Brazil Tourist Trap Tips by mangueirense Top 5 Page for this destination

Visiting a Favela...tourist trap!

One of the biggest tourist traps in Brazil, in my opinion is doing the 'Favela tour'. It's a guided tour inside a favela (shanty town).
I believe that there are not only such kind of tours in Rio de Janeiro, I guess maybe in other places of Brazil it is even so possible to do it...because at least everywhere you will find those favelas.

I believe people can be curious about how people live in a slum, but visiting it like visiting a zoo, sounds a bit strange for me !!!
I have never done this in any place of Brazil nor will I ever do it!!!

The poor and poorer favelas can be very dangerous. Drug dealing is common and popular amongst the poorest of the favelas. The crime rate is very high in these places. The poor sell drugs to the poorer and it is an endless chain. I reccomend only seeing them from far.

Unique Suggestions: If you still are interested in such kind of "Favela Tour" please never go yourself there or trust anybody you knew a few hours before who wants to show you around....
it is like a self-suicide!!!
If you are really interested to see how the poor are living there, then please contact a Tour Operator and go there within a group!

For those of you who understand to read in portuguese you can have a look at the Favela's Webpage:
http://www.vivafavela.com.br

For the people who are interested in the biggest Favela in Southamerica called "Rocinha" in Rio:
http://www.rocinha.com.br