the most famous natural attractions and areas of conservation, in and around rio de janeiro are the vast national parks - with spectacular natural beauty, and colorful native species, they are some of the most treasured areas of the country.

the oldest category of conservation unit in brazil, the national parks are hugely popular, offering a number of recreational opportunities, as well as important scientific bases.

they were originally established, as a conservation unit, to preserve ecosystems of great ecological significance and scenic beauty, providing refuges for native animals and plants, as well as migratory, rare, and vulnerable species, which live within their borders.