at a glance |
favelas in rio de janeiro are inherently much safer and much more accessible that 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. favela tours have become a very popular excursion amongst tourists and visitors of Rio, providing them with rare insight into the vibrant and eclectic communities that pepper the city. There are nearly 1000 favelas in metropolitan Rio, mostly climbing the mountains and hills of the city, and they are home to around 20% of the city's population. In recent years, through large scale government and police operations, a large number of these favelas have been 'pacified' - meaning that the police have regained control of the territory from the drug cartels. This has made them much safer for visitors and has bolstered what is known as 'favela tourism'. Some of the most popular favelas for these types of tours are vidigal, rocinha, santa marta, babilônia, chapéu mangueira, and providência. Depending on the tour and on the favela of choice, visitors are brought to the winding corridors of the communities in jeeps, or somewhat less conspicuously, in vans or on foot, with stops to see the markets, homes, recreational activities, commerce, nurseries, cultural and social projects. It is important that the utmost deference is shown to the residents, and that the experience is as fruitful, informative and warm as possible - For this reason, tourists must act respectfully, not showing prejudice or offense towards any of the residents, and they should to establish a sympathetic and reciprocal relationship where possible. in the age of ever-present digital cameras and cell-phones, Visitors should ensure that they do not simply gaze voyeuristically at residents through a lens - this is why it is advised, and often regulated, that visitors do not take photos of people, or of the interior of people's homes, if a window is open, or if a welcoming resident offers entrance. Often communication is limited because of the language barrier, but in this regard, the guide can act as a communicative bridge, translating street signs, overheard conversations, and comments from passers-by. Guides should be consulted and utilized as much possible, as they have valuable knowledge and insight about favela culture and how it interacts with the rest of Rio. It can also be a nice gesture to make a donation of some sort, either by purchasing something from the craftsman, or vendors, or making a contribution to the crèches, schools and social projects that abound in the communities - This is by no means enforced and should only be done spontaneously at the visitor's will. crèches are particularly important in rio's favelas as they allow the many women who reside in the area to find jobs and work - in rocinha, for instance over 40% of successful small businesses in favelas are run by women. favela tours open up a great deal of opportunity - a 'contact zone' - in which people of different cultures who would otherwise have little to no interaction, are able to meet one another, relate and learn about each other's experience of the world. For this reason it is essential that the experience be one of 'contact' and interaction, not just watchful consumption, and proper manners are followed. visitors interested in visiting a favela should read our favelas safety & tips section via this link, covering access & transport, health & environment, and bailes funk. also important would be reading about the favelas history & culture section, as it would help in understanding more about the areas being visited, and it would allow for a more meaningful excursion and interaction with the residents. | 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 | pacification police | favela tours | dining & lodging | 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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