Tinguá Biological Reserve

Tinguá Biological Reserve is a protected forest area located in the mountains of Rio de Janeiro, covering thousands of hectares with different types of rainforest. The woodland spans from lower to higher elevations and shelters numerous plant and animal species.

The area was originally established in 1941 to protect water sources for surrounding communities. It received its current status as a biological reserve in 1989 to strengthen conservation of the natural environment.

The name Tinguá comes from an indigenous language and refers to a native plant that once grew widely in this area. Visitors walking through the forest can still sense this botanical connection to the region's past.

Access to this area requires permission and visitors typically need to join an organized group or have prior authorization. It is wise to check current access policies before visiting, as entry rules are strictly enforced.

The area shelters rare primates and predators found nowhere else in such concentration. This combination of wildlife makes the reserve particularly valuable for conservation research.