Attractions region Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro - Attractions Rio de Janeiro

Its geography

One of the main attractions of the state of Rio de Janeiro is its varied geography. Better known for its stunning granite mountains in the city of Rio plunging into clear blue seas lined with white sand beaches, the state of Rio is resplendent with not only a magnificent coastline but also superb mountainous scenery inland filled with rivers and numerous valleys.

The coast has three large bays, intricately carved with inlets and dotted with islands. Where erosion has deposited soils at the foot of the coastal mountains, lowlands (baixadas) have formed a wide belt between the mountains and the sea. In these lowlands there are sand banks, salt marshes (restingas) and lakes. Another feature of the coast is the number of beautiful beaches, some on the open sea and others, which are calmer, in the bays or on the lakes behind the sand bars. The beaches stretch from the Costa do Sol, north of Rio, to the Costa Verde, south of the capital.

Búzios

Just 190 km from Rio de Janeiro, the peninsula of Búzios has more than 20 magnificent beaches, crystal-clear water, beautiful scenery and exotic vegetation.

Originally settled by European pirates and slave traders, this happy mixture of many bloods prospered and became a picturesque fishing village, elected one of the 10 most beautiful areas in the world, famous for its unique combination of rustic charm, architectural harmony, incredible beauty and sophisticated boutiques and restaurants.

Paraty

Paraty is located on the coast between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, squeezed in between the sea and the mountains, about 240 km from Rio.

It is an old, small and charming town and was inhabited by the Guianas Indians when the Portuguese settled the site in the early part of the 16^th century. With the discovery of gold in the state of Minas Gerais at the end of the 17^th century, Paraty became an important port as miners and supplies disembarked for the gold mines and gold was shipped to Europe. Also the sugarcane industry and its "Pinga" (the national alcohol) has been important in the region.

The town is both a great colonial relic, well preserved and architecturally unique. Paraty has 65 islands and 300 beaches in its surroundings. There are good swimming beaches close to town, but the best are along the coast towards São Paulo, and out on the bay islands.

Serra do Mar

The Serra do Mar forms a sharp edge along the coast from Rio de Janeiro south for about 1,000 km into Santa Catarina. It is a range of mountains which includes, among other features, the striking shapes of the Serra dos Órgãos. The 11,000 hectares of the Serra is so called because their strange shapes are said to recall organ pipes. The vast area is a national park, created in 1939, the second oldest in the country.

The main attraction is the Dedo de Deus peak at 1,692 m high. The highest point is the 2,263 m Pedra do Sino (Bell Rock), which has a steep, winding 14 km path; the west face of this mountain is known as one of the hardest climbs in Brazil. The park has 20-30 m high trees, such as paineiras (floss-silk tree), ipês and cedros, rising above palms, bamboos and other smaller trees.

Flowers include begonias, bromeliads, orchids and quaresmeiras (glory bushes). The park is also home to the very rare and endemic grey-winged caatinga. Many other species of bird can be found, as well as monkeys, wild cats, deer and armadillo. There are also a number of frogs and toads, including the sapo-pulga, which some sources say is the smallest amphibian in the world. In the Serra da Estrela range of mountains in the Serra do Mar nestles the charming and civilized Cidade Imperial of Petrópolis. It is known for its beautiful flowers and hill scenery. It is also one of Brazil's most important historical towns where the Brazilian Imperial family came to relax during the 19^th century.

Serra da Mantiqueira

The highest points in southern Brazil are the Pico da Bandeira (2,890 m) and Pico do Cristal (2,798 m), both in the Serra da Mantiqueira.

Further inland is this mountain range, where the highest mountain in the state is found, Pico das Agulhas Negras (2,787 m). The surrounding scenery is beautiful with valleys, cold rivers and lots of flowers. The Itatiaia National Park is located within the Mantiqueira range of mountains and is a top bird-watching destination. There are many of opportunities for good walking and other outdoor activities in the region.