{"id":33213,"date":"2016-10-20T15:24:07","date_gmt":"2016-10-20T18:24:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.rioonwatch.org\/?p=33213"},"modified":"2025-08-07T12:07:06","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T15:07:06","slug":"secret-rio-unique-new-guidebook-showcases-rios-hidden-gems-and-favela-attractions-book-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rioonwatch.org\/?p=33213","title":{"rendered":"Secret Rio: Unique New Guidebook Showcases Rio’s Hidden Gems and Favela Attractions [BOOK REVIEW]"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas<\/em><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

The latest addition to a series of offbeat city guides by Jonglez Publishing, <\/span>Secret Rio <\/span><\/i><\/a>by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, Marcio Roiter and Thomas Jonglez<\/span>\u00a0offers a quirky and thorough look at many of the hidden gems to be found in Rio de Janeiro<\/span>.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"Secret<\/a>The casual tourist seeking information about Rio\u2019s most famous sites–Sugar Loaf Mountain<\/span>, Christ the Redeemer\u00a0and Copacabana Beach–should look elsewhere, as they are not even mentioned. Instead, readers of <\/span>Secret Rio<\/span><\/i> are treated to a wealth of information about the city\u2019s lesser-known attractions. From peculiar buildings to underrated museums to hidden trails and staircases, the book is an urban wanderer\u2019s dream, offering historical explanations and narratives that enhance these often overlooked locales.<\/span><\/p>\n

Written by a team of Rio\u00a0natives, the guidebook is also unique in that it highlights sites in a few favelas rarely covered by mainstream English-language publications. For decades, favelas were left out of guidebooks altogether, aside from the occasional reference to a jeep tour<\/a> amidst a general passage about the city\u2019s violence<\/a>, crime, inequality<\/a>, or other timeworn trope. <\/span><\/p>\n

More recently a few books have begun to include sections on select gentrifying favelas like Vidigal<\/a>, but they usually recommend only visiting by guided tour<\/a>. In Fodor\u2019s 2016 Guide to Rio<\/em>, a book whose cover boasts that it features \u201cAn 8-page special section on the summer Olympic Games!\u201d, the word \u201cfavela\u201d does not even appear in the index.<\/span><\/p>\n

More problematic still is the fact that in many guidebooks, the vast North and West Zones of the city that are home to\u00a0the majority of its population and could potentially benefit from tourism<\/a> are left out altogether. For example the Fodor\u2019s guide features many maps of various neighborhoods in the South Zone<\/a>, but none north of Centro<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Secret Rio <\/span><\/i>breaks down this barrier completely, devoting a full 45 pages to the North Zone<\/a><\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/i>and a similarly large section to the West Zone<\/a><\/span>. <\/span><\/i>Featured neighborhoods usually<\/span> neglected by guidebooks include Santa Cruz<\/a>, Guaratiba<\/a> and Bangu<\/a> in the West Zone and Tijuca<\/a>, M\u00e9ier<\/a>\u00a0and Iraj\u00e1<\/a> in the North Zone. <\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s a quick look at a few of the favela attractions highlighted in the book: <\/span><\/p>\n

Pereira da Silva<\/b><\/h3>\n

The book profiles Project Morrinho<\/a>, a mini-replica of the Pereira da Silva<\/a> favela overlooking\u00a0Laranjeiras which has been showcased around the world but remains unknown to many Cariocas.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"morro5\"<\/p>\n

Prazeres<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Located in Santa Teresa<\/a>, the Prazeres<\/a>\u00a0favela features dramatic street art in an area known as the\u00a0Caminho do Grafite\u00a0<\/em>(Graffiti Pathway).\u00a0Secret Rio<\/em> provides some background information on the community and gives readers different options to book a locally-run tour.<\/p>\n

\"Street<\/a><\/p>\n

Babil\u00f4nia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Although Babil\u00f4nia<\/a> in the South Zone neighborhood of Leme had an early Pacifying Police Unit (UPP) presence<\/a> and has seen outside investment in the form of hostels and ecotourism projects, few people know about the hike that exists above it, where local residents have reforested an Environmental Protection Area and maintain its trails.<\/p>\n

\"Ecotourism<\/a><\/p>\n

Mar\u00e9<\/b><\/h3>\n

The book highlights\u00a0two locations in\u00a0Complexo da Mar\u00e9<\/a>\u00a0in the North Zone:<\/em> the Galp\u00e3o Bela Mar\u00e9<\/a> contemporary art and events space and the Museu da Mar\u00e9<\/a>, a community museum documenting the historical and present day struggles, culture and aspirations of the community’s residents.<\/p>\n

\"Galp\u00e3o<\/a><\/p>\n

Manguinhos<\/b><\/h3>\n

In Manguinhos<\/a>, also in the North Zone, the\u00a0Museu da Vida<\/a>,\u00a0<\/em>a free science museum for kids, is recommended, as well as a tour of the Pavilh\u00e3o Mourisco, a beautiful building and one of Brazil’s only neo-moorish monuments.<\/p>\n

\"Pavilh\u00e3o<\/a><\/p>\n

For first-time travelers looking for truly off-the-beaten track sites,\u00a0Secret Rio<\/em>\u00a0offers\u00a0an excellent selection of unique and oft-overlooked sites.\u00a0For others who have spent considerable time in the Marvelous City, the book\u00a0serves as a reminder that there is history around every corner and always more to explore.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Clique aqui para Portugu\u00eas The latest addition to a series of offbeat city guides by Jonglez Publishing, Secret Rio by Manoel de Almeida e Silva, Marcio Roiter and Thomas Jonglez\u00a0offers a quirky and thorough look