Santa Marta Favela Tour, Football Game w/ Locals & Traditional Lunch
Rio de Janeiro - Brazil

Hosted by:
Homefans
Languages: English
88 tours
5 (326 reviews)
What's Included
What we will do in this experience
On this tour of the Santa Marta favela in Rio de Janeiro, discover the day-to-day life of this carioca community, enjoy a delicious lunch and play a game of football with the locals.
At the scheduled time, we’ll meet at the Tourist Information Office at Praça Corumbá, and from there, we’ll make our way to the railway station to head up to the Santa Marta favela, one of the most colourful favelas in Rio!
Once we’ve arrived at the favela, we’ll enjoy some unbeatable views of some of the most iconic locations in the city, such as Sugarloaf Mountain, Christ the Redeemer, and the Morro Dois Irmãos. We’ll also see the famous beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
After enjoying the panoramic views, we’ll begin this tour of the Santa Marta favela, starting with the celebrities who have visited the area in the past. Among the most famous is Michael Jackson, who recorded the music video for his song They Don’t Care About Us in the colourful mural-lined streets.
We’ll continue the visit by meeting with some of the locals, who’ll speak to us about their way of life. Did you know that one of them has a collection of more than 300 watches? We’ll also visit the various centres that encourage sustainable development projects in the favela and contribute to spreading the word about the achievements of the local community, in an attempt to rid the favelas of the often negative connotations that are associated with them.
Up in the favela, there’s a football pitch that is often used by the locals. You’ll have the chance to play in a 30-minute football match that will see the tourists face off against the locals.
Once the tour of the favela has ended, we’ll enjoy a traditional lunch in a family home in the favela. The menu will include various starters: rice, beans, farofa and salad. For the main course, you can choose one of the following options: grilled chicken, breaded chicken, fillet of veal or an omelette.
Note: If it rains on the day of the activity, the football game will be cancelled due to safety reasons. In this case we’ll provide an alternative activity.
Meet Your Host

Homefans
Host since 2025
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5 (326 reviews)
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Europe - Amsterdam
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88 tours
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English
What's Included in Your Experience
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Guided Tour
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Local Guide
Be guided by a passionate local who enhances your experience with insider knowledge.
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Drinks
Enjoy a complimentary drinks at the game or activity
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Food
Enjoy a complimentary food item as part of your experience
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FAQ
Simply choose your destination, pick your experience or trip, select your date, and follow the checkout process. You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details.
Yes, you’ll need to create a free Homefans account during checkout to manage your bookings, receive updates, and communicate with your host.
Yes, all tickets provided through Homefans are official and guaranteed. We work directly with clubs, trusted providers, and local hosts.
Each experience clearly lists what’s included—typically your match ticket, a local host, and any additional pre- or post-game activities. Some multi-day trips include accommodation, transport, and extras.
Yes. We offer flexible cancellation terms on most experiences. Check the cancellation policy listed on the experience page or contact support for help.
You’ll receive a confirmation email with all the details. Closer to the date, your local host will reach out with exact meeting points and final info.
Our hosts are passionate local fans who love sharing their club, city, and matchday traditions with travelers. They’re not tour guides—they’re insiders who make you feel like a local, not a tourist.
All Homefans hosts go through a vetting process, including interviews, experience design checks, and community guidelines. We only work with reliable, passionate, and knowledgeable locals.
The transportation service is detailed in the “What you get” section. However, in group experiences, it is common for the local host to schedule a convenient meeting point, providing the opportunity for everyone to head towards the event together.
Yes. Safety is a top priority. All experiences are led by trusted local hosts who know their cities, stadiums, and how to navigate matchdays safely. You’ll receive a full briefing, travel in a small group, and avoid risky areas. Many guests are first-time visitors, and our hosts make sure you feel welcome and secure.
No. All experiences are hosted in English. Your local host will also speak the native language and act as a bridge to make you feel part of the local football culture — even if you don’t speak a word of Spanish or Portuguese.
Absolutely. Many of our travelers join solo. Our small-group format (often 2–8 people) makes it easy to connect with others who share your love for football and culture. You’ll walk away with new friends from around the world.
With Homefans, you don’t just get a ticket — you get a full, curated local experience:
You’re welcomed and guided by a trusted fan host. You skip the stress of navigating matchday logistics alone/ You get to live football like a local, not just sit in the stands. This is football travel made personal, safe, and unforgettable.
It’s easy. Just choose your experience, select your date, and complete the booking through the Homefans platform. You’ll receive a confirmation email instantly. If you’re unsure which game to pick, you can message us directly or request help from our team.
Once you book, your local host will contact you directly via email or WhatsApp (depending on your preference). They’ll share:
The exact meeting point & time to meet. You’ll never be left guessing — everything is confirmed in advance.
Yes — most experiences have flexible cancellation terms. You can cancel or request changes via your Homefans account or by contacting support. Check each listing for the specific cancellation policy.
For some clubs and stadiums in Brazil, it is necessary to register for facial recognition. Clubs that require this procedure are clearly indicated in the description of each experience.
When booking your seats, the local host will contact you promptly to request the necessary information and guide you through the facial registration process. It is important to highlight that, for these clubs and stadiums, the registration of facial biometrics is mandatory, being the only way to access the stadium, as the ticket will be linked to this identification. Facial recognition registration is a policy of clubs and stadiums, and has no relationship with Homefans and/or local hosts.
Furthermore, to participate in the experience, you must agree to go through this process and register your face.
You can absolutely trust booking on Homefans! The activities on Homefans are offered by vetted locals and Homefans. All bookings made on Homefans are backed by our Buyer Guarantee.
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