Ilha Grande

Brazil

Detailed topographic map of Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a beautiful Brazilian island, about 150 km from Rio de Janeiro and 450 km from São Paulo. The largest settlement on the island is called Vila do Abraão. Together with Paraty Ilha Grande forms a mixed world heritage site.

Adventurer Beach 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, R. Alice Kury, SN, Vila do Abraão, +55 21 2688-3292. Catholic church with noteworthy architectural features such as a wood-paneled ceiling & bell tower.
  • Tourist Pier Abraão Village, R. da Praia.
  • Ecomuseu Ilha Grande, Rua Amapá s/nº - Vila Dois Rios - CEP 23.970-000, +55 24 3361-9055, +55 21 2334-0939 (Rio de Janeiro office).
  • Igreja da Freguesia de Santana, Praia da Freguesia de Santana - Freguesia de Santana.
  • Tourist Information Centre, Pico do Papagaio Trail - Vila do Abraão, +55 24 3361-5540.

Feiticeira Beach on Ilha Grande

Adventurer Beach (Praia do Aventureiro)

Bananal Cove (Enseada do Bananal). A nice quiet location.

Feiticeira Beach (Praia da Feiticeira)

Pouso.

Parnaioca, Estr. Dois Rios - Parnaioca.

Dois Rios.

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

Tourist Pier Abraão Village, R. da Praia.

Ecomuseu Ilha Grande, Rua Amapá s/nº - Vila Dois Rios - CEP 23.970-000, +55 24 3361-9055, +55 21 2334-0939 (Rio de Janeiro office).

Igreja da Freguesia de Santana, Praia da Freguesia de Santana - Freguesia de Santana.

Tourist Information Centre, Pico do Papagaio Trail - Vila do Abraão, +55 24 3361-5540.

  • 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.

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.

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, R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão. Every day, 09:00-22:00. Shopping mall.

Shopping Alfa, R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão. Every day, 09:00-22:00. 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, R. da Praia, 30 - Praia do Abraão. M-Su 15:00-23:00.
  • Cantina da Teresa, Dois Rios, +55 24 3361-9223. Every day, 08:00-22:00. Cash only.
  • Restaurante coqueiro verde, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99991-9058. Every day, 08:00-21:00.
  • Gruta Das Estrelas, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99826-9906. I've heard it's open 24h/day, every day.
  • Restaurante Refúgio das Caravelas, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99991-7601.
  • La Isla Restaurant, Guaxuma.
  • Restaurante e Pousada Barulho do Mar, Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma, +55 21 99885-1286. Every day, 08:00-22:00.
  • Flutuante do Saco do Ceu, Praia do Amor, Saco do Céu.
  • Restaurante Mandala, Guaxuma.
  • Restaurante Recanto da Praia, Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma, +55 24 99905-4940.
  • Cantina do Pedro Pousada Padaria e Conveniencia, +55 24 97402-1060. Every day, 08:00-22:00. Hostel, bakery, and convenience store.
  • Restaurante e Pousada Ponta da Barca, Rua da Praia, 13 - Praia Vermelha, 23900-000, +55 24 99815-3825, +55 24 99880-0707 (WhatsApp).

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, R. da Praia, 30 - Praia do Abraão. M-Su 15:00-23:00.

Cantina da Teresa, Dois Rios, +55 24 3361-9223. Every day, 08:00-22:00. Cash only.

Restaurante coqueiro verde, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99991-9058. Every day, 08:00-21:00.

Gruta Das Estrelas, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99826-9906. I've heard it's open 24h/day, every day.

Restaurante Refúgio das Caravelas, Saco do Céu, +55 24 99991-7601.

La Isla Restaurant, Guaxuma.

Restaurante e Pousada Barulho do Mar, Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma, +55 21 99885-1286. Every day, 08:00-22:00.

Flutuante do Saco do Ceu, Praia do Amor, Saco do Céu.

Restaurante Mandala, Guaxuma.

Restaurante Recanto da Praia, Praia de Japariz, SN Japariz, R. Ilha Grande - Guaxuma, +55 24 99905-4940.

Cantina do Pedro Pousada Padaria e Conveniencia, +55 24 97402-1060. Every day, 08:00-22:00. Hostel, bakery, and convenience store.

Restaurante e Pousada Ponta da Barca, Rua da Praia, 13 - Praia Vermelha, 23900-000, +55 24 99815-3825, +55 24 99880-0707 (WhatsApp).

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, Aventureiro.

Atelie Cafeteria, R. da Praia, 847 - Vila do Abraão. Every day, 08:00-23:00.

Café Do Mar, R. Getúlio Vargas, 50; Vila do Abraão. M-Sa 10:00-02:00, Su 10:00-23:59.

Toca Do Morcego, Bananal.

Bar e Mercearia da Cristina, Bananal, +55 24 99981-3250. Bar and store.

  • 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.

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]].