The once notorious favelas, or slums, of Rio de Janeiro, have in recent years become the site of booming tourism, shedding the violent image that has been associated with them, typified for many by the 2002 movie, City of God.

However, much has changed. In 2008, Rio de Janeiro started a massive Pacification project across its favelas, in an attempt to regain control over the city's hundreds of slums, wrestling them from the control of gangs and making them safer for the favela residents. This has also brought a secondary effect: favela tourism. While this concept may sit uneasily at first, as a kind of negative poverty tourism, or voyeurism, there are in fact a number of benefits to this type of tourism, if done right.

Approaching a visit to the favela with an open mind, you'll learn a lot from the experience about Brazil's history, economics, and culture. Moreover, the manner in which you visit the favela can either positively contribute to the development of the favela, or not.

So what should you do in Rio's favelas?

 

Visit Rocinha, Rio largest favela / Photo: Daytours4u

 

1- Favela Tour

Not all favela tours were created equal. Given the rise in this kind of tourism, the number of companies operating favela tours has skyrocketed. One authentic option is to book a tour of Rocinha favela with Marcelo Armstrong, a Rio local who pioneered the first favela tour, back in 1992, with the aim of giving tourists a meaningful insight into local culture and the day-to-day life of many Brazilians. His educational and non-intrusive tour visits Rocinha, Brazil's largest favela, and Vila Canoas.

A tour is the safest and most meaningful way of visiting a favela, short of making friends with a resident who can show you around the community personally. Having a guide that can fill you in on what you're seeing and provide you with the context is invaluable to the experience, and many travellers find touring a favela in Rio de Janeiro an eye-opening experience.

 

Travel Tips: Enjoy your trip to Brazil and discover what to do in Rio de Janeiro beyond Christ the Redeemer

 

 

2- Panoramic Views

Since most of Rio's favelas are built on the hills, this is where you'll find the best views. If you venture to the massive favela in the north of the city, Complexo do Alemão - in reality a conglomeration of a number of favelas - there is a cable car, or teleferico, you can take for a different view of the city. Not your ordinary teleferico, like the one to Sugar Loaf Mountain, this one was built in 2011, for the dual purpose of providing residents with an easier way of getting around the steep favela, and as a way to bring in income from tourists. There is a separate fee structure, with residents paying cheaper prices, including 2 free trips a day, while tourists pay a higher fee. By making use of these gondolas, you are helping to subsidise the free rides for the locals.

 

Travel Tip: Apart from discovering the incredible favelas in your itinerary you can't miss visiting the most emblematic places in Brazil

 

Favela tourism Take a cable car over Complexo do Alemão / Photo: Daytours4u

 

3- Cuisine

Another advantage to the favelas becoming more accessible to tourists and cariocas, is that there is now a wider range of great traditional food joints to be sampled. Eating in the favelas is growing more popular, and is a good way to introduce more people to the culture and lifestyle in these areas - food is, after all, one of the best ways to bring people together. One popular option is Bar do David in Chapeu Mangueira favela. Serving traditional boteca food, this establishment is a simple, no-frills establishment, but serves great food (especially seafood). Another option, in one of the best located (and safest) favelas, Vidigal, is Bar Lacubaco, serving great typical Brazilian cuisine. If you're after an authentic food experience, don't be afraid to venture outside of Zona Sul's main tourist strips.

 

Travel Tip: Get to know one of the main aspects of Brazilian culture: food! Attend a Cooking Class in Rio de Janeiro

 

4- Bars

It may be an odd concept, when Rio de Janeiro is packed with trendy bars and nightclubs, but if you're looking for an alternative night out, then there are some options off the tourist circuit. For one of the best views in Rio de Janeiro, head to Alto Vidigal hostel in Favela Vidigal. The favela is at the base of the Two Brothers Hill, and the hostel is at the top of the hill, looking out over Ipanema beach. The hostel's bar, open on weekends, is laid back, with a spectacular view of Rio's skyline. Another institution in Rio's favelas is The Maze Inn's jazz nights. This Inn, in Catete Favela, overlooking Guanabara Bay, is run by an Englishman, and puts on incredible jazz nights in a unique setting.

 

Travel Tip: Take a Private Tour to Sugar Loaf Mountain and take a trip through the history of Rio de Janeiro.

 

Favela Tourism Jazz Nights at The Maze / Photo: Source

 

5- Get Involved

If you're looking beyond tourism, and want to contribute positively to continuing the regeneration of the favelas, then there are a number of projects you can get involved with.

- Project Favela is a grassroots NGO in Rocinha Favela, run by international volunteers with a focus on sustainable tourism. Volunteers live in the favela itself during the time here, immersing themselves in the culture. This organisation focuses on education, working with children across topics, from school subjects, to sports, music and culture.

- Community in Action, is a NGO in Complexo do Alemão, focusing on community development at a grassroots level. They use foreign volunteers in order to bring different skill sets and perspectives to solving the challenges in the community. This NGO focuses on a mutually beneficial relationship between volunteers and residents. Types of projects you can get involved with are arts and culture programs, educational programs, empowerment programs.

There are many ways to get involved with the positive work being down in Rio's favelas. Always do your research into the organisation first, in order to check where the funds are being directed and whether the project truly is benefiting the locals.

 

Travel Tip: Explore Rio on foot and discover the fascinating legends and stories of the city's past with this guided tour.

 

Favela tourism Colourful houses in Santa Marta Favela / Photo: Daytours4u

 

When visiting a favela in Rio de Janeiro, it is important to be culturally sensitive. Don't go to gawk or take selfies with poor children. Visit the favelas to learn about this aspect of Brazil, to interact with the communities and to learn from them. Favela tourism is about developing mutually beneficial relationships and sustainable tourism, in order to help improve the lives of the residents.

Do keep in mind that despite the pacification, not all favelas are equally safe, and it is not recommended that you walk around obviously by yourself. The safest way to visit is with a favela tour or with a local who knows the area.

 

For an enriching experience, book a favela tour in Rio de Janeiro and learn more about the culture and circumstances in Brazil.

 

By: Daytours4u Content Team