favelas such as vidigal, rocinha, and cantagalo are generally considered safe for visitors, friendly to non-natives and easily accessible from the common neighborhoods of ipanema, leblon and copacabana .

keeping all these basic rules in mind, and having some common sense, will insure the best of times and an unforgettable experience for all.

for those interested in some visual impressions, this website published by the acclaimed photographer vincent rosenblatt  shows hundreds of great pictures of a variety of bailes funk throughout brazil, including rio de janeiro.