A viral drone video trend has turned a rooftop in Rio de Janeiro's largest favela, Rocinha, into one of the city's most popular tourist hotspots. Known locally as the 'Porta do Céu' (Gateway to Heaven), the terrace attracts tens of thousands of visitors who queue for hours to film themselves walking through a metal door against a backdrop of the favela and Rio's stunning landscape.
The phenomenon began in 2025 when favela entrepreneurs started producing viral drone videos set to Brazilian music. One video posted in January garnered nearly 50 million views on Instagram. The trend has been boosted by celebrities such as Brazilian artist Anitta and Catalan pop star Rosalía, drawing tourists from as far as China, Japan, and Europe.
Local guide Vitor Hugo Oliveira da Conceição, 35, who leads tours to the rooftop, says the influx of visitors is transforming lives in the community. After losing his baby daughter to pneumonia, Conceição became addicted to crack and involved with a drug gang, but has since turned his life around through tourism. 'This flux of tourists is changing so many people's lives – mine included,' he said.
Drone operator Victor Hugo de Jesus Ferreira, 19, films about 100 tourist videos daily and claims the favela is now more talked about than Christ the Redeemer. Despite past criticism of 'poverty tours' in favelas, Conceição insists the favela-led visits present a positive side of Rocinha. A neighbouring terrace now serves as an alfresco waiting area with drinks and panoramic views.
Marcelo Freixo, president of Brazil's tourist board Embratur, visited the rooftop and noted a two-hour queue. 'Once again, you have the favela reinventing itself and creating its own solutions,' he said.
