Itinerary
3 days in Ilha Grande: the complete itinerary.
A day-by-day plan to taste the best of the island without rushing — legendary beaches, hikes and a boat trip, ready to follow.
A day-by-day plan to taste the best of the island without rushing — legendary beaches, hikes and a boat trip, ready to follow.
Three days is the ideal length for a first stay in Ilha Grande: enough to see the must-dos — Lopes Mendes beach, a boat trip and a good hike — without rushing, and without missing anything. This itinerary assumes a morning arrival from Rio and a late-morning departure on day three. It stays flexible: always keep a little slack, since weather can push a boat trip back.
Pickup at your hotel, van to the coast then the boat crossing. Plan about 3h30 door-to-door to land in Vila do Abraão by late morning.
Drop your bags at the guesthouse, then have lunch on the Abraão seafront — grilled fish and moquecas are a safe bet.
Walk to Praia Preta, 15 minutes from the center, for a first swim and the historic ruins of the old prison. Then wander the car-free lanes of the village.
End at the pier for sunset, then have dinner at one of Abraão's restaurants. Book your excursion or boat-taxi for the next day.
Boat-taxi to Praia do Pouso, then a 20-minute forest trail to Lopes Mendes, often ranked among Brazil's finest beaches — white sand, turquoise water, no buildings. Bring water and lunch.
The classic tour combines the Lagoa Azul (snorkeling in crystal-clear water), the Gruta Azul and several secluded beaches. A full day, ideal to cover the island from the sea.
Return to Abraão in the late afternoon. Take your time over a caipirinha by the water before dinner.
For the most motivated, the climb up Pico do Papagaio (a pre-dawn start with a guide) delivers a spectacular sunrise over the whole bay. About 3h up — book it the day before.
Otherwise, enjoy one last relaxed morning: an unhurried breakfast, a swim at Abraãozinho (15 min on foot) or some last-minute souvenir shopping.
Boat crossing then van to your hotel or the airport in Rio. Book your return slot in advance to travel with peace of mind.
With a fourth day, add a more remote, wild beach like Aventureiro or Praia Grande de Araçatiba, reachable by boat and far less crowded. It's also a chance to do both day-2 highlights (Lopes Mendes and the boat trip) on separate days, without having to choose.
For the full list of beaches, trails and caves, see our top 10 things to do in Ilha Grande.
Are 3 days enough to visit Ilha Grande?
Yes, for a first time. Three days let you see Lopes Mendes, do a boat trip and, for the more active, a hike — without rushing. To explore the more remote beaches, plan 4 to 5 days.
Do I need to book the excursions in advance?
In high season (December–February, July), it's better to book the day before on the spot, especially for Pico do Papagaio, done in a group with a guide. Off-season, you'll easily find something the same day in Abraão.
What's the best order for this itinerary?
Keep the best day (day 2) for good weather if you can, since it depends on the sea. Day 1 for settling in and day 3 for relaxing/heading back are more flexible.
How do I organize arrival and departure from Rio?
The simplest is a door-to-door round-trip transfer: a single booking covers the van and the crossing both ways, with a flexible return date.
Book your Rio ⇄ Ilha Grande round-trip — air-conditioned van and boat crossing, in a single booking.
Book my transferWant to go further? Check out our complete guide to planning your trip to Ilha Grande.