fundamentally different from the posh rio experienced by most visitors, yet so deeply connected to the city's soul and history, rocinha is the largest favela in rio de janeiro, home to an estimated 170,000 people, and possibly more.

located next to gávea and just behind são conrado, one of the most luxurious neighborhoods of  rio, rocinha is a reminder of the great diversity that exists in the city. 

overlooking the metropolis, and less than a mile from the beach, the random looking rocinha creates a fascinating visual contrast  as a backdrop to the orderly and shiny são conrado .