Visiting the favela of santa marta one of rios hundreds of favelas the brazilian term for a slum or shantytown is a local experience that gives you the chance to see brazil from another point of view after pickup from rio de janeiro take a walking tour with a resident guide who introduces you to daily life in the favela youll learn about the history of the area see community projects and take in views of christ the redeemer sugar loaf mountain and rodrigo de freitas lake