Brazil -
Guarequecaba Protection Area

Total Area of Park: 517504 ha

More Information
Detailed Map of Site

Partners:

Sociedade de Pesquisa em Vida Selvagem e Educacao Ambiental (SPVS) Fundacao O Boticario

Location: Atlantic Forest, near Curitiba, Brazil

Site Description:

Guaraquecaba Environmental Protection Area is a 775,000-acre tract consisting of estuaries, bays, islands, coastal lowlands, mangroves, and a coastal mountain range and plateau. It ranges in altitude from sea level to over 5,000 feet in the Serra do Mar mountain range.

The Atlantic Forest is one of the most diverse and imperiled biomes on the planet. Its diversity of habitats, flora, and fauna is remarkable. Fifty-three percent of Atlantic Forest trees and 77 percent of other plants are endemic to the region. 158 birds and 17 of 20 primate species known to inhabit the region are also endemic. Endangered species include the jaguar, yellow-throated caiman, tapir, red-tailed parrot, and the black-faced lion tamarin.

Principal Ecotourism Attractions:

• Wildlife, bird diversity, botany, scenery
• Waterfalls, beaches
• Sport fishing (catch-and-release)

Guide Availability: Local guides available.

Infrastructure:

At Salto Morato, Fundacao O Boticario has a research facility and dorms for 20+ and a private lodge for 6 in double rooms. There is also a kitchen and dining area.

Hotels with air conditioning that overlook the water are available in the town of Guaraquecaba. Accommodations can also be found on the edge of the Environmental Protection Area and an "Eco" hotel with forest trails and a waterfall is located 15 miles south of the Environmental Protection Area.