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 do 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.