Just under the giant Jesus (Cristo Redentor) at the foot of the Corcovado mountain, you’ll find this UNESCO heritage site. The Jardim Botânico offers a fully immersive rainforest experience in the heart of the city with monkeys, palm trees and over 140 species of exotic birds. While there are conservatories and curated areas, only 40 percent of the plants here are cultivated, with the rest of the space populated by natural vegetation and organic forest from the mountain. Don’t miss the garden house collections, including hungry carnivorous plants, bromeliads and rare orchids.