Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves Nature Reserve

Address: Atlantic Forest reserves in Bahia state (Discovery Coast / Costa do Descobrimento region), Brazil

Website: https://whc.unesco.org

Hours: Varies by reserve

Admission: Varies (entrance fees for reserves and visitor centres may apply)

The Discovery Coast Atlantic Forest Reserves are a group of protected areas on the southern coast of Bahia, Brazil conserving important remnants of the Atlantic Forest biome. They are recognised for high biodiversity and concentrations of endemic and threatened species.

Mosaic reserves include coastal forest, inland lowland rainforest and hilltops, with trails, river valleys and pockets of intact canopy that support diverse flora and fauna. Protected areas such as Pau-Brasil National Park and Monte Pascoal offer opportunities for birdwatching, guided ecological walks and seeing rare plant species.

These forest areas represent the surviving fragments of a once-continuous Atlantic Forest greatly reduced by colonial-era and modern agricultural and logging activity. They have been progressively protected through national parks, biological reserves and private conservation initiatives to conserve species-rich forest and coastal ecosystems.

The reserves are located along the southern Bahia coast in northeastern Brazil, in the region around Porto Seguro and adjacent coastal municipalities, comprising a coastal-to-inland system of protected sites.

• Habitat diversity: Altitude and habitat vary across the reserves from low coastal forest to inland hills, producing high local biodiversity and many endemic species of plants and animals.
• Name origin: The name ‘Discovery Coast’ refers to the area where Portuguese navigators first landed on the Brazilian coast in 1500; several protected areas here preserve both natural and cultural heritage.

What to See#

• Pau-Brasil National Park: Pau-Brasil National Park protects coastal Atlantic Forest fragments that contain populations of the tree that gave Brazil its name and other endemic plants.
• Monte Pascoal and other reserves: Monte Pascoal and other national parks and reserves conserve upland and lowland Atlantic Forest habitats, rivers and coastal ecosystems characteristic of southern Bahia.

The reserves are located in southern Bahia’s coastal region. Regional airports include Porto Seguro and Ilhéus; from there access to individual reserves requires road travel and often pre-arranged guides or transport.

• Hire certified local guides for forest trail access - many reserves require accompaniment for conservation reasons.
• Bring binoculars for birdwatching; the Atlantic Forest is a hotspot for endemic species and cryptic mammals.
• Plan longer visits; many reserves are remote and most biodiversity viewing benefits from multi-day stays.