at a glance

greenery is abundant in barra - as one of the many wide-open parks in rio de janeiro's sparsely populated west zone, bosque da barra is a harmonious escape filled with clean air and healthy fun. officially titled arruda câmara park, the area spans across an impressive 50 hectors, and is home a vast collection of rare flora and fauna.

the area was originally used for the cultivation of sugar cane - once the sugar industry in the city began to decline, the area in which bosque da barra stands was left in isolation for more than 100 years, allowing the lush natural vegetation and wildlife to regenerate.

in addition to nature, shopping is also high on the list of things to in barra, as the district is home to some of the most successful establishments in rio de janeiro.