Visit the
Betary Reserve
The Betary Reserve is a privately protected area maintained by IPBio – the Biodiversity Research Institute. Within the reserve, we operate a research center dedicated to scientific projects, education, and conservation focused on the fauna, flora, fungi, and other organisms of the Atlantic Forest. The research center is designed not only for biodiversity research, but also to support scientific tourism. At the Betary Reserve, visitors have the unique opportunity to explore a functioning research center nestled in the heart of the Atlantic Forest, guided by specialists in biodiversity, education, and conservation. We offer various types of visits to meet the needs of both school groups and tourists visiting the region.
THE BETARY RESERVE IS WAITING FOR YOU
Visit IPBio’s very first Biodiversity Research Center.
Visit Options for Tourists and Local Residents
Daytime Program (Duration: approx. 3 hours)
Guided Day Visit (Duration: approx. 2 hours)
Schedule: Monday to Friday and during long holiday weekends – No reservation required
às 10:00, 11:00, 14:00 e 15:00h
Saturdays and Sundays: Available by appointment only, for a minimum of 4 people. Reservations must be made
at least 3 days in advance.
Admission: Prices upon request
Daytime Program (Duration: approx. 3 hours)
Guided Night Visit (Duration: approx. 2 hours)
Available by appointment only, for a minimum of 4 people. Reservations must be made at least 3 days in advance.
Admission: Prices upon request
Contact us for more information!
Infrastructure
Explore the Facilities, Laboratories, and
Trails Designed for Scientific Research
The Betary Reserve Unit is a 60-hectare protected area located in the municipality of Iporanga, in the Ribeira Valley region, in the southern part of São Paulo state. The Ribeira Valley contains the largest continuous remnant of Atlantic Forest in Brazil.
The Betary Reserve offers the following facilities for education and research:
Classroom
A climate-controlled environment with capacity for up to 40 students, equipped with audiovisual systems, a digital projector, and a monitoring TV.
Laboratory
Equipped with stereoscopic magnifying glasses and microscopes with digital image capture, a laminar flow hood, incubator, autoclave, freezer, and workbenches.
This space is dedicated to research on bioluminescent mushrooms of the Atlantic Forest. One of its main objectives is to develop processes and protocols for the domestication of bioluminescent fungi. In the future, this lab will also be equipped for molecular studies.
Plant and Amphibian Greenhouse
With 600 m² of space and 9 meters in height, the greenhouse supports the growth of trees, palms, and tree ferns. The structure houses a bromeliad garden, a seed germination area, seedling production, and the recreation of regional habitats such as: waterfall, deep pool, shallow pool, sandy bottom, rocky bottom, muddy bottom, stream, shallow lake, wet soil area, sandy-bottom marsh, muddy-bottom marsh, and aquatic plant cultivation tanks.
The space also includes research benches with terrariums for amphibian and reptile studies.
Aquarium
Built within an artificial lake of approximately 500 m², the aquarium simulates a variety of aquatic environments to support research on native fish species. These environments include: rocky pools for armored catfish (cascudos), spring-fed sandy bottoms, muddy and rocky substrates, as well as submerged, floating, and emergent aquatic plant habitats.
Visitors can observe the main body of the lake and its environments through submerged windows inside a viewing tunnel. Outside, there are two 2,000-liter glass aquariums and one 3,000-liter tank.
Guest House & Restaurant
The Betary Reserve restaurant offers an all-you-can-eat buffet surrounded by the Atlantic Forest, providing a unique gastronomic experience. With capacity for up to 50 guests, it operates by reservation only. The menu includes salads, hot dishes, vegetarian options, fresh juices, and homemade desserts—ensuring a balanced and delicious meal. It’s the perfect spot to recharge before or after your activities in the reserve. All dishes are prepared with fresh ingredients and must be booked in advance.
In addition to its cuisine, Betary Reserve also offers accommodation for those who wish to extend their stay and further enjoy the lush natural surroundings. With comfortable lodging and a peaceful atmosphere, the guest house allows visitors to relax and unwind, fully immersed in the fauna and flora of the Atlantic Forest—making the experience at the reserve even more special.
Volunteer House
To accommodate volunteers, researchers, and interns, the Betary Reserve offers six private rooms and two shared rooms. The guest house includes a fully equipped kitchen, laundry room, and living area, with capacity for up to thirteen people.
Begoniarium
There are around 1,400 species of begonias distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Of the 208 species found in Brazil, 60 occur in the state of São Paulo. The Betary Reserve maintains a living collection with over 30 begonia species.
Animal Facility
This space is dedicated to the care and maintenance of live animals. It includes terrariums for the observation and research of small animals, as well as containers for breeding insects and other organisms used as live food for fish and amphibians.
Location
The Atlantic Forest is a Global Biodiversity Hotspot. However, only 7% of its original forest remains, making its conservation more critical than ever.
The Atlantic Forest stretches from northeastern to southern Brazil and extends into northern Argentina and southeastern Paraguay. Five hundred years ago, the Brazilian Atlantic Forest covered approximately 330 million acres. Today, only about 7% of the original forest is still standing.
The Ribeira Valley, where we are located, represents nearly 21% of the remaining 7%, making it the largest continuous fragment of Atlantic Forest in existence. Despite its reduced state, the Atlantic Forest is still recognized as a top global conservation priority.
