THE SOUTHERN AMERICAN SERIES PT4
ILHA GRANDE, BRAZIL
After the carnage of yesterday’s party boat in Ilha Grande, I had the delight of having a 1-hour bus trip and a 30-minute sail up to Ilha Grande.
.
ISLAND LIFE IN BRAZIL IS REAL
Usually, these coastal drives are something I look forward to and stare out the window, but I spent the entirety of it in the foetal position. Fortunately, the bus was empty as most backpackers tend to travel south on this journey, so that was a bonus.
Did you know?
One of the unique things about Ilha Grande is that cars are not allowed on the island. Most visitors get around on foot, by boat, or via jungle trails connecting the beaches.
WHERE IS ILHA GRANDE?
If you look at an Ilha Grande, Brazil map, you’ll see the island sits just off Brazil’s Costa Verde, roughly halfway between Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
The island hopping here actually reminded me a little of Morro de São Paulo earlier in my travels. If you’re curious about that experience, you can read the full story here.
Ilha Grande cures the hangover from hell
THE BOAT
Again, the boat would have been a great experience, but I chose the laydown and made sure the combination of the swells and the hangover didn’t tip me over the edge.
20minutes in, however, I couldn’t help but start to take in my surroundings, and things then started to take a turn for the better. Before I knew it, I was on the top deck in awe of the island we were approaching and almost game for another day of Caipirinhas.
Quick Fact!
In 2019, the surrounding region of Paraty and Ilha Grande was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its unique combination of biodiversity and cultural history.
BIERGARTEN HOSTEL
I checked into the Biergarten Hostel, which was clean and spacious but had little to offer in respect to social areas. Fortunately, I was put into a room with 3 other headers, JoJo, Lachie & Simon, so I wouldn’t be worrying too much about meeting other travellers.
Ilha Grande cures the hangover from hell
PIZZA
Lachie already had a few contacts on the island, so he invited us out to join them for some dinner. Strangely enough, this group would be the ones I ended up spending Rio and Xmas with, all top people.
After dinner, the village started to come alive a little, and we got a small taste of Ilha Grande nightlife, with beach bars, music, and plenty of caipirinhas doing the rounds.
Ilha Grande cures the hangover from hell
RELATED READ: MY FIRST AND FAVOURITE BUNGEE
SPEEDBOAT TOUR
Like Morro de São Paulo, we signed up for a tour of the islands, and it was incredible. Fortunately, this time I was with others who could speak English! Lachie’s an Aussie with a similar sense of sarcasm, and JoJo’s always up for a laugh, so I couldn’t complain (shock!).
The islands here are akin to what you would expect from the Caribbean: golden sand. I would actually go as far as to say they could be better!
Here you have everything. From islands akin to those in the Caribbean, the friendly nature of the Brazilians, and the fun that comes with travelling with backpackers. Ilha Grande was shaping up to be a highlight.
RELATED READ: THE BIGGEST CANYON SWING IN THE WORLD
DAY 3
As the first day was so nice, we had to do it twice – sorry! We signed up to do another trip today and were joined by a new roommate, Simon from the U.S. It was pretty much more of the same: sailing around islands, swimming, drinking, and having a laugh!
Fortunately, on the way back to the mainland, I was a little more level-headed and was able to enjoy the views from the boat. Though there might be one or two hangovers still to come!
RATINGS….
- PEOPLE – 8.5/10
- BACKPACKING – 8.5/10
- WEATHER – 9/10
- THINGS TO DO – 7/10
- VALUE – 8/10. Cheaper than most but no longer what it used to be
SUMMED UP….
- HIGHLIGHT – The boat trips
- LOWLIGHT – The hangover
- MVP – The group
- VISIT AGAIN – Absolutely
- RATING – 9/10
FINAL THOUGHTS
The islands of Brazil could even rival those of Thailand and the Philippines, something I did not expect! After the carnage of the previous day’s party boat, Ilha Grande turned out to be the perfect cure. Between the island hopping, crystal-clear water, and relaxed backpacker atmosphere, it didn’t take long to forget about the hangover. Brazil’s islands weren’t something I had thought much about before this trip, but Ilha Grande quickly proved they can rival some of the best island destinations in the world.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Where is Ilha Grande located?
Ilha Grande is located off the Costa Verde coast of Rio de Janeiro state in Brazil, about 150 km from the city of Rio de Janeiro.
How do you get to Ilha Grande?
Most travellers reach Ilha Grande by taking a bus from Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis or Conceição de Jacareí, followed by a boat or ferry to the island.
Are cars allowed on Ilha Grande?
No. Ilha Grande is largely car-free, and visitors get around using boats, hiking trails, or walking paths between villages and beaches.
Is Ilha Grande worth visiting?
Yes. Ilha Grande is famous for its jungle hiking trails, tropical beaches, boat tours, and relaxed backpacker vibe, making it one of the highlights of Brazil’s Costa Verde.
What is Ilha Grande famous for?
The island is best known for Lopes Mendes beach, rainforest hiking, snorkeling spots, and island-hopping boat tours.
How many days do you need in Ilha Grande?
Most travelers spend 2–4 days on Ilha Grande to explore beaches, take boat tours, and hike through the Atlantic rainforest.
NEXT UP
Off to Rio for a week, which will include Xmas and some of the best moments of my travels! Click to read.
SAFE TRAVELS, DS x
76/229
This post is part of The Southern American Series. Click to explore, or for episode 1, click here.
Question Time
- Have you visited Ilha Grande, what was your experience like?
- What was your highlight?
- Would you recommend anything else?
- What was your favourite beach or island in Brazil?
Let me know in the comments below . . .
