Rio de Janeiro is surrounded by natural beauty . And virtually all of its main tourist attractions are the areas of environmental preservation. One of them is the Botanical Garden, with more than 8,000 species of plants on 137 hectares.

There are fruit trees , the plants from the Amazon, theme gardens, flowers, medicinal plants, and rare species. A place to wander, without stress, while listening to the sounds of nature.

There have been cataloged 138 species of birds. Monkeys, lizards and various species butterflies also visit the place.

At the entrance , the Visitor Center is one of the oldest buildings in the area. The house built in 1576, was based of a engenho ( where you plant and process sugar cane). In the shop, inside the house, there are several very interesting crafts.

 

The pathway surrounded by century-old royal palms is a Post Card of  the Botanical Gardens.

The orchid greenhouse, built of wood in 1890, was rebuilt in the 30’s of iron and glass. Well worth the visit .

The Japanese Garden, built in 1935. Re-opened in 1995 by Princess Sayako , the daughter of the Emperor of Japan Akihito.

The largest tree in the garden.

The Cactário newly renovated.

The Sensoriorial Garden. Braille plaques for visually impaired people who feel the different textures of the species.

A stop at the bistro for a coffee and artisan breads.

  If older than 60, special needs bearer or are pregnant , you can schedule a guided tour in electric cars , with the right to bring one guest.

• This tour lasts 30 minutes , leaving and returning to the park entrance. It makes a single stop, 5 minutes to visit the greenhouse.

• I recommend first doing the guided tour , then walk back to the sites that interested you the most . Visits with the trolleys leave at 09:00am , 10:00am , 11:00am, 1:00pm , 2:00pm , 3:00pm and 4: 00pm.
• The capacity is 7 passengers per cart . So when you arrive, go first to the Visitors Center and place your name on the list to do the tour . It is free.

 

Click on images to see Botanical Garden folder.

HOW TO GET THERE:

1 – Táxi.

If you are staying in Botafogo , Flamengo, Copacabana, Ipanema or Leblon  is a very short trip . Worth going by Taxi.

2 – Metrô + Metrô na Superfície.

If you are near a metro station , go to the box office and buy a Metro “Superficie” ticket, put the ticket up to the sensor , release your ticket and keep it with you to use it on the bus.

 

Hop on a train “line 1” ( train with red side light ) , get off at the Botafogo station.

To exit the platform , follow the signs to Output “A” – SAN CLEMENTE – HUMAITA .

The Metro na superficie Bus is just in front of the subway exit . Get off at the Botanical Garden stop. Any doubts, ask the driver.

Download here the map of the lines of the Rio Metro and save to your phone. It will be useful to help you find the station where you are and know what direction to take the train . Leaving any of the South Zone neighborhood you will use most often, Line 1, marked on the map in orange, direction Uruguai.

3 – BUS

You can also take a common bus from where you are staying to the Botanical Garden . If this is your option I suggest two lines which have the shortest route : Line 101 and Line 584. See the maps if one of these lines passes close to where you are.

Here are the itineraries of other lines that go through other neighborhoods. Discover, in the map, if one of them passes near the place where you are staying.

Another option is to plan your route through the official FETRANSPOR site (with a version in English and Spanish).

SUMMARY: Print and bring with you.

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