Environment Week: Discover the Natural Enchantments of Rio

From 1 to 5 June, we celebrate World Environment Week, an opportunity to reflect on the preservation of nature and our role in building a more sustainable future. Rio, with its privileged geography, is one of the few cities in the world that unites urban life and natural beauty in such a harmonious way.

In addition to social and environmental actions spread throughout the city, Rio offers numerous outdoor spaces that invite the connection with nature and environmental awareness. This special week, how about you take this opportunity to visit and value these places?

Suggestions of places to contemplate nature in Rio:

Jardim Botânico:

Founded in 1808 by D. João, then Prince Regent of Portugal, the Jardim Botânico of Rio de Janeiro is famous for the exuberance and importance of its collections of plants, as well as for the beauty of its landscapes. Its bicentennial history is expressed in its monuments, constructions and works of art.

Visitors can walk or ride by electric car through the Aleias and see plants from various countries, visit the greenhouses (Orchids, Bromeliads, Samambaias and Insetivorous Plants) and the theme gardens and collections, such as the Japanese Garden, created in 1935 from the donation of 65 copies of typical Japanese plants.

Among the monuments are the Visitor Centre – a construction of the 16th century –, the statues of Eco and Narcissus made by Mestre Valentim, and the Portal of the Academy of Fine Arts, designed by Grandjean de Montigny. The Garden is also a good place for bird watching.

Chinese View:

Built at the beginning of the 20th century in honor of the Chinese and the import of tea cultivation in Brazil, the monument of the Chinese Vista offers a wide panorama full of green Rio's South Zone. The trail has easy access and is fully paved, leading to the lookout in a demanding, steep climb, but it pays off with one of the most beautiful peaks in the city!

Parque Lage:

Originally from an ancient sugar mill, the park is part of the historical memory of the city. In 1957, it was listed by the Instituto do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (IPHAN) as the historical and cultural heritage of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Designed in 1840 by English landscaper John Tyndale, the beautiful European romantic style garden shares the attention with the native forest of Atlantic Forest. The imperial palm trees, the artificial lakes and islands, as well as the caves scattered throughout the park and the aquariums embedded in the walls with several fish, are also highlighted. Much sought after by families, especially on weekends, the Parque Lage has good structure for children's fun, with toys and large outdoor area. It is very common to have picnics in the park.

In the main building of space, a 19th century house, runs the School of Visual Arts of the Parque Lage (EAV), which offers free training for beginner artists, art training courses for young people, as well as an intense programming of exhibitions, seminars, lectures and video shows. EAV also has a library and an auditorium with capacity for 150 people. In the central courtyard of the mansion, by the pool, Bistro Plage offers a delicious breakfast, as well as lunch and dinner with organic products that can be enjoyed next to the art and music events that take place on site throughout the year. On many weekends, the Parque Lage crosses the dawn with festivals and art and music festivals sponsored by public and private initiatives.

Gold Tip: Parque Lage is the point Favorite cariocas in love. No mistake, take your date!

Tijuca National Park:

Invitation to those wishing a closer contact with nature, the Tijuca National Park is currently the most visited in the country, receiving about two million visitors per year. Formed by great mountains, caves, waterfalls and trails that unveil beautiful landscapes, the park is an example of how nature can coexist in harmony with the city.

Several sights are gathered in its nearly four thousand hectares: Floresta da Tijuca, Corcovado and Chinese View are just a few of them. Third largest in the country, the park is divided into four sectors: Floresta da Tijuca, Serra da Carioca, Pedra Bonita/Pedra da Gávea and Pretos Forros/Covanca. Learn about the differences and how spaces are sought by cariocas and tourists who want to enjoy free time in total harmony with nature.

