Accommodations in Rocinha
Have you ever wanted to stay in a favela? Now you can!
Rooms, apartments, kitchenettes (studios)
Rocinha welcomes those visitors who want a more in depth favela experience. We can set up for you an opportunity to stay in the community and see first hand what life is really like here. It is becoming the “in” thing to do in Rio. And added bonus is the views from the hills are amazing.
Often times, we receive emails from visitors who have an interest to stay in the community for different reasons. We are now working with several community members to offer this opportunity to foreigners interested in getting to really know and understand favela culture. Rocinha is a vibrant ever changing place full of many wonderful things.
People who have visited and stayed with us, in Rocinha have consisted of backpackers, athletes from various sports, yoga teachers, musicians, martial artists and students from such fields of study including, anthropology, architecture, Latin American studies, and just those curious enough to experience a different side of Rio.
HOW TO FIND A PLACE TO RENT IN THE FAVELA?
We can find you a place…no problem
I have lived in Rocinha much of my life and know of the best areas to stay. Unfortunately, most people will only rent for a minimum of one month. Rental rates on rooms vary anywhere between $250-350 reais per month. “Kitchenettes”, which are like small studios, rent anywhere between $350-500 reais per month.
Most “landlords” will want you to stay an agreed duration and not break that agreement. Some, may have you sign an agreement. Respect of each others word is very important in the favela community. As a visitor here, please respect the people around you in your neighborhood. There is absolutely no reason to have fear, just more understanding that favela culture is one of getting along and making do with what you got.
To rent close to the bottom of the hill although more convenient, also has its drawbacks. It is the commercial area and there tends to be heavier traffic and more noise. And rentals also cost more per month. To give you an idea, a kitchenette at the bottom in Via Apia can cost you up to $500 reais a month, where as the same size kitchenette in Dioneia can cost you $250-300.
I have found that the best area to live for convenience, price, tranquility is in the areas of Rua 4, Rua 3, Rua 2, Dioneia, Paula Brito, Atalho, Ponto 7, and Portao Vermelho. These areas are much more tranquil than other areas of the favela. These areas have access to transportation and are aproximately a 15-20 minute walk to the bottom of the hill. After learning the “becos” or alleyways, it can take less than 15 minutes.
One of the benefits of using our service is that where ever you decide to move to, we will give you a tour of the area so you can get around easily. We will show you how to use the bus, vans and moto taxi services to get you to your destination.
When you agree to stay here in Rocinha, it is expected that your behaviour will not include ANY illegal activities, as we are not responsible for your actions. Please enjoy the community for all the positive things it has to offer you!
THE PROCESS – How to get started
1. Email us and tell us when you plan to arrive.
2. It is suggested that you email us one to two weeks before you arrive. In your email please write in the header: “seeking rental”
3. You will need to let us know exactly how long you plan on staying in Rocinha.
4. And if you have interest to rent a room in a house or rent a kitchenette/studio?
5. Write a few sentences on why you want to stay in Rocinha (your purpose?)
BUYING A HOUSE IN ROCINHA
Contrary to what people may think, there are foreigners who live in Rocinha from various places. In Laboriaux, the highest point of Rocinha, there are people from the UK, United States, Canada, Italy, France and other countries, living here. We suggest staying in the community a while to see how everything operates here before buying property here. The community does not allow people to come in buy up houses to fix up and resell at higher prices. The right of ownership here in Rocinha designates that you live in the house 5 years before you can sell it. Pricing is controlled to a degree to prevent gentrification.
If you have interest to want to move to the community, we can also help you with that as well. We will need to know exactly the particulars in what you want. We have access to listings of places for sale. Like the rentals, we know of the neighborhoods in Rocinha that are fair priced but also located for convenience and good services.
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Any questions can be sent to us at: info@favelatour.org.
Or CALL US at: 21-8221-5572