There are 132 biosphere reserves in 22 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Ibero-American MAB Network (IberoMAB), created in 1992, aims to strengthen the MAB Programme in Latin American and Caribbean countries, Spain and Portugal, notably by consolidating their MAB National Committees and co-operative links, and promoting the creation of new biosphere reserves.
Full list of biosphere reserves in the region:
Last updated: January 2022
>> Back to World Network of Biosphere Reserves
Argentina
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Sra. Ministra Corina B. Lehmann
Dirección de Asuntos Ambientales
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto
Argentina
Tel.: +5411 4348 8444
E-mail: digma@mrecic.gov.ar
Lic. Graciela M. Pien
Subsecretaría de Planificación y Política Ambiental
Punto focal técnico del Programa MAB
San Martín 451 - Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires – Argentina
Email: gpien@ambiente.gob.ar
There are 15 biosphere reserves in Argentina:
San Guillermo Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1980
Periodic reviews: 2000 and 2018
Laguna Blanca Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1982
Periodic reviews: 2000 and 2017
Costero del Sur Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1984
Periodic reviews: 2000 and 2017
Nacuñán Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1986
Periodic reviews: 2000 and 2017
Laguna de Pozuelos Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1990
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2018
Yabotí Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1995
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2017
Mar Chiquita Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1996
Periodic reviews: 2012
Delta del Paraná Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2016
Riacho Teuquito Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2014
Laguna Oca y Herraduras del Río Paraguay Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2001 (extended and renamed in 2014)
Periodic reviews: 2014
Las Yungas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2002
Periodic reviews: 2014
Andino Norpatagónica Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: 2018
Pereyra Iraola Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: /
Valdés Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2014
Periodic reviews: /
Patagonia Azul Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2015
Periodic reviews: /
Bolivia
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Ing. Alfredy Guillermo Alvarez Saavedra
Viceministro de Medio Ambiente, Biodiversidad,
Cambios Climáticos y de Gestión y Desarrollo Forestal
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua
E-mail: alfredy23@gmail.com
Enzo Aliaga Rossel Ph.D.
Punto Focal MAB Alterno
Director General de Biodiversidad y Áreas Protegidas
Viceministerio de Medio Ambiente, Biodiversidad, Cambios Climáticos y de Gestión y Desarrollo Forestal
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Agua
E-mail: ealiagar@hotmail.com
Ing. Alvaro Nemo Baez Flores
Punto Focal Tecnico MAB
Jefe de la Unidad de Gestión y Conservación Ecorregional del Altiplano, Valles y Chaco
E-mail: alvarobaez101@gmail.com
There are 3 biosphere reserves in Bolivia:
Pilón-Lajas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2018
Apolobamba National Natural Area of Integrated Management Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2018
Beni Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1986
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2018
Brazil
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Eduardo Serra Negra Camerini
Presidente de COBRAMAB
Secrétario de Biodiversidade
Ministério do Meio Ambiente
https://mma.gov.br/areas-protegidas/instrumentos-de-gestao/reserva-da-biosfera
E-mail: sbio@mma.gov.br
Daline Pereira
Ponto Focal Reservas da Biosfera
Departamento de Áreas Protegidas na Secretaria de Biodiversidade
E-mail: daline.pereira@mma.gov.br and cobramab@mma.gov.br
Laercio M. de Sousa
Brazilian BR Network Coordinator
E-mail: laerciorppn@gmail.com
Clayton Ferreira Lino
Focal Point - International Cooperation
E-mail: claytonflino@gmail.com
Rodrigo Rodrigues Castanho
Brazilian BR Network Secretary
E-mail: redebrasileirarb@gmail.com
There are 7 biosphere reserves in Brazil:
Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993
Periodic reviews: 2002 and 2009
Cerrado Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1994
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2017
Pantanal Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2016
Caatinga Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2001
Periodic reviews: 2016
Central Amazon Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2001
Periodic reviews: 2016
Espinhaço Range Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2005
Periodic reviews: 2016
Chile
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Mario Gálvez
Punto Focal del Comité Nacional del Programa MAB de Chile
Dirección Regional de Valparaíso
Corporación Nacional Forestal (CONAF)
E-mail: mario.galvez@conaf.cl
There are 10 biosphere reserves in Chile:
Fray Jorge Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977 (extended in 2012)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2012
Archipiélago de Juan Fernández Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977 (extended in 2019)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
Torres del Paine Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1978
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
