Ilha Grande
Go to Ilha Grande for car-free hiking trails, quiet beaches and boat trips along a green coast within reach of Rio de Janeiro.
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Ilha Grande is an island off the Costa Verde of Rio de Janeiro state, in Brazil, and it belongs to the municipality of Angra dos Reis. The island has no cars, so the main village, Vila do Abraão, is walked on foot. Most of the island is protected as a state park of Atlantic Forest. Visitors come for the hiking trails that link beaches and coves, and for boat trips along the coast. The island also held a penal colony in the 20th century.
Ilha Grande suits slow trips of three to four days, with time for hiking, swimming and a boat day. It is calmer than the big city beaches on the mainland, with simple guesthouses and pousadas and fewer nightlife options. The best months are April, May, September and October, when the weather is mild. June to August is cooler and drier, while summer, from December to February, is the busiest and hottest time. Plan your ferry times around your arrival, since boats run on set schedules.
Ilha Grande in five
- Get the ferry from Angra dos ReisBoats to Vila do Abraão, the island's main village, leave from Angra dos Reis on the mainland. Check the timetable for your travel date, since sailings change by season.Getting around
- Carry reais in cashCard machines are not everywhere on the island, so bring reais in cash. Pix, Brazil's instant bank transfer, can cover some payments if you set it up before you go.Money and costs
- Pack a backpack, not a rolling caseIlha Grande has no cars, so luggage is carried by hand or moved on a hand cart. A backpack is easier than a wheeled case on sand, stone steps and dirt trails.Backpacks
- Check park rules before you walkMost trails and many beaches sit inside Parque Estadual da Ilha Grande, managed by the state environmental agency INEA. Check current entry and camping rules with INEA before you set out.
- Get insurance that covers hikes and boatsTrails are steep and rocky in places. Check that your policy covers hiking and boat transfers, and that it pays if weather cancels a crossing.Travel insurance
Need to know
- Currency
- Real (BRL)
- Entry
- Visa-free for many passports; e-visa or consular visa for others Read more
- Emergency
- 190 police, 192 ambulance, 193 fire
- Tipping
- 10% service charge often added; tipping beyond that is optional
- Time
- UTC-3, no daylight saving
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryHot, rainy
- FebruaryHot, humid
- MarchWarm, rain
- AprilMild, dry
- MayMild, dry
- JuneCool, drier
- JulyCool, holidays
- AugustDry, cooler
- SeptemberDry, warming
- OctoberWarm, quieter
- NovemberHot, rains start
- DecemberPeak season
Right now in Ilha Grande
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
24
- Feels like
- 28°
- Humidity
- 92%
- Wind
- 4 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 81%
Ilha Grande
05:43 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today31°24°81%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 81%.
- Tue31°23°33%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 33%.
- Wed29°23°18%Wednesday: Fog. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Thu35°23°57%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 35°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 57%.
- Fri26°21°69%Friday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 21°. Chance of rain 69%.
- Sat33°23°49%Saturday: Drizzle. High 33°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 49%.
- Sun24°19°84%Sunday: Rain. High 24°, Low 19°. Chance of rain 84%.
Updated 04:53 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 5.437 BRL
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Lopes Mendesabout 2 to 3 hours on footA long, wide beach on the east side, worth the walk or boat ride.
- Dois Riosabout 2 hours on footRuins of the old penal colony and a quieter stretch of coast.
- Praia do Aventureiroabout 1 hour on footA calm beach close to the village, a short walk from the center.
Before you go to Ilha Grande
Rules for Ilha Grande, checked
- Many passports enter Brazil visa-free for short stays, but some need an e-visa. Check the official Brazilian government portal before you book.
- Ilha Grande's state park is managed by INEA. Check current entry and camping rules with INEA before you hike or camp.
- Carry your trash out with you, since trails and beaches have few bins.
- Dial 190 for police, 192 for an ambulance or 193 for the fire service. Mobile signal drops on many trails, so tell someone your route.
Plan around Ilha Grande
Regions, entry rules, transport and money for a Brazil trip
Read the guideVisas and entryWho needs a visa or e-visa, and how to check before you fly
Read the guideGetting around BrazilFerries, buses and flights to reach the island from Rio
Read the guideMoney and costsCash, cards and Pix, and what a day on the island costs
Read the guideWhere to stayVillage guesthouses and beach stays, compared before you book
Read the guideIlha Grande FAQ
How do you get to Ilha Grande from Rio?
Buses run from Rio to Angra dos Reis, where ferries and fast boats leave for Vila do Abraão. Some boats also leave from Mangaratiba. Check sailing times for your date before you travel.
Are there cars on Ilha Grande?
No. Getting around is on foot, by boat or by hand cart. Plan walks in daylight and allow extra time for the steep sections between beaches.
How many days do you need on Ilha Grande?
Three nights is enough for the main beaches and one long trail. A single day works only for a boat trip, and it leaves little time for the walks.
Which beach on Ilha Grande is the best?
Lopes Mendes is a long, wide beach on the east side, reached on foot or by boat. Praia do Aventureiro is a calm beach a short walk from the village.
When is the best time to visit Ilha Grande?
April, May, September and October bring mild weather and fewer visitors than the peak. Summer, from December to February, is hot and humid, with more rain and crowds at New Year.