Janeiro are densely built, informal neighborhoods that emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as settlements for soldiers, migrants, and workers excluded from formal housing; over decades they grew alongside rapid urbanization and became vibrant, self‑organized communities. Rooted in strong social networks and local initiatives, favelas have rich cultural traditions—contributing to samba, funk, street art, gastronomy, and neighborhood festivals—and are shaped by inventive architecture, cooperative enterprises, and community-led social and cultural projects that sustain daily life and local identity.

A cityscape with densely packed buildings on a hillside, tall modern apartment buildings in the middle, mountains on either side, and cloudy sky overhead.
View of hillside shantytown with densely packed houses of various colors seen through a concrete arch.
Two men in a green and white outdoor setting, with mountains and a waterfall in the background, are having a conversation under a tree.
Colorful hillside neighborhood with various painted houses, some with satellite dishes, and a dense backdrop of similar houses on the slope
A city nestled in a valley surrounded by lush green mountains, with dense urban buildings and residential areas.
People walking along a street with a hillside covered with colorful houses in the background, under a sky with clouds and sunlight.

What to Expect

During this approximately 3-hour experience, you will get a firsthand look at daily life in a favela through a walking tour.

The two main favelas we offer are Babilônia and Rocinha. The specific favela visited depends on the day of your tour and our team's availability.

We always prioritize having your tour led by a specialized guide who is a member of the community.

Tour Highlights

Favela Culture
Group of five women taking a selfie on a balcony with mountains and lush greenery in the background, bright blue sky, and some clouds. 
Unique Sights
Favelas or densely packed hillside houses viewed from beneath a concrete bridge with trees on the hillside.