Os Barcos

Where tourists dine, residents grind.

In a Brazilian favela, perched above Salvador Bay, Mônica’s open-air restaurant has become a viral hotspot. Young people from the community bring influencers and tourists to its terrace, hoping to share in the buzz.

On the flip side of this postcard, residents are trying to take advantage of this tourist bonanza to survive. People break their backs carrying crates down steep stairs, fish under the blazing sun, and cook for guests while wealthy neighbours in nearby upscale homes lounge on deckchairs, casting disapproving glances at Gamboa’s growing presence.

As the community prepares for a historic Iemanjá festival, Gamboa’s fight for dignity, pride, and survival takes centre stage.