Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden

The Jardim Botanico do Rio de Janeiro was founded in 1808 by the Portuguese prince regent, later King Joao VI, shortly after the royal court fled Napoleon and moved to Rio, and it was originally meant to acclimatise valuable spices and plants from the East Indies. More than two centuries later it is one of the great botanical gardens of the world and a research institute of the Brazilian government, covering around fifty hectares of cultivated garden at the foot of Corcovado, with the statue of Christ the Redeemer visible above the trees from many of its paths. Its most famous sight is the Aleia Barbosa Rodrigues, an avenue of imperial palms that are among the tallest in Brazil, planted in long, perfectly straight rows; they are descended from a single palm, the Palma Mater, planted by Joao VI himself. Elsewhere the garden holds thousands of species of plants. The orchid house and the bromeliad collection show off some of the stars of the Brazilian flora, the lake is covered with giant Amazonian water lilies, the Japanese garden is a quiet corner of bamboo and koi, and the sensory garden is designed for touch and smell. Shady trails lead into patches of Atlantic forest at the edge of the garden, and wildlife is everywhere: marmosets in the trees, toucans and other birds, and sometimes capuchin monkeys and slow-moving sloths. There are historic features too, including the ruins of an old gunpowder factory, fountains and statues, and a small museum, the Museu do Meio Ambiente, as well as a cafe and a shop. The garden is a favourite place for cariocas to walk, run and picnic, and it is noticeably cooler than the beaches on a hot day. Entry is ticketed; foreign visitors pay a full ticket of around eighty reais, while Brazilian residents and some other groups pay half, and children up to five go free. Tickets can be bought online or at the gate, where only PIX or cash is accepted, so foreign visitors with international cards should buy online in advance.

What to see: enter through the main gate on Rua Jardim Botanico and walk the palm avenue first, then head to the orchid house, the lake with the giant water lilies and the Japanese garden. The Casa Pacheco Leao and the garden's museum hold exhibitions on botany and the environment and are free with a ticket. If you have time, the trails on the western edge lead into wilder forest. A guided walking tour, offered by the garden, adds context on the history and the collections.

How to visit well: arrive at opening time, when the light is soft, the birds are active and the garden is quiet; weekends are busy with local families. Wear repellent, especially near the lake and in the forest areas, and bring water. Buy tickets online by card, because the gate takes only PIX, the Brazilian instant payment system, or cash. The garden sits between the Lagoa and the Tijuca forest, a short ride-hailing trip from Ipanema and Leblon, and the street outside has good cafes and restaurants. Parque Lage, the other famous garden nearby, is partly closed while its historic palace is restored, with reopening expected around April 2027.

Who it suits: nature lovers, photographers, families and anyone who needs shade and calm between beach days. It is also a good plan for a hot morning or a cloudy day. Combine it with the Lagoa, the lagoon a few minutes away, for a walk or bike ride around the water, or with a Tijuca forest tour in the hills above.