Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande must be reached by boat. Ferries operated by Barcas SA Mangaratiba (105 minutes, starting at 08:00, returning at 17:30. Prices are much more expensive than those charged by Barcas SA, which is the government. The Barcas SA are of the government of Rio de Janeiro is much safer and their staff are top professionals. Terminal Santa Luzia is discouraged. Their prices are much higher than those of Barcas SA. Another problem is the operating company of this pier, it offers a fast boat, but at the time of shipment you can embark on an extremely slow boat. Their employees are rude and unprepared to deal with tourism.
If you come from the city of Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis and landed at the Bus Terminal, you can take a taxi or walk to the port of Angra dos Reis, which is very close and relatively safe.
Another option to get on the Ilha Grande is to go to Conceição de Jacareí which is a district of Mangaratiba or in the center of Magaratiba (address: Rua XI Novembro without No. Mangaratiba) preferably at using Barcas SA, which also operate these terminals . Avoid illegal vessels in Conceiceição de Jacareí. They are extremely dangerous and uncomfortable. The Barcas Sa also operates the route between the Conception de Jacareí to Vila do Abraão in the Ilha Grande. (Being more comfortable and organized in Angra dos Reis to the Vila do Abraão) (Go to Angra dos Reis is more comfortable)
Important to note is that there are no banks on the island, the money should be brought since not all hotels, shops and restaurants accept credit cards. From Rio de Janeiro or Paraty you can book online for door to island transfers with the EasyTransfer website. Pick-up from your hostel then a 3-hour drive to the docks where the transfer to a boat to travel 30 minutes to the island. You stop at an ATM before hitting the island which has no ATM machine. If you book hop Rio – Ilha Grande – Paraty it will be R$35 cheaper.
Daily buses operated by the Costa Verde from Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis and Mangaratiba. Daily buses from São Paulo to Angra dos Reis are operated by Reunidas Paulista.

• Estação Abraão

  address: Vila do Abraão
  Ferry boats to Praia do Pouso (Ilha Grande), Angra dos Reis, Conceição de Jacareí, and Mangaratiba. Ferries run by CCR Barcas (or some of them, at least).

There are no roads and no private cars on the island. A good option is to use Vila do Abraão as a base and plan day trips from there. There are several hiking trails to the many beaches on the island. Some trails can be strenuous in the tropical weather, so be prepared and take plenty of fluid. Night falls early and dawn is short near the equator, so carry a flashlight if you plan to return after 18:00. Many beaches can be reached by boat and several agencies in Vila do Abraão sell packages for the numerous schooners serving the island. It is easy to find one-way trips and pick ups back to Vila do Abraão on many beaches in the evening.
It is possible to walk around the outside of the island in about 4 or 5 days if you're not in too much of a hurry. Its best to start at Abraão and go in an anticlockwise direction, through Dois Rios. Note that accommodation on the back side of the island is scarce and free camping is illegal. At Parnaioca beach on the backside, arguably one of the most beautiful spots on the whole island and worth spending at least a couple of days at, you can ask for accommodation in the local houses (there are only about 8 people living there); ask for Sr. João, he'll help you out. Meals can also be purchased, but variety is very limited, so it might be a good idea to take some food.

There are beautiful beaches, some considered to be among the nicest of Brazil.

• Art Gallery inside of Vivenda das Bromelias Inns
• Aqueduct
• Candido Mendez Jail Ruins en Dois Rios - It´s not preserved or restored but come here and remember that the most dangerous criminals in Brazil were kept here
• In Parnaioca Beach (not easy to reach) there are other remainders of the slave period. The dark past of the island: jail prisoners, slaves, pirates and lepers in the Lazareto Hospital. Many people affirm that they have seen phantoms in Parnaoica or Caxadaco beaches.

• Igreja de São Sebastião

  phone: +55 21 2688-3292
  address: R. Alice Kury, SN, Vila do Abraão
  Catholic church with noteworthy architectural features such as a wood-paneled ceiling & bell tower.

