Consider Ilha Grande as Rio’s best-kept secret: a car-free island paradise simply off the town’s coast in Brazil full with golden seashores, emerald rainforest, and a tempo of life that is worlds away from its close by mainland. Ilha Grande is all about beach-hopping, wildlife-watching, and tuning in to nature. If you happen to’re visiting Rio for greater than per week, Ilha Grande is a must-visit. Prepared to flee the mainland? Right here’s every part you should learn about visiting Ilha Grande, from learn how to get there and the place to remain to the perfect seashores, hikes, and snorkelling spots.
Find out how to get to Ilha Grande from Rio
Reaching Ilha Grande from Rio is a part of the journey, and it’s value each step. The island doesn’t have an airport, so you should mix highway and boat journey. There are a number of routes to select from, relying on the place you are coming from in Rio and how briskly you wish to get there.
By way of Conceição de Jacareí
This route is the quickest and hottest, making it the go-to choice for many travellers. After a two-hour drive by personal switch, shuttle, or bus from Rio to the tiny port city of Conceição de Jacareí, you are taking a 30-minute speedboat experience to Vila do Abraão, the primary village on Ilha Grande. Boats depart commonly all through the day and are inexpensive, fast, and scenic.
By way of Mangaratiba
This feature is somewhat slower and has restricted departures. A ferry from Mangaratiba to Abraão takes about 1.5 hours and normally runs simply as soon as per day (within the early morning), so that you’ll have to time it proper.
By way of Angra dos Reis
Essentially the most versatile choice, Angra presents extra ferry decisions than Mangaratiba, and it is nice if you happen to’re coming from the south or already exploring the Costa Verde. The boat experience from right here takes about 1.5 hours.
Professional tip: If you happen to e book a G Adventures tour to Brazil that features Ilha Grande, all of the logistics are organized for you.
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Find out how to get round Ilha Grande
When you’ve arrived on Ilha Grande, you’ll discover one thing instantly: no automobiles. The island’s important village, Vila do Abraão, is small and walkable, with sandy streets lined with pousadas (inns), seaside bars, and backpacker cafés. Most individuals base themselves right here for ease.
Exploring on foot
Climbing Ilha Grande is among the finest methods to expertise its magnificence. The island is crisscrossed with a community of mountain climbing trails that result in waterfalls, seashores, and hilltop viewpoints. Trails vary from straightforward 30-minute strolls to full-day treks via dense Atlantic rainforest. Mainly, you may stroll as a lot or as little as you’d prefer to!
By boat
For longer journeys (or when your legs inevitably want a break), water taxis are the way in which to go. These small speedboats join Abraão with seashores and villages across the island. You may rent a non-public boat or be part of group day journeys to spots like Lopes Mendes or Lagoa Azul.
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The place to remain in Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande could be off-grid in vibe, however in relation to lodging, you’ve bought choices, irrespective of whether or not you are dreaming of hammock-swinging hostels, romantic hideaways, or laid-back pousadas steps from the seaside. Vila do Abraão is the island’s important hub, with the widest collection of lodging and quick access to eating places, bars, and excursions.
Price range stays
Hostels like Beira Mar or Aquario are chilled-out and social, and infrequently include hammocks, lush gardens, and communal kitchens.
Midrange guesthouses
Pousadas provide cozy, native stays with tropical courtyards and hearty breakfasts. Pousada Naturalia is a agency favorite for its quiet vibe and leafy setting.
Deal with-yourself stays
Boutique spots like Asalem provide dreamy sea views, personal balconies, and complete rest. Accessible solely by boat, it is excellent for a digital detox.
Additional afield
For a real castaway expertise, keep at quieter seashores like Praia de Araçatiba, one of the vital peaceable seashores Ilha Grande has to supply. It’s additionally near a few of Ilha Grande’s finest snorkelling spots, with calm fish-filled bays excellent for a morning swim.
Greatest eating places, Ilha Grande
For a small island, Ilha Grande punches effectively above its weight in relation to meals. Its eating scene is all about contemporary seafood and zingy flavours, excellent after a day of mountain climbing or beach-hopping. These are a number of of our favourites.
Lua e Mar: Set proper on the seaside, this family-run gem serves the most effective moquecas (seafood stews) round. Order it with shrimp or the catch of the day, and don’t skip the new sauce.
Restaurante Pé na Areia: “Ft within the sand” says all of it. It is informal, beachfront, and supreme for grilled fish and sundown beers.
Atelie Cafeteria: Half café and half gallery, it is nice for robust espresso, house-made desserts, and veggie bites.
Café do Mar: Backpacker vibes, beanbags, caipirinhas, and attractive squid or veggie burgers.
