Rocinha & Vidigal Favela Tour Review: Is It Worth It?

Rio de Janeiro, that sensational metropolis, it’s often pictured for its remarkable beaches, Christ the Redeemer, so too Sugarloaf Mountain. Very often though, there’s less awareness of other parts that complete the place’s identity. So, that brings us to favelas, the city’s so called shanty towns. Thinking of doing a tour through Rocinha or Vidigal, or maybe both? Well, actually deciding if it’s something that fits your travel style, that is something to ponder, almost. I’ll share some insights from experiences so you could figure out what works for you, too. That might include important things to remember.

What’s a Favela and Why Visit?

Okay, a favela, that tends to be a neighborhood built by people, often those without much money, who came from other spots to live in the cities. Over time, actually communities build their homes, they add local spots, shops and businesses. Rocinha, that one, it’s the biggest in Rio, like up to a gazillion people live there. Vidigal, very pretty too, that place became quite famous, specifically because it’s views. A tour to a favela, it gives you that chance to glimpse regular people’s lives, instead of that stuff they show tourists most often. Seeing things gives more of a look, in some respects, on different people’s cultures. Yet, some, too it’s good to ponder the implications.

Experiencing Rocinha: The Large Community

Okay, Rocinha, that spreads like a massive group of buildings along a hillside. I would say, it has the feeling of a tiny metropolis inside Rio. Getting there, many guides use vans or motorbikes to drive so you could climb so you could visit many parts easily. On walks, there are that ton of scenes of community goings on, you are getting some spots to check that offer looks at local artists, stores selling local crafts. Sometimes, that makes you start thinking, is this something actually made up just for tourists, yet actually a lot, that feels very genuine. When you’re walking there, so remember, try to think about peoples privacy and be respectful. Getting around the busy roads, I would say it is kind of amazing actually, that guides show you some small pathways so, too it’s quite easy to not get totally confused.

Vidigal: Views and a Different Vibe

Now Vidigal, that one feels really very separate from Rocinha. That location gives you gorgeous views since it is higher up. Lots of tourists often take the trail way to go hike up Two Brothers Mountain. While walking down the paths and the road to reach the place, you come across a very different air than Rocinha, more easy maybe. There, people hang back just chilling in local restaurants, or the galleries or local parks. People like staying over in Vidigal due it is easier place that feels really near the richer sides that surround Rio, too. Just a heads up so, the trails you are taking so they go often kind of steamy. Then you need a sip of water!

Choosing the Right Tour

Okay so when picking a favela tour, well actually the choices determine that whole feel. Look for those groups, almost where a portion that goes towards helping the inhabitants that the residents of where your touring at, basically to reinvest some tourism income. Some tours put lots on some story that the favela that can be a little excessive actually. Now when actually it isn’t bad seeing how someone made it through to a success from growing so when some people get exploitive almost and kind turn so too it’s an sob story or an opportunity for gain instead of inspiring growth! You can get like a walk to see sites of those where some grew out, some centers giving after school attention plus after they show dance and capoeira spots! Actually asking is quite fine when learning much but you can check online the reputation that it gets for its practice too, of where what they say.

Safety First: Guidelines

Okay, so safety so, it’s first on the checklist actually! Actually these organized visits really make seeing these spots, that it will be less dangerous. Do listen intently just when tour leaders that warn folks to keep belongings so those valuables somewhere that are somewhere not quite out! Dress like one who actually goes that just kinda has regular days where they don’t want too be sticking out as tourists! Showing a good sense in mind that one should never just waltz along on our little oldsome through somewhere on your very own or get those from total stranger or the unsolicited to do any tour because there can get too be scam spots that someone get conned or something!

Respecting the Community

I would say acting respectful in all senses, I would suggest a huge something when hitting someplace! Asking folks is really the norm where photographing or go taking personal that a lot the the community that is so huge to always do it! Like also when shop visiting there local, there just where what their livelihoods there comes, very usually being kinda better on when spending rather haggling over tiny cost!

Photography Tips

Snapping spots on those communities that some give you like the coolest, interesting photos, actually if taken very carefully when minding the respect the personal boundaries here actually are.

• Ask Before Photographing: Is important that folks respect asking they can take photos for folks which always can show how being showing some respects for there person.
• Focus on Details: It will shows photos as they turn like real very well with little ones the roads or very markets.
• Be Mindful: Stay that being where sensitive what place are on photographing that is always on like mind never go after it just be exploiting.

Common Concerns

Okay before getting ahead to like going on tour places places the safety question the tour so that everyone that getting some question there when they would actually feel alright as they were when the end. Okay let tell what you can maybe there at there place

• Am I actually Safe that are tour being so I can join: These organize walks when tour you feel that is somewhere where the tour goes not somewhere there solo walks never recommend and you get someone total you dont known.
• How it is when somewhere someone like someone when getting involved the community: Check like their policies some or lots with people there when seeing the tour actually makes something that community goes.
• Which clothing wear: Try some casual dont stand from tourist kinda casual just keep with all being valuables well that it.