Day Tours from São Paulo and the GRU Airport

São Paulo is one of biggest cities in the world, but still keeps some good birding opportunities for those that do not want to drive far or have less time for birding. That includes the world's largest urban forest, that provides water supply for a good part of the city population and with many endemic species. The Botanical Garden and Ibirapuera are 2 good options for outside birding.

About 2:00 hours from the Guarulhos International Airport, the marshs of Salesópolis are home to the only endemic bird species of São Paulo State, the São Paulo Antwren. The specie was described to the science only in 2013 and since then considered as critically endangered. Also excellent for hummingbirds and tanagers.

With more than 9k hectares, this huge forest reserve can be reached from a 30 minutes drive from the Gru International Airport. The visitor can get to many rare and restricted species like the Southern Bristle-Tyrant, Brassy-breasted Tanager, Blue Manakin, Capuchin and Howler Monkeys. More than that its possible to walk up to a city overlooking (picture on left) and waterfalls in the middle of the forest.

Going inland from Sao Paulo driving a couple of hours it's possible to reach good birding spots, including some of the rarest birds of Brazil. Visit Dourado for many Cerrado endemics and a chance for a Rufous-faced Crake.  You can also make a try for the largest South American Monkey, the endemic Wooly-spider Monkey, at Pousada Bacuri.

Driving around 1:30 down south from São Paulo, it's possible to visit one of the main entrance gates to the Serra do Mar State Park, that protects more than 300k hectares of forest following all the State's coast, going up in some areas to 1400m from the sea level. We will be in the mountains, but close to the sea level, searching from some of the endemic, rare birds in the endangered lowland forests of the Atlantic Rainforest. 

Within 2 hours driving from Sao Paulo, one's reach the lowlands of Ubatuba, where the protected areas of the serra do Mar meets the sea. Great opportunity to see many endemics with great photo oportunities, if you don't mind spending a few hours inside a car.