Rocinha by Rocinha
Take part in positive social impact that generates socioeconomic development in Rocinha when you visit service projects in the favela!
The tour begins at the bottom of Rocinha where travelers are welcomed with an introduction to local projects and initiatives within the community. Then it’s time to go up the hill! You will hop on a moto-taxi (or a combi-bus if you aren’t comfortable on a motorcycle) for a quick ride to the top of the favela were we will visit some of Rocinha’s many majestic and breath-taking lookouts and have an opportunity to shop from local artisans. Next we’re off to visit the house of a local family where you can participate in a cultural exchange, asking questions about life in a favela while enjoying a refreshing drink. After, the tour continues down the winding roads of Rocinha, where traveler’s will learn about the structure and community dynamics of the favela. We finish the tour with a fun, high-energy capoeira roda led by a local organization. Then it’s time to say goodbye on one of the busiest streets that you can explore in Rocinha: Via Ápia.
Our local guide Erik Martins is cria, a colloquial term which describes those who were born and bred in the favela, and he wears the tag proudly. Erik gives private English lessons–both inside and outside of Rocinha. He is a secretary and a teacher at Fastz Idiomas, a language school in the community. He balances these jobs alongside tasks which he carries out for Rio’s City government, such as providing support at the Family Health Clinic and acting as a guide for certain visitors to Rocinha, as well as his commitments to community organizations within the favela. Each of these positions plays a part in Erik’s dream of a better Rocinha, but it is the company he founded with friends that is his number one priority. By way of interactive and immersive tours, Rocinha by Rocinha aims to break down barriers. It is a company whose goal is not simply to take guests around the favela, but to make them a part of the community for a day.
Take a bus, taxi, or Uber to the meeting point. If you need assistance, contact us through WhatsApp.
Don’t forget to follow our news, updates and activities on:
