Botanical Garden of São Paulo, Sao Paulo (must see)

The São Paulo Botanical Garden (Jardim Botânico de São Paulo) is situated in São Paulo. It occupies a vast area of 164.45 hectares within the Fontes do Ipiranga State Park, located in the Água Funda district of São Paulo's South zone, adjacent to the São Paulo Zoo. Within its grounds, it is home to the Botanical Institute of the state, known as Instituto de Botânica. The garden was established at its present location in 1928 under the guidance of the botanist Frederico Carlos Hoehne.

The preservation efforts for the Ipiranga River sources and the surrounding Atlantic Forest area began in 1893 by the São Paulo state government. The establishment of the State Park, named Parque do Estado, took place in 1917, with the purpose of safeguarding these natural resources. The Ipiranga River sources were utilized until 1928 to supply water to the Ipiranga district. In 1969, the state park underwent a name change and became known as Parque Estadual Fontes do Ipiranga.

The botanical garden boasts a diverse range of plant species, including orchids, ornamental plants, aquatic plants, mushrooms, palm trees, fruit trees, timber-providing trees, plants from the Gesneriaceae and Marantaceae families, as well as pteridophytes.

Within its premises, visitors can explore various attractions and amenities, such as the Botanical Museum Dr. João Barbosa Rodrigues, the Garden of Linnaeus (Jardim de Lineu), a serene water mirror, greenhouses, the Dr. Frederico Carlos Hoehne orchidarium, the enchanting Lake of the Waterlilies (Lago das Ninfeias), scenic trails, and captivating sculptures.