Travelogue from Brazil: Ilha Grande - what an experience!

In July 2024 Claus, our CEO, visited Brazil for the first time together with his family. One of their highlights was visiting the world’s largest tropical wetlands, the Pantanal. Read about that experience here. Another highlight was visiting the beautiful island of Ilha Grande, which you can read about below.

My family and I visited the Island of Ilha Grande as a finale to our Brazil adventure.  After spending 12 days travelling around Brazil and experiencing its stunning nature, wildlife, culture, and vibrant city life, we headed to Ilha Grande for a relaxing conclusion to our journey.

And what an experience!

Ilha Grande is truly a paradise. Located just two hours by car and boat from Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande offers a unique experience where we could combine a beach holiday and water sports with hiking, small-town charm, boutique hotels, delicious food, and stunning natural scenery—not to mention the incredibly friendly locals.

95% of the island remains untouched, offering simply breathtaking beauty to enjoy. On the Ilha Grande, private cars are not permitted, so we explored the island either by hiking or by boat – the only options available.

Ilha Grande boasts over 100 beaches, many of them small and completely isolated, accessible only by boat. You can’t explore them all in one holiday, but we rented a speedboat for a day to visit some of these beautiful beaches, where we swam, snorkelled, and simply enjoyed the tranquillity. It was an amazing day.

We also went hiking through the rainforest from one side of the island to the other, reaching Lopes Mendes Beach—one of the most beautiful beaches I have ever seen. With clear turquoise waters and a wide stretch of sand lined with palm trees, it was the perfect spot for a few hours of relaxation and a nap in the shade.

On Ilha Grande, there are no large hotels or resorts—only ‘pousadas,’ as they are known in Brazil. These are small, cosy boutique hotels (3-4 stars), typically with 8 to 16 rooms, offering stunning views of the ocean or the surrounding wild nature. We stayed at Pousada Naturalia in the main town of Abraão—a charming spot close to the town centre and just 100 metres from the beach, yet far enough to ensure peaceful, quiet nights. Highly recommendable.

If you’re looking for the perfect way to conclude your Brazilian adventure, a 3-4 day stay on Ilha Grande comes highly recommended. You won’t regret visiting.

Best regards

Claus

TourCompass – From tourist to traveller