Rio - Favela Tour

Favelas, slums in Portuguese, dominates the image of Rio in many people's heads. Favela favours the growth of drugs, is regarded as a very dangerous region for tourists. Though there are many favela tours, which can cater the needs of people who are curious about the famous favela in Rio.

There are about 750 favelas in Rio which accomodate about 20% of its poor population. The first favela I visited was Vila Canoas, a very small and relatively safe favela where we could take pictures.

The light can hardly penetrate he narrow alley.

Please note the electricity wire, they are very important characteristics of favela. Because the people "borrow" electricity from the main power pole by this method.


Graffiti is everywhere.

Winding along the alleys.

Half of the fee I paid for the tour had gone to this social centre in the favela.


Some projects relating to children were carrying out in the centre.




The second favela I visited was Rocinha, the largest in Rio.

As we could not take picutre (in order not to annoy the drug dealers who are everywhere in the favela) in this favela. So the guide took us up to the roof of a building to show us the overview of this favela.

All the houses are densely-packed.





Another important characteristic of favela is they only have one principle road, the remainings are all small streets and alleys.


As the favelas are all located in hillside, in the perspective of Hong Kong developers, they are all prime locations for luxury housing. So there are also a few-storey buildings and an international school at the bottom of the hill.

Big contrast between the rubbish and the greenery luxury area.

Kids in the favela.

The outer neighbourhood of the favela.

This neighbourhood is nicer and less shanty.

After visiting the favelas, I think people over exaggere about the danger, poverty and dirtyness of the favelas. Maybe it is because I have been to China, South East Asia and other countries where poverty is a greater problem than Brazil, so the favelas are not too shanty in my opinion.

All in all, Brazil is the most developed country in South America and its living standard is just like United States (at least in the touristic cities). With the help of the government, the situation of the favelas have been greatly improved.