A local Rio de Janeiro DMC boutique founded by Damiana Silva, a professional with more than 30 years of experience in international receptive tourism and Afro- Brazilian cultural experiences.
Florencios Tours & Travel was born from a personal journey of determination, representation, and a deep belief in the transformative power of travel.
Our Founder and CEO, Damiana Silva, was born and raised in a favela in Rio de Janeiro. As a young Black woman, one of her dreams was to learn English. That dream eventually opened the door to tourism and to a career as a professional tour guide.
Beginning her journey in the 1990s, Damiana entered an industry where Black tour guides were rarely represented. One of her first major opportunities came when a group of African American travelers specifically requested to be welcomed in Rio by an Afro-Brazilian guide. At the time, the agency serving them worked with approximately 30 guides — none of whom were Black.
That experience became an important turning point. What began as an opportunity for representation gradually became a deeper purpose.
Throughout more than three decades in tourism, Damiana recognized that an essential part of Rio de Janeiro’s story was often missing from the traditional tourism narrative: the history, contributions, and living legacy of Black Brazilians.
She deepened her studies and research into the African diaspora, Afro-Brazilian history, and culture, and began developing experiences that presented Rio from a broader, more inclusive, and culturally grounded perspective.
This commitment became one of the foundations of Florencios and of our work in Afrotourism.
We believe Afrotourism has the power to foster knowledge, respect, cultural appreciation, and meaningful connections between travelers and the people and communities they encounter.
Over the years, we have had the privilege of welcoming African American travelers, families from the African diaspora around the world, and a diverse range of non-Black international travelers who are equally interested in learning about Afro-Brazilian culture, history, and heritage and deepening their understanding of the Black experience in Brazil.
Damiana’s journey is also a story of family, continuity, and transformation.
She is the mother of a 25-year-old daughter and has shared more than three decades of life with her husband and partner. Tourism became much more than a profession: it changed the course of her life and created opportunities that once seemed very distant.
Today, her family lives comfortably in Rio de Janeiro, while Damiana remains deeply connected to and respectful of the communities that shaped her. In the spirit of Sankofa, she believes that moving forward does not mean leaving one’s roots behind. It means carrying their lessons, strength, memory, and wisdom into the future.
That perspective continues to influence how Florencios welcomes travelers, tells stories, and builds connections between cultures.
What began with culturally focused experiences has evolved into Florencios Tours & Travel, a Destination Management Company (DMC) providing personalized inbound travel services in Rio de Janeiro and other Brazilian destinations.
Today, we design and coordinate private experiences, customized itineraries, cultural programs, transportation, licensed guides, attractions, and comprehensive ground services for individual travelers, private groups, travel advisors, and tour operators.
Afrotourism remains one of our strongest areas of expertise and an essential part of our identity. At the same time, our portfolio has expanded to showcase Brazil through its history, people, landscapes, gastronomy, music, traditions, and contemporary local culture.
Our approach goes beyond visiting famous landmarks. We want travelers to understand the destination, connect meaningfully with its people, and return home with a richer perspective of Brazil.
Proudly owned and operated by an Afro-Brazilian woman.