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Experience the best of Ilha Grande

Ilha Grande is a mountainous, car-free island off Rio de Janeiro state's Costa Verde, covered in Atlantic forest and ringed with beaches.

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Ilha Grande rises from the sea near Angra dos Reis, its steep slopes still covered in Atlantic rainforest. There are no cars on the island: people walk, take boats and follow trails between villages. Vila do Abraão, the main settlement, has a pier, a whitewashed church and rows of guesthouses. A penal colony once stood on the far side, and the forest has reclaimed its ruins since the prison was demolished in the 1990s.

Trails cross the interior to Lopes Mendes, a long beach of fine pale sand with surf, and to coves such as Aventureiro and Lagoa Azul, a sheltered lagoon good for snorkelling. The Pico do Papagaio, a rocky summit above Abraão, rewards walkers with views over the bay. Angra dos Reis and the colonial town of Paraty lie along the mainland coast.

Grilled fish with fried banana is a staple of the island's kitchens, with fish stews to follow, and the cooler months from May to September are drier, with clear water for snorkelling. Hot, humid summers bring the crowds and heavy showers, and cachaça from the Paraty region is poured at the end of the day.

  • Free cancellation on 92% of experiences
  • 4.7 across the top 5

Top experiences in Ilha Grande

Day trips from Ilha Grande

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Cruises and boat trips in Ilha Grande

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Nature and wildlife tours in Ilha Grande

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