Rio de Janeiro Rocinha Favela Walking Tour

Explore a different perspective of Rio de Janeiro with this guided walking tour through the Rocinha favela, where you'll uncover the hidden gems and unexpected features of Brazil's favelas.

Tour Choices

During the reservation process, you can select between a tour with or without transfers from the heart of Rio de Janeiro:

Tour Without Transfers (2.5 Hours)

We will convene at the designated time at exit A of the São Conrado metro station, after which we will embark on a motorbike taxi and walking adventure through Rocinha.

The journey begins with a visit to the Rocinha Viewpoint and the Craft Fair. We will then continue to the Capoeira Project, where you can observe local youth engaging in maculelê, capoeira, samba, and passinho de funk. Following this, a visit to a local residence will offer stunning views from the rooftop.

Next, we will explore the gallery of artist Wark and the Castelinho court, a vibrant community space for cultural exchange and transformation. Our route will lead us along the renowned Funk Street and Via Ápia, the most dynamic thoroughfare in Rocinha, serving as its commercial hub.

To wrap up the tour, we will visit Acadêmicos da Rocinha, the samba school that holds traditional significance in the community.

If you prefer, there is an option to include lunch at the Mirante da Rocinha restaurant, featuring a selection of two starters, main dishes, and desserts, with drinks available for purchase. Please note that the lunch option is unavailable on Wednesdays due to the restaurant's closure.

Additionally, you may wish to enhance your experience by choosing the drone tour option. This will allow you to be filmed for about 10 minutes, after which you'll receive a unique souvenir video of your adventure.

Tour With Transfers (3 Hours)

At the scheduled time, we will pick you up from your chosen meeting point in Rio de Janeiro before proceeding to the Rocinha favela, one of Brazil's largest favelas.

On this walking tour, we will look beyond the stereotypes associated with favelas to understand the genuine lives of their residents. You will witness how educational and social rehabilitation projects affect the local community positively, helping inhibit the reliance on violence.

Contrary to popular assumptions, these neighborhoods are bubbling with artistic vitality. Our route will showcase the famous graffiti of Rocinha, with murals that express the emotions and experiences of its humble citizens. The vibrant buildings of Rocinha themselves articulate the creativity of its inhabitants.

Our adventure includes a break at the extraordinary winding hillside road known as the ‘Devil’s Trampoline’, a challenging segment of a legendary car racing circuit in Rio from 1933 to 1954, where it became one of the most significant races in Brazil during that era.

After exploring the favela, we will return to the original departure location in Rocinha before bringing you back to the hotels in Rio de Janeiro.

Pickup Information

You will need to choose one of the following pickup locations during the reservation process:

• Belmond Copacabana Palace Hotel at 9:30 am or 1:30 pm
• Sol Ipanema Hotel at 9:50 am or 1:50 pm

Additional Favelas in Rio de Janeiro

Looking for more experiences? Don't miss the chance to join the Dona Marta Favela Tour and further immerse yourself in the captivating side of Rio de Janeiro.