• Tourist Pier Abraão Village

  address: R. da Praia

• Ecomuseu Ilha Grande

  phone: +55 24 3361-9055, +55 21 2334-0939 (Rio de Janeiro office)
  address: Rua Amapá s/nº - Vila Dois Rios - CEP 23.970-000

• Igreja da Freguesia de Santana

  address: Praia da Freguesia de Santana - Freguesia de Santana

• Tourist Information Centre

  phone: +55 24 3361-5540
  address: Pico do Papagaio Trail - Vila do Abraão

Beaches

• Adventurer Beach (Praia do Aventureiro)
• Bananal Cove (Enseada do Bananal). A nice quiet location.
• Feiticeira Beach (Praia da Feiticeira)

• Pouso

• Parnaioca

  address: Estr. Dois Rios - Parnaioca

• Dois Rios

• Beaches - Lopes Mendes beach in Ilha Grande was voted one of the top 10 most beautiful in the world by Vogue Magazine 3 years ago. The water is shallow a long way out, making for good surfing conditions. The usual boat route takes you from the main settlement to another beach on the opposite side of the island. From here, there are 20 minutes of relatively steep footpath to Lopes Mendes to get you nice and ready for a dip. Beware of strong currents a bit out.
• Snorkeling
• Kayaking
• Sailing
• Diving at Sitio Forte
• Hiking in the rain forest at Papagaio Peak - A 2-3 hour hike to the peak. Marked, despite some warnings you may hear, and with a beautiful view at the top. Bring lots of water. There are thirteen other well marked trails (trilhas). It's possible to walk around the whole island. Plan at least 8 days for that trip.

There are a few souvenir shops in Vila do Abraão selling t-shirts, magnets and other stuff. In fact, there is nothing typical or special to buy in Ilha Grande.

• Shopping Alfa

  address: R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão
  Shopping mall.

The seafood is generally very good and could perhaps be regarded as a specialty. Many restaurants offer casseroles with several types of seafood, served as a dish for two. Although in the higher price range for Ilha Grande, they are delicious and good value for money. The best place to go for traditional Brazilian is Frutos do Mar located on Rua da Praia.
Try their Brazilian fish stew, that alone is worth the journey to Ilha Grande.

• Pastel de Frango at Crena Beach. There are about 30 restaurants in the island. Some are expensive but there are many cheaper options like hamburgers. Try Food for Kilo; pay about US $0.80 per 100g for very nice food.

• Restaurante Jorge Grego

  address: R. da Praia, 30 - Praia do Abraão

• Cantina da Teresa

  phone: +55 24 3361-9223
  address: Dois Rios
  Cash only.

• Restaurante coqueiro verde

  phone: +55 24 99991-9058
  address: Saco do Céu

• Gruta Das Estrelas

  phone: +55 24 99826-9906
  address: Saco do Céu

• Restaurante Refúgio das Caravelas

  phone: +55 24 99991-7601
  address: Saco do Céu

• La Isla Restaurant

  address: Guaxuma

• Restaurante e Pousada Barulho do Mar

  phone: +55 21 99885-1286
  address: Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma

• Flutuante do Saco do Ceu

  address: Praia do Amor, Saco do Céu

• Restaurante Mandala

  address: Guaxuma

• Restaurante Recanto da Praia

  phone: +55 24 99905-4940
  address: Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma

• Cantina do Pedro Pousada Padaria e Conveniencia

  phone: +55 24 97402-1060
  Hostel, bakery, and convenience store.

