Outdoor sights in Brazil
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Reserva de Desenvolvimento Sustentável
A remote floodplain forest, halfway between Manaus and the Peruvian frontier, is protected by the Mamirauá Sustainable Development Reserve. This 1.24 million hectare (3 million acre) reserve is part of the second-largest (57,000 sq km/22,008 sq mi) continuous block of protected tropical rainforest in the world.
Mamirauá combines nature conservation and scientific research with improved opportunities for the communities within the reserve.
Their excellent ecotourism program affords access to a pristine piece of towering primary rainforest, rivers and lakes absolutely teeming with life. The silence there will be the loudest you've ever heard, and wildlife-viewing is among…
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Parque do Ibirapuera
The biggest green space in central São Paulo, Parque do Ibirapuera makes a fine escape from the city's seemingly infinite stretches of concrete. In addition, the leafy 2-sq-km park serves as a thriving center of the city's cultural life, with a series of museums, performance spaces and the grounds for São Paulo's renowned Bienal.
Inaugurated in 1954 to commemorate the city's 400th anniversary, the park was designed by renowned landscape architect Roberto Burle Marx. A series of landmark buildings in the park are the work of modernist master Oscar Niemeyer; most of them are linked by a long and distinctively serpentine covered walkway.
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Parque Nacional Sete Cidades
Sete Cidades is a small national park (62 sq km/24sq mi) with bizarre rock formations that some have claimed are sete cidades (seven cities) left behind by a mysterious long-departed, possibly alien, culture. But the place doesn't need such fantasies to make it worth visiting. The rock formations are indeed fantastic - some look like giant turtle shells, others resemble a castle, an elephant, a map of Brazil or the head of Emperor Dom Pedro II.
There are also superb vistas over a landscape which combines caatinga and cerrado vegetation, some 1500 intriguing rock paintings between 3000 and 5000 years old, wildlife that includes marmosets, small rodents called mocós that l…
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Parque do Flamengo
Officially called Parque Brigadeiro Eduardo Gomes, Parque do Flamengo was the result of a landfill project that leveled the São Antônio hill in 1965, and now spreads all the way from downtown Rio through Glória, Catete and Flamengo, and on around to Botafogo. The 1.2 million sq meters of land reclaimed from the sea now stages every manner of Carioca outdoor activity. Cyclists and rollerbladers glide along the myriad paths, while the many soccer fields and sports courts are framed against the sea. On Sundays and holidays, the avenues through the park are closed (from 7am to 6pm).
Designed by famous Brazilian landscaper Burle Marx (who also landscaped Brasília), the park…
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Parque Nacional da Chapada dos Guimarães
The 33,000-ha (81,545-acre) Parque Nacional Chapada dos Guimarães is located in the tablelands that mark the western edge of the Brazilian central plateau. It has several excellent walks to waterfalls and caves, or you can hire guides to lead you on overnight excursions. The two exceptional sights inside the park are the 60m (196ft) Véu de Noiva (Bridal Veil) falls and the Cidade de Pedra (Stone City).
The lookout perched above the impressive, free-falling Véu de Noiva is Chapada's most dazzling place, while the Cidade de Pedra has wonderful vistas and rock formations reminiscent of stone temples. If you don't have a car, your best bet is to take an excursion with Eco T…
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Bosque da Leitura
A meandering duck pond takes up much of the western half of Parque do Ibirapuera, and around it are arranged a series of shaded walks, including the Bosque da Leitura - a woodsy section that on Sundays turns into an open-air library where you can check out books for the afternoon.
To get the park, take the metro to Vila Mariana station and then bus 775-A 'Jardim Aldagiza.' There are lots of snack stands throughout the park, or you can get a full meal at the Green, between the Museu de Arte Moderna and the Museu Afro-Brasil, which serves a hearty per-kilo buffet.
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Serra do Lajeado
East of town, Serra do Lajeado has scores of beautiful ecological attractions, especially waterfalls, swimming holes, trails and even ancient cave paintings. Its sheer cliffs make it a popular destination for rappelling and paragliding, as well. Unfortunately, most of the land is privately owned, and at the time of research the best and most accessible attractions were closed to visitors by the landowners. Call the Centro de Atendimento ao Turista (CATUR) for the latest info.
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Pista Cláudio Coutinho
A paved 2km path, Pista Cláudio Coutinho winds along the southern contour of Morro da Urca. It’s a lush area, shaded by trees, with the waves crashing on the rocks below. Keep an eye out for families of small micos – capuchin monkeys with ringed tails. About 300m along the path, there’s a small unmarked trail that leads up to Morro da Urca. Pão de Açúcar can also be climbed – but it’s not recommended without climbing gear.
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Monumento Bandeiras
At the north entrance of Parque do Ibirapuera, stands Victor Brecheret's huge Monumento Bandeiras, erected in 1953 in memory of the city's early pioneers.
