Every Brazilian ecotourist owes a visit to the place where it all began: Itatiaia National Park, created in 1937 as Brazil’s first. Straddling the RJ-MG border, it is two parks in one: the lower section, of lush Atlantic Forest and waterfalls, and the upper section, a lunar plateau of stone above 2,400 meters crowned by the Agulhas Negras.
Lower section: waterfalls and comfort
Entered through the town of Itatiaia-RJ, the lower section has a visitor center and easy-access attractions: Lago Azul (a 500 m walk), the Poranga waterfall and Véu da Noiva, the park’s most famous falls. Longer trails like Três Picos serve those who want to sweat. We detail the swimming holes in the Itatiaia lower section article.
Upper section: the roof of Rio de Janeiro state
Via the BR-354 (Garganta do Registro), you climb to the Itatiaia plateau: high-altitude grasslands, sculpted stone blocks and two giants — Agulhas Negras (2,791 m, the park’s highest point) and the Prateleiras (2,548 m). Real cold, otherworldly views and the starriest nights in the Southeast. We explain the climbs in the article on Agulhas Negras and Prateleiras.
Prices and hours
Entry in the range of R$ 46 (half price R$ 23 for students, 60+ and visitors with disabilities), parking ~R$ 35, camping ~R$ 60/night (up to 3 people) and the historic Abrigo Rebouças in the upper section at ~R$ 60/night (prices checked in Aug/2026). Lower section: Tue-Sun, 8am-5pm; upper section: daily, 7am-6pm. Book online in high season.
The wildlife that made history
Itatiaia is a birdwatching sanctuary — tanagers, dacnises and the rare Brazilian tanager delight photographers at the feeders of the Serrinha and Vale pousadas — and a living laboratory studied since the 19th century. Between forest and plateau, more than 400 bird species and landscapes that inspired the very idea of conservation in Brazil.
When to go
May to September: dry season, clear skies and the (occasional) spectacle of frost in the upper section. In summer, the lower section becomes a waterfall refuge — but thunderstorms close the plateau. Bring a serious jacket year-round for the upper section: below-freezing wind chill is routine in the early hours.
🥾 Who is it for?
Effort: light in the lower section (Lago Azul, viewpoints), moderate on the mid-length trails, intense on the upper-section summits. Children: the lower section from any age; Prateleiras from 10-12 with fitness; Agulhas Negras 14+. Seniors and reduced mobility: the lower section has attractions steps from the car and pousadas with unmissable bird feeders; the upper section can be enjoyed from the car and viewpoints, with optional walks. A park that welcomes everyone from birdwatchers to mountaineers.
