Surprising places in the city where you can spot monkeys
I don’t know where you live but let me ask you a question; how hard is it to see monkeys in your city? In Rio de Janeiro it is quite easy to see them but you need to know where to go. The most common monkeys you can find in Rio de Janeiro are Squirrel monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, the black-capped squirrel monkeys and Marmoset monkeys (known in Portuguese as Mico) and probably some I don’t even know. Of course I can’t guarantee that you will see them in these spots but there is a high chance if you take your time and wait for them to show up.
Jardim Botânico or Botanical Gardens
The botanical gardens in Rio are one of my favorite spots in Rio de Janeiro. A breath of fresh air in the loud and busy city. We spent a whole afternoon there and we loved it! The highlights include the orchid greenhouse, the bee hives, the Japanese gardens, the sky high lanes of palms and the giant lily pond. Among all that beauty you can find lots of funny monkeys swinging around. We spotted lots of Marmosets monkeys here, playing around with each other. We were not even looking for them and they were playing in multiple spots.
Cost varies:
R$17 for Rio residents
R$27 for Brazilian residents
R$50 for South American residents
R$67 for other foreign visitors
Hours: Daily from 8am to 5pm, but on Wednesday from 11am to 5pm. Check the website for the latest updates.
The gardens are accessible for wheelchair users, there are some small steps here and there but you can enjoy most of the gardens.
Parque Lage
Parque Lage is a free-entry park very close to the Botanical Gardens. This park doesn’t cover as much square meters as the gardens, but you have the opportunity to see monkeys for free! In the park there is a restaurant, there is a picnic area and a little waterfall. Watch out when you are eating because the monkeys are very cheeky and can grab it out of your hand if they are close enough. We had a lovely time here and had to laugh a lot about some of the acrobatics the monkeys showed.
Cost: Free
Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5pm. Check the website for the latest updates.
The park is accessible for wheelchair users, but the paths are uneven so be careful.
Forte Duque de Caxias viewpoint
This viewpoint is lesser known by tourists than most other viewpoints in Rio de Janeiro. Duque de Caxias is an old fort that was built at the top of the hill close to Leme and Copacabana beach. Walk to the front of the military village in Leme and pay the entrance fee to enter. Once you are in, follow the tarmac path that goes to the top of the hill. It’s about 20-25 min to reach the fort. The walk up the hill offers you a unique viewpoint of Pão de Açucar or Sugarloaf Mountain. While you are walking to the fort watch out for the monkeys in the trees.
Cost: R$4
Opening Hours: Daily from 9.30am to 16pm (closed on Monday). Check the website for the latest updates.
The viewpoint is best to visit when you are able to walk, though the path is uneven at some points. It’s not accessible for wheelchairs.
Pão de Açúcar trek or Trilha do Morro da Urca
Sugarloaf Mountain is a must-see if you are visiting but I’m gonna throw you a curveball at you and suggest you skip the cable car because the hike has way more to offer and it’s free. During the trek you will see some amazing views and you will have the chance to see some wildlife doing it. I do have to note that you can only reach the first cable stop and you can’t continue to the top. Not only is the chance really high to see monkeys, you will probably also encounter lots of birds. Maybe you even see a toucan here. Pretty awesome. They say it’s a trilha or hike but it is more of a climb. There is a fair amount of climbing up exposed rock faces (so make sure you have proper shoes to get a good grip) and a section of trail that requires you to climb a 20-meter almost vertical section of rock (Costão do Pão de Açúcar). Most people use ropes and climbing gear to reach the summit (you probably should, too).
If your calves are not up to it you can of course take the cable cart. You can then go to the second stop at the top as well. But it will be much harder to spot monkeys at the first stop, especially on a busy day.
You can access the trail for free, via Praia Vermelha. It’s about a 40 minute hike/ climb. Avoid the trek after heavy rain because the rocks will be slippery.
Cost: Free, you can take the cable cart down for free but not up.
Opening Hours: Monday to Thursday open from 9am to 7:50pm and Friday to Sunday open from 8am to 8.50pm. Follows the hours of the Sugar Loaf cable car.
This trek is absolutely not accessible for wheelchair users and people with mobility issues. It’s very steep and uneven. But you can take the cable cart and maybe you are lucky enough to see monkeys at the first stop.
Restaurant Térèze in the neighborhood Santa Teresa
If you are not into hiking or if you are experiencing some rainy days on your trip you can always go to Restaurant Térèze if you want to see monkeys. This restaurant is in the neighborhood of Santa Teresa. They hang bananas and papayas in the trees and because of that the monkeys will come to eat it. So there is a high possibility to see them. In the neighborhood of Santa Teresa it is not uncommon to see a monkey dangling around but of course you never know what you will see.
You can take an Uber to this restaurant or walk up towards it from down below. It is about 20 minutes from the colorful stairs of Escadaria Selarón.
Cost: cost of your meal, it’s a bit on the expensive side but the food is delicious.
Opening Hours of Restaurante Térèze: daily open from 7am to 10.30am and between 12am and 16pm.
You can enter the pool area of the restaurant but not the restaurant itself, you can order a drink or a full meal there. The neighborhood where the restaurant is located is very steep so it’s best to take a Uber or taxi to it because it is very hard to push someone in a wheelchair.
As said earlier you will never know when and where you will see some monkeys but with some patience you will increase your chances. I hope you will see monkeys on your trip to Rio de Janeiro. Any questions or any suggestions? Please let me know in the comments down below.
Is Rio de Janeiro accessible for wheelchair users?
Museums*
Good, most museum are accessible but not all of them. All of the places that I mentioned in this blog I have written down whether you can access them or not.
Café’s and restaurants
Not good, not bad. There are some places you can enter easily but you do have to look for them for sure. Your best option is to go to the shopping malls because there is always a food court and sometimes nice restaurants.
Public transport
It’s not bad but also not good. Not all of the bus stops are accessible and you always need help with entering the bus. If you don’t speak Portuguese it can be quite challenging. So for a hassle free trip it’s easier to take Uber.
Toilets
In lots of places you find toilet for disabled people. Especially in shopping malls, museums and some bigger restaurants.
*And other attractions
Items I love while traveling
Baseball cap for high ponytail
One of my biggest wins in terms of sun protection are hats and baseball caps. But I have a lot of hair and with this baseball cap I can finally wear my hair in a bun or high ponytail. Win-win!
Collapsible handheld fan
I don’t know about how you deal with heat but I need a bit of cooling down when I’m traveling. This easy (and cute) fan is my go to for when I am too hot. It can be charged with usb which is super practical.
XD Design roll top bag pack
My roll top backpack is almost 3 years old but I still use it every day, not only when I travel. Because of the roll top and the add lock system it is anti-theft. It’s also cut proof and water resistant. There is a separate section for your laptop and water bottle.