Although it represents only a small fraction of the size of the Amazon, the Atlantic Forest still harbors a level of biological diversity comparable to that of the Amazon Rainforest. It is home to approximately 2,200 species of birds, mammals, reptiles, and amphibians—which accounts for 5% of all vertebrate species on the planet. This includes around 200 bird species found nowhere else in the world.
The Betary Reserve is located next to PETAR (Alto Ribeira State Park), one of Brazil’s most famous state parks. The region is known as the “cave capital” of Brazil, with over 300 stunning caves, some of which are open to visitors.
In addition, our region is home to the highest concentration of bioluminescent fungi in the world.
UNESCO has designated the region as a World Heritage Site due to its exceptional biodiversity. The area has also attracted the interest of anthropologists, archaeologists, and paleontologists, especially after the discovery of 4,000-year-old arrowheads and bones of megafauna, such as Eremotherium spillmann, the famous giant ground sloth.
How to Get to the Betary Reserve
Via Régis Bittencourt Highway (BR-116) – approximately 330 km from São Paulo. Take the route passing through Taboão da Serra, Embu, São Lourenço da Serra, Juquitiba, Miracatu, Juquiá, and Registro. Continue to Jacupiranga and turn right into the town.
Continue on SP-193 Highway to the town of Eldorado, located 25 km from Jacupiranga. From Eldorado, take SP-165 Highway toward Caverna do Diabo (Devil’s Cave) and drive approximately 70 km to Iporanga, following the Ribeira de Iguape River.
From Iporanga, follow Antonio Honório da Silva Road toward the town of Apiaí for 5 km. The Betary Reserve is located on the left side of the road.
Click the maps below to open routes in a new window on Google Maps.
Access Map from São Paulo to the Betary Reserve
Access Map from Iporanga to the Betary Reserve
Iporanga
The municipality of Iporanga is located on the left bank of the Ribeira de Iguape River, near the mouth of the Iporanga River, in the far south of the state of São Paulo—approximately 320 km from São Paulo city and 180 km from Curitiba. “Iporanga” is a Tupi-Guarani word meaning “beautiful river,” formed by the combination of ‘y (river) and porang (beautiful). The name refers to the Iporanga Stream, at whose mouth the town is situated. The first signs of colonization in Iporanga date back to 1556, though permanent settlement began around 1576 with the discovery of alluvial gold in the Santo Antônio mining area. The region is rich in minerals such as lead, gold, silver, and limestone. Iporanga’s historic center still preserves remnants of the colonial era and is listed as protected heritage by CONDEPHAAT (Council for the Defense of Historical, Archaeological, Artistic and Tourist Heritage). Located in the heart of the Atlantic Forest, Iporanga is known as the "Cave Capital" of Brazil due to the large number of limestone caves in the region—about 500 cataloged caves, making it one of the largest cave concentrations in Brazil and the world. The municipality is surrounded by protected areas, most notably the Alto Ribeira State Tourist Park (PETAR), which covers around 35,712 hectares. PETAR protects a remarkable natural heritage, including speleological, paleontological, archaeological, and historical sites, as well as the rich biodiversity of the preserved Atlantic Forest. In 1999, this region was recognized as a Natural World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Founded: 1576
Geographic Coordinates: Located at latitude 24°35'09" South and longitude 48°35'34" West
Altitude: 81 meters above sea level
Estimated Population: 4,369
Main Economic Activities: The municipality’s primary economic activity is ecotourism, focused on exploring caves, rivers, and waterfalls within and outside conservation units. This is followed by agriculture and livestock farming.
Casarão Restaurant
In the center of Iporanga, right in front of the main church, you’ll find a historic 19th-century house where Chef Val Ribeiro creates unique dishes and drinks that blend local ingredients with the flavors and techniques of contemporary cuisine.
Inside the dining hall, you’ll also find a selection of handcrafted pieces and artisanal objects produced by local artists—available for viewing and purchase.
Betary Reserve Map
Advanced Post –
Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve
The Betary Reserve was officially designated as an Advanced Post of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA) in 2009, under UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MaB) Programme.
Advanced Posts are centers for promoting the ideas, concepts, programs, and projects developed by the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve.
To be officially recognized as an Advanced Post by the Council, an institution must carry out at least two of the three core functions of the Biosphere Reserve:
biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, and scientific and traditional knowledge dissemination about the Atlantic Forest.
The Betary Reserve fulfills all three core functions of the Atlantic Forest Biosphere Reserve (RBMA):
- It protects over 60 hectares of preserved Atlantic Forest;
- It contributes to sustainable regional development by supporting ecotourism and scientific tourism initiatives;
- It is primarily focused on scientific research related to the region’s fauna and flora.
Environmental Information
Maps and data related to the environment, including statistics, environmental indicators, and other information on natural resources within the Reserve.
Map of Local Climate Units and Mesoclimates – PETAR and Caves
Map of Local Climate Units and Mesoclimates – PETAR and Caves
Map of Interventions in APPs
Map of Environmental Regularization – APP Reserve RG
Map of Interventions in APPs
Contact
Fill out the form below to get in touch with us.
Betary Reserve Unit
- Estrada Iporanga - Apiaí, Km 6, Iporanga- SP
- contato@ipbio.org.br
- (15) 3556 1470
Important: We recommend accessing via the city of Jacupiranga on the Régis Bittencourt Highway for visitors coming from either São Paulo or Curitiba, even if your GPS suggests a different route.
Portuguese