Ilha Grande boat tour with turquoise water

Day Trips

Ilha Grande from Rio

No cars. No ATMs that always work. No paved road across the island. Ilha Grande is what Brazil's Atlantic coast looked like before tourism — 193 km² of Atlantic forest, 106 beaches, and one small village called Abraão where the ferry drops you off.

It's the easiest big escape from Rio that genuinely feels like another country. Here's how to do it right in 2026.

Quick answer

Distance from Rio: 150 km west + a boat ride · 3h30 total transit
Best route: shuttle van to Conceição de Jacareí + speedboat to Abraão
Stay: 3 nights minimum
Must do: hike to Praia de Lopes Mendes; schooner tour to Lagoa Azul
Best months: April–June, September–November

Getting from Rio to Ilha Grande

Best: shuttle van + speedboat (Easy Transfer combo)

Door-to-door from your Rio hotel to Abraão in 4h. Easy Transfer, Costa Verde Transfer and Ilha Grande Transfer all run combos for R$180–260 one-way. Pickup 7am, arrive 11am — perfect for a check-in and afternoon swim.

Cheapest: Costa Verde bus + ferry

Costa Verde bus from Rodoviária Novo Rio to Angra dos Reis (R$60, 2h30), then public CCR Barcas ferry to Abraão (R$30, 80 min, only 2 daily departures: 8:30am and 3pm). Total R$90 — but tight schedules and luggage strain.

Fastest: Mangaratiba ferry

From Mangaratiba (closer to Rio than Angra), the ferry leaves daily at 8am and 3:30pm. Get to Mangaratiba by Costa Verde bus or Uber from Rio (R$200, 1h45).

Rent a car to Mangaratiba or Angra

Things to do on Ilha Grande

Hike T10 to Praia de Lopes Mendes

The classic. 90 minutes through Atlantic forest from Abraão, with a stop at Praia das Palmas. Lopes Mendes itself: 3 km of empty white sand, perfect surf, zero buildings. Bring water, snacks, reef shoes (the trail's last 200m is rocky). Hire a guide (R$80) if you're solo or unsure.

Schooner tour to Lagoa Azul

Full-day boat (R$100–150) hitting Lagoa Azul (snorkeling with fish), Saco do Céu, Lagoa Verde, and Freguesia de Santana. Lunch included on some tours. Book at the pier the night before — best operators: Maramar, Frutos do Mar, Mar de Lá.

Hike T2 to Pico do Papagaio

5–6 hours round-trip, 982m elevation. The summit panorama is the island's defining shot. Start 4am with a guide (R$180) to see sunrise from the top. Serious hike — fitness required.

Diving and snorkeling

Ilha Grande has 13 dive sites including the Pinguino wreck. Centro de Mergulho Ilha Grande and Elite Dive Center offer baptism dives (R$380) and PADI courses. Visibility best in winter (June–August).

Where to stay

Luxury: Asalem (clifftop, R$1,400+), Pousada Sankay (Bananal, R$1,200+ all-inclusive boat access).
Mid-range: Pousada Naturalia, Pousada Manacá, Pousada Caiçara — R$450–700, all walkable from the pier.
Budget: Che Lagarto Hostel, Aquário Hostel — R$120–180/night dorm.
Off-grid: Pousada Aratinga (Aventureiro beach) — boat-access only, surf, total disconnection.

Eating in Abraão

Lua e Mar (seafood with sea view), Dom Mario (best moqueca), Café do Mar (breakfast and açaí), Tartaruga (caipirinhas with island fruit), and the kiosks on the main square for late-night pastels. Meal prices: R$70–120. Reservations only needed at Lua e Mar weekends.

3-day itinerary

Day 1: 7am Rio departure → 11am Abraão arrival → check in → swim at Praia do Abraão → sunset at Praia da Júlia → dinner at Lua e Mar.

Day 2: 8am hike T10 to Lopes Mendes → 4pm return → caipirinha at Tartaruga → samba night at Bambu Bambu.

Day 3: 9am schooner tour to Lagoa Azul (full day) → 6pm return → final dinner → 7am ferry back the next morning.

Practical tips

Cash: bring enough — Abraão's two ATMs frequently run dry. PIX works at most places.
No cars: all luggage is wheeled or carried; pack a soft duffel, not a hard suitcase.
Mosquitoes: bring strong repellent (Exposis, 30% DEET).
Trash: there's no waste-collection on most beaches — pack out everything you bring.
Connectivity: 4G is patchy outside Abraão. Vivo has best coverage.
Last ferry: 5pm. Miss it and you're stuck overnight or chartering a R$700 speedboat.

Related guides

FAQ

How do I get to Ilha Grande from Rio?

Three steps: (1) Rio to Angra dos Reis or Conceição de Jacareí by bus/van (2h30–3h); (2) ferry, schooner or speedboat across to Vila do Abraão (45–90 min); (3) walk — Ilha Grande has no cars. Shuttle-van + speedboat combos run R$180–260 one-way door-to-port.

How long do I need on Ilha Grande?

Two nights minimum — one isn't enough once you factor in transit. Three nights is ideal: arrive day 1, hike Lopes Mendes day 2, schooner tour day 3, depart day 4 morning. A week works for hikers and divers.

What's the best beach on Ilha Grande?

Lopes Mendes — repeatedly ranked among the world's best beaches. 3km of squeaky white sand, no buildings, transparent water. Reach it by 90-min hike from Abraão or boat-and-trail combo from Praia dos Mangues. No food sold — bring snacks.

Is Ilha Grande expensive?

Mid-range: R$350–600/night for a pousada, R$70–120 per meal. Budget hostels in Vila do Abraão from R$120/night. Schooner tours R$80–150. Cheaper than Búzios, more expensive than Paraty. Cash-friendly — many small businesses prefer PIX.

When is the best time to go to Ilha Grande?

April–June and September–November: warm enough to swim, fewer mosquitoes, lower prices. December–February is high season — beautiful but crowded and expensive. July is cool. Avoid heavy rain weeks (check forecast — wet trails are brutal).

Add Paraty for the full Costa Verde

Ilha Grande + Paraty is the ultimate 6-day post-Rio extension — colonial cobblestones, schooner trips, and the world's best caipirinhas.

→ Road Trips from Rio

Book Ilha Grande tours & transfers

Check availability & prices