Brazil
Ilha Grande
Car-free island of Atlantic rainforest and beaches, based in Vila do Abraão. Stay 2 to 3 days. Below: 2 sights, 1 activity and 4 outdoor spots, plus how Ilha Grande fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- Warmest month
- January
- Coolest month
- July
- Wettest month
- January
2 See · 1 Do · 4 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
from our route notes
30°C / 86°F avg high
25°C / 78°F avg high
about 227 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Ilha Grande
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
The landmarks we would not skip in Ilha Grande in Vila do Abraão. All 2 are free to visit.
Photo: Jessica Perez Kuschel · GoogleSeeLazareto Ruins & Aqueduct
Ruins of a 19th-century quarantine station and a stone aqueduct on a short trail from Abraão.
Photo: Fulviusbsas · Public domain
Do
Hands-on ways to spend time in Ilha Grande in Vila do Abraão.
Photo: Evanilda Pereira Santos · GoogleDoPico do Papagaio
982 m peak shaped like a parrot's beak, with a steep forest trail and wide views.
Tip Hike with a local guide and start before dawn for sunrise.
Outdoors
Trails, views and open space in and around Ilha Grande. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Walter Heinze · GoogleOutdoorsLopes Mendes
Long white-sand beach on the ocean side, reached by trail or boat plus a short walk.
Tip Take the boat to Pouso and walk 15 minutes; bring water and food.
Photo: Julien Glv · GoogleOutdoorsLagoa Azul
Shallow lagoon between islets with clear water for snorkeling, usually on a boat tour.
Tip Join an early tour to avoid the midday boat crowd.
Photo: Mana Teixeira · Google
Photo: Rafael Enoque · GoogleOutdoorsCachoeira da Feiticeira
Waterfall about 1.5 hours' walk from Abraão, with a pool for a cool swim.
Eat
2 places to eat in Vila do Abraão, picked for groups who care about the food.
Photo: Bar e Restaurante Lua e Mar · GoogleEatLua e Mar
Beachfront restaurant on Abraão's sand, known for moqueca and fish with green banana.
Tip Order moqueca for two and confirm opening days.
Photo: Trade Maps Agosto · GoogleEatRestaurante Dom Mario
Small, popular restaurant with generous seafood plates at fair prices.
Tip Book ahead in high season.
Drink
1 bar or café in Vila do Abraão for coffee, a round or a nightcap.
Photo: Casarão da Ilha · Google
How to fit Ilha Grande into a trip
Ilha Grande is stop 2 of 3 on our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route. Follow it as-is or lift Ilha Grande into your own plan.
Stop 2 of 3
Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
Beaches, rainforest and colonial streets
- Trip length
- 9 days
- Best season
- Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov
- Pace
- moderate
- Before: Rio de Janeiro
- Next: Paraty
Getting here and onward
- Ilha Grande to ParatyParaty is about 56 km / 35 mi away in a straight line
- Rio de Janeiro to Ilha GrandeRio de Janeiro is about 105 km / 65 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Ilha Grande month by month
Average daily highs run from 25°C / 78°F in July to 30°C / 86°F in January. January is the wettest month, with about 227 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan30° / 86°F average high
- Feb30° / 86°F average high
- Mar29° / 84°F average high
- Apr28° / 82°F average high, in our recommended season
- May26° / 79°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun26° / 78°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul25° / 78°F average high
- Aug26° / 80°F average high
- Sep28° / 82°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct28° / 83°F average high, in our recommended season
- Nov28° / 83°F average high, in our recommended season
- Dec29° / 85°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Ilha Grande weather and the best time to visit →
Near Ilha Grande
2 other destinations from our guides within about 150 km (93 mi), measured in a straight line.
Ilha Grande questions, answered
How many days do you need in Ilha Grande?
Our route notes suggest 2–3 days in Ilha Grande. On our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route it is stop 2 of 3 in a 9-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 28 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Ilha Grande best known for?
Car-free island of Atlantic rainforest and beaches, based in Vila do Abraão. Stay 2 to 3 days. Standouts on our list: Lazareto Ruins & Aqueduct (Ruins of a 19th-century quarantine station and a stone aqueduct on a short trail from Abraão); Vila do Abraão (The island's main village of sand lanes, pousadas, a white church and boat docks); Lopes Mendes (Long white-sand beach on the ocean side, reached by trail or boat plus a short walk).
When is the best time to visit Ilha Grande?
Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route is best Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in January (30°C / 86°F), the coolest in July (25°C / 78°F) and the most rain in January (about 227 mm).
What are the best things to do in Ilha Grande?
Start with Lopes Mendes, Lagoa Azul, Lagoa Verde, Pico do Papagaio and Cachoeira da Feiticeira. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 2 sights, 1 activity, 4 outdoor spots, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Ilha Grande?
Our picks: Lua e Mar (Vila do Abraão); Restaurante Dom Mario (Vila do Abraão). Order moqueca for two and confirm opening days (Lua e Mar).
What is near Ilha Grande?
The closest destinations in our guides are Paraty (about 56 km / 35 mi) and Rio de Janeiro (about 105 km / 65 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Ilha Grande with your crew
Open the Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.