Ilha Grande, Brazil: a complete travel guide

Think of Ilha Grande as Rio’s best-kept secret: a car-free island paradise just off the city's coast in Brazil complete with golden beaches, emerald rainforest, and a pace of life that's worlds away from its nearby mainland. Ilha Grande is all about beach-hopping, wildlife-watching, and tuning in to nature. If you're visiting Rio for more than a week, Ilha Grande is a must-visit. Ready to escape the mainland? Here’s everything you need to know about visiting Ilha Grande, from how to get there and where to stay to the best beaches, hikes, and snorkelling spots.

How to get to Ilha Grande from Rio

Reaching Ilha Grande from Rio is part of the adventure, and it’s worth every step. The island doesn’t have an airport, so you need to combine road and boat travel. There are a few routes to choose from, depending on where you're coming from in Rio and how fast you want to get there.

Via Conceição de Jacareí

This route is the fastest and most popular, making it the go-to option for most travellers. After a two-hour drive by private transfer, shuttle, or bus from Rio to the tiny port town of Conceição de Jacareí, you take a 30-minute speedboat ride to Vila do Abraão, the main village on Ilha Grande. Boats leave regularly throughout the day and are affordable, quick, and scenic.

Via Mangaratiba

This option is a little slower and has limited departures. A ferry from Mangaratiba to Abraão takes about 1.5 hours and usually runs just once per day (in the early morning), so you’ll need to time it right.

Via Angra dos Reis

The most flexible option, Angra offers more ferry choices than Mangaratiba, and it's great if you’re coming from the south or already exploring the Costa Verde. The boat ride from here takes about 1.5 hours.

Pro tip: If you book a G Adventures tour to Brazil that includes Ilha Grande, all the logistics are arranged for you.

Experience it for yourself on: Iguassu & Beyond

How to get around Ilha Grande

Once you’ve arrived on Ilha Grande, you’ll notice something right away: no cars. The island’s main village, Vila do Abraão, is small and walkable, with sandy streets lined with pousadas (inns), beach bars, and backpacker cafés. Most people base themselves here for ease.

Exploring on foot

Hiking Ilha Grande is one of the best ways to experience its beauty. The island is crisscrossed with a network of hiking trails that lead to waterfalls, beaches, and hilltop viewpoints. Trails range from easy 30-minute strolls to full-day treks through dense Atlantic rainforest. Basically, you can walk as much or as little as you’d like to!

By boat

For longer journeys (or when your legs inevitably need a break), water taxis are the way to go. These small speedboats connect Abraão with beaches and villages around the island. You can hire a private boat or join group day trips to spots like Lopes Mendes or Lagoa Azul.

Experience it for yourself on: Andes, Iguassu & Beyond

Where to stay in Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande might be off-grid in vibe, but when it comes to accommodations, you’ve got options, no matter whether you're dreaming of hammock-swinging hostels, romantic hideaways, or laid-back pousadas steps from the beach. Vila do Abraão is the island’s main hub, with the widest selection of accommodations and easy access to restaurants, bars, and tours.

Budget stays

Hostels like Beira Mar or Aquario are chilled-out and social, and often come with hammocks, lush gardens, and communal kitchens.

Midrange guesthouses

Pousadas offer cozy, local stays with tropical courtyards and hearty breakfasts. Pousada Naturalia is a firm favourite for its quiet vibe and leafy setting.

Treat-yourself stays

Boutique spots like Asalem offer dreamy sea views, private balconies, and total relaxation. Accessible only by boat, it's perfect for a digital detox.

Further afield

For a true castaway experience, stay at quieter beaches like Praia de Araçatiba, one of the most peaceful beaches Ilha Grande has to offer. It’s also close to some of Ilha Grande's best snorkelling spots, with calm fish-filled bays perfect for a morning swim.

Best restaurants, Ilha Grande

For a small island, Ilha Grande punches well above its weight when it comes to food. Its dining scene is all about fresh seafood and zingy flavours, perfect after a day of hiking or beach-hopping. These are a few of our favourites.

Lua e Mar: Set right on the beach, this family-run gem serves one of the best moquecas (seafood stews) around. Order it with shrimp or the catch of the day, and don’t skip the hot sauce.

Restaurante Pé na Areia: "Feet in the sand" says it all. It's casual, beachfront, and ideal for grilled fish and sunset beers.

Atelie Cafeteria: Part café and part gallery, it's great for strong coffee, house-made cakes, and veggie bites.

Café do Mar: Backpacker vibes, beanbags, caipirinhas, and tasty squid or veggie burgers.

