A paradise on earth, more specifically, in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro. We’re talking about Ilha Grande, a 193-square-metre tropical island where no cars are allowed and tourism is perfectly integrated with nature. Walking along the trilhas, the name given to its trails in the middle of the jungle, and bathing on its unique beaches are two pleasures that seem unearthly. We invite you to discover what things to do in paradisiacal Ilha Grande.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter easy and functional. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you the most, adding them to the route map.
What to See in Ilha Grande Brazil
Vila do Abraão
Vila do Abraão is the main town on Ilha Grande and the first place you’ll see as you step off the ferry that takes you to the island. Abraão is where you’ll find most of the services, both accommodation and restaurants, and is the departure point for many excursions. It also has fantastic beaches with emerald water, such as Praia dos Meros, with some beach bars and beach bars where you can eat or have an evening cocktail. Another beautiful beach in Abraão is Praia Preta, with sand of a characteristic blackish colour.
The town as such is very small, but has some must-see sights. Examples of these are the Ruinas do Lazareto, a former hospital for immigrants suffering from cholera and, later, a prison; and a well-preserved aqueduct.
Praia de Lopes Mendes
On its ocean side is one of the most beautiful beaches of Ilha Grande, Praia de Lopes Mendes. This 3-kilometre-long beach of crystal-clear waters is a marvellous place for swimming and strolling on its fine white sand. Despite being Ilha Grande’s most famous beach it’s always very quiet, making it the perfect place to unwind, even in high season.
Praia do Aventureiro
Aventureiro is one of the beaches you should not miss on your trip to Ilha Grande. Although it is much smaller than others, at 500 metres long, it is one of the most visited beaches because of its enormous beauty and because it has a palm tree that has grown in the shape of an “L” that is already an emblem of Ilha Grande. This beach is quite far from Abraão and can only be reached by private boat or on an excursion, but we assure you it’s well worth it.
Praia Dois Rios
This beautiful beach, as the name suggests, is formed by oceanic water, as well as by the mouth of two rivers, one on each side. It is 1 kilometre long and has delicate golden-coloured sand. One of the peculiarities of this beach is that close by there are the ruins of a maximum-security prison that was active until 1994.
Excursions, a good opportunity to see Ilha Grande thoroughly
To get to know the beautiful Ilha Grande, it is very common to hire boat trips. They take you to the most interesting beaches and places on the island without having to travel miles and miles on foot. In addition, all of them include snorkelling stops. Here are some of the most popular ones.
- Ilhas Paradisiacas: A pleasant full-day excursion that takes you to several nearby islands, such as Isla Botinas and Isla Cataguás. It also makes a stop at Lagoa Azul. A lagoon that will leave you speechless and the ideal place for snorkelling. Estimated price: €50
- Island Tour: This tour is probably the most famous for being the most complete. As its name suggests, it is a complete tour of the island by boat. It also lasts all day and stops at the most spectacular beaches of Ilha Grande such as Praia Cachadaço, Praia Parnaioca and the famous Praia do Aventureiro.
- Half Tour: A slightly less complete tour, but just as wonderful. It makes stops at Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul, among others.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Ilha Grande
Rio de Janeiro
If you decide to visit Ilha Grande it is very likely that you will be visiting from Rio. So here are some of the must-see places to visit in Rio de Janeiro, 180 kilometres from Ilha Grande.
If there’s one thing you can’t miss on your trip to Rio de Janeiro, it’s the Christ the Redeemer. Whether you’re a believer or not, this immense 38-metre-high statue, which crowns the pilgrimage site on the Morro de Corcovado hill, is one of the Seven Wonders of the World and has been a hallmark of Rio de Janeiro since its inauguration in 1931.
Known as one of the most famous beaches in the world, the 6 kilometres long of the Copacabana Beach are home to both the festive atmosphere of the city, as well as a landscape that leaves us with unforgettable sunsets. Without a doubt, one of the stops you have to make on your trip to Rio de Janeiro if you love to feel the sea breeze while you get enveloped in the rhythm of the city. And if you enjoy wandering through narrow streets full of art and life, the bohemian Barrio de Santa Teresa is one of the must-see spots on your trip to Rio de Janeiro.
Keep getting to know the essence of Brazil in What to see and do on your trip to Rio de Janeiro
How to get to Ilha Grande Brazil
The only way to get to Ilha Grande from mainland Brazil is by boat, but there are several ways to get there:
- From Rio de Janeiro: many travellers opt for the option of going to Ilha Grande directly from Rio. To do this you must hire a transfer company that organises everything for you, both the overland journey to Angra dos Reis, as well as the sea journey to the island itself. Estimated price: €25 one way.
