Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves

The Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves consist of eight protected areas featuring dense rainforest, mangrove swamps, and coastal vegetation stretching along Brazil's eastern shoreline. These reserves connect different ecosystems that together form a continuous natural corridor along the coast.

Portuguese explorers first reached this coastal region around 1500, establishing the initial European contact with Brazil at this exact location. The areas were later designated as protected reserves to preserve the biodiversity found within them.

Local communities practice sustainable forest management passed down through generations, relying on knowledge about medicinal plants and forest resources. This way of life remains visible in the daily routines of people living near the reserves.

Visiting the reserves requires advance planning with authorized guides, with Porto Seguro serving as the main entry point for tourists. Plan your visit during the drier months when forest conditions are more comfortable for exploring.

The reserves shelter 627 endangered plant species and provide habitat for 620 bird species, including 49 found nowhere else in the world. This remarkable concentration of rare bird species makes the region exceptionally valuable for birdwatchers and scientific study.