Laguna San Rafael y El Guayaneco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1979 (extended in 2019)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
Lauca Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1981
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
Araucarias Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1983 (extended in 2010)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
La Campana - Peñuelas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1984 (extended in 2009)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2017
Cabo de Hornos Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2005
Periodic reviews: 2017
Bosques Templados Lluviosos de Los Andes Australes Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: 2018
Corredor Biológico Nevados de Chillán - Laguna de Laja Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2011
Periodic reviews: /
Colombia
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Comisión Nacional Colombiana de Cooperación con la UNESCO
Dra. Tatiana García
Secretaria Ejecutiva de la Comisión Nacional Colombiana de Cooperación con la UNESCO
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Colombia
E-mail: tatiana.garcia@cancilleria.gov.co
Catalina Martínez Ramírez
Coordinadora Grupo de Trabajo UNESCO
Secretaría Ejecutiva de la Comisión Nacional de Cooperación con UNESCO
E-mail: catalina.martinez@cancilleria.gov.co
Laura Arango Blanco
Coordinadora del Grupo de Trabajo UNESCO
E-mail: laura.arango@cancilleria.gov.co
Dirección general electrónica: comisionunesco@cancilleria.gov.co
There are 5 biosphere reserves in Colombia:
Cinturón Andino Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1979
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2011
El Tuparro Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1979
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2011
Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1979
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2001
Ciénaga de Santa Marta Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2011
Seaflower Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2011
Costa Rica
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Fernando Bermúdez Acuña
Presidente del Comité Nacional MAB Costa Rica
E-mail: comitemab.cr@gmail.com
Tania Moreno
Vicepresidenta del Comité Nacional MAB Costa Rica
Sector Académico
Fernando Azofeifa
Secretario del Comité Nacional MAB Costa Rica
Comité de Gestión de la Reserva de Biosfera Agua y Paz
Andrea Herrera
Tesorería del Comité Nacional MAB Costa Rica
Coordinadora Reserva de Biosfera Savegre
Ronald Chan
Vocalía 1
Coordinador Reserva de Biosfera Amistad
There are 4 biosphere reserves in Costa Rica:
La Amistad Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1982
Periodic reviews: 2002 and 2015
Cordillera Volcánica Central Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1988 (extended in 2010)
Periodic reviews: 2003 and 2010
Agua y Paz Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: /
Savegre Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2017
Periodic reviews: /
Cuba
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Ms. Maritza Garcia Garcia
Presidenta del Comité Nacional MAB Cuba
Directora del Centro Nacional de Areas Protegidas de Cuba
E-mail: maritzagarcia@ama.cu
There are 6 biosphere reserves in Cuba:
Sierra del Rosario Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1984
Periodic reviews: 1998 and 2018
Cuchillas del Toa Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1987
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2018
Península de Guanahacabibes Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1987
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2018
Baconao Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1987
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2018
Ciénaga de Zapata Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2011
Buenavista Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2011
Curaçao
MAB Focal point:
Mark A. Hawkins, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Research
Faculty of Social Science and Economics
University of the Netherlands Antilles
Dominica
MAB Focal point:
Mr. Terry Orlando Raymond
MAB Focal Point Dominica
E-mail: terryorlandoraymond@gmail.com
Dominican Republic
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Bautista Rojas Gómez
Presidente del Comité Nacional MAB
Ministro de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
E-mail: contacto@medioambiente.gob.do
Ms. Gloria Santana
Responsable de la Reserva de Biosfera Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo
Dirección de Areas Protegidas
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Email: glomasanta@hotmail.com
There is 1 biosphere reserve in the Dominican Republic:
Jaragua - Bahoruco - Enriquillo Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2002 (Transboundary BR with La Selle, Haiti, since 2017)
Periodic reviews: 2015
Ecuador
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Wilson Alfonso ROJAS
Director Nacional de Biodiversidad
Ministerio del Ambiente
E-mail: alfonso.rojas@ambiente.gob.ec
There are 7 biosphere reserves in Ecuador:
Galapagos Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1984
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2016
Yasuni Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1989
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2017
Sumaco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000 (extended in 2002)
Periodic reviews: 2016
Podocarpus - El Condor Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: 2018
