Complete Guide Tijuca Forest

 

Everything You Need to Know About Tijuca Forest

 

Not everyone thinks that rainforests and big cities can be in the same place, but in Rio de Janeiro, travelers will find that they can have the best of both those worlds.  That means that when visitors spend time in Rio de Janeiro, they can wander along the city streets before taking the time to hike through the tropical beauty of the Tijuca Forest.  The best part is that there are plenty of private tours available, so travelers can see everything during their time in the city. 

Tijuca Forest

Tijuca Forest is a tropical rainforest that claims to be one of the largest urban forests in the world.  It covers thirty-two square kilometers and numerous plants and animals live amongst the trees.  The temperature inside this forest has managed to change the temperature of the areas surrounding it, due to the abundance of vegetation inside.  This rainforest creates a natural boundary between the west zone of the city and the north, south, and central sections.  It also creates a border between the northern and southern zones.  One of the best and easiest ways for everyone to explore this magnificent area is via private tour, because it will allow them to learn more about the history and not miss out on any of the important features. 

History of Tijuca Forest

This forest is actually manmade, as the area was where sugar and coffee had been grown years before.  Concern about this area of the city was brought up in 1861 when erosion and deforestation was occurring from intense farming.  Those issues caused the supply of drinking water to decrease and something needed to be done to improve the situation.  The replanting of trees was done during the second half of the 19^th century, so Rio de Janeiro could protect their supply of water. 

Tijuca Forest was named a national park in 1961, turning it into the fabulous destination that everyone can enjoy today either on their own or via a tour with a guide. 

Tijuca Forest Facts

The word Tijuca mean marsh, which refers to the Tijuca Lagoon, and that is how this forest got its name.  In 1967, Tijuca Forest expanded to almost forty square kilometers, making it even better for those who choose to explore it.  The forest is filled with all types of wildlife, but the animals that visitors will see the most include capuchin monkeys, lizards, anteaters-mirim, geckos, snakes, racoons, and caxingueles. 

There are twenty-five endangered animals inside this park, and they live a protected life with guaranteed safety from human contact.  There are also thirty-seven amphibian species, one hundred and eighty-nine bird species, thirty-three reptile species, and seventy-two mammal species that call this fantastic park home.  Surrounding all those animals are one thousand six hundred and nineteen plant species and a little more than four hundred of those are considered endangered. 

Visiting the Tijuca Forest

It is possible for everyone to reach Tijuca Forest via car, bicycle, train, bus, or motorbike and while exploring it on foot is best, people can use other modes of transportation once they get there.  People can visit Tijuca Park on their own, but it is always better to go into this rainforest with an experienced guide.  The reason for this is that it can be quite easy to get lost amongst all the trees and possibly get turned around and going in the wrong direction.  There are plenty of group tours available, but visitors might also want to consider taking a private tour, so that they can spend as much time at certain attractions and less time at others. 

What to See at Tijuca Forest

One of the first things that everyone must see when they are inside Tijuca Forest is the Christ the Redeemer statue.  This statue sits at the top of Corcovado Mountain, at a height of more than seven hundred meters above sea level.  The statue is considered the largest art deco statue in the entire world and while it can be seen from many vantage points in the city, there is nothing better than seeing it up close inside the forest.  It is best to visit Christ the Redeemer via train or van, as the climb is quite difficult, and a tour guide will ensure that you get there safely. 

There are thirty different waterfalls throughout this forest, but the largest of them all is quite near the entrance of the park.  Taunay Waterfall reaches a height of thirty-five meters and a person only needs to walk for five hundred meters before finding themselves at the bottom of it.  There is no bathing or swimming in the pool of this waterfall, but visitors can go for a swim in many of the other waterfall pools within Tijuca Forest.  Anyone that wants to see every single waterfall may want to enlist the assistance of a tour guide, as some of them may be slightly difficult to find for those not familiar with the area.

Views of the city are everywhere in the Tijuca Forest, due in part to the numerous viewpoints that are available.  Visitors are encouraged to start at Bico do Papagaio, which is located at the end of many of the trails inside the forest.  This massive peak is nine hundred and eighty-seven meters above sea level, making it the second highest peak within the park.  Those who want to see the views will need to follow one of the clearly marked trails, which takes approximately an hour to complete.  It can be a challenging hike, but that is not evident in the very beginning when the trail is super easy to walk along. 

Other peaks that everyone will want to visit include Pedra Bonita, Pedra da Gavea, and Pica da Tijuca.  Pedra Bonita has a wide-open surface, which is the perfect place for visitors to go if they are interested in hang gliding.  Those seeking gorgeous views will want to venture up to Pica da Tijuca, as the best views of the entire forest can be found there.

The Chinese View and Emperor’s Table are two other spectacular viewpoints within Tijuca Forest, and the good news is that people do not need to hike to them to enjoy the gorgeous views.  The Chinese View was constructed between 1902 and 1906, as a tribute to the Chinese people that arrived in Brazil to plant tea.  Emperor’s Table is where D. Pedro II, the second king of the monarchy in the 1800s, used to visit to enjoy picnics with the view of the city in the background. 

The best part about all these things to do inside Tijuca Forest is that visitors can take multiple tours to make sure that they see it all during the time they are there. 

Insider Tips About the Tijuca Forest

The most popular time to visit Tijuca Forest is the early morning hours, because the animals are waking up to eat and the sun has not risen too far up in the sky.  Most people will spend at least four hours inside the forest, as they wander around looking at the views and the animals that can be seen.  The busiest days at this forest are Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, so visitors may want to consider visiting on other days to avoid the massive crowds. 

Entry to Tijuca Forest

There is no fee to enter Tijuca Forest, but people will be charged if they want to go up Corcovado Mountain to see the Christ the Redeemer statue.  The current rate is R$ 31.36 during the high season, weekends, and holidays and R$ 21.36 for the low season.  Anyone that is under the age of twelve will be allowed to go to the top for free.  Obviously, there are going to be fees for those who choose to take a tour of Tijuca Forest, and those prices are dependent on the company that a person uses. 

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