at a glance |
it is important to acknowledge that entering a favela is always associated with a certain level of risk. in terms of crime and overall safety, entering favelas today is much safer than just a few years ago - yet, it is important to be aware that the communities still presents many hazardous environmental factors. while it is a common perception that the main source of danger in favelas stems from violent acts committed by organized criminals, the reality is that the most common and probable hazards are environmental. some factors are due to the up-hill geography of these communities, some due to improvised constructions, and some to plain tropical climate - but all must be addressed before planning a visit into a favela. notably, not all favelas in rio de janeiro are equal - in fact, these communities can differ significantly in geography, architecture, constructions, and urbanization levels. some communities have been developed to a point of barely resembling a favela, while others are a few years behind in the process. this is an important distinction to keep in mind when evaluating some safety elements, some other elements such as climate and insects are valid across the board. a common issue with some of the less developed favelas is a lack of sanitation and environmental hygiene, such as proper sewage and generally poor drainage resulting in standing, dirty water. reservoirs of water that collect in the warm, humid corridors of these communities serve as prime breeding grounds for unfriendly insects such as mosquitoes, which to this day continue to contribute to the spread of dengue fever and other infectious diseases throughout rio de janeiro city and state. dengue fever causes flu-like symptoms and can be lethal in extreme cases. application of insect repellent prior to entering a favela can help protect against infection. other risks associated with stagnant water are the contraction of illnesses such as hepatitis and bacterial-related diarrhea - reason why closed-toe shoes are important and stepping in water puddles should be avoided. the random and often undetectable presence of poorly built or illegal electrical systems can result in water puddles being electrically charged with running power currents - thus, stepping in stagnant water and puddles can be both unhealthy and extremely dangerous. because of the inconsistant surfaces of walkways, appropriate footware is essential - visitors should always wear shoes that are tightly laced and well-secured to the feet, or better yet hiking shoes. in addition to pools of stagnant water, attention should be paid not to step on sharp or pointy objects like glass or rusty nails. when eating in a favela, visitors should try and make sure the establishment is reasonably clean and the food is cooked in-house. a good indicator of the eatery's safety is the presence of a local crowd - in fact, a variety of great restaurants can be found in many of rio's favelas. in many of the pacified favelas, such as those in zona sul, a number of restaurants are drawing international attention for the quality and innovation of their dishes. a famous one is las empanadas, which started in vidigal and beame so successful that it opened a store in the posh neighborhood leblon. the relevant weather forecasts of the area should always be taken into account before entering a favela, as heavy rain in structurally unsound areas can have catastrophic results. It is not uncommon for rocks or jackfruits to fall from above, especially during storms. in the past, landslides and collapsing structures have resulted in serious injury and even death. in case heavy rainfall while in a favela, it is best to find a safe, covered area and remain there until the rain ceases. the surfaces of the steep paths typically found in favelas tend to become extremely slippery during rain, which makes it unsafe for visitors to attempt to leave, unless the exit is in close proximity. special attention should also be paid to walls as rusty nails, unfinished wood and other sharp objects can protrude, it is therefore particularly important to stay up-to-date with tetanus shots. favelas often have both wild and vagrant domestic animals wandering about. it is not uncommon to see dogs, cats and chickens wandering about freely. in certain favelas, depending on their location, wild critters, insects and reptiles are also common, including venomous snakes and scorpions. it is best to avoid all animal interaction in favelas. it is particularly importnat to refrain from feeding or calling the attention of any dogs that may have been trained as guard dogs. in summation, visitors are encouraged to be aware of their surroundings and seek guidance from a trained local. a hat and cream against sunburn, insect repellant, closed-toe shoes, and bottled water should be on everyone's list of things to bring into a favela tour. |
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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