Ilhabela is an archipelago and a municipality in the North Coast of São Paulo.
Ilhabela is considered one of the natural paradises of the São Paulo coast, along with Ubatuba (Ilhabela means literally "beautiful island" in Portuguese). It is known for its forest-covered mountains, its amazing beaches, its savage trails - and difficult not to mention, also its vicious sand flies.
In pre-colonial times, the largest island of the archipelago, São Sebastião, was called Maembipe by Native Brazilians, who used the island for trade and prisoner exchange. The island was discovered in 1502 by the Portuguese, and although settlement began shortly thereafter, the village of the island was officially founded only in 1806, with the name of Vila Bela da Princesa ("Beautiful Village of the Princess"). The municipality would finally be named "Ilhabela" in 1945. In 1977, the majority of the archipelago's area was declared a state park and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.
The beaches of the Northwest coast are easily accessible using the main avenue and the non-pavimented road in the north. Most have calm waters and are adequate for nautical sports. They occasionally suffer from pollution originated in the mainland.
- Armação, Armação (12 km north of ferry. Suitable for windsurf and kitesurf. Contains a charming church, Capela Imaculada Conceição, and some kiosks and restaurants.
- Pedra do Sino, Garapocaia (between Siriúba and Poço. One of the most famous beaches of Ilhabela, it gets its name from its rock formations, which produce a bell-like sound when they hit each other. With shallow and calm waters, and white sands surrounded by coconut trees.
- Ponta Azeda. Small and with calm waters.
- Siriúba, Av. Leonardo Reale, 2986 - Siriúba (8 km north of the ferry. Quiet beach surrounded by coconot trees, with calm waters.
- Barreiros. Beautiful beach with 600 m extensions and calm waters. Before reaching the beach there is a nice view of the São Sebastião channel.
- Itaquanduba. Small and quiet beach, with calm waters. Mostly frequented by locals.
- Pequeá. Close to downtown and good for sailing. With bars and restaurants.
Armação, Armação (12 km north of ferry. Suitable for windsurf and kitesurf. Contains a charming church, Capela Imaculada Conceição, and some kiosks and restaurants.
Pedra do Sino, Garapocaia (between Siriúba and Poço. One of the most famous beaches of Ilhabela, it gets its name from its rock formations, which produce a bell-like sound when they hit each other. With shallow and calm waters, and white sands surrounded by coconut trees.
Ponta Azeda. Small and with calm waters.
Siriúba, Av. Leonardo Reale, 2986 - Siriúba (8 km north of the ferry. Quiet beach surrounded by coconot trees, with calm waters.
Barreiros. Beautiful beach with 600 m extensions and calm waters. Before reaching the beach there is a nice view of the São Sebastião channel.
Itaquanduba. Small and quiet beach, with calm waters. Mostly frequented by locals.
Pequeá. Close to downtown and good for sailing. With bars and restaurants.
The beaches of the Southeast Coast are difficult to access and mostly desert. Many have strong waves, being indicated for surfing.
- Caveira. Diving point. Only accessible by boat.
- Enchovas. One of the most beautiful spots of the island. With thick and yellow sands, rocks and a river.
- Indaiúba. With white sands and calm waters. Only accessible by boat.
- Bonete. Considered by the British Guardian to be newspaper one of the 10 most beautiful beaches of Brazil. With strong waves.
Caveira. Diving point. Only accessible by boat.
Enchovas. One of the most beautiful spots of the island. With thick and yellow sands, rocks and a river.
Indaiúba. With white sands and calm waters. Only accessible by boat.
Bonete. Considered by the British Guardian to be newspaper one of the 10 most beautiful beaches of Brazil. With strong waves.
- Sailing and surfing. Ilhabela is called "the capital of sailing" for good reason, as the calm waters and strong winds between the main island and the continent are perfect for nautical sports such as sailing, kitesurf and windsurf.
- Scuba diving. There are a good number of places indicated for scuba diving.
- Boat rides. For those who want a more relaxed time, an option are the boat rides to remote beaches, fishing spots and the smaller islands.
- Parque dos Castelhanos. Cars to Castelhanos: 08:00-14:00, from Castelhanos: 15:00-18:00 (15 km to the beach). The park gives access to the beach(es) on the other side of the island.
* Waterfalls. The Parque dos Castelhanos offers some refreshing waterfalls to take a dip right at its entrance. There is also a great bird observation tower. 4 km, 1 hr.
Besides the full south, east, west jungle Bonete Trail, the island offers many shorter hikes, e.g. Pico do Baepi. Also, inside the island, trekking and mountain biking shall give plenty of adventure for those who seek it.
- Bonete Jungle Trail. If you need a brake from the constant Brazilian hassle and concern for your life, this is where you need to head. You can see monkeys, all kinds of birds, lush jungle forests, beautiful beaches, picturesque waterfalls, and take a dip in on of the many river pools. You should do the full trail, because you really do not want to take the bus twice. There are some camping site along the trail, both backcountry as well as serviced ones.
