the breathtaking panoramic view of the city from the rock near praia itaipuaçu also takes in rio's landmarks of copacabana beach and mount corcovado - there are, in fact, many of these 'rocks' to experience in maricá including pedra de itaocaia (itaocaia rock), near the plantation of the same name where charles darwin,  the creator of the biological theory of evolution, once visited.

at nearly 3,000 feet, pico da lagoinha (the peak of the little lake), offers stunning vistas of the região dos lagos area - the area naturally offers excellent rock climbing and, hikers have many trails accentuated by beautiful waterfalls.