Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is a must see for anyone who loves plants and gardens
When visiting Rio, sometimes you just need a bit of a time-out from all of the hustle and bustle of the city. This is something that the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is certain to provide.
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden was founded in 1808 by Prince Regent Dom Joao. He intended for it to be a research center in addition to a recreational area. The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is not just a place to go and see the local flora, there are also plants brought in from other parts of the world. You will be able see the first tea, cloves and cinnamon which were brought to Brazil in an attempt to grow them locally instead of having to import them. There are over five and a half thousand different species of plants in the gardens which makes for pleasant strolls and a peaceful exploration of nature. Some of the highlights include a lake filled with enormous water lilies, beautiful orchids, a selection of carnivorous plants and a Japanese Garden.
Interestingly, the row of 134 palms which form the Avenue of Royal Palms are all descended from a single tree. The Palma Mater can no longer be seen as it was hit and destroyed by lightning many years ago.
When you are tired of looking at the flora, you can take a turn through the library. The library is one of the largest of its kind. It contains more than thirty two thousand volumes all focused on botany. There are also a number of monuments which have great historical and cultural value to the inhabitants of Rio de Janeiro. For example, there is the Fountain of the Muses which was made in Derby in England and was at Henrique Lage's Villa until 1895 and there is an old gunpowder factory on the premises.
The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden is found at the foot of the Corcovado Mountain in the shadow of the Christ the Redeemer statue. Only forty percent of the park's 140 hectares are cultivated. The rest of the park is natural Atlantic Forest. The Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden was designated a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1992.
For a slight change of pace and a moment of relaxation, visit the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden. You will see plants that cannot be seen outside of Rio de Janeiro and take a break from the chaos of the city all at the same time.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: YesRio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Address: R. Jardim Botânico, 1008 - Jardim Botânico, Rio de Janeiro - RJ, 22460-030, Brazil
Phone: (21) 3874-1808
Official Website: Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden
Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden Reviews
Rated out of 5
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I absolutely loved this place! It is truly awesome and incredibly beautiful — a spot where you could easily spend hours just walking around and enjoying the scenery. The garden is full of different paths where you can explore for a long time without ever getting bored. Along the way, you can spot exotic animals, discover unique plants, and admire countless flowers in a variety of shapes and colors. It feels like a true oasis in the middle of the city.
There is also a lovely café in the middle of the garden, perfect if you need a break or just want to sit down and enjoy the view. The whole area is very clean, spacious, and well-maintained, which makes the visit even more enjoyable. A wonderful experience overall, and definitely a place worth visiting!
Nataliia Tomakhiv - a month ago
Arguably the most underrated place to visit in Rio. We paid BRL80 per person to enter and spent 3 hours. You can fins cute monkeys running about and the scenery is absolutely gorgeous.
Filip Mishevski - a week ago
The park is amazing! The best place to spend a few hours in while it’s hot outside. I saw incredible monkeys and birds, also cute lizards. The flora and fauna there is really worth seeing. I am really glad I got to visit the park. The only issue is the process of buying a ticket. Foreign tourists can do it only offline and with cash… so strange and really inconvenient
Darina Loshak - a month ago
Cash only for tickets at the entrance. Easier to buy online before you go. Huge. Lots to see. Good playground for kids by the cafe. Washrooms are few and far between so plan ahead!
Trovão Greorg - 2 months ago
Such an amazing and beautiful place. If you're a visiting foreigner it costs about $75 R. They only take cash, or you can buy a ticket online. The gardens are so beautiful. Give yourself at least 3 hours to fully explore everything. They have plants from all over the world. You will also see wildlife like monkeys and toucans.
Nicholas Cancelliere - 6 months ago
Directions
| Metro and Metro Bus Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Line 1 - Orange or Line 2 - Green | Botafogo | 5 MInutes |
How to get to Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden by Metro and Metro Bus
Purhase a Metro na Superficie farecard take the Metro to Botafogo Station and transfer to the blue 'Metro na Superficie Bus' and ride it to the Jardim Botanico Baixo Gávea stop. Exit the bus and walk north along Av. Rodrigo Otavio which becomes Rua Jardim Botanico until you see the entrance to the Garden on your left (5 minutes).
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Photo Gallery
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Walking paths in the Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden cc licensed photo by Felipe Ventura dos Santos -
Bridge across water feature in the Japanese Garden cc licensed photo by Glovebr2008 -
Close up of an Orquidário flower cc licensed photo by T Chu -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: mattk1979 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Rodrigo Soldon Souza - cc license via Flickr
