Carioca Experiences
Rio Favela Tour: Culture, Football and Street Art in Tavares Bastos
PRIVATE TOUR
Explore authentic culture, football, and street art on the unique Favela Tour in Tavares Bastos. Visit iconic mosaics, a legendary football court, and powerful graffiti murals created by women artists. Enjoy local food while taking in stunning views, all while supporting community projects.
- Hiking
- Outdoor
- EN or PT or ES
- Tickets included
- 3-4 hours tour
- Meeting point or Transfer
Experience Rio de Janeiro like never before on this unique Rio Favela Tour – Culture, Football, and Street Art in Tavares Bastos, a 3-hour experience that goes beyond typical favela tours, offering a respectful immersion into one of Rio’s most vibrant communities where culture, football, and street art come together. Unlike other favela tours, this experience is deeply connected to the community’s story and empowerment.
You will begin the experience at the iconic The Maze, a unique construction started by an English journalist named Bob. Here, terraces and viewpoints are adorned with mosaics created by local and international artists, forming a living work of art. From this location, you can enjoy panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain and the entrance to Guanabara Bay, connecting you with the landscape that earned Rio the UNESCO World Heritage Site title in the Urban Cultural Landscape category.
Next, we head to the community’s football court, a place of passion and gathering that inspired the popular FIFA Street video game. The court’s architecture, which is surrounded by houses, reveals the beauty and poetry of football in the favela.
Along the way, you’ll be captivated by the Living Museum Nami, a 1 km path filled with graffiti created exclusively by women artists, delivering powerful messages against domestic violence. Among the artworks, the graffiti of Pakistani activist Malala Yousafzai, who visited the favela in 2018, stands out — a global symbol of struggle and hope.
To conclude, the tour finishes at the Mirante na Laje restaurant, offering high-quality local gastronomy at affordable prices. With breathtaking city views, it’s the perfect spot to relax and absorb all the energy of this experience that strengthens and values the favela from within and directly supports the community’s economy.
This isn’t just a typical sightseeing favela tour; it’s a respectful cultural immersion that celebrates the real Rio de Janeiro by combining urban art, football, and authentic stories from the favela residents. Choose an experience that not only makes a positive impact but also provides you with an unforgettable connection to the true essence of Rio. Book your tour today!
In alignment with our genuine commitment to community empowerment, a portion of the tour’s proceeds will be donated directly to local initiatives as part of our social responsibility.
- Experience an authentic and respectful immersion into the favela culture — no stereotypes, no exploitation; just real stories, real people, and real culture.
- Discover The Maze, an architecturally stunning hidden gem adorned with mosaics, offering panoramic views of Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay.
- Visit the iconic football court that inspired FIFA Street, featuring a 360° photo experience created by the community leader.
- Stroll through the Living Museum Nami, a 1 km open-air gallery showcasing graffiti by women artists, including a mural of Malala Yousafzai.
- Enjoy local cuisine in a community-run restaurant with breathtaking views and affordable prices.
- Support the local community—part of your ticket proceeds directly benefit social projects in Tavares Bastos.
- Discover Rio’s favelas beyond clichés with a socially responsible tour developed in partnership with local leaders.
Why book this tour with us?
- Have the company of an accredited, friendly local tour guide, who will give you insights on the attractions in a unique and genuinely local way;
- Take this tour in the most flexible way for you, whether in terms of time or itinerary, ensuring an experience perfectly suited to your needs.
Included:
- Accredited Tour Guide;
- Round-trip transportation
(if selected this option)*;
Not Included:
- Food and Drinks;
- Tips/gratuities for your local guide.
*Pick-up/Drop-off from South Zone locations (for other regions, please consult the additional price).
What to bring:
- You must book this tour at least 48 hours in advance;
- If you choose the option without transportation, you must arrange your own transportation to the meeting point;
- The itinerary and order of attractions can be changed due to weather and/or adverse conditions at the expense of the local guide;
- This experience is not recommended for people with mobility difficulties;
- When booking this experience, you must accept and be aware of the risks inherent in the activity.
How can I book this experience?
Click the ‘Book your tour’ button. Choose the date you want and the number of people taking the tour. Then add to cart. Click on the cart icon in the lower right corner of your screen to open your shopping cart. Fill in the primary contact information and then ‘Continue’ to be directed to payment. Once your reservation has been processed, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with all the information about the experience.
Our online booking system is simple and secure, and we accept various credit and debit cards. But if you prefer, you can make your reservation directly with our sales team by e-mail: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com or by phone (WhatsApp): +55 21 99552-3996.
Is it possible to have this experience without being private?
Our experiences are private to offer you a safer, more personalized, and more comfortable experience. By opting for a private tour, you can enjoy the company of your loved ones or a select group of friends without worrying about strangers. This creates a more unique environment, allowing for greater flexibility regarding the itinerary, the pace of the tour, and even adjusting the schedule to your personal preferences.
Our guides will be exclusively available to you, offering in-depth information and interesting stories and answering all your questions. This will ensure you have an enriching experience, learning about the local culture, history, and traditions more intimately.
What should I wear or take on the tour?
There is no general rule of what to bring or use. Still, we recommend bringing an identification document (it doesn’t have to be the original), money, and a lot of energy and excitement. Any specific recommendations will be noted on your voucher.
Can this experience be done with children?
Due to the unique circumstances of this experience, we do not recommend that it be done with children.
What happens if, on the day of my experience, it rains or there is bad weather?
We do not cancel tours due to bad weather, so the tour will take place even with rain and/or cloudy weather, except in cases of force majeure. We adapt the script or, if possible, change the date. If you cancel the tour less than 48 hours in advance (except in extreme cases), there will be no refund as per our cancellation policy.
Do you pick it up and return it to my accommodation?
Yes, if you choose this option when booking.
What do I do if I need to cancel my tour after booking?
You must request the cancellation of your experience by e-mail to the following address: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com. Once we receive your order, we will determine the refund due as follows:
– If you cancel 7 (seven) days or more before the start of the tour: no cancellation fee, i.e., a full refund.
– If you cancel between 6 (six) and 3 (three) days before the start of the tour: 50% cancellation fee. If you paid in full for your experience, we’ll issue you a 50% refund of the amount paid.
– If you cancel less than 48 hours (2 days) before the start of the tour: 100% of the cancellation fee, i.e., there is no refund.
If your tour is carried out by one of our suppliers, the cancellation will be carried out according to the supplier’s rules.
I have a question that doesn’t appear in this FAQ. How should I proceed?
If you have any other questions about our services, please contact our team at +55 21 99552-3996 or by e-mail: sales@riodejaneirobycariocas.com.
Meet Your Tour Guide
As a typical carioca, Celso Junior’s day begins in Vidigal Favela, where he was born and raised. He is a lover of nature, and passionate about samba and Brazilian history. As a tour guide, he teaches a lot about the “Carioca way of life” and may show you the best views of the city.
Meeting Point
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