- From Angra dos Reis: This is another common option because it gives you the chance to see the town of Angra dos Reis. There is a good connection between Angra dos Reis and Rio de Janeiro, with buses lasting 3 hours and departing every 2 hours. Once here, you can take a public ferry from Cais da Lapa for about an hour and a half. Estimated price: €14 (bus €10 + ferry €4)
- From Mangaratiba: Mangaratiba is the closest town to Rio de Janeiro from where you can go to Ilha Grande. The bus journey time is 2 hours but the frequency is less, with one bus in the early morning and one in the afternoon. Once in Mangaratiba you can catch a boat at 08:00, and it takes 1.5 hours. Estimated price: €10 (€7 bus +€2.58 ferry)
If you’re travelling by car in Brazil, it’s important to know that you won’t be able to take it to Ilha Grande as motorised cars are not allowed. So if you have one, it’s best to leave it parked in the town of Angra dos Reis, to which Ilha Grande belongs.
What to see in Ilha Grande in 3 days
First day:
- Walk around Vila do Abraão
- Excursion to Praia Lopes Mendes
Second day:
- Full day excursion Island Tour.
Third day:
- Excursion to Praia Dois Rios
Where to eat in Ilha Grande Brazil
It’s likely that on your trip to Ilha Grande you’ll often just throw a snack, water and some fruit in your backpack to eat during your excursions. However, here are some of the best places to eat in Abraão in case you want to indulge yourself one day.
- Las Sorrentinas: Without a doubt, one of the best restaurants you will see in Ilha Grande. In its menu you can find delicious dishes, as the owners say, “homemade with love”. As well as delicious pasta, their speciality, you’ll also find delicious desserts such as brownies. Price range: €7-10
- Café do Mar: A fantastic restaurant with, as its name suggests, wonderful sea views. Here you can enjoy classic Brazilian churassco, as well as pasta dishes and delicious cocktails. Price range: €11-15
- Restaurant Lua & Mar: A traditional restaurant of exquisite quality where you can enjoy Brazilian dishes, meats, fish and seafood by the sea. Price range: €15-20
Where to sleep in Ilha Grande
We recommend staying in Abraão, which is where the boats arrive and, as there are no cars, you won’t have to travel with your luggage on foot or hire more boats. Also, Abraão has the widest range of accommodation, restaurants and leisure options
- Lonier Nature Inn: Facing Abraão beach and just a few steps from the small harbour where the boat drops you off on arrival, this simple, rural-looking hotel has all the comforts you need. The rooms are comfortable with TV, mini-fridge and a fantastic balcony overlooking the sea. Breakfast buffet is included. At least two nights must be booked. Average price per night in high season: €100
- Pousada Albatroz: This beautiful tropical-style pousada is located 10 minutes from the port of Abraão, in a quiet mountainous area. Rooms feature a minibar, air conditioning and garden views. Buffet breakfast is included. Average price per night in high season: €55
- A third option, mentioned but not recommended, is camping on the beaches and trilhas. Many visitors to Ilha Grande come to walk and hike the island, so they don’t want to commit to returning every night to a base accommodation and choose to camp. However, please be advised that free camping is not permitted on the island and those who choose to do so run the risk of being fined.
Tips for your trip to Ilha Grande
- Have your hotel reservation or the address where you’ll be staying with you, they’ll ask you at the airport.
- Carry cash, not all shops have credit card facilities.
- The currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real.
- Bring your money in advance, currency exchange at airports is very expensive.
- Carry travel insurance to cover possible medical expenses, it is a requirement to enter the country due to Covid-19.
- Do not throw rubbish on the ground. Respect the beaches and natural surroundings.
- Wear good sports shoes; cars are prohibited, so you’ll have to do a lot of walking.
- If you decide to backpack around Ilha Grande, pay attention to where you camp. Although many people do it, camping on the beaches is not allowed.
- Always carry sunscreen and mosquito repellent.
- Find out in advance about any vaccinations you may need for your trip.
How to organise what things to do in Ilha Grande
Register or download the App and discover all its possibilities.
- Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
- Create your own itinerary to see Ilha Grande and add the app’s suggestions
- Add the stops that interest you most, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
- Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map
- Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you according to your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
- Make the modifications you need, and you’ll be all set for your trip.
- Share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited on your trip to Ilha Grande to the app.
If you have any doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create a travel itinerary in Passporter.
Frequently asked questions about ilha Grande
Probably one of the secrets why Ilha Grande remains so beautiful is because cars are forbidden. Therefore, to get around the island you’ll have to use your own legs to navigate the trilhas (paths through the jungle), or get around by boat or water taxi.
It’s good all year round on this little island in the Atlantic, so in terms of weather, there aren’t really any better times to travel than others. However, for reasons of price and comfort, many visitors choose to avoid the high season, i.e. winter, although you will also be missing out on the warmer months.
Ilha Grande has a total of 113 beaches.
No Comments