public visitation is almost always permitted, as the parks are important bases of ecotourism and recreation, aiming to develop sustainable tourism in these areas, as well as regional development for the local communities.

some of rio de janeiro's most famous landmarks can be found within the city's national parks, whilst the parks themselves have become huge attractions for residents of rio, and for tourists.

in fact, rio is home to the second largest urban forest in the world, the incredible floresta da tijuca, while the alluring parque estadual da pedra branca, in the west of the city, is known for some of the greatest peaks in the region, such as pico da pedra branca, the highest in rio.