Macizo del Cajas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2013
Periodic reviews: /
Bosque Seco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2014 (Transboundary Bosques de Paz Biosphere Reserve with Peru since 2017)
Periodic reviews: /
Choco Andino de Pichíncha Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2018
Periodic reviews: /
El Salvador
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Javier Arturo Magaña
Dirección General de Ecosistemas y Vida Silvestre
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Email: jmagana@marn.gob.sv
Mr. Javier Arturo Magaña
Especialista en Manejo Social de Cuencas
Dirección General de Ecosistemas y Vida Silvestre
Ministerio de Medio Ambiente y Recursos Naturales
Email: jmagana@marn.gob.sv
There are 3 biosphere reserves in El Salvador:
Apaneca - Llamatepec Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: /
Xiriualtique - Jiquilitzco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: 2018
Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2011 (Transboundary Biosphere Reserve with Guatemala and Honduras)
Periodic reviews: /
Guatemala
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Ms. Deyssi Rodríguez
Punto Focal
Asesora Profesional en Desarrollo del SIGAP
Consejo Nacional de Areas Protegidas (CONAP)
5a. Avenida 6-06 zona 1, Ciudad de Guatemala, Edificio IPM 5to. Nivel, Oficina 510
Tel.: (502) 2291-4600 Ext. 1506/1508
E-mail: deyssi.rodriguez@conap.gob.gt
There are 3 biosphere reserves in Guatemala:
Maya Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1990
Periodic reviews: 2001 and 2018
Sierra de las Minas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1992
Periodic reviews: 2013
Haiti
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Joseph Emmanuel Philippe
Point Focal du MAB
Ministère de l'Environnement d'Haiti
E-mail: mangofil@gmail.com
There are 2 biosphere reserves in Haiti:
La Selle Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2012 (Transboundary BR with Jaragua-Bahoruco-Enriquillo, Dominican Republic, since 2017)
Periodic reviews: /
La Hotte Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2016
Periodic reviews: /
Honduras
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Angel Matute
Sub Director Ejecutivo
Instituto de Conservación Forestal
E-mail: amatute@icf.gob.hn
There are 4 biosphere reserves in Honduras:
Rio Plátano Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1980
Periodic reviews: 2015
Trifinio Fraternidad Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2011 (Transboundary Biosphere Reserve with El Salvador and Guatemala, extended in 2016)
Periodic reviews: /
Cacique Lempira, Señor de las Montañas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2015
Periodic reviews: /
San Marcos de Colón Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2017
Periodic reviews: /
Jamaica
MAB Focal point:
Ms. Marlet Wellington
Director of Planning
Trelawny Planning Council
E-mail: marletw@trelawnypc.org
Mexico
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Sergio Guevara Sada
Coordinador Comité Nacional MAB
Departemento de Ecología Funcional
Instituto de Ecologia A.C.
E-mail: sergio.guevara@inecol.mx
There are 42 biosphere reserves in Mexico:
Mapimí Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977
Periodic reviews: 1998 and 2013
La Michilia Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977
Periodic reviews: 1998 and 2018
Montes Azules Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1979
Periodic reviews: 1998 and 2013
El Cielo Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1986
Periodic reviews: 2002 and 2013
Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1986
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2016
Sierra de Manantlan Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1988
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2013
Región de Calakmul Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993 (extended in 2006)
Periodic reviews: 2006 and 2018
El Triunfo Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993
Periodic reviews: 2005 and 2016
El Vizcaino Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993
Periodic reviews: 2005 and 2018
Alto Golfo de California y El Pinacate Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993 (extended in 1995)
Periodic reviews: 2014
Sierra Gorda Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2001
Periodic reviews: 2013
Sierra La Laguna Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2003
Periodic reviews: 2014
Banco Chinchorro Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2003
Periodic reviews: 2016
Ría Celestún Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2004
Periodic reviews: 2016
Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2004
Periodic reviews: 2016
Arrecife Alacranes Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Barranca de Metztilán Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: /
Chamela Cuixmala Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Cuatrociénagas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Cumbres de Monterrey Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Huatulco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: /
La Encrucijada Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2017
La Primavera Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
La Sepultura Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Laguna Madre y Delta Río Bravo Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: /
Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: /
