The Cachoeiras de Macacu region is very attractive for outdoor tourism activities, because of lthe arge areas of rainforest, rivers, waterfalls and mountains interspersed with rural landscapes. A large part of the region is protected.

Hiking and trekking, biking and trail riding plus adventure activities such as mountaineering, rappel, hang gliding and canyoning are all possible.

With more than 400 bird species, including endemics, it is also a a great destination for birdwatchers.

 ^{Savannah Hawk}

Cultural Attractions 

Ruins of the Church of São José de Boa Morte

The ruins of this 17th century church on a small elevation are located in a rural area, bordered by rainforest. It has a standard simple layout of ship and chapel. In the simple facade there is a big door and three high windows. If you go inside you will see there is a beautiful view of the majestic Serra do Mar mountain range There are also some remains of the lateral tower and an old cemetery. The ruins have been provisionally declared a RJ State Heritage in m 1989.

Ferro Leopoldina Railway -  Cantagalo branch

The Leopoldina Railway connected Niteroi to Nova Friburgo by way of the Caixas harbor in Itaboraí. It was the first mountain railway in Brazil and the mountain stretch started in Cachoeiras de Macacu.  It operated from 1873 to 1965. It used the Fell system and equipamento from the Mont Cenis railway, which once linked France and Italy. In 1883, the orginal locomotives which had high maintenance costs were replaced by Baldwin locomotives

Today what remains of the railway are stations, bridges and some of the old tracks.

Ruins of the Santissima Trindade Church (Papucaia) 

A Igreja da Santíssima Trindade was inaugurated in 1743. It was originally a chapel on the farm of  Dona Francisca de Azevedo. 

Unfortunately, it was abandoned due to administrative changes and is now in ruins. Only the lateral walls remain. Though they are on private property, they can be seen from the road. 

SantÁnna Church (Japuiba)

Old Manor Houses

There are several old manor houses in the region. The Casarão Antiga de Japuiba (Japuiba), was built by the portuguese trade Bertholdo Duarte, around 1875, orginally as a warehouse. The manor house of the Santana Fazenda (Japuiba) is now a cultural center

 Natural Attractions

^{Pedra do Colégio, symbol of Cachoeiras de Macacu}

• Caledonia Peak (2219 m). On the border between Cachoeiras de Macacu and Nova Friburgo. Access is though Nova Friburgo (Cascatinha district)
• Pedra do Colégio (300 m). The symbol of Cachoeiras de Macacu is a Natural Municipal Monument. Its stone wall heat up with the sun, create thermals for hang gliding.  
• Pedra do Faraó (1719 m) On the border between Cachoeiras de Macacu, Silva Jardim and Nova Friburgo. Access in Cachoeiras de Macacu is by way of the ruins of the Fazenda Santa Fé.
• 3 Picos State Park (65.113 ha). Rio de Janeiro largest State Park was created in 2002 and forms a continuous forest corridor with the Serra dos Órgãos National Park and the Paraíso State Ecological Station. It is a very important refuge for the fauna and flora of the Atlantic Rainforest, especially mammals and birds.  The administration and Visitors Centre are in  Cachoeiras de Macacu (Boca de Mato). There are several trails that start there, including a self-guiding interpretative trail which leads to a monummental Jequitibá tree (Cariniana legalis)
• RPPN Regua. A private reserve and oioneer conservation project, established in the 90s, next to the 3 Picos Park. It combines conservation, rainforest restoration, research, community development and ecotourism. You can do a day visit or stay for longer at the onsite lodge. It also has a volunteer program. 
• Waterfalls. There are many of them. Like Tenebroso, Sete Quedas, Barba, Samambaia, Chapadão and Furna da Onça