Sobre Tijuca National Park
For lovers of contact with nature, the Tijuca National Park is a mandatory stop. The place is a paradise, full of peace and good energy, but it is outside the traditional route of those who go to the Marvelous City. This is the largest green area in the city and has trails, waterfalls and beautiful views. When you arrive at the Park, head to the Visitor Center to get maps with the trails of the place. Practically all of them are self-guided, with no need to accompany a guide. The main access to the Tijuca Forest Sector is at Praça Afonso Vizeu, in Alto da Boa Vista. For those coming from Barra da Tijuca, the best way is to go up towards the Park along Estrada Furnas, which starts at Estrada da Barra da Tijuca at the height of Praça do Aleijadinho. After the Fire Department, the road changes its name to Rua Boa Vista. The park has no entrance fee :D
You don't have a car and want to take the opportunity to take a tour of various points with a guide? The Rio Natural Ecotourism staff does the tour for R$200/person (2021), with a duration of 4 hours, departing at 1 pm, including round-trip transportation, certified bilingual guide. The itinerary followed is: Meeting at the hotel – Chinese View – Mesa do Imperador – Cascatinha Taunay (the largest waterfall in the Forest) – Visitors Center – Small trail through the Forest – Waterfall of the Monkeys – Return to the hotel. Rio Natural also has a Forest with Christ option for R$230! More info and schedule: 21 999921666.
It also has authentic local experiences via Airbnb Experiences: https://www.airbnb.com.br/experiences/297088?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=17edff15-acb2-4ea6-8007-2cbced116cc2 and https://www.airbnb .com.br/experiences/764826?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=56b2da9f-46fe-48fe-a5db-0b08be27c09b ehttps://www.airbnb.com.br/experiences/481028?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id= 7610831f-ccb3-44ed-a531-825183bc9e50 https://www.airbnb.com.br/experiences/1183272?guests=1&adults=1&s=67&unique_share_id=27aef045-9fc0-4ddb-bf24-8a4aab9bfab3