On different social networks you can see a short video of some people entering the terrace of a house located in one of the most popular and dangerous favelas in Rio de Janeiro. Visitors sit on a chair for a short time to enjoy the Rio sunrise, while they are recorded by a drone that travels throughout the Brazilian settlement. The time is timed by a person in charge at the entrance, who greets the tourist with his hand when receiving him. On both TikTok and Instagram the sequence went viral and many users wondered how much the cost was for such an experience.
The MDZ online journalistic portal released the details surrounding the recording. According to the media, which released the behind-the-scenes images of the viral video in the Rocinhaconsidered the largest favela in Rio de Janeirothis tourist experience is around 200 reais, which would approximately be 55,000 Argentine pesos.
What until recently was almost forbidden territory for the curious traveler has become one of the emerging attractions of tourism in Rio de Janeiro. The favela Rocinha is the most populated in Brazil and is perched on a hill between the neighborhoods of São Conrado and Gávea. To this day it is considered a regular stop on itineraries that promise an “authentic immersion” in Rio’s urban life.
The explosion of tourism in the city, which reached 12.5 million visitors in 2025, has driven the gaze beyond the famous beaches and classic viewpoints: 2.1 million international tourists arrived in Rio that year, an increase of almost 45% compared to 2024. Visitors are looking for experiences beyond Copacabana or Christ the Redeemer, and in Rocinha, that interest translates into guided tours by residents who have turned the narrow passages and viewpoints into their livelihood.
Entering this favela is open to any tourist, as long as they do so accompanied by guides or through organized tours. Many local agencies and operators have established safe routes that avoid risk areas, while some points in the favela welcome visitors with small businesses, bars with views and services adapted for those who want to take photos or videos. (
The viralization of images and stories on social networks has been key to this phenomenon. Videos by influencers and celebrities showing life in the favelas have generated global curiosity and have helped dispel initial fears related to violence or insecurity in the place. Visits from figures like the singer Rosaliawho in 2025 was seen learning local dance steps among the halls of Rocinha, have amplified that effect.
However, the perception of security is complex. Favelas historically have higher rates of violence than other urban areas due to the presence of drug gangs and conflicts with security forces, and it is not uncommon for visitors to be advised not to explore on their own without specialized local accompaniment. Community organizations and tourism operators have worked on safety protocols and codes of conduct for tourists that include not photographing sensitive situations or respecting private spaces.
Tourism in Rocinha is also part of a broader debate on ethics and exploitation: some experts warn that the so-called poverty tourism It can trivialize the lives of vulnerable communities by turning their difficulties into spectacle, while others argue that when well managed it can generate direct income for the local economy and challenge persistent stigmas.
