Flavellas Tour in Rio?
 

Does anyone have the name and info of a reputable operator in Rio that does tours of the flavellas? I know there was a link in this forum at one point but i haven't been able to find it again! Thanks for your help.

Yikes. Have you seen the 1/2 hour documentary that's attached to the DVD of "City of God"?

LS -

I agree with the previous post - personaly I don't think it's a good idea to go on a tour to the favelas. Watch the movie "City of God" & you'll understand - & it really truly still is that bad... The police won't even go in there at night..

Haven't been to Rio yet, but from everything I've heard, the tours are widely regarded as being completely safe. The guides are residents of the favelas and are well-respected there. I believe the best known one is Marcelo Armstrong, or something like that.

I took a Favela tour with my husband in January 2005 and it was very informative. The tour included two favelas Rocinha & Vila Canoas. Tour operator Marcelo Armstrong and their web page is www.favelatour.com.br

We actually took the Favela tour in January 2006 not 2005.

Favela tours in Rio are safe as long as you are with a reputable guide with connections (street cred) inside the favelas.

On a Favela tour, you will be able to get out of the jeep, walk around (with guide) visit the schools, nurseries, craft markets, Samba School of Rocinha (this year they finally made the main parade) and experience/witness daily living conditions.

The people in the favela are very open to these tours, as there is usually a small tip donated, or people will buy small crafts, etc...

ALso, they are good way to learn alot about life in the favela and dispell alot of the myths that they are war zones 24 hours a day 7 days a week.

Crime in favelas is "almost" non existent bc the Drug Lords who run them, do not want stuff happening on there turf. That is why most of the crime happens in the nearby areas. However, if a war (drugs) breaks out between a rival favela or even the police, it is a nightmare. The biggest fear people have is stray bullets, and or having there children grow up and get involved with drugs.

As a tourist you should only go with a guide. Never think about going by yourself. I know some tourists who have gone to the funk parties with local residents, and they will boast and brag the next day how safe it is and how they had the time of their life with no problems, and think they are invincible, without realizing that the only reason nothing happened was bc they were with locals who kept them safe.

Also, never go into the favela in a taxi to buy drugs... you may have no problems in the favela, as obviously the taxi driver has connections, or else he would never be going in, but once you leave, the police at the exit will definately stop you, and you will lose lots of money paying "fines" (bribes).

Favelas are a part of society here in Rio and no matter how hard the govt tried to ignore the problem, they never went away. The media (films newspapers, programs, etc..) has portrayed them in a way that peaks the interests of others.

My suggestion, is to visit them only on a tour with a reputable guide, and see for yourself.

No brazilian is proud of favelas. They are emblematic of squalor and poor social conditions, which our country will take a long, long time to solve, or at least improve – we hope with the help of highly developed countries which choose to put into practice more fair trade agreements.
So we are a little bemused, shocked, when we know of foreigners interested in touring favelas.
Brazil offers so many interesting and unique destinations – I wonder why should someone be interested in meeting our misery ?
Sorry, this is most disgusting.
Dilermando

I don't think that the tourists want to meet the misery.

Most people who I encounter, are interested to learn more. And, once more knowledge is gained, maybe something constructive can be done, like returning to their homeland and initiating governemnts, etc..

Your suggestion to ignore it and go somewhere else, does not help in anyway. That is pretty much what the government has done, and you probably will agree that it was not helpful.

One last thing, I dont think it is because of any fair trade agreements, or lack there of in the past that has caused these present situations.

I don't like the idea of touring favelas like a Barnun circus. Almost everybody knows how unfair is the trade between more developed contries and the rest of the world. Here are two well-known examples: agricultural subsidies and wide protectionism (sugar, orange juice, cotton etc). Whose evil consequences range from depressed prices of agricultural goods exported by less developed counbtries, to bankrupting their production. Thus unfair international trade deprives us from desperately needed money, which could - among other uses - help into erradicating favelas. Humanitarian help will be always heartily welcome - but it's a far cry from being a lasting and sound solution.