Brazil Eco Adventure Tours
Rainforest - Hiking & Biking - Wildlife

Protected Areas
Juatinga Ecological Reserve

The Juatinga Ecological Reserve is an Integral Protection Conservation Unit of the of the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It can be accessed from colonial Paraty or Saco do Mamanguá (see map).

Apart from protecting several ecosystems of the Atlantic Rainforest / (Mata Atlântica) such as submontane and montane tropical rainforest, mangroves and restinga it aims to preserve the existence of about 400 caiçara families (apr. 2.000 people) who live without electric energy in little villages along the coast such as Praia do Sono, Ponta Negra, Pouso da Cajaiba, Calhaus, Ponta da Juatinga or Mamanguá.

The peninsula Juatinga is located in the northern Ribeira belt and composed of several Neoproterozoic granites (500 Ma) with peaks above 1.000 m (Cairuçu and Jamanta). The primary rainforest around these peaks protects many animals threatened by extinction such as the spider monkey (Brachyteles arachnoides) or the jaguar (Onça pintada).

Juatinga is considered one of the best ecotourism destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro principally for hiking & trekking along the beautiful trails of the reserve (see also: tours).

Location: S 23º 17’ / W 44º 35’

Total Area: apr. 8.000 ha

Altitude: 0 - 1.100 m

Climate: Csa

Biome: Atlantic Rainforest

Ecosystems: Mangrove / Restinga / Tropical Rainforest

Altitudinal Zones: Alluvial / Lowland / Submontane / Montane

Peaks: Pedra da Jamanta (1.098 m), Cairuçu (1.070 m)