at a glance

the beach in Recreio offers stunning panoramic views of Pedra da Gávea (Gávea Rock) and Pedra Bonita (Beatiful Rock) to the east, and to the west Pontal Tim Maia, a great rock named in honor of the well-loved singer. At low tide it is possible to ascend the Pontal, extending out to sea to gain priveliged views of the coast.

The Parque Ecológico Natural Municipal Chico Mendes (Chico Mendes Municipal Ecological Park) is a significant area of environmental protection located in the heart of the district, in which a lagoon called Lagoinha is situated, surrounded by verdant greenery - There is also a camping spot in front of Praia da Macumba (Macumba Beach), which is the only coastal camping spot in the whole of the South Zone of Rio.

it has been suggested that the name of the neighborhood derives from the 'bandeirantes' (flag-bearers), who arrived from portugal with the early settlers ans populated  the country of in it's infancy - however, urbanization of the recreio dos bandeiras (flag-bearers' recess) began as recent as the 20th century, event though the bandeirantes are an important part of the history of barra da tijuca since colonization.