Rocinha Favela Local Tour

Please read the entire tour description before booking!

Hi, my name is Luiz, and I’ll be your guide through Rocinha, the largest favela in South America. I was born and raised here and have over 12 years of experience guiding visitors through my community. I speak fluent English and focus on clear, direct communication when explaining local history, daily life, and answering questions openly and honestly.

This is a small-group, locally guided walking tour that starts at the top of the favela (a safe access point) and follows a downhill route to the São Conrado subway station. Along the way, we stop for sightseeing, photos, and cultural explanations. The tour is straightforward, respectful and grounded in real experience, with an emphasis on safety, context and genuine conversation rather than scripted performances or stereotypes.

My goal is to show Rocinha as it actually is, beyond media portrayals, through lived knowledge, practical awareness, and zero nonsense.

• This tour operates on GuruWalk’s free pay-what-you-want model. At the end of the experience, guests contribute based on their satisfaction.
• To give you transparency, most visitors contribute around R$120 per person, which reflects local association fees, operational costs, and the time dedicated to offering a high-quality, small-group experience.
• Your contribution directly supports a locally born and raised guide and helps keep the tour running responsibly.

Booking Notes:

• Please provide a correct WhatsApp number so I can share the meeting point details and confirm your booking.
• Payment is accepted by contactless card (tap to pay on mobile) or cash.

Meeting Point & Transportation:

• Centro Municipal de Saúde Dr. Albert Sabin, Gávea, Rio de Janeiro
• Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/wHz7Se78SED5pETG6
• We meet at 10:00 AM and begin at 10:15 AM. Because of local access rules, it’s not possible to join the tour after it has started. Please plan to arrive on time at the meeting point.
• Uber or taxi are the easiest options. There is also a local ride app called 99, which works similarly to Uber.
• If you arrive by subway, the nearest station is São Conrado – Acesso A. From there, a short moto taxi ride is required to reach the meeting point (10 reais per person, cash only), which is a common and widely used local transport option.
• Buses are possible only if you are already familiar with Rio’s bus system. If not, the subway is the recommended public transport option.

Safety & Details:

• You are safe throughout the tour. My family has lived in Rocinha for over three generations, and I guide locally and responsibly. You are welcome to bring phones, cameras, and personal belongings.
• Recent news about incidents in other areas of Rio may give the impression that all favelas are unsafe. This does not reflect the current situation in Rocinha. Daily life here continues normally, and tours operate as usual.
• Occasionally, some Uber drivers may decline trips to the meeting point. If that happens, I recommend using a taxi or the 99 app. If a driver expresses safety concerns, please know that the tour route and meeting point are established and safe.
• The tour lasts approximately 1.5 to 2 hours.
• Shops we pass accept cash (Brazilian reais) and credit card.