Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
bird-watching spots. Itatiaia
boasts wonderful views out over
the mountains and treetops, all
the way to the coast. There are
various hotels located within the
park boundaries and many of
these have trails that lead
directly into the forest, making it
popular with families
.
d
Map A2 •
Rua Gen Urquisa • (021) 2511 3600 •
Adm • www.ibama.gov.br/parna_itatiaia
Biodiversity
The Mata Atlântica, or Atlantic
coastal rain forest, is isolated
from other major rain forest
blocks in South America by the
continent's arid interior, and thus
has a diverse and unique mix of
plant and animal types, many of
which exist only here. Today, less
than 8 percent of the original
forest remains and Brazilians are
realizing that ecotourism is crucial
to the Mata Atlântica's survival.
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Região dos Lagos
The picturesque coastal
landscape between Rio de
Janeiro and Búzios is fringed
with miles of white, talcum-fine
sandy beaches that are pounded
by powerful surf. The hinterland
is broken by a series of brackish
lakes that give the region its
name - Região dos Lagos, or
the
Lake District. Resort towns
including Cabo Frio, Arraial do
Cabo, and Saquarema are all
good bases for visitors who are
interested in exploring the area.
All are easily reachable by bus or
car from the city in less than
three hours.
d
Map C2 • www.
riolagos.com.br
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Teresópolis
This rather scruffy mountain
town, which lies 57 miles (91
km) northeast of Rio city, was
the favorite summer retreat of
Teresa Cristina Maria de
Bourbon-Sicílias e Bragança, the
empress consort of Dom Pedro
II. The town, which is the highest
in Rio de Janeiro state and the
closest to the Serra dos Órgãos,
is the summer training camp for
the Brazilian football team. It
comes alive on weekends with a
bustling artisan fair.
d
Map B2
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Parque Nacional do
Itatiaia
Brazil's oldest national park is the
best place in the state for seeing
neotropical wildlife and
is also one of the country's best
*
Cabo Frio
The largest resort town
in the Região dos Lagos is a
very popular weekend escape
An Ilha Grande seashore
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