Santa Marta Favela Walking Tour

About this experience

The Santa Marta Favela Walking Tour is a guided city tour in Rio de Janeiro that takes visitors through one of the city's most recognised hillside communities. Santa Marta, located in the Botafogo neighbourhood, was the first favela in Brazil to receive a full pacification programme and has since become a reference point for community-led urban development. The tour is led by a local guide with direct ties to the neighbourhood, offering a grounded perspective on daily life, history, and the social fabric of the community rather than an outsider's account. On the tour, visitors walk through the lanes and stairways of Santa Marta, passing community art installations, the famous Michael Jackson statue commemorating his 1996 music video filmed here, and viewpoints with broad sightlines over Rio de Janeiro and Guanabara Bay. Guides cover topics including the history of favela formation, housing policy, local enterprise, and the role of culture in community identity. Booking covers a small-group walking tour with a local guide, and the meeting point is at the base of the hill in Botafogo. Groups are kept small to minimise impact on residents and allow for genuine interaction along the route.

Highlights

• Discover Santa Marta, Rio's first pacified favela, with a local guide in a choice of three languages - English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
• Start your journey with a tram ride alongside residents, experiencing the authentic atmosphere of the favela.
• Explore the streets and alleys, learning about the favela's history and famous visitors.
• Enjoy panoramic views of Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, and more from the top of the favela.
• Visit the Michael Jackson statue and support local craft shops and community projects as you interact with locals and learn about their lives.

What is included

• Walking tour through the favela
• Expert English, Spanish, or Portuguese-speaking guide
• Visit to the local guide's house, the Michael Jackson Statue, the Residents' Association & Social Projects, and craft stores
• Personal accident insurance

Not included

• Tourist tax of R$5 in cash or R$8 by credit card
• Food & drinks

Cancellation terms

These tickets cannot be cancelled or rescheduled.