at a glance

nearby recreio beach, the parque chico mendes is a small natural reserve that is worth visiting, as well as the more famous parque marapendi, and the parque municipal da prainha. interestingly, an estimated 500 alligators live within rio de janeiro's city boundaries - they are often spotted in this region and on the praia do recreio. 

occasionally, alligators venture onto the asphalted area near the beach, in which case they are brought to the nearby parque chico mendes for medical evaluation, before being released back into the reserve.  alligators are the mascots of this part of rio, and many tourists go to this beach on weekends to get a peek at them.