• Restaurante e Pousada Ponta da Barca

  phone: +55 24 99815-3825, +55 24 99880-0707 (WhatsApp)
  address: Rua da Praia, 13 - Praia Vermelha, 23900-000

There is no clubbing scene or electronic dance - at night it's drinking beer in the main square and dancing with live local music like bossa nova, forró, and samba. One recent and popular bar is the Cafe Do Mar, which is on the eastern side of Villa do Abraao. Right next to the beach, they serve cold beer, mean caipirinhas and cool music, in a very chilled out atmosphere. They also have well attended BBQ nights, which offer delicious fresh fish etc. and serve narghile (also known as sheesha). Kebab is their sister bar in the town itself, offering Greek style kebabs with great juices, drinks and cocktails and the same funky atmosphere. Here there is also a little wok bar where you can see them make noodles for you. Restaurante Esquinas Bar is a good place to sit by the beach. You grab a beer, meet some people, buy some artcrafts and hear the locals play Brazilian music. If it rains, don't worry, it'll pass.

• Bar da Neneca

  address: Aventureiro

• Atelie Cafeteria

  address: R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão

• Café Do Mar

  address: R. Getúlio Vargas, 50; Vila do Abraão

• Toca Do Morcego

  address: Bananal

• Bar e Mercearia da Cristina

  phone: +55 24 99981-3250
  address: Bananal
  Bar and store.

There are plenty of accommodations in Vila Abraão, plus a couple of camping grounds. Free camping is illegal, although inspection and supervision of beaches is not very frequent.

• Sagu Mini Resort

  phone: +55 24 3361-5823
  address: Enseada da Praia Brava, s/n, CEP 23968-970

• Pousada Tagomago

  phone: + 55 21 99930-1965, +55 24 3361-5198
  address: R. da Praia, 121

• Pousada Albatroz

  phone: +55 24 3361-5903
  address: Rua das Flores, 151 - Vila do Abraão

• Aratinga

  phone: +55 24 3361-9559
  address: R. das Flores, 232 - Vila do Abraão

• Colibri Resort

  phone: +55 24 3361-5033
  address: R. da Assembléia, 70 - Vila do Abraão

• Pousada Caúca

  phone: +55 24 3361-5292
  address: Ilha do Abraão - R. Getúlio Vargas, 300 - Vila do Abraão

• Pousada Flor de Lis

  phone: +55 24 99934-8346
  address: R. Santana, 145 - Vila do Abraão

• O Pescador

  phone: +55 24 3361-5114
  address: R. da Praia, 647 - Vila do Abraão

• Pousada Pedacinho de Céu

  phone: +55 24 3361-5099
  address: Rua A, 78 - Bouganville - Vila do Abraão

• Beto's Pousada

  phone: +55 24 7813-6471
  address: Travessa Buganville, 63 - Vila do Abraão

• Estalagem Costa Verde

  phone: +55 24 3361-5808
  address: R. Amâncio Felicio de Souza, 239A - Vila do Abraão

• Casa Bonita Hospedagem e Café

  phone: +55 24 3361-5261
  address: Rua Dona Romana - Vila do Abraão

• Pousada Recanto Da Pedra

  phone: +55 24 3361-5147
  address: Rua Dona Romana, 14 - Vila do Abraão - Vila do Abraão

• Porto Abraão Pousada

  phone: +55 24 3361-5240
  address: Rua da Romana, 85 - Vila do Abraão

• Recreio da Praia

  phone: +55 24 3361-5266
  address: Rua da Praia, s/n - Vila do Abraão

• Pousada Alfa

  phone: +55 24 3361-5315
  address: R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão

Camping

The best option for bugdet travelling is camping, which must be done inside legalized areas to avoid getting into trouble. Most camping grounds are priced R$20 (per person) each night, which usually makes the choice a matter of preference. Some of the Campings (such as Camping do Sossego and Camping do Lúcio) accept only couples. The installations below are located on Vila do Abraão, basically comprised of two main parallel streets, which concentrate most services. Rua da Praia runs along the ocean, and Rua Getúlio Vargas runs behind it.

