Beaches, rainforest and colonial streets
This is leg 1 of 2, the opening leg.
Travel leg · Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande
Rio de Janeiro and Ilha Grande sit about 105 km (65 mi) apart in a straight line, with Ilha Grande to the west. It is leg 1 of 2 on our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty itinerary, a 9-day trip. This one most likely involves a water crossing, so check ferry schedules early.
- Straight-line distance
- 105 km · 65 mi
- Est. road distance
- Water crossing likely
- Est. drive time
- Not estimated
- Direction
- Heading west
- Curated routes
- 1 itinerary
This leg most likely crosses water, so we don’t estimate road distance or drive time. Check ferry or flight schedules for the actual crossing.
Ways to get there
We don't have live routing data, so the figures below are labelled estimates built from the straight-line distance. Use them to plan the day, then confirm in a maps app.
By ferry
Ilha Grande most likely needs a water crossing from here, so start with ferry schedules. Sailings can vary by season.
Transfer vans and buses run from Rio to the Ilha Grande ferry docks (about 2.5 hours) and on to Paraty. Ilha Grande has no cars, so you walk or take water taxis; in Rio, use the metro and ride-hailing apps.
Open Rio de Janeiro → Ilha Grande directions in Google Maps ↗
Worth stopping for
Picks from our curated guides at both ends.
When you arrive in Ilha Grande
Car-free island of Atlantic rainforest and beaches, based in Vila do Abraão. Stay 2 to 3 days.
Lopes Mendes
Long white-sand beach on the ocean side, reached by trail or boat plus a short walk.
Pico do Papagaio
982 m peak shaped like a parrot's beak, with a steep forest trail and wide views.
Lazareto Ruins & Aqueduct
Ruins of a 19th-century quarantine station and a stone aqueduct on a short trail from Abraão.
Lua e Mar
Beachfront restaurant on Abraão's sand, known for moqueca and fish with green banana.
Casarão da Ilha
Long-established spot near the pier for drinks and food as the boats come in.
Lagoa Azul
Shallow lagoon between islets with clear water for snorkeling, usually on a boat tour.
Before you leave Rio de Janeiro
Beaches and granite peaks wrapped around a sprawling city. Stay 4 days.
On this curated route
Where Rio de Janeiro → Ilha Grande sits in the full itinerary. Highlighted stops are this leg.
Going the other way? Ilha Grande to Rio de Janeiro is the same 105 km in a straight line, heading east. Reverse directions in Google Maps ↗
Weather at each end
The biggest gap comes in September, when Ilha Grande averages highs 2°C warmer than Rio de Janeiro.
| Measure | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rio de Janeiro high | 29° | 29° | 28° | 27° | 25° | 25° | 24° | 25° | 26° | 26° | 26° | 28° |
| Ilha Grande high | 30° | 30° | 29° | 28° | 26° | 26° | 25° | 26° | 28° | 28° | 28° | 29° |
| Rio de Janeiro rain | 208 | 152 | 173 | 101 | 71 | 49 | 45 | 42 | 69 | 108 | 220 | 232 |
| Ilha Grande rain | 227 | 184 | 177 | 101 | 64 | 44 | 47 | 39 | 66 | 120 | 192 | 214 |
Temperatures in °C, rain in mm per month. Long-term monthly averages from NASA POWER satellite climatology — a guide to typical conditions, not a forecast. Month headings link to Ilha Grande month guides.
Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande: questions travelers ask
How far is Rio de Janeiro from Ilha Grande?
Rio de Janeiro is about 105 km (65 mi) from Ilha Grande in a straight line, with Ilha Grande to the west. The trip most likely involves a water crossing, so the distance you actually travel depends on the ferry or flight route.
How long does it take to drive from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande?
We don't estimate a drive time for this one: it most likely crosses water, so check ferry schedules before you plan the day.
Which itineraries include the trip from Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande?
Our Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty itinerary includes this leg. Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty runs about 9 days across 3 stops, best in Apr – Jun, Sep – Nov.
Onward from Ilha Grande
- Ilha Grande to Paraty 56 km
Guides for both ends
- Rio de Janeiro travel guide
- Rio de Janeiro weather best time to visit
- Ilha Grande travel guide
- Ilha Grande weather best time to visit
Ilha Grande by month
Plan Rio de Janeiro → Ilha Grande with your crew
Add this leg to a shared itinerary, poll the group on where to stop, split fuel and tickets, and keep everyone's packing list in one place in TripsCircle.