Guide for Traveling the One-Of-A-Kind Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Chelsey Jacobs
- Jul 16, 2024
- 3 min read
Where to even begin about this luscious, gorgeous, tranquilo, and fantasy-like island vibes of Ilha Grande! Literally translating to "Big Island", Ilha Grande is an island located right off the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, on the Atlantic Ocean, about an hour and a half south of Rio de Janeiro city! Below you will find the best guide for traveling the island of Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil!
Recommended amount of time: 2-3 days (longer if wanting to relax on the beaches & weather permits)
How to Get to Ilha Grande:
There are three ports to leave from to get to Ilha Grande which includes taking a short or long ferry to the island.
There are boats leaving every single day, multiple times a day, from all ports.
The fast boat gets you there in under 30 minutes and costs ~100R.
The slow boat takes over an hour and costs ~23R.
Mangaratiba: If coming from Rio de Janiero
Angra dos Reis: If coming from Sao Paulo or Paraty (or generally anywhere south of Rio)
Conceição de Jacareí: In the middle of Angra dos Reis and ang Mangaratiba
Where to stay:
While the island is relatively small, there are still quite a few good options:
Airbnb: An excellent place to stay for 1-2 people, although it could fit four. This is where I found comfort, solitude, and good wifi. Located one street off the main road, I was very happy with this Airbnb! No kitchen but a fridge, utensils, and plates to make a simple breakfast/eat leftovers!
Che Lagarto: The hostel people tend to lean towards when wanting a social/backpacker vibe. The reviews didn't speak so proudly as to why I opted for an Airbnb. If not staying here, it is a good place to go to socialize with like-minded individuals!
Things to do:
There are a ton of things to do on this island in terms of enjoying the variety of beaches, snorkeling, and/or diving. As you walk the town, there are tons of tour companies showing you the variety of boat tours and excursions to do. Visiting multiple beaches and stops on a boat tour is highly recommended to see the majority of the island.
Personally, I was most drawn to the boat tour that stopped at the underground cave, additionally visiting four beaches with a delicious lunch break!
Lopes Mendes is a highly recommended beach if the weather permits, with taxis going all day. You can also hike here taking around 2 hours!
Cafes x Restaurants:
Depending on your budget, as you walk the main road you will see a variety of restaurants ranging from different prices with combo deals!
Ateliê Cafeteria: A cozy spot on the water with good prices and the best variety you will find! This is the best spot on the island for solid iced lattes/coffee! Vegetarian and vegan options are available.
Canoa Café: This is a fantastic spot, with indoor and outdoor seating on the beach, for a solid latte or quick bite!
Sacolé da Casa: In Brazil, let alone South America, it's crucial to their popsicle style that comes in a plastic wrapper. Typically homemade, this spot has a ton of flavors and comes out to be ~1 USD. My favorite is the coconut with milk!
Recommendations:
On the way home, there are companies on the island that offer a fixed rate that includes the boat and transfer directly to your accommodation and/or airport in Rio. Priced fairly, this is a good option when wanting to be taken care of in terms of transportation.
Make sure to bargain with the tours - cash and more people you will get a better deal.
Peace and love Ilha Grande! Reach out for any questions or assistance!
<3
Xoxo,
Chelsey
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