This is what Rocinha looks like from above
It is not a question of a paternalistic and condescending look towards the poorest, but to see up close a unique and peculiar lifestyle and fascinating views from the highest hills in the city. Since the police occupied some of the city's communities and there are no longer armed drug traffickers on its streets and there are working neighbors, who were always the majority of the population, tourism has discovered this new experience and he has done it to stay. There are several favelas that offer unique adventures for the visitor, p But today only two of them guarantee 100% visitor safety.
SANTA MARTA
Santa Marta was the first favela to be pacified in 2008, it is also one of those responsible for the world knowing them visually. **The video clip for Michael Jackson 'They don't take care about us' was recorded there ** and a statue and a mosaic in the highest part of the community they remember him, right next to a nice little souvenir shop.
To upload, you have to take a small cable car at the entrance of the favela, although there are tour guides at the foot who accompany you on the visit for a modest price. Still, it's not the legacy of the late American musician that's the best thing about this little multi-colored favela perched above the neighborhood of Botafogo , but spectacular views just below the Christ the Redeemer towards the Lagoa and Guanabara Bay , where the first Europeans who arrived in the city landed. To get there, just get off the Botafogo Subway and ask for the favela, which is located on São Clemente street. Or meet a local guide using the information from the favela's blog.
The views under Christ the Redeemer
VIDIGAL
consolidated as the cool favela of Rio de Janeiro , has become a alternative neighborhood with as much leisure offer as some of its asphalt neighbourhoods. The phoenix sushi or the **Argentinean bar Las Empanadas** (they are very cheap) are the best gastronomic offer in the neighborhood at night and the laku laku It has one of the best value lunches in town.
The Atelier and Brechó bars offer very authentic chill-out environments . All these bars and restaurants are located at different heights of the main street of the city, continuing straight from the entrance square. This square is located in the Niemeyer Avenue, that connects the neighborhoods of Leblon and São Conrado. It can be reached from various points in the city on urban buses such as 360 or 177.
The Vidigalbergue or the Mirante do Avraão (recently opened and with excellent views) are the best options for those who want to directly stay in the favela. The first is located one minute from the Niemeyer Avenue bus stop, at the height of an easily recognizable blue footbridge. The second, in the highest part of the favela, which requires a little more time and transportation (you can get there by taxi or the local mototaxi service).
Sleep in a hostel in Vidigal with very good vibes
Next to Mirante do Avraão is one of the best party houses in the city. El Alto Vidigal, hostel and open-air disco, multiplies the revolutions of a quiet favela to the rhythm of dubstep, soul or electronica with one of the best views of the city. You will never forget the sunrise from there at the end of the session, to the rhythm of Disclosure or James Brown. As soon as you walk through that high area, you enter the jungle and head for the peak of two irmãos (ask at the Vidigalbergue itself how to get there), with an almost total view of the city.
Vidigal is the most appropriate place to receive that overdose of found stimuli that mixes solid rock from the mountains, raw brick from the favela that is always half-built, samba songs and the cries of children playing in the streets, small kites flying, sea, jungle and perspective of the tall buildings of Ipanema bathed in the sun. Little more can you ask for.
*** You may also be interested in...**
- Guide to Rio de Janeiro
- Eleven ways to get to know the city of Rio de Janeiro
- Everything you want to know about Brazil
Santa Marta has many viewpoints to observe the city from the sky