Further away from Rio de Janeiro city, the regions of greatest tourist interest in the State are island-rich Costa Verde (green coast), the Região das Baixadas Litorâneas, also known as Costa do Sol (coast of the sun) home to beaches and lakes, and the Região Serrana (mountainous regions) in the interior of the State, home to green hills, mountains, and forests.

Costa verde's name reflects its abundant rainforests while Costa do Sol was so named because of the many world-class beaches in the region. The green coast is home to landmark destinations such as ilha grande , paraty, and angra dos reis, with beautiful ecological state parks such as the Parque Nacional da Serra da Bocaina. The Costa verde displays many elements of the beauty of Brazilian nature in stark contrast with each other, having on one side the ocean and directly facing it, incredibly lush forested mountains.