Despite being a well urbanized and architectonic city, Brasilia has several ecological parks that provide a great leisure option for tourists. THE GUIDE presents here some of them:
Parque Nacional
The park is popularly known as “Água Mineral” (Mineral Water), was founded in 1961 and has an extension of 42 thousand hectares. The park is formed by two natural pools of running water, in addition it has several trails where the visitors can contemplate the beauties of the fauna and flora of the Cerrado (Vegetation similar to Savana).
The National Park is open daily from 8am to 5pm, the ticket is BRL $14,00, senior citizens and children up to 12 years old do not pay. Within the place it is possible to use the grills or lunch in the restaurants, the prices can change without a notice. The value of the meals is not included in the ticket. The park is located in the Setor Industrial (Industrial Zone), at EPIA Norte (highway), DF 003. To open in Maps click here.
Parque da Cidade (City Park)
This is one of the city’s largest and most popular outdoor leisure centers, concentrating sports courts, artificial lakes, amusement park, equestrian center and hiking, skating and cycling trails. The park is considered a patrimony of Brasilia. Several events are held in the park, such as music and gastronomy festivals, handicraft fairs, championships, among others.
The park is open every day all day long. It is open to all audiences, and has free admission.
Parque Ana Lídia
This park is located inside the city park and is a playground full of children’s activities and toys.
The park is open every day all day long and is open to all audiences, and has free admission. The access to the park is next to the parking lot 12 of Parque da Cidade, near the Novo Nicolândia amusement park.
Zoológico
The Jardim Zoológico de Brasilia (Zoo) was inaugurated in 1957 in an area of 139.7 hectares, nowadays it has about 800 animals of 185 different species. In addition to watching the animals, visitors can also go hiking and make picnics.
The Zoo also has the Museu de Ciencias Naturais (Natural Sciences Museum), where visitors can take a tour and learn about the Brazilian biomes. The differential of the museum is that it has accessibility for people with low vision, for this were made cabins of immersion with information about the biomes and animals, sound environment of the space, pieces of animals in acrylic for the touch and when scheduled there can be a sensory trail.
The visits are from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8:30 am to 5pm, the ticket is BRL $5.00 on weekdays for all audiences and BRL $10.00 on weekends (on weekends children, students and seniors citizens pay halfprice), the prices can change without a notice. The zoo is located near the neighborhood of Candangolândia. To open the address on Maps click here.
Jardim Botânico de Brasília
The Jardim Botânico de Brasília (Botanical Garden) is a protected area whose activities are: the constitution and maintenance of Plant Collections, Research Development, Environmental Education and Leisure oriented for the conservation of Biodiversity.
The Botanical Garden (JBB) is predominantly composed of vegetation of the Cerrado, in excellent state of conservation, which can be appreciated in the “Trilhas Interpretativas” (Interpretive Trails) open to public visitation. Because of this characteristic, the JBB is known as the “Jardim do Cerrado”. The area accessible to visitors is composed by the Visitor Center, Center of Excellence of the Cerrado, Picnic area, Library, Permaculture, Amphitheater, Interpretive Trails and Theme Gardens.
In addition to the activities provided by the park, visitors can also make picnics and events within the JBB, but just if previously scheduled. The Botanical Garden operates from Tuesday to Sunday from 9am to 5pm, tickets costs BRL $5.00, children up to 12 years old, seniors citizens and people with disabilities do not pay admission. The botanical garden is located in the Setor de Mansões Don Bosco (Don Bosco Mansion Sector (SMDB)), Conjunto 12, Lago Sul.
Parque Olhos d’agua
This park has a 2km jogging track, a children’s playground, physical exercise circuit, as well as an internal trail, is visited by the community of Asa Norte and surroundings daily.
The park is open every day all, from 6 am to 8pm and is open to all audiences. It has free admission. It is located on Asa Norte next to L2 Norte (avenue), quadra 413/414. The entrance is on via L1 (avenue).
Peninsula dos Ministros
Ten minutes from the Esplanada dos Ministérios, the ecological park has a bike path along the lake, as well as a pine forest. Spaces for walking, pedaling and water sports like kitesurfing are some of the attractions. The beach at the end of the peninsula gives access to Lago Paranoá (Lake).
The Peninsula dos Ministros is located in Lago Sul, at Setor de Habitações Individuais Sul(SHIS), QI 12. It is open from 6 am to 6pm and has free admission.
