at a glance |
While some of the favelas in metropolitan Rio are easily accessible and seem inviting for a spontaneous stroll, we advise not to enter a favela without a local guide. Most of the favelas in the tourist-friendly zona sul region are safe to visit - nonetheless, we advised entering only with the company of a guide that is respected by the locals and knows his or her way around the community. visitors should some research before selecting a guide, checking online resources and reviews to make sure the guide is reputable and qualified to conduct tours throughout the specific favela they are offering for. For an even better experience, visitors should enlist the service of a guide that is actually from the favela that will be toured, as these guides will be even more knowledgeable about the neighborhood and have some rapport with the residents. furthermore, by hiring a guide from the favela of interest the tour becomes productive and rewarding for all, as the payment for the tour would directly help the local residents and economy. metropolitan rio de janeiro is home to nearly 1000 favelas, all different in terms of geographical layout and urbanization levels - as a result, access to the communities and transport within them varies greatly from one district to an another. access to favelas is typically via walking, moto taxis, minivans, and taxis or private cars. some of the smallest favelas are only accessible via foot - depending on the favela, walking can be somewhat physically exhausting as many communities are set on steep hillsides. The pathways and roads heading inwards are long, uphill and not always equipped with easily usable stairs, if any at all - for this reason, sandals and flip-flops are not recommended, while sneakers or hiking shoes would be the ideal option. in fact, closed shoes provide a better grip on the soil and protect against potential injuries caused by loose objects such as glass, wood, and sharp rocks. to the unfamiliar visitor, favelas may seem maze-like communities with seemingly no order or consistency in their arrangement and the layout of pathways throughout. This is one of the key reasons why it is important to enter a favela accompanied by a local guide - without someone that knows well the routes throughout the favela, it is easy to become lost as the unmarked, makeshift streets and open pathways can turn to tunnels and enclosed areas, quickly leading to a loss of orientation and anxiety that can make it even more difficult to find the way out. Almost all favelas have moto taxi stations at their points of entry, with plenty of drivers waiting to provide a ride to any accessible part of the community for just a few reals. This type of access is the most common on favelas set on hillsides, across metropolitan rio de janeiro - The ride can be a thrill with moto taxis drivers often performing the task in a showy manner, taking on oncoming traffic without fear and sometimes even racing other moto taxis drivers. while this sounds exciting, it may be considerably risky - and in case o accidents medical attention may not be promptly available. the provided helmet must be worn at all times, and a tight grip to the motorbike's back handles is a must. moto-taxis are not official transportation means, and there are no licenses, standardization, or controls by the city - the rate is always decided prior to the trip. also extremely common across many favelas with wider passages and / or set on flatland as opposed to hills, are minivans. born as a semi-official parallel mean of public transportation, minivans have been legalized and granted transport right within many areas where standard large-size buses cannot enter due to narrow roads. minivans can differ in size, model, and maintenance level - so it is important to only board minivans that exhibit some kind of official certification on the front windshield or on the side. entering or using the service of illegal minivans can result in injuries due to poor driving ethics, and even robberies. Depending on the favela and the presence of drivable roads, some are also accessible by standard taxi cabs, such as tabajaras & cabrito in copacabana or Vidigal in leblon. In most cases, however, taxi an cars can only reach so far inside the community as the roads might become too narrow - this is why it is important to war closed walking shoes no matter what the initial type of favela access might be, in preparation for walking up an down narrow passages and staircases. access is not limited to walking, moto taxis, taxis, and minivans - Some favelas were the recipients of development projects that built elevators, gondolas, trams and other lift systems to ferry people from the entry points all the way to remote areas deep within. Notable examples are the elevator of Cantagalo, the tram in Santa Marta, and the teleférico in Complexo do Alemão, a landmark project that forever changed access to the area and significantly improved the perception of the community. safe access to rio's favelas is due to urbanization works that improved the stairs and passages and the presence of the special pacification police UPP - the UPP restored order to many of the favelas by exiling the organized crime that once controlled the communities, and by establishing a permanent police presence, allowing for the continual maintenance of order and security. Many of these favelas are praised today for their approachability by non-residents - favelas such as Vidigal and Santa Marta are desirable neighborhoods and visits are encouraged by the beautiful sights, delicious restaurants and ample, affordable hostels and lodging options they provide. While these favelas are pacified and generally considered safe to enter, again, it is advisable to visit with a guide that is familiar with the lay of the land and can thereby ensure a safe and generally more informative and wholesome experience than would be gotten by strolling through unattended. In contrast to the pacified favelas around the city, entering into certain favelas without UPP presence may be considerably dangerous - even when accompanied by a local guide or a resident. It is generally recommended not to do so, due to the potential presence of dangerous elements, the absence of security, and the lack of resources and proper facilities in case of emergencies. Taking environmental factors into consideration before entering a favela is a necessity - it is important to make sure that there will not be storms or other adverse weather conditions during the time a visit is planned, as heavy rain can cause passages to become slippery and rocks to fall. To ensure a safe, enjoyable visit to a favela, especially one with beautiful sights and views, visiting during the day is always the best option. As with being a guest in any neighborhood, it is important to be respectful to the residents of the favela while not drawing too much attention when entering or walking around. visitors should show respect by avoiding taking photographs and videos of people in their living areas - and avoid staring or pointing at people while observing the surroundings. loud talking, laughing, and yelling should be avoided, along with any other activities that could be considered a disturbance or an indication of hostility, excessive curiosity, or disrespect. visitors should always be aware of their surroundings, dressing modestly without flashy possessions, wearing good closed-toe walking shoes, and staying hydrated by only drinking bottled water. |
arpoador | |||
attractions | ipanema | ||||
beaches | leblon | ||||
sports | gávea | ||||
entertainment | jardim botânico | ||||
music | vidigal | ||||
nightlife | rocinha | ||||
restaurants | são conrado | ||||
shopping | barra da tijuca | ||||
etiquette | recreio | ||||
carnival | paquetá | ||||
réveillon | favela tours | dining & lodging | samba school | polícia pacificadora | ilha do governador |
accommodations | access & transport | discussing | zona norte | niterói | |
transport | health & environment | visiting | zona oeste | favelas | |
safety | bailes funk | interacting | zona central | rio maps | |
extras | proper manners | photographing | zona sul | back | |
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