Park · Marica

Lagoa das Amendoeiras

AT A GLANCE

Why go?

Lagoa das Amendoeiras is the lagoon that anchors the waterfront leisure strip known as the Orla das Amendoeiras, in the São José do Imbassaí neighbourhood of Maricá, on Rio de Janeiro's Costa do Sol. Once an unremarkable stretch of shoreline, it was transformed by a municipal revitalization completed in late 2018 into a lit, landscaped promenade running along Rua Mário Leve, and it is now widely described as the main attraction of the neighbourhood and a fresh postcard for the city.↗↗↗

What makes it worth a stop is the easy, everyday charm of it: a roughly one-kilometre walkway where families stroll, beach-volley and futevôlei games run on the sand courts, outdoor gym stations draw early-morning and after-dark exercisers, and a playground keeps children busy while adults sit on the benches facing the water. It is a relaxed, free, open-air space rather than a ticketed sight, and the calm lagoon views make it one of the better places in the district for a photo or a slow end-of-day walk.↗

A lagoon reborn as a waterfront promenade

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Park · Marica

Lagoa das Amendoeiras

Marica, BR 4.7 (933 Google reviews)

Photo: Google Maps

AT A GLANCE

Why go?

Lagoa das Amendoeiras is the lagoon that anchors the waterfront leisure strip known as the Orla das Amendoeiras, in the São José do Imbassaí neighbourhood of Maricá, on Rio de Janeiro's Costa do Sol. Once an unremarkable stretch of shoreline, it was transformed by a municipal revitalization completed in late 2018 into a lit, landscaped promenade running along Rua Mário Leve, and it is now widely described as the main attraction of the neighbourhood and a fresh postcard for the city.↗↗↗

What makes it worth a stop is the easy, everyday charm of it: a roughly one-kilometre walkway where families stroll, beach-volley and futevôlei games run on the sand courts, outdoor gym stations draw early-morning and after-dark exercisers, and a playground keeps children busy while adults sit on the benches facing the water. It is a relaxed, free, open-air space rather than a ticketed sight, and the calm lagoon views make it one of the better places in the district for a photo or a slow end-of-day walk.↗

A lagoon reborn as a waterfront promenade

Maricá is a city of lagoons as much as of beaches—the coastal municipality stretches along a system of quiet inland waters linked to the sea by canals—and the Lagoa das Amendoeiras is one of the smaller, neighbourly lagoons tucked into its São José do Imbassaí district. For years the shoreline here was little more than a back road, but a regeneration project converted nearly a kilometre of Rua Mário Leve into a proper orla, the kind of paved, planted, floodlit waterfront that Brazilian seaside and lakeside towns build for their residents to use every day. The revived promenade was officially inaugurated on 29 December 2018.↗↗

The point of the orla is not a single grand monument but the gentle whole of it: new sidewalks and paving, fresh landscaping, bright lighting that keeps the space usable after sunset, and a long open edge where you can look across the water. Local guides and visitors now call it one of the most charming corners of Maricá and a worthwhile photo backdrop.↗↗

What to do along the shore

The orla is set up for active, low-key recreation. There are sandy courts for beach volleyball and futevôlei—the local blend of football and volleyball played barefoot on the sand—outdoor gym equipment for calisthenics and stretching, and children's play structures, all strung along just over a kilometre of waterfront.↗↗

Beyond the fixed equipment, the promenade works as a public living room: free municipal fitness sessions have been held on its courts, and at dusk you will mostly find residents walking laps, kids on the swings, and groups claiming a net for an evening game. It is a place to feel out how the neighbourhood spends its evenings, not just to tick off a sight.↗↗

Nature, benches and the slow side of the visit

If sport is not your thing, the lagoon rewards a slower pace. Benches line the orla for sitting and watching the water and the birds that use it, and the surrounding greenery makes it a pleasant spot for quiet contemplation between active stretches. Families regularly single it out as a beautiful, easy-going place to take children for a walk, and the calm water views translate well into photographs.↗↗

The location also sits within easy reach of the old heart of São José do Imbassaí, home to one of the city's historic parish churches, so a stroll along the lagoon pairs naturally with a look around the surrounding neighbourhood.↗

When to go and how long to stay

Because the orla is lit and open around the clock, it is flexible: mornings suit the gym equipment and a quiet walk, late afternoons bring the courts to life, and evenings are the most atmospheric for a stroll as the light drops on the water. Most visitors linger for roughly an hour and a half at a relaxed pace—long enough for a lap of the promenade, a photo stop and a drink, rather than a full-day outing.↗↗

If you would rather have the walkways to yourself, weekday visits tend to be calmer than weekends and holidays, when local families and sports groups crowd the courts.↗

Making a day of it in Maricá

Lagoa das Amendoeiras is best enjoyed as one stop on a wider Maricá day. The city lies roughly an hour's drive from Rio de Janeiro and strings together lagoonfront promenades, ocean beaches and nature lookouts—so you can combine the orla with neighbouring waterfront parks, the sandy beaches to the east, and the hill viewpoints inland. For travellers it works perfectly as a free, low-effort interlude between bigger sights: a place to stretch your legs and taste the laid-back, family-oriented rhythm of coastal Rio.↗

What makes it special

01

A revitalized, floodlit lagoonfront promenade that became the main attraction of São José do Imbassaí in Maricá.↗↗

02

Beach-volley and futevôlei courts, outdoor gym stations and a children's playground strung along about one kilometre of waterfront.↗

03

Calm lagoon views and benches that make it a favourite for family walks and photographs.↗

04

Free and open to the public 24 hours a day, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and accessible parking.↗

05

An easy, low-effort stop to combine with Maricá's beaches, historic neighbourhood and other lakefront orlas.↗

A little planning goes a long way

Entry to the orla is free and the promenade is open to the public around the clock, so you can drop by at any time of day.↗
The site is wheelchair accessible, with an accessible entrance and accessible parking.
Bring sunscreen, a hat and insect repellent, wear comfortable walking shoes, and carry drinking water, especially on hot afternoons.↗
For calmer walkways and courts, visit on a weekday rather than a weekend or holiday, when local families and sports groups gather.↗
Allow about an hour and a half at a relaxed pace, and treat the orla as one stop within a broader Maricá itinerary.↗

About this guide

Compiled with AI assistance from the sources below; this is not a first-hand visit. Place details collected October 5, 2026. Hours, access and ratings can change; confirm with the venue before visiting.

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Rua Mário Leve - São José de Imbassai, Maricá - RJ, Brazil

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Opening hours +

As reported by Google Maps. Confirm holiday hours before you go.

Friday: Open 24 hours
Monday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours

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