Did you know Rio Bonito has its own peak called Morro do Rio Bonito? Its name translates to “Beautiful River Hill”. But how did this municipality in Rio de Janeiro become what it is today?
Rio Bonito sits in the southeastern region of Brazil. It is part of the state of Rio de Janeiro. The municipality covers 462 square kilometers. That is about 178 square miles.
In 2020, the population was over 60000. The elevation here is 40 meters, about 130 feet. Rio Bonito operates on Brasilia Time. That is UTC minus three hours.
Rio Bonito enjoys a tropical climate. The average high temperature is about 30 degrees Celsius. That is 85 degrees Fahrenheit. The average low is about 19 degrees Celsius, or 66 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it a warm place to visit all year round.
The area boasts a rich landscape. Rio Bonito contains part of the Central Rio de Janeiro Atlantic Forest Mosaic. This area was created in 2006.
The municipality has many rivers. The Tanguá River flows between Tanguá and Rio Bonito. The Índios River crosses the districts of Rio dos Índios and Serra do Sambê. The Ouro River flows through Jacuba and Colina da Primavera. The Bacaxá River crosses Lavras and Sambê. There is also the Vermelho River. Finally, the Duas Barras River flows in Catimbau Pequeno.
Beyond rivers, Rio Bonito has other natural attractions. Serra do Sambê is a mountain range in the central region. Morro do Catimbau Grande is a notable hill near Prainha. Parque Natural Municipal Morada dos Corrêas is a natural park on the Serra do Sambê.
The municipality is accessible by road. The BR-101 highway connects Rio Bonito to other cities. From Rio de Janeiro, you can take urban buses and vans. They depart from Terminal Menezes Côrtes and Candelária.
The municipality has many places to explore. Visit the Water Tank Park near the city center. See the ruins of the old train station, behind the bus station. Spend some time at Fonseca Portela Square. It is the main square in the downtown area.