National park · Brazil
Tijuca National ParkParque Nacional da Tijuca
Enter Tijuca National Park for a half‑day hike to Pico da Tijuca (2 h, moderate) or an easy walk to Cascatinha Taunay; the full‑day Pedra da Gávea trek is for experienced hikers with a climbing section — go early to avoid crowds, and use the Vista Chinesa weekend opening.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
approximate
Established
1961
Best months
Apr–May, Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Brazil ↗US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa (about US$81 — check) applied for online at the official VFS portal before travel; EU and UK citizens do not. Check your passport with Brazil's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before booking.
- Brazil ↗Yellow fever vaccination is recommended for many areas, including the Amazon and Pantanal; check with a travel clinic at least 10 days before travel.
- Brazil ↗Keep your phone out of sight in the street and on beaches; phone theft is the most common crime against visitors in big cities.
- Brazil ↗Carnival 2027 runs about 5–10 February (Tuesday 9 February; Salvador from 4 February): book Rio, Salvador and Recife/Olinda months ahead or avoid those dates.
At a glance
- Country
- Brazil
- Area
- 40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²)
- Official area is 3,958 ha (≈ 40 km²). Some sources round to 4,000 ha; the figure varies slightly between park authority reports and secondary data.
- Established
- 1961
- Best months
- Apr–May, Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Rio de Janeiro
Tijuca National Park protects the largest urban forest in the world, covering Rio de Janeiro’s steep granite hills, waterfalls, caves and iconic peaks such as Pico da Tijuca and Pedra da Gávea, offering city views, wildlife and a network of over 200 km of trails.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- Special national siteUrban forest, Brazil's smallest national park.
Size and age
40 km² (15 sq mi)15 sq mi (40 km²) · national park since 1961
Official area is 3,958 ha (≈ 40 km²). Some sources round to 4,000 ha; the figure varies slightly between park authority reports and secondary data.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Rio de Janeiro.
Why go
- Explore the world’s largest urban forest with waterfalls, caves and city views.
- Reach iconic peaks like Pico da Tijuca (1,021 m) for panoramic cityscapes.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepGo
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanWarm, occasional rain; trails may be muddy.
- FebWarm, occasional rain.
- MarStart of drier season; comfortable.
- AprDry, comfortable hiking.
- MayDry, mild temperatures.
- JunRainy season; trails slippery (check).
- JulRainy; higher humidity (check).
- AugRainy; possible trail closures (check).
- SepRain tapering, still warm.
- OctDry, pleasant.
- NovWarm, occasional showers.
- DecWarm, dry.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorful birds – parrots, toucans, macawsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Monkeys – white‑marmosets, capuchins, howlerAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Coatis (approachable, but feeding prohibited)All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Sector A – Floresta da Tijuca | Core forest, waterfalls, Pico da Tijuca, cave trail. | Open; entry fee required. |
| Sector B – Serra da Carioca | Corcovado, Vista Chinesa, Mirante Dona Marta. | Open; some overlooks weekend‑only. |
| Sector C – Pedra Bonita / Pedra da Gávea | Adventure climbs, paragliding ramp, Pedra da Gávea summit. | Open; guided for Pedra da Gávea. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
5 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate for main entrances and landmarks.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry (per person) | BRL 15–20 (≈ US$3–4) | person | 2026 estimate; check official site — entry arrangements vary by sector and are not confirmed. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission.
- Guides
- Recommended for Pedra da Gávea summit trek; not confirmed as mandatory (check).check
- Camping
- Prohibited inside the park.
- Feeding wildlife
- Forbidden; may cause aggressive behavior.
- Fire
- Open fires not allowed.
Where to stay
Near the park
Rio de Janeiro hotels
Wide range from budget to luxury; 20–30 min drive to park entrances.
Safety
Heat and steep steps medium
Getting lost on long treks high
Rain making trails slippery medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main trails have uneven terrain; not wheelchair‑friendly.
- Vista Chinesa ramp accessible for limited mobility on weekends.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked paths to protect fragile Atlantic Forest.
- Do not purchase 'close‑up' wildlife tours; respect wildlife distance.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Tijuca National Park?
Entry is about R$15–20 per person (2026 estimate); purchase tickets at the park gate.
What are the best hikes in Tijuca National Park?
Pico da Tijuca (2 h, moderate), Pedra da Gávea (full day, hard), Pedra Bonita (45 min, easy), and the Trilha das Grutas (cave circuit, 2–3 h).
When is the best time to visit Tijuca National Park?
April to October offers dry, comfortable conditions; the rainy season June‑August may make trails slippery.
Can I camp inside Tijuca National Park?
No, overnight camping is prohibited for safety and conservation.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
A guide is required for the Pedra da Gávea summit trek; other trails are self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Tijuca National Park
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