Floresta da Tijuca:

One of the largest urban forests in the world was created in 1861 by Emperor Pedro II to reforest the area affected by deforestation caused by cane and coffee cultivation. This sector of the Tijuca National Park brings together attractions such as the Pico da Tijuca, the Pico do Papagaio, the Cascatinha Taunay. This preserved area of Atlantic Forest is quite sought by cariocas and tourists for the practice of physical activities, walks and walks. Birds, native plants and fruit trees make up the flora and fauna of the Floresta da Tijuca.

The highest point of the Tijuca National Park, with 1022 meters, the Pico da Tijuca is easily accessed by a trail that begins on the Estrada da Cascatinha, in the Alto da Boa Vista. Although it seems difficult to get to the top of this which is the second highest peak in the city, the little steep trail makes the journey even pleasant for beginners in the practice of adventure sports. From the top of the Tijuca Peak, visitors can admire a panoramic view of the city from the North Zone to the South Zone, including the Baixada Fluminense, the Southwest Zone, the Rio Center and the Rio-Niterói Bridge.

Another attraction of the forest is the Visitor Center of the Tijuca National Park, which has a permanent exhibition called “A Forest in the Metropolis”. The exhibition is didactic and interactive and aims to promote the conscious use of areas and resources of public use, besides addressing the trajectory of the area that today constituted the National Park of Tijuca in three stages: Kill Original, Human Intervention and finally a Park.

Quinta da Boa Vista:

A true pearl of the city, Quinta da Boa Vista is one of the largest urban parks in Rio de Janeiro, with about 155,000 square meters. Situated in the São Cristóvão district, one of the most traditional in Rio, the gardens created by the French landscaper Auguste Glaziou are preserved. For many years, he housed the Rio Zoo, founded in 1888, which ended activities recently giving way to Biopark, a new concept of zoo. The park also houses the National Museum which, considered the oldest scientific institution in Brazil, undergoes a thorough reconstruction after being hit by a fire.

It was named after that because at the time of its construction, on top of a hill, it was possible to see Guanabara Bay. So, Quinta da Boa Vista, among the various original bronze statues that deserve attention in its walk through the park, are the Temple of Apollo and the monumental gate of the Quinta, wedding gift from the Duke of Northumberland to the young couple D. Pedro I and the Empress, D. Leopoldina.

Surrounded by green, its gardens are an invitation to picnics, a preferred program among the cariocas and tourists visiting the site. There are also several sports courts, which attract many young people. The walk through the artificial caves is unmissable, as well as a pedal or kayak ride in the park lakes.

Flamengo Park:

The Aterro do Flamengo is known to be one of the biggest leisure complexes in the city: the place is ideal for those who want to enjoy a sunny day and do outdoor activities. The area – which runs from Santos Dumont Airport, in the Center, until the beginning of the beach of Botafogo, passing through the neighborhoods of Glória and Flamengo – is sought, especially on weekends, for the practice of sports such as walking, racing, cycling, skateboarding, skates and others.

In the area known as Eduardo Gomes Brigadier Park, in Gloria, the public can enjoy football courts, tennis, volleyball and basketball, as well as checking the gardens designed by Roberto Burle Marx. Aterro tracks are closed on Sundays from 07h to 18h, as well as the edges of Copacabana, Ipanema and Leblon.

Tijucas Islands:

Monumental rocks, turtles, scuba bird and a Caribbean air. Only much better, two miles off the coast of Rio, leaving Praia dos Amores, Barra. The Tijucas Islands are an hour by boat, known for the crystal clear waters and landscape that makes us sigh. Wow!

The Tijucas Islands are a stunning destination that delights in beauty, calm and crystal clear waters, ideal for relaxing and enjoying the ambient silence. The fauna is rich, with turtles, dolphins and seagulls often spotted diving for fish. The imposing stones surrounding the islands create a perfect setting for photos and contemplation. Small boats with local guides are available for visitors to explore the waters and enjoy diving moments, making Tijucas Islands a true haven in the city. According to Pablo Venâncio, one of the guides who makes the crossing, on average, 60 people take the tour per week. Or stand-up paddle (SUP) or boat, but always keep an eye on the weather forecast.