• Alfa Camping

• Camping Cantinho da Ilha

• Camping e Hostel do Bicão

  phone: +55 24 3361-5076
  address: R. do Bicão, 133

• Camping do Lúcio

  phone: +55 24 3361-5775
  address: R. Getúlio Vargas, s/n

• Camping do Sossego

• Camping Raio de Sol

• Camping Sombra dos Coqueirais

Budget

There are also a handful of hostels on the island. As you get off the boat on the pier go to the second street from the ocean and turn left. Most of the budget hostels are on this street, such as Resta 1. There are also 2 hostels at the end of the beach on the left hand side as you get off the boat. In high season a lot of hostels can be full. Several camping grounds are also available. One which is fairly centrally located and is very likely to have some vacancies is Santana´s Camping. Located on the opposite side to Resta 1 on the street connecting two main streets.

• Pousada do Holandes

• Pousada Resta 1

• Overnativa Green Hostel

  phone: +55 24 3361-5108
  address: R. Getúlio Vargas, 517

• Bugio Pousada

  phone: +55 24 3361-5473
  address: Av. Getúlio Vargas, 225

• Pousada Paloma

• Che Lagarto Hostel Ilha Grande

  phone: +55 24 3361-9669
  address: Rua Canto da Praia S/N

Mid-range

• Pousada Beira Mar

  phone: +55 24 3361-5051
  address: Rua da Praia
  Clean, pleasant pousada with German management, in a perfect location in Vila Abraão. The breakfast buffet is great. If you want to spoil yourself, get one of the front rooms with hammocks where you can watch the people and boats at the piers.

• Pousada Naturalia

  phone: +55 24 3361-9583
  address: Rua da Praia
  Beautiful natural eco-friendly (they use solar panels) pousada, hidden within the quiet side of Vila Abraão. All rooms have balconies with hammock and garden chairs, table, facing the quiet sea with palm trees framing the view. The staff is extra friendly and helpful, and will provide you with the best tips for your time in Ilha Grande. The owner greets you personally with a freshly squeezed juice of the day, and a great smile. Breakfast is served at a lounge where a big rock sits next to it, and humming birds coming by to have their share. Has to be one of the best pousada in Ilha Grande.

• Pousada Olhos d'Água

  address: Rua do Cemitério
  Nice little hotel bit further away from the Abraão village center and port area. Quiet and clean eco-friendly place (for example water is heated with solar energy). They also have a decent pool and house seems to have been renovated. Breakfast is good. Pousada is situated on the edge of the village and next to it is jungle. It takes some walking (maybe 400-500 m) uphill from the port, but it is worth it.

A few inns with standard prices of USD 30-45. All clean and well managed:

• D´Pillel
• Dos Meros
• Bromelias

• Praia da Crena Restaurante E Pousada

  phone: +55 24 33706717

Splurge

• Asalem

  phone: +55 24 3361-5602
  address: Praia da Crena
  Asalem has a private setting. The seaside hideaway has 6 waterfront suites surrounded by the rain forest that overlooks the calm bay of Crena beach. This proximity to the ocean offers rare glimpses of sea creatures such as starfish and turtles, as well as abundant schools of fish. The forest brings frequent visitors, including monkeys, squirrels, fireflies, blue butterflies and a wide variety of exotic tropical birds. 20 minutes' walk from the main village or 5 minutes by the hotel's taxi boat, available 24/7. The owner is a worldly known photographer who takes care of all the details, with his wife.

• Atlantica Jungle Lodge

  phone: +55 21 99999-5577
  address: Praia do Pouso, S/N

• Bonito Paraíso Beach House

  phone: +55 11 3690-4747
  address: Rua 9, S/N - Vila do Abraão

Praia do Aventureiro

• Camping do Purungo

• Camping da Larissa

• Recanto do Aventureiro

  phone: +55 21 99639-8745
  address: Aventureiro

• Chalé Bela Vista

  phone: +55 24 99850-9463
  address: Praia do Aventureiro
  This is an actual hotel (not a hostel or camping).

