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
Very vibrant and wonderful experience! I went on my first trip to Rio de Janeiro and loved it. Would highly recommend for a moment of peace and quiet and to reflect on the colonial history here in RDJ state. Plus the view of some cute monkeys which I hope to get pictures of in the future.
Darrielle Williams - a month ago
The Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro is a beautiful place to visit and well worth a few hours when in Rio de Janeiro.
We spent a lovely morning wandering around – there’s so much to see, and it’s a really peaceful escape from the busy city. The gardens are incredibly well-kept, with a huge variety of plants, and we even spotted monkeys, which made it even more special.
One helpful note: the website states that you can’t pay by card, but we were able to pay by credit card on arrival, so don’t let that put you off.
Entry is R$80 per person (around £22 total for two), which is on the pricier side, but you can easily spend a few hours here and make the most of it.
Overall, a great way to spend a morning in Rio – relaxing, scenic, and full of interesting wildlife and plant life.
Ree - 4 months ago
Visiting the Rio Botanical Garden was such a relaxing and enjoyable experience. There was no line the day I went, so getting in was quick and easy. The walk through the garden was absolutely beautiful, with lush greenery, towering palms, and so many peaceful spots to take in the scenery. I was able to take some amazing pictures and really enjoy the moment without feeling rushed. Overall, I had a wonderful time and would definitely recommend it to anyone visiting Rio.
Nina Habib - 3 months ago
Posting hoping this might be helpful for others. Bring cash if you can 80BRL per adult tourist. Staff were incredibly helpful. The technology has not caught up. Mastercard seemed to work. Visa did not. Ended up going to an ATM that was easy once I got there.
CoffeeinRaro - a month ago
Loved our stop here and the walk around the beautiful and peaceful gardens. Getting pictures of toucans and monkeys were highlights along with the beautiful trees, ponds and fountains.
If you are looking for a quiet, cool and peaceful place for a walk during your stay - this is it. I do wish that they would do a better job of labeling the palm trees on the numbered path from the brochure but other than that loved the visit.
Todd Braun (The Food and Drink Guy) - a month 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
