Rio de Janeiro: Parks & Gardens

Lage Park

Located at the base of Parque Nacional da Tijuca, this beautiful park in Rio de Janeiro features gardens, little lakes and a mansion which now houses the Instituto de Belas Artes - there are often art shows and sometimes performances there. It's a peaceful place, with no sports allowed and a favorite of families with small children. It's open from 9 am to 5 pm. Take a Jardim Botânico bus.

Flamengo Park

A large green space built in the 60's by Governor Carlos Lacerda. It hugs Guanabara Bay all the way from Flamengo to downtown Rio de Janeiro. The gardens were planned by landscape designer Burle Marx with more than 3,000 different species of plants and trees. You will find walking trails, sports courts and a bicycle lane along the extension of the park. Marina da Glória can anchor up to 1,500 boats. On Sundays one of the car lanes is closed to traffic and open to pedestrians. In addition to recreation facilities, you will find Rio de Janeiro's Museum of Modern Art, Carmen Miranda Museum, and the Monument to Casualties in World War II. A fabulous place for sport enthusiasts or for people who just like to stroll. To get there take a Via Parque do Flamengo bus: from Centro, bus Nos 125 or 132, and from the zona suI, bus Nos 413 or 455.

Tijuca National Park

Tijuca National Park, in the mountains in the center of Rio de Janeiro, is by some estimates the largest city forest in the world. An eco-paradise of stunning waterfalls, exotic jungle trails and tropical flowers. It is home to different species of birds and animals including iguanas and monkeys. It also has an excellent trail system, with several good day hikes. Maps are available at the small artisan shop just inside the park entrance. You can hike Pedra da Gávea, with a summit exceeding 800 m above sea level, and Pedra Bonita, which has a take-off ramp for hang gliding and parapenting. The heart of the forest is the beautiful Alto da Boa Vista with several waterfalls, peaks and restaurants.

It's best to go by car, but if you can't, catch a No 221 Alto da Boa Vista bus from Praça 15 or Avenida Getúlio Vargas or the No 233 or 234 Alto da Boa Vista buses from Rodoviária Novo Rio. These buses pass the park entrance. An alternative is to catch the metrô to Saens Penã:, then take any Barra da Tijuca bus going to and get off midway at the entrance to the park, close to Alto da Boa Vista.

The botanical gardens

The botanical garden is one of the great tropical botanical gardens and arboretums of the world. It was founded in 1808 by John, prince regent of the United Kingdom of Brazil and Portugal (later King John VI ). The garden, located on a 350-acre (141-hectare) site below high peaks, has a collection of over 6000 varieties of plants. The row of palms, planted when the garden first opened, and the Amazonas section with the lake containing the huge Vitória Regia water lilies, are some of the highlights. It's not a bad idea to take insect repellent.

Open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, the gardens are quiet and serene on weekdays, but blossoms with families and music on weekends. Entry costs US$2 and they give out a useful map of the gardens with a suggested walking tour. The garden is at Rua Jardim Botânico 1008. To get there take a Jardim Botânico bus: from Centro, No 170; from the zona suI, No 571,572, or 594.

Catacumba Park

A shaded park for walkers only, it's a good place to escape the heat and see some excellent outdoor sculptures. At the top of the hill there is a great view, surounded by skyscrapers. During summer there are free Sunday afternoon concerts, featuring some of Rio de Janeiro's best musicians, in its outdoor amphitheater.

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