• Pousada Morada do Aventureiro Ilha Grande

  phone: +55 21 99599-4618, +55 24 3377-6736
  address: Aventureiro
  This is a hotel and hostel. They also organise some tours and boat trips.

• Mirante Espiar

  address: Praia do Aventureiro

• Camping do Digão

  address: Aventureiro

• Suítes da Praia

  phone: +55 24 99966-6168
  address: Praia do Aventureiro - Aventureiro; 23968-970

Other areas

Aracatiba town is a cheaper option but it doesn't offer much in terms of tourist facilities, it´s more for weekend tourists who live in Angra dos Reis area already. It's far away from Abraão, Lopes Mendes or Dois Rios, not a very convenient choice if it's your first visit to the island. Bananal Beach or Sitio Forte have nice mini-resorts, a good option for honeymooners.

• The Island Experience

  phone: +55 21 9925 9756
  address: Av. Antônio Nertinoldo da Silva Jordão, 8246 - Freguesia de Santana, Angra dos Reis
  In the Blue Lagoon (Lagoa Azul), this lodge provides a 7-day adventure spa which offers trekking, kayaking, yoga, massage and a detox menu. During the Brazilian summer it operates as a pousada under the name Estrela da Ilha.

• Camping Do Seu Silvio

  address: Parnaioca

• Camping Dona Marta Parnaioca

  address: Parnaioca

• Estrela da Ilha

  phone: +55 24 99831-0020
  address: pr da Camiranga, s/n - Enseada das Estrelas
  Hotel on the beach far from the town.

• Club MV

  phone: +55 24 99982 9282,+55 24 99982 9211
  address: Praia dos Galos, s/n; Saco do Céu
  Both phone numbers are on WhatsApp.

• Pousada Praia Da Camiranga

  phone: +55 21 99322-2432
  address: Saco do Céu

• Pousada & Restaurant Gata Russa

  phone: +55 21 97912-8679,+55 24 99841-4191,+55 24 7834-7417,+55 11 272691
  address: Saco do Céu
  Second email: gatarussa@hotmail.com

• Pousada do Pedrão

  phone: +55 24 99921-7169
  address: Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma

• Pousada Japariz

  phone: +55 21 97832-8922
  address: Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma

• Paraíso Azul Retiro

  phone: +55 24 99831-0050, +55 24 99944 0512
  address: Praia Pequena da Freguesia de Santana, Lagoa Azul - Freguesia de Santana, CEP 28800-000
  A 2-minute walk from Araça Beach. The rooms feature ceiling fans, mosquito nets, and verandas that have hammocks, and lagoon or ocean views. Suites add living areas, minibars and air-conditioning. There are no TVs. Continental breakfast is complimentary. An open-air restaurant/bar serves home-style cuisine. Other amenities include an outdoor pool, a hot tub and a sauna, plus a yoga room. Kayak rentals and boat excursions are offered.

• Pousada Casa Nova

  phone: +55 24 99974-8094
  address: Bananal

• Pousada Três Coqueiros

  phone: +55 11 96451-8547, +55 24 3365-2020, +55 24 99277-0328 (WhatsApp)
  address: Enseada do Bananal - Praia de Bananal, CEP 23968-970

• Pousada do Preto

  phone: +55 24 99968-9310
  address: Bananal
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pousadadopreto/

• Pousada Recanto dos Lima

  phone: +55 24 3365-0756 (WhatsApp), +55 24 99947-5283
  address: Praia de - Matariz

• Pousada Nautilus

  phone: +55 24 99858-2295 (WhatsApp)
  address: Praia de Jaconema, S/N - CEP 23900-900
  Nextel ID: 55

*137*1239.

