favelas in rio de janeiro are inherently much safer and much more accessible than they were in the past - in fact, they have gone through such a radical transformation to have become a point of major interest by many who visit rio de janeiro.

yet, visiting a favela is delicate affair, and should not be done lightly - better yet it should be done after having read about  the history and culture of these fascinating neighborhoods.

in addition to the many safety considerations that still exist, there are social matters to keep in mind, and proper rules of behavior where understanding, sensitivity and respect are of the outmost importance.