Santa Marta Favela Tour: Following Michael Jackson's Footsteps

In 1996 Michael Jackson and director Spike Lee chose the Santa Marta favela in Botafogo to film the music video for "They Don't Care About Us". Since then the community has become one of the most visited places in Rio, and today it honors the artist with a bronze statue and a mosaic mural on the rooftop where he filmed his most famous scenes. We meet at Praça Corumbá in Botafogo, next to the funicular (plano inclinado) station. We ride the funicular to the top of the hill and walk down with a guide who lives in the community. We follow Michael Jackson's route: the Michael Jackson Space, with his statue and mural, and the alleys featured in the video. On the way we pass Praça Cantão, with its brightly painted houses, discover the community's street art and social projects, and stop at viewpoints overlooking Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain and Guanabara Bay. It is a respectful and authentic experience: part of what you pay stays in the community through your local guide.