Rio | Meeting Brazilians in the National Park

Rio is truly chill with incredible natural surroundings. Beyond the usual coastal hikes and mountain trails, I spent a weekend with a local friend exploring Parque Nacional da Tijuca 🏞️ — a free national park! Brazilians in Rio are so relaxed. Many showed up in flip-flops for the hike, and families brought kids for picnics in the wild. The park is vast, with multiple hiking trails leading to small waterfalls and lakes — just follow the signs. The ferns here are enormous, and trendy monstera plants grow everywhere. My friend told me there’s even an Indigenous family living deep within the park. 🏠 📍 Parque Nacional da Tijuca - Entrada principal (SETOR A - Floresta da Tijuca) This is the main entrance. You can take the metro + bus or grab an Uber directly. Security guards are posted at the entrance, so it feels safe, but don’t forget mosquito repellent! #SETOR A#National Park#brazil#travel guide#Rio de Janeiro#trip diary