Wondering what favela to visit while enjoying a trip to Rio de Janeiro? Exploring favelas gives you an insight into Rio’s challenging contrast and is an opportunity to support the communities. The most save favelas can be visited with a tour. Local guides provide insight into how their communities have changed from living without running water to becoming up and coming neighbourhoods. There are three favelas save to visit of around 600 favelas in Rio, all having something different to offer. Santa Marta is the most colourful, Rocinha is the biggest; and Vidigal has the most beautiful views of Rio.
We opted for the home of many actors from the film City of God, Vidigal. The reason being that Vidigal’s narrow, street art covered alleyways can be explored freely on foot instead of exploring the neighbourhood inside a van. It was also the only favela where tours were available in the late afternoon allowing us to enjoy the sunset view at Bar da Laje.
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WHAT TO EXPECT FROM VISITING RIO’S UP AND COMING FAVELA VIDIGAL
The around 2.30-hour tour starts at the community entrance at the bottom of the steep hill the favela has illegally been built on. Our guide spoke English well and was happy to answer any questions we had. Whilst wandering the winding, street art decorated streets surrounded by constant dog barking, the guide provided information on current and planned projects the community is working on to transform the neighbourhood.
I would have liked to hear more about how the community worked alongside the police to transform the neighbourhood into one of Rio’s up and coming favelas. However, we felt that questions about previous gang activities in the neighbourhood were brushed off quickly.
When it started to rain mildly the guide arranged moto-taxis for us to the hilltop. We considered ourselves lucky. Not only did we not have to conquer the steep hill but riding the winding roads of the favela on the back of a motorbike also made us feel like we are in a movie scene.
Throughout our exploration, we stopped off at many corners to sneak a peak of Ipanema Beach and the Two Brothers Mountain. At some point, we witnessed a rainbow brightening up the cloud riddled sky. We even witnessed a music video in the making when walking around the sport facilities.
Once we reached the hilltop we asked our guide if it was possible to have a drink at Bar da Laje whilst the sun slowly began to set. The view over the favela’s rooftops, the glistening ocean, and the bustling Rio in the distance is truly captivating. We did not have to pay the usual entrance fee since we visited as part of a tour. Although, we had to buy a drink each. Please note that a bar visit isn’t usually part of the tour.
Timings.
We started our tour at 4 pm until approximately 6.30 pm. There are many time slots throughout the day to choose from. If demand is low then the starting times are flexible to a certain extend.
Safety.
We felt save throughout the experience and were welcomed by any locals we crossed paths with. Vidigal still has hints of poverty but much to my surprise it did not feel like an underdeveloped or dangerous place to explore but like any other Rio neighbourhood.
Exploring Vidigal without a guide isn’t advisable. The favela is safe to visit as part of a tour as well as inside a van taking you to one of the many bars in the neighbourhood. But wandering the streets without a guide who has lived in the favela their entire life will most likely result in being mugged.
PARTY IN RIO’S UP AND COMING FAVELA VIDIGAL
Are you a traveller that likes to party with the locals? Then visiting a favela bar is most likely on your bucket list. There are many bars in Rio’s up and coming favela, Bar da Laje and Alto Vidigal being the most popular ones.
Bar da Laje.
Bar da Laje on the hilltop of Vidigal Favela has grown in popularity and you are most likely going to be surrounded by tourists as much as locals. The best time to go is Fridays and Saturdays when the terrace livens up with live music. The bar closes at 8 pm during the week and 10 pm on weekends. There is an entrance fee of R$ 10-20.
To reach the bar without a guide take a moto-taxi or van from the community entrance, one of the organized vans from Bar da Laje for R$ 10-20, or an Uber. Rua Armando Almeida Lima 8 Vidigal, Arvrao, Rio de Janeiro, State of Rio de Janeiro 22452-030
Alto Vidigal.
Another hilltop bar with an incredible view is Alto Vidigal. The bar hosts samba, house, and reggae nights. This popular favela bar is open Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 9 pm. R. Armando Almeida Lima, 2 – Vidigal, Rio de Janeiro – RJ, 22452-030
HOW TO GET TO THE COMMUNITY ENTRANCE
The easiest way to get to the community entrance is by Uber. You can request a pick-up service from your guide via Whatsapp from Leblon or Ipanema. However, these pick-up services are not always available. There is also a local bus connecting Leblon and Vidigal, although I would advise against taking busses in Rio.
THE COST
The tour costs R$ 100 and includes the moto-taxi to the hilltop. A visit to a favela can be booked via hostels or online. We booked the experience via our hostel which is the cheaper option.
Visiting Vidigal can be combined with hiking the Two Brothers Mountain. We decided against this option since we had already explored Sugarloaf Mountain.
Did I do a good job of sharing my experience of visiting Rio’s up and coming favela Vidigal?
Now go ahead and explore! Try not to lose your towel.
