Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park National Park

Restinga de Jurubatiba National Park is a federally designated national park on the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. It was created to protect coastal restinga ecosystems and associated dune and lagoon landscapes.

The park protects extensive sandy plains of restinga vegetation, interdunal lagoons and low coastal dunes. Visitors can find a mosaic of open sandy habitats, patches of shrub and forest adapted to saline, sandy soils, and a variety of water bodies used by birds and other wildlife.

The area was placed under federal protection to conserve remaining examples of restinga habitat on this stretch of Brazil’s Atlantic coast. Management focuses on habitat conservation, research, and controlled public use.

The park lies along the northern shoreline of Rio de Janeiro state, on the Atlantic coast of southeastern Brazil. It spans coastal areas characterized by low dunes, lagoons and sandy plains.

• Habitat: Protects coastal restinga vegetation, dunes and coastal lagoons along the northern coast of Rio de Janeiro state.
• Protection status: Established as a federal national park to conserve fragile sandy coastal systems and associated wildlife.

The park stretches along the northern Rio de Janeiro coast between the towns of Macaé and Campos dos Goytacazes. From Macaé, take BR-101 north toward Quissamã and follow local signs for Parque Nacional da Restinga de Jurubatiba; the main access points are on municipal roads off BR-101. Public transport is limited-travelers commonly rent a car in Macaé or arrange a local guide/transfer from nearby towns (Macaé is ~120 km from Rio de Janeiro city by road).

• Arrive at low tide to see exposed sandbanks and salt pans; some wildlife is far easier to spot then.
• Use a local guide from nearby Macaé or Quissamã for birding spots-locals know the small tracks and seasonal lagoons.
• Bring sun protection and mosquito repellent-the restinga scrub offers little shade and mosquitos are common at dusk.