Location: Ilhabela
Top Things to do in Ilhabela
10 Things to Do in Ilhabela That You Shouldn't Miss
The largest island along Brazil's coast and, literally, a “beautiful island,” Ilhabela offers visitors almost 40 kilometers of pristine beaches and a tropical island's worth of hiking trails, waterfalls and even a nascent party scene. At 207 kilometers from the city of São Paulo, Ilhabela can get crowded, so try to get your beach time in during the work week.
Restaurants in Ilhabela
1. Gato Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 812 reviews
Reviewed By ajaceman - Vancouver
Once you have arrived at Castelhanos Beach take the time before lunch to hike to the Gato waterfall, so named because historically jaguars used to come here. It is a rather difficult thirty or forty minute hike requiring dexterity and good hiking shoes. Once there you can swim at the base of the falls or just admire the gorgeous setting from the platform provided for access.
2. Bonete Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 830 reviews
Reviewed By icbernard - Marseille, France
Among the most beautiful places I have seen during all my travels (I have been to many places).
The place is barely touched by civilization.
You are in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by Atlantic Forests and the remnants of volcanic activity.
The beach is beautiful, and you can have it all for yourself if you time your visit.
When to get there?
This place can be popular with Brazilian tourists coming by boat during the week end. Mind you, this could be a few tens of people ...
It gets more people in January-mid february (vacation/carnival).
Do not choose a rainy day to go there, especially if you walk there.
How to go there?
First, you need to get to the end of the southern road. Two possible end points. Borrifos is the end of the paved road. There is a nice restaurant there (Nova Yorque) and you can park your car for 10 R$. After that there is dirt road 2 km long (20-30 min walk) to the start of the trail. There, you have a parking place is a private property (25 R$), and you can buy cold drinks.
There is a bus going to Nova Yorque, and we saw one coming back from the dirt road. Hence, you don't need to go there by car.
You can hitch hike from Nova Yorque.
Boat
The easy way is to use a boat. Many pousadas can arrange that, especially those from Bonete (contact by email).
There are two places to get the boat. There is a landing at Borrifos. You walk down from Nova Yorque (5 min) to a real landing place, with easy access to the boat. One at the end of the dirt road (again walking down). However, this is a natural landing, a bit dangerous, as you have to climb up and down rocks. If you have unsecure footing, do not go there (there were some tourist broken bones).
A boat for 4 costs 240 R$ one way.
Walking - the best experience (you can come back by boat). Note, going by car, you can leave it at the end of the dirt road in the parking. If you take a boat back, people with sure footing can go ashore from here, get the car, and drive back to get the others of your party which are dropped at Borrifos.
You are going to walk through Atlantic forest. It is a tough one, going up and down constantly on slippery soil/rocks, in the heat and humidity. We had just arrived in Brazil, and we were not used to these conditions (time below is based on this and carrying 17 kg backpack).
Don't go if it is going to rain during the way.
After roughly one hour, first waterfall, with natural ponds. Fresh water, fantastic to relax, eat. You can drink the water (except if it just rained). Many Brazilians can walk there and no further. Can be crowded.
1h 20 min further away, second waterfall (less ponds but less people).
1h 20 min further third waterfall, and then it is a short 20 min to the beach.
At each waterfall there is a bridge.
When you exit the forest before the third waterfall, you'll get the most fantastic views on the beach and surroundings.
BUGS.
There are bugs. They attack your feet and lower leg. Easy way out: like the locals wear (especially in the morning) long socks (like football). You can buy some there. But be SURE to cover yourself with repellent. It is the next day that it gets bad in terms of itching.
There is no phone signal, but there is free internet in front of the school (no code - but slooow and unreliable). It is on the main street, and there are benches in front of it for local people to sit and connect!
What to do.
The water was calm when we were there. But I understand that there can be waves for Surfing.
You can rent kayaks to go around.
I strongly recommend going to the view point (the picture I included). Go the end of the village where the boats are, and follow the signs. It is a 45 min walk to the view points (both sides). You'll discover the next coves (great views, especially with blooming cactus on the rocks).
You can walk to the following beached (even less people!)
There is a waterfall on the way to the next beaches/view points.
We did not stay long enough.
I'll be back for sure, to stay a week, so nice it is there. Cut off from everything, in a Paradise place. This is a primitive place, but if you don't mind that, you'll fall in love instantly.
The trip back by boat can be arranged from the beach with one of the local fishermen.
