regua (reserva ecologica de guapiacu)

We all talk about doing something to save the planet - and here there are people doing just that, by replanting the Brazilian coastal forests. And by staying here, you are helping them in their work. The accommodation is basic but one wouldn't expect anything more. The food is delicious and the staff are friendly. We had a good walk up to a waterfall (although it's a 20 minute drive to where we started - or presumably a good extra hour or so's walk). All within a couple of hours' drive of central Rio. I couldn't believe that I was only the 24th person to review this place. It deserves much more.

This place is totally amazing. Stunning scenery, superb accommodation, great food and the best welcome I've ever had when travelling. The added bonus is that when you stay your cash is used to keep this very important project going. It's a bird watchers paradise but plenty to keep people (like me) that are not serious birders occupied. Beautiful walks/hikes on the doorstep and guides to show you around or take you further afield. I cannot rate this place highly enough. Nature - better than therapy.

The ethos of Regua is to develop a large reserve by restoring the Atlantic Rain Forest to borderline agricultural land. Already you can see how their replanting has transformed the reserve and the abundance of wildlife is clearly maturing, at a surprisingly fast rate. I believe they deserve every encouragement for the invaluable work that they are carrying out, long may it continue.

We stayed 6 nights as independent travelers and birders. The pluses: efficient emails in setting up our visit, very spacious comfortable room with gorgeous views, excellent food, kitchen staff, local guide and driver, very good trails for wandering and birding. There are however some cautions. It's popular with large tour groups. Avoid being here when there's a large tour group. These groups take over the lodge and often don't leave any food, drinks, or space for guests who are not part of the group. Be sure you have a professional local birding guide for birding excursions. The lodge has many unpaid volunteers who may try hard but lack the skills that most birders expect from a birding guide. Don't pay too much of your expected expenses in advance, as it's easier to pay any extra amount owed once you're here. Overall, a great place for Atlantic Forest birding. We wish the lodge and reserve continued success.

Most of us believe a successful rain forest program is designed to cater for a few enthusiastic nature fans who wish to photograph birds and other animals in their pristine habitat, well today it is clear that to maintain viable ecological programs you certainly need some land to give a fighting chance for the fauna and flora to develop but at the end of the day you need to do what Nicholas and Raquel are doing which is to work with the agricultural communities so they can make a living, allow for a beer company to own a part of the reserve as similarly to the agricultural communities beer needs clean water from the rain forest for its production and finally work hand in hand with the local governments in order to help communities realize that trees standing and animals roaming freely are worth a lot more in the medium and long term. Congratulations Nicholas and Raquel for helping the planet be a better place by rebuilding the past in order to cater for our future!

What can I say? WOW! If you want a taste of the rainforest but within easy reach of Rio International Airport, you have found it. This is a charity organisation concerned with the re-growth of the North Atlantic rainforest. It's primary rental is for nature fans, especially birders. You stay in a comfortable lodge that you are free to treat as home, kitchen staff provide home cooked food that never runs out ( just as we'll there are plenty of beautiful walks to burn off the calories), the guides are amazing, and the owners, Nicholas and Rachel treat you like family the second they meet you, and, if like me, you prefer 4 legs to 2, riding was available free ( just tip the stable hand for his time ) for experienced riders. When you are thoroughly exhausted, take a dip in the pool before caipirinhas, and round the day off with a superb dinner. For the record, my mother in law has travelled here twice from Cyprus, Regua has been a must both trips. She is also vegetarian and was wonderfully catered for, a rarity in a country that survives on steaks. Wildlife galore with a fantastic base. Easy access ground floor rooms, and driven trails should you need them.

Stayed at this lodge for 3 days in March 2011 after visiting our daughter who was living in Rio at the time. This was the first birding lodge we have ever visited and one can only hope that future experiences live up to this excellent standard. The accommodation was wonderful with a large room and very good views. Some of the best home cooked food we have ever tasted.The birding guides were all very good and keen on making sure you got the best out of the trip. Very patient as well as I am more of a photographer and require time to get a decent shot.Only wished we stayed longer.

Regua is one for the bucket list. We only spent three days there but could have spent weeks, and will definitely go back. The charm of Regua is that it offers so much: incredible birding, hiking into the mountains in search of the woolly spider monkey (one of the world’s rarest primates), leisurely walks around the wetlands and into the forest, trips into Rio (only a couple of hours away) – and for those who just want to sit and relax – breakfast on the veranda of their lovely lodge, a converted farmhouse with breathtaking views, in the company of marmosets, hummingbirds and numerous other feathered visitors, many of them endemics. And this is not just another tourist destination. Most of the forest is now owned by the World Land Trust, but prior to that, it was in Nicholas Locke’s family for over a hundred years, and they’ve taken the conservation of this most endangered habitat very seriously. The Lockes have replanted hundreds of hectares of rainforest, and restored the extensive wetlands below the lodge. They’re very involved with the local community, and run really well organised volunteer and educational programmes. Our whole visit was inspiring and what is so great is that by staying there, you not only have the most wonderful time but you are also contributing to conservation. And, by the way, the food, service and accommodation are all outstanding. Viva Regua!

Melhor lugar do mundo para fotografar pássaros e ouros animais da mata atlantica! Possui um lago encantador e gisgantesco. cachoeiras maravilhosas e as pessoas são muito hospitaleiras!

É uma reserva linda,com cachoeiras maravilhosas e uma natureza exuberante! Para quem curte natureza,fazer trilhas e tomar banho de Cachoeira,esse é o lugar que procura!Recomendo

Um lugar lindissimo. Lindas cachoeiras e trilhas. Vale o passeio, fica a cerca de 70km do RJ. Os valores do ingresso sao simbolicos (variam de R$3,00 a 5,00).AInda carecem um pouco de infraestrutura, mas estão investindo dentro do possivel para melhorar.

Lugar incrível, muito bem administrado... para quem gosta de estar próximo a natureza é parada obrigatória. Já fui umas três vezes e voltarei outras ...

Venha passar uma tarde inesquecível junto à natureza e tomar aquele banho em um rio com águas cristalinas aproveitando sempre o ar puro.

Ao visitar a cidade na beira da RJ 122, a caminho de Nova Friburgo, não deixe de visitar a reserva. Vá fazer uma caminhada ecológica e depois vá tambem na Cachoeira do Valério.

Local muito bem cuidado, uma ilha de preservação na região e estado. Ótimas trilhas para serem percorridas sozinho ou acompanhado pelos excelentes guias locais.