Favela Feelings: Rocinha Walking Tour including hotel return transfers

You’ll start your Rio tour learning about how the slums, called favelas, developed throughout the city. As we drive from the artistic, affluent area of Gavea into the massive favela of Rocinha, the contrasts in what you see out your window will highlight the inequalities plaguing Rio’s people. Rocinha is the largest, most populated favela in all of Brazil, and our first stop will be atop a hill from which you’ll have views of both sides of life in Rio de Janeiro. As we enter the favela, the alleys ahead will tell the stories of uncontrolled urban development in one of the biggest cities in the world. Did you know, a quarter of the Carioca population still lives in favelas? And yet, despite the stereotype of dangerous neighbourhoods filled with pain and suffering, we’ll show you how these are vibrant places with lots of life and positive energy. To help you get to truly know the area, we’ll stop at a local’s house where you can not only chat and learn about the community, but also take in an astonishing view from the house rooftop. We’ll explore around the neighbourhood, talking to locals, visiting the shops and bars, and authentically engaging with local life. Next up, we’ll make our way downhill through the neighbourhood streets, taking in the views of colourful houses painting the landscape. At the bottom is where we reach the Boiadeiros area, where hundreds of shops and people pop up. Be prepared to soak it all in because it’s going to be hard to focus your stare with so much going on at the same time! From there, it’ll be time to head back to your hotel… that is, unless you want to learn more about favela life. If you want to gain more perspective on the favelas, then you can join our afternoon Favela Experience tour, which heads to Santa Marta — arguably one of the most famous favelas in Rio de Janeiro, and the place where Michael Jackson filmed his music video for ‘They Don’t Care About Us’ in 1996.