3. Lage Waterfall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 173 reviews
Reviewed By britbop - Santiago, Chile
We set out to hike to this waterfall (and maybe some others) on a rainy day. It turned out to be pouring, which was a nice atmosphere, but limited our abillity to see more. We took the bus out until the route ended (make sure to take the right bus, some don't go this far, and got off near the Nou Yorqui restaurant). Its a long walk to just get to the park entrance (about 45-60 minutes) and then another 60-75 minutes to get the waterfall (although without rain, it might be a bit faster). The waterfall was beautiful-I would love to have been able to spend more time enjoying it but the water was running incredibly fast (quite different than the user pictures here), so it may be seasonal. As other reviews say, its defientely not a leisurely walk-lots of uphills and downhills on uneven terrain, so defintely wear good shoes!
4. Fome Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 474 reviews
Reviewed By Adriana L - Ilhabela, SP
Don´t forget insect repellent. Very nice beach. There is no infrastructure like restaurants. Very peacefull. Clear and calm watter. Very good for diving with your family.
5. Ilhabela State Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 389 reviews
Reviewed By brsla2 - Raleigh, North Carolina
Where: Outside of São Paulo Brazil about three hours time.
How: You can go by car via Dutra with friends/yourself or you can travel by bus via the Tiete station via Litoranea costs about R$54 and takes 4.25 hours. Litoranea takes cash as their website is stubborn for credit card
Remember on Ilhabela the merchants including guides really operate off of the local currency (brasilian R). Hotels take credit card and some places to eat will take debit or occasional credit but this is a hard driven cash economy. Best to bring some then use a debit card if need be (make the hotel resrv. on credit to save trouble)
On the island: walk, bus (R$3.10) or take a cab ($30 average so try the bus or place yourself at a hotel located near things you wish to see). Southern buses are more frequent. The Northern bus (Armacao) takes you to the historic center then all the way to the Northern Lighthouse (see a map).
Meals: run about $R40.take advantage of buffet breakfast at your hotel if its included in your price!
This island has a West and East aspect to it. By this I mean the West side is the historic center, small shops, kite board (North), kayak, etc. The main on the West side has a bus that travels and stops along the way on the hour and ten min mark. You can grab a boat from here with many agencies for tours or choose to go by land with a guide as well. There are a few Waterfalls with marked handicap access. Call ahead to check the details.
East side : is the preferred swimming beach side with state park. There is a 40 min road (advice-hire the guide its easy) across to Castelhanos beach and the park itself with trails.
This is an island to spend a few days at! There are over 100 Waterfalls, there are trails, hotels keep pools, saunas, etc, so between the parrots that freely roam, the trails, some dinners, and relax you need this on your list. You cannot beat the nature aspect of this place. The representation of maritime forest here percentage wise for Brasil is staggering. Make the time!
6. Juliao Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By Reginaldo B - St. Petersburg, Florida
We were in a pousada were we could walk.. so was easy access.
But unless you will park in the restaurant in the beach parking is not easy there.
This beach is good for small children since there is no waves. Its located between Praia da Feiticeira and Praia Grande.
As other beach lots of “borrachudos”.
If you arrive after 10 am probably will not find a seat at the restaurant on the beach during high season.
7. Cabras Island
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1 reviews
Reviewed By kitonato
We went snorkeling around de island and it was amazing, we were able to sea lots of fishes. It is not possible to enter the Islands because it's a private property... Although there is a boat trip around it the seems quite amusing with reasonable pricing.
The beach is quite small and not very clean.
8. Baia de Castelhanos Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By LomMatt - United Kingdom
Castelhanos is a beautiful beach. It resembles a heart shape at certain states of tide. Even at the weekends, when most locals visit, it never feels crowded. At the northern end lies the trail to Gato waterfall. Getting to the beach is a bit of an obstacle. You either need to hire your own vehicle, or book one as part of a tour. There's only one dirt road linking the civilised west of the island to the wild east. You could go by boat, but again, you'd either need your own vessel, or charter on as part of a tour. If you're on a budget, you can hitch. It's only a 10 - 15 minute walk from the main road of Av. Princesa Ilhabela to the off-road track. After 11AM is when most of the tour buggies leave but they're unlikely to pick you up as their customers may get annoyed that they've paid and you're getting a free ride. Vehicles are few and far between on this road and while not impossible, it's unlikely you'll get a lift during the week. The weekend is your best bet as many locals head to the beach at the weekend. Don't forget that getting there is only half the battle. Don't leave it too late for your hitch back. I made a small sign saying CASTELHANOS 10 R$. It's not too much money but still enough to maybe persuade someone to stop, as it'll pay for the fuel. A similar sign for the way back would be useful too. Food options are limited at the beach, so again, if you're on a budget, take plenty of water, fruit and other snacks.
9. Juliao Beach
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 338 reviews
Reviewed By ajaceman - Vancouver
Lots of shade available at this beach for day trippers. A sturdy trail from provides access and it is sheltered from traffic noise on the highway by being some distance from it, unlike nearby Praia Grande which is right beside the highway. Popular with locals.
10. Praia Grande
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 646 reviews
