‘Stigmatised territory’: Why tourists have abandoned Rio’s ‘posh’ attractions for these favelas

By LUCAS DUMPHREYS AND ELÉONORE HUGHES with AP

Published on
01/02/2026 – 10:00 GMT+1

As record numbers of tourists descend upon Rio de Janeiro, many are looking beyond the city’s iconic landmarks, seeking instead local tours in the city’s favelas to learn more about the often-stigmatised territories that are also beacons of urban culture and art.

The influx of curious visitors has inspired residents of the low-income communities to turn to tourism to generate…