at a glance

the carioca lifestyle is famous for being centred around sports, recreation, community and the outdoors. it is no wonder then, that the city boasts an astonishing amount of parks, gardens and public squares, ranging in size and grandeur from small public spaces, surrounded by buildings and busy streets, to large reserves that make visitors forget the urban commotion that lies beyond.

the zona sul (south zone) of rio alone, offers a wide variety of options for those who are interested in relaxing while people watching, as well as those who are keen nature lovers wanting to explore the native flora and fauna away from the hustle and bustle.

jardim botânico (botanic garden) leads the way as one of the most visited park in rio, covering an area of 137 acres inside the metropolitan neighborhood of the same name, and showcasing an astonishing 7200 plant species - in fact, it is one of the 10 most significant botanic gardens in the world.