Experience it for yourself on: South America Discovery: Lima to Rio de Janeiro

Bars: Ilha Grande

A disclaimer: Ilha Grande isn’t known for big clubs or all-night raves, but that’s part of its charm. Evenings here are more about sipping a caipirinha with your toes in the sand, listening to live samba, or swapping stories with new friends over an icy Chopp beer. Here are a few of our local favourites for a laid-back night out.

Lua e Mar (again!): By night, it’s candlelit tables, ocean breezes, and a great cocktail list.

Jorge Grego Bar: A local favourite with cheap drinks, reggae tunes, and a friendly crowd.

Praia da Crena Beach Bar: Arrive by boat and settle in for the sunset. Cold beers plus warm skies equals perfection.

Las Sorrentinas Lounge Bar: Polished but laid-back, with empanadas, cocktails, and live music most nights.

Experience it for yourself on: Bolivia to Brazil: Highlands & Coastlines

Ilha Grande tips

This island may be laid-back and beautiful, but a little insider knowledge goes a long way in making the most of your stay. Here are a few essential tips to keep in mind.

Bring cash — and plenty of it

The island doesn't have any ATMs. While some places accept cards, many smaller restaurants, bars, and pousadas don’t. Avoid last-minute stress by withdrawing cash before you hop on the ferry, preferably in Angra dos Reis, Conceição de Jacareí, or Rio.

Pack for all weather

Ilha Grande may look like a tropical dream (and it is), but sudden showers are common year-round. Lightweight rain jackets, quick-dry clothes, and waterproof bags are your best friends, especially if you’re hiking or island-hopping.

Don’t expect wi-fi everywhere

Digital detox alert: While many hotels and guesthouses offer spotty wi-fi, connections can be unreliable, especially during storms. Embrace the slow pace, download offline maps, and let friends and family know you might go quiet for a few days.

Go midweek for fewer crowds

Ilha Grande is a weekend escape for Rio locals, so weekdays tend to be quieter and cheaper. Visit from Monday to Thursday if you want emptier beaches, faster restaurant service, and a more relaxed vibe.

Respect nature

The island is a protected area, with no cars and a strong eco-focus. Stay on marked trails, don’t leave trash behind, and use reef-safe sunscreen to help protect marine life.

Learn basic Portuguese

While Ilha Grande is tourist-friendly, English isn’t widely spoken outside hotels and tours. Learning a few basics like por favor (please), obrigado/a (thank you), and bom dia (good day/good morning) goes a long way in making connections and navigating daily life.

Best things to do in Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande packs in a world of adventure, relaxation, and jaw-dropping natural beauty into its small size. Here's what to do.

Hike to Lopes Mendes

Consistently ranked among the best beaches in Ilha Grande (and the world), Lopes Mendes is a showstopper. Think 3km (1.9 mi) of powder-white sand, turquoise water, and a backdrop of lush Atlantic forest. You need to hike for about two hours from Vila do Abraão.

Explore Lagoa Azul by boat

The Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul) is one of Ilha Grande’s most iconic snorkelling spots. Crystal-clear shallow waters make it perfect for beginners and seasoned snorkellers, and it’s teeming with colourful fish and coral.

Swim beneath the Feiticeira Waterfall

Feiticeira is the most popular Ilha Grande waterfall and a great spot for a cool-down after a short hike. Don’t forget your swimwear — there’s nothing quite like swimming under a jungle cascade. Keep an eye out here for Ilha Grande wildlife, too, including some beautifully colourful birds.

Trek the Pico do Papagaio trail

Up for a challenge? The Pico do Papagaio hike is Ilha Grande’s most demanding (and rewarding) trek. It climbs more than 900m (2,953 ft) through dense forest to panoramic views of the island and ocean beyond. It’s best tackled with a guide, especially for sunrise hikes.

Discover the ruins of the Lazareto

Hidden near Vila do Abraão, the Lazareto ruins tell an eerie story. Once a quarantine hospital and later a prison, this crumbling structure is slowly being reclaimed by the jungle. It’s a beautiful spot that’s perfect for history lovers.

Paddle the coast

Feeling active? Rent a kayak or stand-up paddleboard and paddle along the coast. It’s a gorgeously peaceful way to discover hidden coves, spot Ilha Grande wildlife, and get a tan while you’re at it.

Go diving or snorkelling with sea turtles

For certified divers, diving Ilha Grande opens up a whole new world of underwater exploration and snorkelling offers a close second experience. Ilha Grande’s diving and snorkelling opportunities are some of Brazil’s best. Dive sites like Gruta do Acaia or Jorge Grego Island offer a chance to spot turtles, rays, and reef fish, while beginner-friendly snorkel zones like Lagoa Verde and Lagoa Azul are packed with marine life.

Experience it for yourself on: Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro: Falls & Footy