the jardim botânico stands as a slice of ultimate tranquility not far from the most famous beaches in the city. the perfect way to spend a day alone, on a date, or with the family, these former royal gardens are one of the most famous and precious places in rio.  often used in movie and television productions, this green area is home to fountains, lakes, stone benches, toucans, and beautiful corners.

on the other side of town, spanning more than 12,500 hectares, pedra branca state park-or parque estadual da pedra branca - is regarded as one of the largest urban forests on the planet. the area is protected by environmental and conservation laws, as result it is a safe haven for much wildlife, fauna, and flora.

perhaps most famous among all is the parque national da tijuca (tijuca national park) -  similar to pedra branca park in that it is a lush urban forest, it sets itself apart because it is home to rio's most celebrated landmark of all - the statue of christ the redeemer on corcovado.    the reforested, mountainous area covers 33 square kilometers and boasts a huge array of plant and animal species.