Increased attention from tourists has raised ethical and safety concerns surrounding Brazil’s favelas.
Hillside Favelas in Brazil. Ashh Wade. CC0.
Typically large hillside communities also known as the “slums,” the favelas in Brazil have recently gained attention from foreign tourists and social media users. This fascination stems partly from the favelas’ proximity to wealthier neighborhoods and complex cultural fabric. However, interest also arises from the sense of thrill associated with types of poverty tourism. The increasing trend of treating favelas as tourist attractions via guided tours across Brazil raises both ethical and safety concerns.
The favelas’ allure is apparent in content circulating online. As travelers share videos or photos of their visits, they have sensationalized their experience with headlines like “What It’s Like to Walk Through Rio’s Most Feared Favelas” or “I Visited… Brazilian Slums.” While these types of posts attract likes and views on social media, they risk perpetuating stereotypes about poverty and exploiting the struggles of residents for entertainment. Some travel companies have even capitalized on this trend by offering guided tours through prominent favelas, promising an “authentic” experience of Brazil’s social and economic disparities. One such company is Favela Walking Tour, which focuses solely on leading guided tours through the favelas, boasting that it is the “Best Favela Walking Tour in Rio.”
These communities are not tourist attractions and should not be treated as such. Unlike museums or historic city centers that are designed to welcome visitors, favelas are home to millions of Brazilians navigating the systemic challenges of poverty, inadequate public services and often violence. Treating these areas as spectacles disregards the dignity and humanity of their residents. The novelty of witnessing “real” poverty or the “unseen” parts of Brazil commodifies the lived experiences of individuals who have no choice but to endure these hardships daily. Part of the novelty also comes from the fact that some favelas are located directly adjacent to Brazil’s wealthiest neighborhoods, providing a visual representation of the country’s class divide that often captures the attention of class-conscious tourists.
Safety concerns also exacerbate the ethical implications of favela tourism. The U.S. State Department has classified favelas as “Level 4: Do Not Travel” considering them high-risk areas due to crime and limited police presence. Despite the intentions of tourists or tour operators, these visits can potentially aggravate tensions within the community, particularly if outsiders are seen as intruding or profiting from their less-than-ideal living situation.
The fascination with Brazil’s favelas reflects a broader global pattern of the exploitation of marginalized communities for entertainment or social media attention. To be a truly conscious global citizen, travelers must strive for a more responsible approach to cultural exploration. By respecting the dignity of these communities and acknowledging their struggles, we can move toward a form of tourism that uplifts rather than exploits.
Get Involved:
It is crucial to reframe how we engage with places like favelas. Instead of voyeuristic tourism, efforts should focus on supporting these communities through ethical means, such as donating to organizations that work to improve living conditions or amplifying the voices of residents who strive to make a difference, rather than spotlighting wealthy tourists.
A primary organization focused on supporting educational development and social welfare in these regions is the Favela Foundation, which provides both financial and ground support for grassroots projects dedicated to improving living conditions within the favelas. You can donate on their website.
There is also the Museu de Favela, located in Rio de Janeiro, dedicated to educating visitors about the cultural heritage of favelas without disrupting residents’ daily lives and encouraging education and dialogue surrounding favelas. They have options to donate and volunteer on their website as well.
Zoe Lodge
Zoe is a student at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is studying English and Politics, Philosophy, & Law. She combines her passion for writing with her love for travel, interest in combatting climate change, and concern for social justice issues.