South parking / bus stop to Bonete: 2-3 hr. Bonete to Praia de Indaiúba (private): 2 hr. Praia de Indaiúba to Castelhanos: 2 hr. Castelhanos to Cambaquara: 3-4 hr.
Watch out, the trails are often very slippery (everything that looks green). Some claim that it is good to use a repellent against the sand flies, but instead of all those chemicals you are better off just using long clothes. The beaches are not really enjoyable due to the sand flies anyhow. Praia das Enchovas is deserted and rocky, no place to put up a tent.
Download coordinates: GPX, KML. - Pico do Baepi. The highest mountain on Ilhabela with great views.
Bonete Jungle Trail. If you need a brake from the constant Brazilian hassle and concern for your life, this is where you need to head. You can see monkeys, all kinds of birds, lush jungle forests, beautiful beaches, picturesque waterfalls, and take a dip in on of the many river pools. You should do the full trail, because you really do not want to take the bus twice. There are some camping site along the trail, both backcountry as well as serviced ones.
South parking / bus stop to Bonete: 2-3 hr. Bonete to Praia de Indaiúba (private): 2 hr. Praia de Indaiúba to Castelhanos: 2 hr. Castelhanos to Cambaquara: 3-4 hr.
Watch out, the trails are often very slippery (everything that looks green). Some claim that it is good to use a repellent against the sand flies, but instead of all those chemicals you are better off just using long clothes. The beaches are not really enjoyable due to the sand flies anyhow. Praia das Enchovas is deserted and rocky, no place to put up a tent.
Download coordinates: GPX, KML.
Pico do Baepi. The highest mountain on Ilhabela with great views.
Sailing and surfing. Ilhabela is called "the capital of sailing" for good reason, as the calm waters and strong winds between the main island and the continent are perfect for nautical sports such as sailing, kitesurf and windsurf.
Scuba diving. There are a good number of places indicated for scuba diving.
Boat rides. For those who want a more relaxed time, an option are the boat rides to remote beaches, fishing spots and the smaller islands.
Parque dos Castelhanos. Cars to Castelhanos: 08:00-14:00, from Castelhanos: 15:00-18:00 (15 km to the beach). The park gives access to the beach(es) on the other side of the island.
* Waterfalls. The Parque dos Castelhanos offers some refreshing waterfalls to take a dip right at its entrance. There is also a great bird observation tower. 4 km, 1 hr.
- Cheiro Verde, Rua da Padroeira 109, +55 12 3896-3245. A reasonably priced option, specialized in seafood-based Brazilian dishes like moqueca and bobó de camarão.
- Cura, Av. Princesa Isabel, 337 - Perequê, +55 12 3896-1311. Self-service restaurant with 60 options of warm dishes. Pay per kg.
- Max Paladar, Av. São João, 243 - Perequê, +55 12 3896-3700. Traditional self-service restaurant in a rustic environment. Claims to serve 90% of the food with 0% trans fat.
- Praia do Bonete Ilha Bela, Bonete.
- Nautica NEMA, Bonete, +55 12 7812-5634.
- Quiosque do Alemão, Praia de Castelhanos - Castelhanos, +55 12 3894-7011. Daily 09:00-17:00.
Cheiro Verde, Rua da Padroeira 109, +55 12 3896-3245. A reasonably priced option, specialized in seafood-based Brazilian dishes like moqueca and bobó de camarão.
Cura, Av. Princesa Isabel, 337 - Perequê, +55 12 3896-1311. Self-service restaurant with 60 options of warm dishes. Pay per kg.
Max Paladar, Av. São João, 243 - Perequê, +55 12 3896-3700. Traditional self-service restaurant in a rustic environment. Claims to serve 90% of the food with 0% trans fat.
Praia do Bonete Ilha Bela, Bonete.
Nautica NEMA, Bonete, +55 12 7812-5634.
Quiosque do Alemão, Praia de Castelhanos - Castelhanos, +55 12 3894-7011. Daily 09:00-17:00.
- Me Gusta, Avenida Pedro Paula De Moraes, 690; Jardins, +55 12 3896 1328.
Me Gusta, Avenida Pedro Paula De Moraes, 690; Jardins, +55 12 3896 1328.
Ilhabela is, without doubt, a natural paradise, which can also mean hell for humans. The rainforest in the archipelago is well known for the borrachudos, a sand-fly-like insect whose bites will give you an excruciatingly itchy experience. Use a good quality repellent all the time, in every exposed part of your body including the bottom of your feet, in case you are wearing sandals or flip-flops. Or just wear long clothes to cover your body, instead of using all those chemicals.
Beach pollution problems have started to appear in the west coast of Ilhabela, and at some times of the year, some beaches may not be suitable for swimming. The water quality is weekly monitored by the state water agency (CETESB), so if you see a red flag of CETESB in the beach, don't go swimming (information also available online ).
Some bus stations in the center provide free WiFi. But just walking around will reveal other open and free WiFi spots.