Jardim Botânico

Sprawling over 340 acres, this botanical paradise awes its visitors with more than 6,000 indigenous and exotic species of flora. This serene garden hosts everything from orchids to jasmine-mango heliconias. Regent Prince D. João originally created the garden in the early 17th century in an effort to acclimatize West Indian spices. The urban conservatory quickly garnered attention as a reflection of the European-style gardens modeled overseas. By 1822, the garden opened to the general public. Since its public debut, the verdant sanctuary has become a haven for locals and tourists; Albert Einstein even dropped in.

Travelers relish the garden's tranquility. One TripAdvisor user comments, "As soon as you leave the road and enter the gardens you can feel yourself relax. You can spend hours walking around […] We spotted several hummingbirds."

Located just north of Ipanema, the garden offers easy access from the 571, 572, and 594 buses from Zona Sul. Adult admission costs approximately 5 BRL (about $3 USD). The garden is open Monday through Sunday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. For more information, check out the Jardim Botânico website (written in Portuguese).