Volume 18, Issue 1, 2026
Authors: Arlindo Madeira, Sofia Lopes, Rosa Rodrigues, Luiz Mees, Teresa Palrão
TOURIST PERCEPTION ON SLUM TOURISM IN RIO DE JANEIRO
This study analyses tourists’ comments provided by visitors who participated in guided tours to the pacified favelas of Rio de Janeiro, specifically Rocinha, Santa Marta, Vidigal, Cantagalo, Pavão-Pavãozinho, and Babilônia-Chapéu Mangueira, as documented on the TripAdvisor platform. The primary objective is to examine the motivations underlying tourists’ visits, including the appeal of exploring areas perceived as risky, the curiosity to observe the living conditions of socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, social motivations, and the pursuit of photographic viewpoints overlooking the city’s hills. In addition, the study explores visitors’ emotional and psychological responses when confronted with the realities of life in Rio de Janeiro, widely known as the “Cidade Maravilhosa” (Wonderful City). The analysis investigates tourists’ perceptions and experiences during these guided tours, aiming to identify the main experiential dimensions and the emotional impact associated with engagement in the socio-cultural dynamics of favela communities.
https://doi.org/10.37043/JURA.2026.18.1.4