Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil

Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is the oldest park in the country given a national status. It is also where the 3rd highest peak in the country is located.

Location

Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is actually bordered by the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais.

Getting There

Getting to Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is relatively easy as there are buses in Rio de Janeiro that have regular runs going to Itatiaia. From Itatiaia, you can take another bus to get to the park.

If you will be taking your own car hire service, take the Rio de Janeiro – Sao Paulo route. There are signposts that will lead you straight to the park. If you will be coming from Sao Paulo, simply follow the highway until you reach the tollgate to Itatiaia.

Follow the signs until you reach the park.

What to See and Do

Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is a birdwatcher’s paradise. The park is divided into two parts: the Lower Part and the Upper or Higher Part.

There are about three hundred and seventy-five various bird species that can be found within the park.

Among the birds that you can see here include the Spot-billed Toucanet, the Saffron Toucanet, Plovercrest, Itatiaia Spinetail, Blond-crested Woodpecker, Mantled Hawk and Surucua Trogon.

There are likewise a wide variety of hummingbirds found within the park.

Several nature trails are provided here for easier explorations of the park where you can also see the rich vegetation covering the forests as well as beautiful waterfalls.

Brief History

Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is the oldest national park in the country, having been established in the year 1937.

The country’s 3rd highest peak, Pico das Agulhas Negras is within the park’s coverage.

This mountain stands at a towering two thousand eight hundred and seventy-eight meters above sea level and is part of the Mantiqueira Mountain Range.

It is said that this park initiated mountain climbing in the country.

In the year 1856, Franklin Massena successfully climbed Pico das Agulhas Negras, reaching its summit. He became the first ever to climb this mountain.

Cost

Costs to visit Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil vary, depending on whether you will be going to the Lower Part or the Upper Part.

For the Lower Part, entry fee is R$ 3 per person, R$ 5 per car and R$ 10 per bus. For the Upper Part, entry fee is R$ 12 per person.

Hotels within the park cost about R$ 80 to R$ 100 per room, per night.

Other Information

Itatiaia National Park in Rio de Janeiro – Brazil is open everyday, from 8 in the morning up to 5 in the afternoon.