Pictures from a trip walking around Rocinha, Brazil’s largest Favela.
Nearly 100,000 people live in the Favela, among its steep slopes and crowded, narrow streets. Like most slums, it began life as a shanty town, which grew to over 150,000 population in the 00’s. Despite warnings from the police and government, tourists still venture into Rocinha to experience it for themselves. In 2017, a Spanish tourist died after getting caught in a cross-fire between the police and Amigos Dos Amigos (the gang that controls Rocinha).
Want to walk around the favela?
It’s not advisable walking around Rocinha on your own. There are lots of stories from travellers that have gone in on their own and some misgivings had happened to them. It’s best to find a local to take you around. This best way to achieve this is by asking someone you can trust that already lives there. If you do this, the experience can be relaxed.
What is there to see when walking around Rocinha?
The sudden explosion of people living in the favela, has led to a lack of planning and streets really do not have any order. The tight alleyways twist and turn as more often than not, football and gang graffiti will be on the walls either side of you. The steep roads up to the top provide a stunning a view out over the bay.
A few skate parks scattered about the Favela
View from the Favela overlooking Coco Cabana
Murals are everywhere (normally with a political or football theme)
With resources scarce, sandbags here double up as stairs
Narrow streets of the Favela
Amigos Dos Amigos
The steep slopes of Rocinha
