Brazils National Parks: How to Pick Which Ones to See

A paraplegic man in Brazil is lifted into the clouds on one of Rio de Janeiro’s hardest trails

From the wetland ecosystems of the Pantanal to the white dunes and blue lagoons of Lençóis Maranhenses, the national parks in Brazil are something you cannot miss. Alongside its natural beauty, Brazil plays host to some of the greatest biodiversity of any country on the planet. Home to Iguaçu falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the world, this natural wonder offers stunning views through helicopter rides and guided tours. The total size of all national parks in Brazil is over 255,169 square kilometers (around 63 million acres) which is almost 30% of the total area of Brazil. The biggest national park is Tumucumaque Mountains National Park, with a territory of over 38,8 thousand square kilometers. The smallest national park is Tijuca National Park covering an area of only 39 square kilometers, which is a thousand times smaller than the biggest national park.

  • Once there, you will be surrounded by fascinating rainforest-covered hills and rock formations.
  • There is also a bird park which has several conservation projects and informs of local bird species.
  • One of the most iconic and impressive national parks in all of Brazil is Lençóis Maranhenses National Park because of its sand dune landscape.
  • In addition, the park is an important nesting site for birds such as brown booby, magnificent frigatebird and black-crowned night heron.

It covers an area of 764 square kilometres and belongs to the Cerrado biome. It is 156 meters high which makes it the highest waterfall in Mato Grosso do Sul. Nascentes do Rio Parnaíba National Park was established in 2002 and it covers an area of 7,298 square kilometers. It is a part of the Cerrado biome and it is home to protected species such as the jaguar, cougar and giant armadillo.

Brazilian National Park

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Brazilian National Park

The bird watching here is best during the dry season, as this is also the breeding and nesting season for the birds. Jabiru storks have become the symbol of the Pantanal, and macaws and toucans are also commonly seen. Home to over thirty waterfalls, Tijuca is a great place to visit if you want to walk to waterfalls and experience their unique beauty (and refreshing atmosphere). One of the most important regions in Brazil for archaeological studies is Serra da Capivara, also in Piauí. A densely populated spot before the arrival of European colonizers, the park has dozens of prehistoric sites covered in rock paintings. The most famous site is Pedra Furada, where you’ll find hundreds of well-preserved artifacts from ancient civilizations.

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The park’s coast stretches for 70 km and provides some of the most beautiful and unique views in the world. In addition, the coastline interior is made of wavy, swept, sand dunes that create rainwater lakes during the rainy season. The most popular activities include surfing, canoeing and horseback riding. Alto Cariri National Park was established in 2010 which makes it one of the newest national parks in Brazil. It covers an area of 182 square kilometers and belongs to the Atlantic Forest biome.

The park is most famous for Jericoacoara Beach, which has consistently been ranked as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Located in the state of Mato Grosso, the cliffs drop hundreds of feet into the jungle landscape and are often dotted with hidden caves and waterfall spouts. The best place to experience the park’s grandeur is from the Cachoeira Véu de Noiva (Bridal Veil Waterfall) viewpoint, which overlooks the Pantanal Plain. Another one of the best things to do in this Brazilian national park is rock climbing. The steep rocky cliffs make for incredible rock climbing routes, varying in difficulty from easy to advanced.

Step into the jungle in Pico da Neblina National Park, bordering with Venezuela and surrounding the highest peak in Brazil. The closest town is São Gabriel da Cachoeira, from where you can book a tour or join a climbing party if that’s your thing. Another great thing to do is to pay a (respectful) visit to one of the several indigenous groups living there. Another thing to be aware of is that the wet and dry seasons have become less predictable thanks to climate change.

The ancient sandstone cliffs that rise dramatically above the valley Brazilian National Park floor will certainly interest you. Some of Brazil’s most fantastic species can be found here, like monkeys, jaguars, and parrots. Chapada dos Guimarães sits directly in the geographic center of South America, symbolizing a divide between distinct ecosystems.

Brazil has many diverse national parks spread throughout 25 out of 26 states and 1 federal district. The majority of national parks are located in the northeastern and southeastern states of Brazil. Some national parks are spread through two or more different states.

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