Maderas del Carmen Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Mariposa Monarca Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Pantanos de Centla Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Selva El Ocote Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Sierra de Huautla Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2017
Sistema Arrecifal Veracruzano Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2018
Volcán Tacána Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2006
Periodic reviews: 2017
Sierra de Alamos - Río Cuchujaqui Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2007
Periodic reviews: /
Islas Marietas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2008
Periodic reviews: /
Lagunas de Montebello Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2009
Periodic reviews: /
Naha-Metzabok Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2010
Periodic reviews: /
Los Volcanes Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2010
Periodic reviews: /
Islas Marias Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2010
Periodic reviews: /
Tehuacán - Cuicatlán Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2012
Periodic reviews: /
Isla Cozumel Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2016
Periodic reviews: /
Nicaragua
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Carlos Ramiro Mejia Urbina
Director General de Patrimonio Natural
Ministerio del Ambiente y de los Recursos Naturales (MARENA)
E-mail: cmejia@marena.gob.ni
There are 3 biosphere reserves in Nicaragua:
Bosawas Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1997
Periodic reviews: 2018
Rió San Juan Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2003
Periodic reviews: 2018
Ometepe Island Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2010
Periodic reviews: /
Panama
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Ms. Patricia Hernández
Directora de Areas Protegidas y Biodiversidad
Ministerio de Ambiente
E-mail: phernandez@miambiente.gob.pa
There are 2 biosphere reserves in Panama:
Darién Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1983
Periodic reviews: 2000 and 2017
La Amistad Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2017
Paraguay
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Ms. Fátima Mereles
Comité MAB Paraguay
E-mail: fmereles@sce.cnc.una.py
There are 3 biosphere reserves in Paraguay:
Bosque Mbaracayú Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2000
Periodic reviews: 2013
El Chaco Designated in 2005
Periodic reviews: /
Itaipu Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2017
Periodic reviews: /
Peru
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. José del Carmen Ramírez Maldonado
Jefe del Servicio Nacional de Áreas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP)
Ministerio del Ambiente
E-mail: jramirezm@sernanp.gob.pe
Ms. Rosario Barrera Cáceres
Secretaria Técnica MAB
Servicio Nacional de Areas Naturales Protegidas por el Estado (SERNANP)
Ministerio del Ambiente
Email: rbarrera@sernanp.gob.pe
There are 7 biosphere reserves in Peru:
Huascarán Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977
Periodic reviews: 1999, 2005 and 2012
Manu Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1977 (extended in 2017)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2012
Noroeste Amotapes - Manglares Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2011 (since 2017 part of the Transboundary Bosques de Paz Biosphere Reserve with Ecuador)
Periodic reviews: 1999 and 2012
Oxapampa - Ashaninka - Yanesha Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2010
Periodic reviews: /
Gran Pajatén Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2016
Periodic reviews: /
Bosques de Neblina – Selva Central
Designated in 2020
Periodic reviews: /
Avireri-Vraem Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2021
Periodic reviews: /
Saint Kitts and Nevis
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Mr. Antonio Maynard
Secretary General
National Commission for UNESCO
E-mail: unesconatcom@caribsurf.com
There is 1 biosphere reserve in Saint Kitts and Nevis:
St. Mary's Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2011
Periodic reviews: /
Sint Maarten
MAB Focal point:
Ms. Marcellia Henry
Secretary General UNESCO Sint Maarten
Ministry of Education, Culture, Youth & Sports
E-mail: henrymarcellia@gmail.com
Trinidad and Tobago
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Linford Beckles
Director of the Department of Natural Resources and the Environment
Tobago House of Assembly
E-mail: linfordbeckles@yahoo.com
There is 1 biosphere reserves in Trinidad and Tobago:
North-East Tobago Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2020
Periodic reviews: /
Uruguay
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Lic. Diana Musitelli
División de Biodiversidad del'Area de Ecosistemas
Ministerio de Ambiente
E-mail: diana.musitelli@probides.gub.uy
There are 2 biosphere reserves in Uruguay:
Bañados del Este Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1976
Periodic reviews: 2014
Bioma Pampa - Quebradas del Norte Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2014
Periodic reviews: /
Venezuela
Focal point for biosphere reserves:
Comisión Nacional de la República Bolivariana de Venezuela ante la UNESCO
Comisionado
Secretario Ejecutivo de la CNCU
E-mail: natcom.venezuela3@gmail.com
There are 2 biosphere reserves in Venezuela:
Alto Orinoco - Casiquiare Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 1993
Periodic reviews: 2017
Delta Orinoco Biosphere Reserve
Designated in 2009
Periodic reviews: /