• Pousada Maria Bonita

  phone: +55 24 3365 3803, +55 24 3365 2198
  address: Praia de Passaterra, s/n - Enseada do Sítio Forte,

• Recanto dos Pássaros

  phone: +55 24 3365-2865
  address: Praia de Maguariquissaba, s/n - Matariz

• Pousada Praia da Longa

  address: Praia Longa

• Pousada Mar de Sonhos

  phone: +55 24 99220-2317
  address: Praia da Cachoeira

• Pousada Refúgio do Capitão

  phone: +55 24 98851-6197, +55 24 98851-6521
  address: Praia de Araçatiba, CEP 23900-620

• Bem Natural Pousada e Camping

  phone: +55 24 3377-6826
  address: Praia de Araçatiba, CEP 23900-970

• Pousada Gabriel

  phone: +55 24 99818-3333
  address: Praia de Araçatiba, CEP 23968-000

• Ilha Hostel

  phone: +55 11 947342475,+55 11 970458916
  address: Avenida Beira Mar Nº 12; Praia grande de Araçatiba; CEP 23900-000

• Pousada Cruzoé

  phone: +55 24 99955-5036
  address: Rua Beira Mar, 503 - Praia de Araçatiba, CEP 23900-000

• Hostel da Praia Ilha Grande

  phone: +55 24 99825-0744
  address: Praia de Araçatiba

• Pousada Lagamar

  phone: +55 24 99904-6623
  address: Praia Vermelha

• Suítes Arpoador

  phone: +55 21 99985-5680
  address: Ponta do Arpoador

• Camping Da Janete

  phone: +55 21 3354-6064
  address: Praia da Parnaioca - Estr. Dois Rios - Parnaioca

• Pousada Toca do Mar

  phone: +55 21 99530-5136, +55 21 99971-1424
  address: Praia Grande de Palmas, 23960-000

• Pousada Palmas Suites

  address: Enseada das Palmas

• Acorde Hostel

  phone: +55 21 97278-0721
  address: Praia de Palmas, no. 13 - CEP 23860-000

• Camping Acorde

  phone: +55 21 988079262, +55 21 971771264
  address: Praia Grande das Palmas

• Pousada Cabanas Paradise

  phone: +55 21 99608-1987
  address: Praia Brava de Palmas, CEP 23900-000

• Pousada Vila Pedra Mar

  phone: +55 24 99971-4660
  address: Rua da Praia, 1 - Praia Vermelha, 75490-000

• Internet cafes charge around R$6 per hour. Public phones can be found everywhere.
• Mobilephone has signal just in a few places.

• Angra -> Abraão = M-F 15:30 - R$6.50. Sa Su Holidays 13:30 - R$14 single, R$25 return.
• Abraão -> Angra = M-F 10:00 - R$6.50. Sa Su Holidays 10:00 - R$14 single, R$25 return.
• Mangaratiba -> Abraão = M-F 17:30 - R$6.35. Sa Su Holidays 17:30PM - R$14 single, R$25 return.
• Abraão -> Mangaratiba = M-F 08:00 and F 22:00 - R$6.35. Sa Su Holidays 08:00 - R$14 single, R$25 return
• There is a ferry to Angra dos Reis every day at 10:00.
• Some boats have Mangaratiba routes at 10:00 with a connection to Rio de Janeiro, but take care choose the Original Fast Connection, with legal vehicles, or you need take a minibus to the main route and then take a bus on the highway to Rio. It's better to go to Angra dos Reis, take the Costa Verde bus, wait for the ferry at the pier, and go directly to the bus station in Rio de Janeiro.
• A couple of agencies, for instance 'Fast Connnection Island Travel' with an office right by the piers, offer "express connection" to Rio. You go by speedboat to the mainland and a van transports you to your hotel in Rio. At R$65 this can be a good option and actually not much more expensive than paying for a ferry ticket + bus to Rio + taxi from the Rio bus terminal. However, the claims of getting to Rio in less than 2 hours should not be counted on. For instance, in case of bad weather the speed boat will not depart and you will be put on the regular ferry - the trip to Rio may then take six hours or even more. Don't risk missing your flight home.