A meandering duck pond takes up much of the western half of the park, and around it are arranged a series of shaded walks, including the Bosque da Leitura - a woodsy section that on Sundays turns into an open-air library where you can check out books for the afternoon.
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Parque Nacional de Brasília
In the northern reaches of the city limits, the 30-sq-km Parque Nacional de Brasília is a good place to relax. It has natural swimming pools and is home to a number of threatened animals, including deer, anteaters, giant armadillos and maned wolves. The park is very popular on weekends and there’s a visitors’ center where you can get information. Bus 128.1 from the city bus station goes past the front gate.
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Parque Ecológico do Côco
Parque Ecológico do Côco was set up in 1991 after local ecological groups pressed for protection of the mangrove swamps from encroaching highways and the industrial zone. It's Fortaleza's most popular recreational park, and organizes activities to promote environmental awareness in its visitors. A boat tour along the Río Côco will allow you to fully appreciate the park's wildlife and unique flora.
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Parque Ecológico Chico Mendes
This 40-hectare park was created in 1989 and named after the Brazilian ecological activist who was murdered for his work. The park protects the remaining sand-spit vegetation from real estate speculators. The facilities include a visitors’ center and ecological trails leading to a small lake. Animals protected in the park include butterflies, lizards, tortoises and the broad-nosed caiman.
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Parque Lage
Beautiful Parque Lage has English-style gardens, a lovely café, little lakes and the Escola de Artes Visuais (School of Visual Arts), which often hosts art exhibitions and an occasional performance. Native Atlantic rain forest surrounds Parque Lage. This is the starting point for challenging hikes up Corcovado (it’s best to go with a guide).
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Morro Do Leme
East of Av Princesa Isabel, Morro do Leme contains an environmental protection area. The 11 hectares of Atlantic rain forest are home to numerous species of birds, such as the saddle and bishop tanagers, thrushes and the East Brazilian house wren. An hour-long tour is available by booking ahead. Tours meet at the Praça Almirante Júlio de Noronha.
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Tamar Project Station
The extremely worthwhile Tamar Project station is located on the beach next to the church and lighthouse. Tamar, an abbreviation for sea turtles (TArtaruga MARinha), is a highly successful nonprofit organization (Fundação Pró Tamar; www.tamar.org.br, in Portuguese) dedicated to saving five species of sea turtles in Brazil.
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Parque Farroupilha
Porto Alegre's largest park, the 37-hectare (91-acre) Parque Farroupilha, also known as Redenção, is a local favorite. On Sundays, a sprawling flea market is held here; on every other day, you can enjoy its varied plantlife, explore its many monuments, and soak up its peaceful green vibes.
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Parque do Estado
In the southern suburb of Cursino, Parque do Estado is far from the action but worth seeking out if you find yourself craving greenery in cement-heavy Sampa.
The best way to get to the park is by metro to the São Judas station, where you can catch bus. 4742 'Jardim Climax.'
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Parque Siqueira Campos
Just off Paulista across from Museu de Arte de São Paulo lies Parque Siqueira Campos, a beautifully designed and maintained park that recreates the Atlantic rainforest that was leveled to build São Paulo. It's a remarkably tranquil refuge just off the city's busiest street.
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Parque Nacional Serra do Cipó
Parque Nacional Serra do Cipó - forming the heart of Unesco's brand new Serra do Espinhaço Biosphere Reserve - is Belo Horizonte's backyard wilderness area. Its vast mountain and river landscapes lie just 100km from the city center, offering excellent hiking opportunities.
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Horto Florestal State Park
The Horto Florestal state park, 14km east from Capivari, is home to the largest araucária reserve in the state and offers fine walks of varying levels of difficulty. The reception desk, near the trout farm, can supply you with maps.
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Parque do Catete
The small landscaped park on the grounds of the Palácio do Catete provides a quiet refuge from the city. Its pond and shade-covered walks are popular with neighborhood strollers and children. Special performances in the park include concerts and plays.
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Parque 13 de Maio
A great place to hang out, especially on a Sunday, is Parque 13 de Maio in the Boa Vista district. There's a lot of action in the park, including capoeira, heated domino games and even more heated political debates.
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Parque Garota de Ipanema
This small park next to the Arpoador rock features a tiny playground, a concrete area popular with skaters and a lookout with a view of Ipanema Beach. On weekends in summer, there are occasional concerts here.
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Parque do Marapendi
At the end of Av Sernambetiba in Recreio dos Bandeirantes, this biological reserve sets aside 70 hectares for study and has a small area for leisure, with workout stations and games areas.
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Praça da República
Praça da República at the northern end of Santo Antônio has a formal park with tall trees and a pretty fountain, and is surrounded by imposing 19th-century buildings.
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