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Bars: Ilha Grande
A disclaimer: Ilha Grande isn’t recognized for giant golf equipment or all-night raves, however that’s a part of its attraction. Evenings listed below are extra about sipping a caipirinha along with your toes within the sand, listening to dwell samba, or swapping tales with new pals over an icy Chopp beer. Listed below are a number of of our native favourites for a laid-back night time out.
Lua e Mar (once more!): By night time, it’s candlelit tables, ocean breezes, and an amazing cocktail checklist.
Jorge Grego Bar: An area favorite with low cost drinks, reggae tunes, and a pleasant crowd.
Praia da Crena Seaside Bar: Arrive by boat and settle in for the sundown. Chilly beers plus heat skies equals perfection.
Las Sorrentinas Lounge Bar: Polished however laid-back, with empanadas, cocktails, and dwell music most nights.
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Ilha Grande ideas
This island could also be laid-back and delightful, however somewhat insider information goes a great distance in profiting from your keep. Listed below are a number of important ideas to remember.
Convey money — and loads of it
The island would not have any ATMs. Whereas some locations settle for playing cards, many smaller eating places, bars, and pousadas don’t. Keep away from last-minute stress by withdrawing money earlier than you hop on the ferry, ideally in Angra dos Reis, Conceição de Jacareí, or Rio.
Pack for all climate
Ilha Grande could seem like a tropical dream (and it’s), however sudden showers are widespread year-round. Light-weight rain jackets, quick-dry garments, and waterproof baggage are your finest pals, particularly if you happen to’re mountain climbing or island-hopping.
Don’t count on wi-fi all over the place
Digital detox alert: Whereas many inns and guesthouses provide spotty wi-fi, connections might be unreliable, particularly throughout storms. Embrace the sluggish tempo, obtain offline maps, and let family and friends know you may go quiet for a number of days.
Go midweek for fewer crowds
Ilha Grande is a weekend escape for Rio locals, so weekdays are usually quieter and cheaper. Go to from Monday to Thursday in order for you emptier seashores, quicker restaurant service, and a extra relaxed vibe.
Respect nature
The island is a protected space, with no automobiles and a robust eco-focus. Keep on marked trails, don’t depart trash behind, and use reef-safe sunscreen to assist shield marine life.
Study primary Portuguese
Whereas Ilha Grande is tourist-friendly, English isn’t broadly spoken exterior inns and excursions. Studying a number of fundamentals like por favor (please), obrigado/a (thanks), and bom dia (good day/good morning) goes a great distance in making connections and navigating each day life.
Greatest issues to do in Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande packs in a world of journey, rest, and jaw-dropping pure magnificence into its small measurement. Here is what to do.
Hike to Lopes Mendes
Constantly ranked among the many finest seashores in Ilha Grande (and the world), Lopes Mendes is a showstopper. Assume 3km (1.9 mi) of powder-white sand, turquoise water, and a backdrop of lush Atlantic forest. You should hike for about two hours from Vila do Abraão.
Discover Lagoa Azul by boat
The Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) is one among Ilha Grande’s most iconic snorkelling spots. Crystal-clear shallow waters make it excellent for novices and seasoned snorkellers, and it’s teeming with vibrant fish and coral.
Swim beneath the Feiticeira Waterfall
Feiticeira is the preferred Ilha Grande waterfall and an amazing spot for a cool-down after a brief hike. Don’t overlook your swimwear — there’s nothing fairly like swimming beneath a jungle cascade. Maintain an eye fixed out right here for Ilha Grande wildlife, too, together with some fantastically vibrant birds.
Trek the Pico do Papagaio path
Up for a problem? The Pico do Papagaio hike is Ilha Grande’s most demanding (and rewarding) trek. It climbs greater than 900m (2,953 ft) via dense forest to panoramic views of the island and ocean past. It’s finest tackled with a information, particularly for dawn hikes.
Uncover the ruins of the Lazareto
Hidden close to Vila do Abraão, the Lazareto ruins inform an eerie story. As soon as a quarantine hospital and later a jail, this crumbling construction is slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. It’s a fantastic spot that’s excellent for historical past lovers.
Paddle the coast
Feeling lively? Hire a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and paddle alongside the coast. It’s a gorgeously peaceable strategy to uncover hidden coves, spot Ilha Grande wildlife, and get a tan whilst you’re at it.
Go diving or snorkelling with sea turtles
For licensed divers, diving Ilha Grande opens up a complete new world of underwater exploration and snorkelling presents an in depth second expertise. Ilha Grande’s diving and snorkelling alternatives are a few of Brazil’s finest. Dive websites like Gruta do Acaia or Jorge Grego Island provide an opportunity to identify turtles, rays, and reef fish, whereas beginner-friendly snorkel zones like Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul are full of marine life.
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