About an hour's drive from the center of Rio de Janeiro, crossing the Rio-Niteroi bridge heading north, we meet Maricá, one of the favorite places for cariocas to spend their holidays and weekends. But the natural beauties of Maricá are nothing new today. Already in 1832 the naturalist Charles Darwin stopped a few days here to admire and study its peculiar characteristics. Maricá is the gateway to the "Região dos Lagos", the coast north of Rio where the wonderful power and immensity of the ocean merge with enchanting salt water lakes. The forest with fresh water pools, 42 km of fine white sand beach, a historic lighthouse overlooking the sea and a large colonial-style church from 1755 in the city center, recently inaugurated parks and lakeside promenades that offer enchanting views. Are these aspects enough to have intrigued you? I think so. In a full day tour Maricá will amaze you and make you fall in love with her!