With more than 8.5 million square kilometres, Brazil is the country with the world’s greatest biodiversity. It has more than 70 protected national parks, aimed at preserving natural ecosystems of great ecological relevance, as well as numerous species.
If you are planning a visit to the country, don’t focus only on large urban centers and paradisiacal beaches. It is imperative that natural parks and ecotourism have a prominent place in any travel guide. To ensure you don’t miss the opportunity to discover some of these magnificent protected areas, Embratur — Brazilian Agency for International Promotion of Tourism — highlighted four national parks, located in different regions of Brazil:
Chapada Diamantina National Park – Bahia
Located in the center of Bahia State, Chapada Diamantina National Park is a region of mountains where the rivers of the state’s basins originate. The national park is administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation. It was created in 1985 with the aim of preserving the ecosystems of the Serra do Sincorá and protecting its springs, especially that of the main Bahian river, the Paraguaçu. Every year, new plant and animal species are discovered in the region.
The Morro do Pai Inácio is one of the main places to visit. With the most attractive view of the region, the Morro stands at 1,050 metres in altitude and from the top one can observe the entire Park. The Fumaça Waterfall is another experience not to miss; it is the second-largest waterfall in Brazil, with a drop of 380 metres and accessible via a two-hour trail.
Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park – Goiás
Established in 1961, Chapada dos Veadeiros National Park is located in the state of Goiás, a few kilometres from Brasília, the capital. With an area of more than 240 hectares, the park is a site with unique biodiversity.
It was designated a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2001 due to its species and vegetation formations, hundreds of springs, watercourses and rocks more than a billion years old. The region is rich in crystals and is regarded by many as a unique portal where it is possible to have mystical and unforgettable experiences.
Visitors can explore the Moon Valley, where a series of rock formations recall lunar craters, or the Jardim de Maytrea, which offers a panoramic view of the area and where the famous Morro da Baleia can be observed.
Moreover, tourism is not the park’s only purpose, as it also promotes scientific research and environmental education.
Tijuca National Park – Rio de Janeiro
Located in Rio de Janeiro, Tijuca National Park is the most visited in Brazil. Known for its trails and roads, the park is divided into three sectors: the Forest Sector, the Serra da Carioca Sector, and the Pedra Bonita and Gávea Sector.
The Forest Sector, also known as Tijuca Forest, offers privileged recreation spots to enjoy the day with friends and family. It is here that several trails exist for the public to explore, with the two main ones being the Peak Trail and the Historic Valley Trail. The park also includes part of Brazil’s longest urban trail, the Transcarioca.
Known for being Rio de Janeiro’s most charming mountain range, the Serra Carioca Sector is where the city’s most iconic points are located and one of the modern world’s seven wonders, Christ the Redeemer, atop Corcovado Mountain. The Horto Falls, Parque Lage and the Transcarioca Trail are other essential spots for visitors to this range.
The Pedra Bonita and Gávea Sector is located between the neighborhoods of São Conrado, Barra da Tijuca and Alto da Boa Vista. This sector of the park is best known for the adventure and sport options it offers to visitors, such as climbing, trails, hang gliding and paragliding from one of the world’s most famous ramps, Pedra Bonita. This sector also houses the imposing Pedra da Gávea, which stands over 800 metres in altitude.
Iguaçu National Park – Paraná
Iguaçu National Park is a protected area of Brazil and is administered by the Chico Mendes Institute for Biodiversity Conservation (ICMBio). It was thirty-six years ago, in 1986, that the park received UNESCO’s designation as a Natural World Heritage Site.
It is known for housing one of Brazil’s most famous attractions, the Iguaçu Falls. In addition to the Falls, visitors can walk through and explore the vast green area of fauna and flora that covers the 185,000 hectares of the park’s natural area.
