Are favelas in Brazil really that dangerous to visit?

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chicagowoman

I think you need to watch the movie "City of God" or "Cidade de Deus". It tells the story of kids growing up in the favelas of Rio. I just got back from Rio and it is a weird city. I loved it but there is NOBODY on the streets at night (other than in the touristy areas) but young kids. Everyone tells you to only take trusted taxis. You aren't supposed to just pick one off the street - you might get kidnapped. This is OUTSIDE the favelas. The State Department says that it is legal to run red lights after 10 PM because otherwise you might get mugged. Even Brazilians tell you not to visit the favelas. When you come and go from the airport, you will drive past them. See for yourself how lovely they are. NOT! I'm from Detroit, a tough city, figure myself pretty street savvy. I did not visit the favelas. I'm not sure what you want to see anyway. Don't worry, you'll have lots of opportunity to see poor homeless, pathetically thin, street kids sleeping in the doorways of Copacabana and Ipanema. It's not a happy sight. I found the beach of Copacabana much more uplifting. People of all skin colors, weight levels, ages, and socio-economic levels playing together in the sand and surf.

Gustavo CL

My friend, Brazilians that don't live in the favelas never enter in the favelas, imagine a foreigner. Specially in Rio. The police don't rule in the favelas, the drug lords do. Cocaine is sold there openly. You'll see boys at 15 with machine guns AK-47. Don't see the favelas with romantism, it's not romantic. Those pics will show you, just to give you an idea.
http://ueba.com.br/forum/index.php?showtopic=22997

Okay, there are organized tours in Rocinha. The drug lords of Rocinha allow it. But do you wanna know my opinion? As a Brazilian? I'm totally against it. I see it as a human safari.

Stella G

My God, why do you want to go there? Awful and really dangerous. You will need to get a "permission" from the drug dealers. Think better, please! I can tell because I am a brazilian.

Carol

Some of those favelas are.

camilinha

HI,
Unfortunately I have to say YES! They are worst than you can imagine.
In Rio they have many bad factions and they are so organized that they are able to fight against Brazilian Government.
I don't know if you heard, but here in Sao Paulo we have the biggest faction PCC, and for several times we had to close our doors, and stay at home during a work day, just to protect ourselves from the violence.
Of course that this happens in all countries and places.

In Brazil we have places more beautiful than Rio, much more, like Fernando de Noronha, Bahia, and they are not too dangerous like Rio and SAO PAULO.

Debra G

Well, if you are American (or not Brazilian, anyway), it will be very, very, very dangerous. I even had a Brazilian friend who lived in the US for a long while. She stumbled upon the entrance of a favela and was warned (nicely) by a young boy that she was entering the favela and that it wasn't safe for her.

monvana

Surely you can enter, but nobody can asure theyÂ´ll let you go out alive!!!

Mimi

If you visit it go with a local and dont carry any bags, purses or money above what you need to go back home and have a drink..

pokercoach

You can find a guide, it became very popular to do that... so you wont be alone, the guide and a fews other tourist with you. I believe you can do that with the favelas "rocinha" in RIO,so go for it!
http://www.exotictours.com.br/
Take care

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