the scenic parque marcello de ipanema is located on governor's island (ilha do governador). discovered by the portuguese in 1502,  the island is situated in the west of guanabara bay and falls into the administrative zona norte (north zone) of rio de janeiro.

governor's island received its name in 1567 when the governor of the state of brazil, mem de sá, gave half of it to his son, for him to cultivate sugarcane. in subsequent years the island became known as an agricultural region and one of the leading  producers of sugar, boasting large farms and and plantations. there are fourteen individual  bairros (neighborhoods) located on the ilha do governador, the most prominent of which is jardim guanabara.

the praia da bica (bica beach) is one of the most popular meeting points for locals and visitors of the bairro, and indeed, the island. on the western tip of the beach, beyond the esporte clube jardim guanabara lies the lush green area known as parque marcello de ipanema.