This tour visits sites in the part of Rio known as "Little Africa", guided by the artist and samba musician Heitor dos Prazeres. They belong to the historic and archaeological circuit of the African heritage of Brazil's Black citizens.
"Little Africa", in the city's port area, is where the African presence and Black cultural heritage belong forever to the history of Rio and of all Brazil. Countless books and samba school songs tell of it.
This is the historic home of the Afro-Brazilian community. Black and African people, freed slaves from Bahia and the rural regions, came to "Little Africa" seeking work and community, and built homes, places of trade and a religious center. Newcomers from across the country were often welcomed by "Tia Ciata", a key figure in this history and the only Black woman among Brazil's 400 most important women. You will visit the "Tia Ciata" cultural center and taste a typical Brazilian dish, feijão na cabaça.
What you'll see
Pedra do Sal, the Salt Stone
The legendary birthplace of Rio samba and a gathering place of the Afro-Brazilian community for generations.
Manuel Antonio Square
One of the stations of the historic circuit of African heritage in the port area.
The old pier
The old pier where the slave ships from Africa arrived: a powerful and moving historic site.
Tia Ciata visitor center
The cultural center named for Tia Ciata, where we learn her story and taste feijão na cabaça, a typical Brazilian dish.
What travelers say
“An excellent guide, there are no words. We really enjoyed the tour with him! He knows so much and enriches us with his knowledge, and at every spot he stops and explains the way only a real guide knows how.”
“Our biggest experience from Rio! A tour you must not miss! With a person who really knows his field and keeps things fascinating throughout the whole tour! Warmly recommended!!!”
Moments from this trip
Little Africa
