Rio has freshwater waterfalls inside the city, in Tijuca National Park, minutes from the Zona Sul. They're a good alternative to the beach on a hot day, but not all of them allow swimming and all of them have slippery rocks. This guide covers the ones the park opens to visitors, with what it says about each.
At a glance
- Where: all the waterfalls in this guide are in Tijuca National Park ↗, which is free to enter.
- Hours: 8:00–17:00 every day, when the park has support staff.
- No walking needed: Cascatinha Taunay is a few meters from the entrance to the Floresta sector.
- For a swim: the Cachoeiras do Horto and Cachoeira dos Primatas list waterfall bathing.
- Banned at all of them: soap, shampoo and sunscreen in the water, pets, grills and speakers.
Cascatinha Taunay: no effort required
It's the easiest to visit and, according to the park, the tallest waterfall in Tijuca National Park. You can see it a few meters from the main entrance to the Floresta sector, on Praça Afonso Viseu (Alto da Boa Vista). It's named after the painter Nicolas Antoine Taunay, who built a house nearby in 1817 and painted the landscape.
Mind the swimming rules: according to the official page ↗, you may not stand under the falls. Swimming is only allowed in the Job de Alcântara pool, below the Roman-arch stone bridge built in 1860.
- How to get there: buses 301, 302 and 345 to the entrance of the Floresta sector. By car, take Estrada das Furnas (from Barra or Itanhangá) or Av. Edson Passos (from Tijuca).
Cachoeira das Almas: a flat walk
It's about three kilometers from the Floresta sector entrance gate, on a mostly flat trail that starts near the Visitor Center and follows the Almas stream, according to the park's page ↗. The name recalls that, in the time of slavery, enslaved people held their religious ceremonies there. The park lists waterfall bathing among the activities on site. You get there through the same entrance as Cascatinha.
Cachoeiras do Horto: for a hot day
This is a group of waterfalls, including Quebra and Box, in the Serra da Carioca sector. The park presents them as a summer alternative to crowded beaches and says they're open for visits and swimming, according to its official page ↗. The page doesn't explain how to get there or how long the walk takes; before you go, check the park's website or go with someone who knows the access.
Cachoeira dos Primatas: with a view of the Lagoa
The park recommends it for anyone who wants a waterfall without difficult trails. According to the official page ↗, access is via Rua Sara Vilela, in Jardim Botânico. From the end of the road, it's about 710 meters of trail and roughly 30 minutes of walking. The route passes the Gruta dos Primatas and a swimming hole before the main waterfall, which looks out over Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas.
Parque Lage waterfall
It's on the first stretch of the trail that climbs from Parque Lage to Corcovado, before the terrain gets steep. The entrance is at Rua Jardim Botânico, 414, and the trail starts behind the mansion. The park's page ↗ doesn't say whether swimming is allowed, so treat it as a stop to look and cool off, not to swim.
How to stay safe and protect the water
The park repeats the same advice on all its waterfall pages:
- Non-slip shoes that can get wet: the rocks around the water are often slippery.
- No hygiene products in the water, including sunscreen: they pollute the river. Put sunscreen on well before you arrive or wear clothes that cover you.
- Take your trash and food scraps with you.
- Don't bring pets, a grill or a speaker.
- Respect the hours, 8:00–17:00, when support staff are on site.
The park reminds visitors that each person is responsible for their own safety and mentions risks such as venomous animals, falling rocks or trees, lightning and sudden weather changes. If it starts raining hard, get out of the water. In case of an accident, call the Fire Department at 193.
How to combine them
- Floresta sector: Cascatinha Taunay and Cachoeira das Almas share an entrance. You can add one of the trails in hiking in Tijuca National Park.
- Jardim Botânico and Horto: Cachoeira dos Primatas or the Parque Lage waterfall pair well with the Vista Chinesa lookouts or with the Jardim Botânico.
- Very hot days: set out early and check the heat alerts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to get in?
Nothing. According to the park, the only paid spot is Corcovado.
Can I go with kids?
Cascatinha Taunay can be seen without walking and Cachoeira das Almas has a mostly flat trail. With kids, stay away from wet rocks and choose pools where the park allows swimming.
Do I need a guide?
Not for these waterfalls. The park doesn't provide its own guides; if you want company, you have to hire one yourself.
Sources: Tijuca National Park: Cascatinha Taunay ↗, Cachoeira das Almas ↗, Cachoeiras do Horto ↗, Cachoeira dos Primatas ↗, Cachoeira Parque Lage ↗ and FAQ ↗, checked on October 27, 2026.