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Photo: Fwellisch, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Recreio dos Bandeirantes is both the name of a beach and neighborhood in the Southwest Zone of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It is a recent development, with no skyscrapers, and the area also contains jungles atop rocky cliffs and hills. High waves permit surfing at Recreio Beach and the white sand beach is used by beach volleyball players. It is about 35 km from the Rio de Janeiro city centre, and most of the people living there are middle-class and high middle-class families, who moved in trying to escape the growing violence of both the North and South Zones.
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Parque Ecológico Chico Mendes
This 43-hectare park has walking trails through a preserved section of the Mata Atlântica (Atlantic Forest). They also offer a guided tour of the habitats of several local endangered species, including the three-toed sloth, the broad-snouted caiman, and the red-footed tortoise. There is an exhibit hall with exhibits on local wildlife.
Praia de Macumba
Praia da Prainha
Museu Casa do Pontal
The area's most important collection of popular arts and crafts.
Bosque da Barra
This 560,000-m² park is one of the most visited green areas in the Zona Oeste, with a lake, walking trails through the woods, large lawns, playgrounds, and sporting facilities.
Planeta Água
A water park with over 40 attractions, located in Vargem Grande.