Ilha Grande Bay

Travel Guide

Lopes Mendes Beach showing a sandy beach, general coastal views and tropical scenes
Lopes Mendes Beach which includes a sandy beach, tropical scenes and rugged coastline
Cais Turistico de Santa Luzia which includes a bay or harbor
Crena Beach showing a bridge and a river or creek
Abraao Beach showing general coastal views and a beach

Ilha Grande Bay Travel Guide Video

Take boat trips, go diving in crystalline water and snap memorable photos of jagged coastline, remote beaches and peaceful islands.

Ilha Grande Bay has a scenic, undulating shoreline and verdant islands. Its old-fashioned colonial towns and sleepy fishing villages complement the array of islets with stunning beaches and rainforest trails. Travel along the coast to enjoy the full range of intriguing towns, villages and islands that make up this marvelous bay area.

Among the most iconic of the countless islands off Rio de Janeiro State’s coast is Ilha Grande. Arrive at Vila do Abraão and visit the bars, restaurants and hostels facing its picturesque port. Stroll along Abraão Beach at night and listen to drums and live music emanating from clubs.

Outside the main town, much of this island consists of remote and undeveloped scenery. Trek along the Atlantic rainforest trails to find secluded beaches and coves. Enjoy the seafood in coastal restaurants and go snorkeling to see colorful fish along such sandy stretches as Abraaozinho Beach and Crena Beach. The standout shoreline is Lopes Mendes Beach, which lies at the end of a hilly forest trail, where monkeys and parrots dwell.

Back on the mainland is the port town of Angra dos Reis. Wander through the old town to see ecclesiastical gems, such as the Santa Luzia Church and the Matriz Church. Travel west to the quaint colonial outpost of Paraty, known for its narrow cobbled lanes and peaceful plazas. Look around the Paraty Historic Center and stroll along the wooden pier of Paraty Wharf. Make a daytrip to Trindade to relax on Cachadaço Beach or Cepilho Beach.

From the city of Rio de Janeiro, drive west for 100 miles (160 kilometers) to reach the port of Angra dos Reis. Take a boat from the marine station to the port in Vila do Abraão on Ilha Grande. The island lies in the Atlantic Ocean and most of it is within the Ilha Grande State Park.

Ilha Grande Bay is a mesmerizing region with an eclectic range of activities as well as serene, sandy havens.

Pousada Maré Cheia
Pousada Maré Cheia
3 out of 5
R. Antônio Lapa Malvão 66, Paraty, RJ
The price is P2,022 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
P2,022
P2,123 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 9 - Mar 10
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Paraty. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (281 reviews)
"Great breakfast!"

Reviewed on Apr 21, 2024

Pousada Maré Cheia
Pousada Apple House Paraty
Pousada Apple House Paraty
3.5 out of 5
Rua Joaquim Gama, S/N, Ponte Branca, Paraty
The price is P8,184 per night from 11 Feb to 12 Feb
P8,184
P8,593 total
includes taxes & fees
Feb 11 - Feb 12
Stay at this 3.5-star hotel in Paraty. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and 4 outdoor pools. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (442 reviews)
"The rooms were very small. The salão de jogos looked nice but many of the games were broken. The gym equipment was below average quality."

Reviewed on Aug 14, 2024

Pousada Apple House Paraty
Hotel Porto Real
Hotel Porto Real
3.5 out of 5
Rodovia Rio Santos Km 450, Mangaratiba, RJ
The price is P6,048 per night from 5 Mar to 6 Mar
P6,048
P6,351 total
includes taxes & fees
Mar 5 - Mar 6
Stay at this 3.5-star beach resort in Mangaratiba. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and 3 outdoor pools. Popular attractions Conceição de Jacareí Beach and Praia ...
7.2/10 Good! (216 reviews)
Very noisy
"Too many people very noisy"

Reviewed on Mar 23, 2021

Hotel Porto Real
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Recanto Dantas aconchego em Paraty
Recanto Dantas aconchego em Paraty
2.5 out of 5
R. 22 de Abril 611, Paraty, RJ
Stay at this vacation home in Paraty. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and minibars. Popular attractions Jabaquara Beach and Defensor Perpetuo Fort Museum are ...
6/10 (1 review)
Ar condicionado e tela mosqueteira
"Acomodação é bem nova, seu tamanho para casal com filhos não é legal. Uma cama de casal mais uma de solteiro deixa o quarto bem apertado fora que não tem ar condicionado o que torna o quarto absolutamente quente, Ventilador de teto não da conta do calor. Pra receber 5 estrelas faltou uma tela na ..."

Reviewed on Mar 5, 2024

Recanto Dantas aconchego em Paraty
Perequê-Açu Aparts
Perequê-Açu Aparts
3 out of 5
Rod. Haroldo Fernandes Duarte N. 23512, Paraty, Rio de Janeiro
Stay at this 3-star apartment in Paraty. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Popular attractions Puppet Theater and Nossa Senhora das Dores ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (45 reviews)
"Amazing place to stay when visiting Paraty. The apartments are extremely spacious and very well kept. Everything is clean and orderly. The staff is very friendly and attentive. The property is located on the outskirts of the main city but the historic city center is just a five mins car ride. Overall ..."

Reviewed on Jan 11, 2021

Perequê-Açu Aparts
Pousada Refúgio Tropical Paraty
Pousada Refúgio Tropical Paraty
3 out of 5
Estrada Paraty-Cunha, 50, Parque Verde, Paraty, RJ
Stay at this 3-star family-friendly aparthotel in Paraty. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Mini Estrada Real Museum and ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (71 reviews)
"The property was nice and spacious. Our room was next to the pool and kitchen where every day at 06.00 the staff would start chatting and shouting, which woke us up. Only three tables around the pool for breakfast, which were "reserved" so we had to eat in our room, which seemed pointless as there ..."

Reviewed on Oct 28, 2023

Pousada Refúgio Tropical Paraty
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.