Amazing Favela Tour! - Many thanks to Thiago and Juliana for the opportunity to meet the reality at Santa Marta Favela! Great life experience that I really recomend to everyone visiting Rio. Don't miss it! All the best wishes for the Super Team! Paula ( Lisbon, Portugal)

Absolutely amazing experience! - We had a wonderful tour of the favela with the lovely Juan. He was such an excellent tour guide, kind, friendly, punctual, informative and very caring. We felt extremely safe at all times thanks to Juan very clearly explaining the do's and don'ts. We took the cable car to the top of the favela, where the views over the city were incredible! Juan was always on hand to help with photos, nothing was too much trouble for him. We trod in the footsteps of Michael Jackson and went to MJ square and saw his statue - incredible! We bought from local shops on the be favela and met a lady who had started in MJ's video. We also had a beer in a local bar! We visited a local house and also had a special Brazilian drink on the rooftop there, - again incredible! The people we met as we wove around and down the favela via the stone steps and little alley ways were so polite , friendly and welcoming. It was very humbling to be welcomed into their lives in the way that we were. Juan explained the history of the favela which was fascinating and answered any questions we had (We had loads). It was a wonderful and thought-provoking experience and I would highly recommend it to anyone! I was very reticent about going and changed my mind so many times, but eventually booked it just a few hours before we went. I am so glad I did! Thank you Juan and thank you to the residents of Santa Marta.

Very interesting and informative! - Pedro was an incredible guide - we had a really great time on the walking tour. His English was incredible and it was really great to learn so much about the favela and what life is like for people who live there. Everyone seemed very friendly and it was nice to explore with a guide who could teach us so much. Would definitely recommend!

Most meaningful experience of our trip - Our guide was incredibly friendly as where all of the folks we met in the community! The guide was very upbeat and well loved in the community which in turn helped make us feel comfortable leading to a better understanding of the different ways of life other than ours. He also did little things like buy us his favorite candy’s and small breakfast pastries to show us past of his growing up memories. He was so relatable my daughter told me after. We loved the lady in the gift shop who showed us where she was in the Michael Jackson video! One cat stoled my daughter’s heart! We even saw a turtle, but not sure how it made it up and down the steps? Very awesome experience, I wish my community was/is as friendly.

Amazing tour - Most amazing tour with a local guides. Pedro was so knowledgeable and enthusiastic in sharing his experiences and the history of the Santa Marta favela. Initially a little nervous to walk throught the favelas because of the bad reputation however it felt like he was friends with nearly every person we walked past and we felt at ease and calm around all the friendly residents who let us walk their streets. I was also so impressed to learn about all the amazing initiatives Thiago has created that help the Santa Marta community everyday. I highly recommend to anyone and everyone to learn about and experience a small piece of what life is like in the favelas.

Favela Santa Marta - The people shine like the 🌞 - Feb 2024 - If you’re visiting Rio, you have to visit the favelas! Dispel your stereotypes and open your mind. This is an excellent way for you to interface with the people and the culture! Pedro was an amazing guide very knowledgeable and passionate on educating people on life in the Favela. Santa Marta is a beautiful place and the energy I received there was like no other! The people shine like the 🌞

Very informative visit to a favela - It was an unusual visit which was very informative and which left an impression on us. We were afraid of disturbing the residents but thanks to our great guide the group followed the instructions and in the end this helped to better understand the reality of the current favelas.

Safe, informative, and fun! - Eye opening experience which portrayed the comunidade in a way that isn't often shown on TV - a community of people who look after each other. The main concern going into this kind of tour is safety, but there was not a single moment where we felt unsafe. Recommend to take some small notes (<10 reias) but also bring some more cash - there is a souvenir shop with some fantastic art! A great experience and we are really glad we visited, and felt welcomed, in Santa Marta.

Excellent tour - An excellent tour of Santa Marta, Pedro was a great guide and we felt completely comfortable the whole time. Great views and lots to learn about the favela, would definitely recommend

Beautiful experience, except for a tour attendant. - It was a beautiful experience. I went with my two children, ages 9 and 15, and we had a wonderful time, we learned a lot about the local culture. My 9-year-old son was playing soccer, cuddling cats and greeting everyone, including the people from the Command. The guide was clear and very patient, we never felt unsafe. The only reason I don't give it a 5 is because on the one hand, I don't know how official the tour is, since there is a local company across the street that claims to be the "official guides" of the favela. Secondly, the person who made me feel uncomfortable was a tour attendee who was taking photos of people without first asking for their consent. He took photos of boys, girls, even adults and the guide behind him did not stop him. This situation seemed disrespectful to the local people, as well as potentially risky for everyone.