Ilhabela is one of the most beautiful island destinations in Brazil (its name literally means “beautiful island”), and this travel guide covers the best things to do in Ilhabela, Brazil, for first-time visitors. From wild beaches and jungle waterfalls to scenic hikes and boat trips, Ilhabela offers far more than a typical beach escape. In this guide, you’ll find what to do, where to go, where to stay, and the best time to visit this tropical island.
Last update: February 2026: Links updated, more practical tips added.
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Why should you add Ilhabela to your Brazilian bucket list?
Ilhabela is famous for its stunning beaches, but this tropical island is much more than just coastline. More than 40 beaches stretch around Ilhabela, ranging from easy-access family beaches to remote wild ones like Castelhanos. The mountainous centre of the island is covered in dense Atlantic rainforest, filled with countless shades of green and colourful tropical flowers.
Hiking trails lead through the jungle to around 10 waterfalls, where you can swim in natural pools and cool off after a walk. This mix of beaches, rainforest, and waterfalls is what makes Ilhabela one of the most unique destinations on the Brazilian coast.
The food is another highlight. We had fantastic fresh seafood, and there are many cosy restaurants in the historic centre (Vila) where you can enjoy Brazilian flavours in a relaxed setting.
Ilhabela is a perfect weekend getaway from São Paulo and also doable from Rio de Janeiro, making it popular with both locals and travellers. A long weekend is ideal, but it’s still not enough to see everything. If you want a ready plan, read my other post about how to spend 3 days in Ilhabela.
Below, you’ll find my custom Google My Maps map showing the main beaches, waterfalls, restaurants, and our 3 (+1) day route. By clicking the tab next to “Ilhabela travel guide,” you can view individual locations, turn layers on and off, and save the map to your own account using the star icon.
Best time to visit Ilhabela
Due to its location, the weather is warm year-round. The warmest season in Brazil is the summer, which is also the rainy season. From January to March, expect some rain. From October to December, it’s less rainy, and it’s not that crowded.
In mid-January, we had 2 sunny and 2 rainy days. We weren’t that lucky with the weather, though the island wasn’t crowded this weekend.
January, Carnival season and New Year’s Eve can be busy.
Practical tips and things to know before travelling to Ilhabela
Is Ilhabela safe for tourists?
Like anywhere in Brazil, basic caution is important, but Ilhabela is generally considered safe for travellers. It’s not like a large city where you need to be alert at all times. Still, use common sense:
- Keep an eye on your belongings, especially on the beach
- Avoid walking alone in dark or isolated streets at night
- Ask your host or hotel staff for local safety advice
Protect yourself from the borrachudos
During the warmer months, Ilhabela is known for small black flies called borrachudos. You might not notice them, but you’ll definitely notice the bites. Mine weren’t painful at first, but they became very itchy after a couple of days, and the marks lasted for weeks.
Bring a strong insect repellent with you or buy one on the island (you’ll find many options there). Always use repellent in the forest, on hiking trails, and near waterfalls. Don’t forget to spray your ankles and feet, as that’s where they often bite.
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Where to stay in Ilhabela: Pousada Mirante da Praia Grande
Make sure to book your accommodation in advance to secure your place, especially during high season. There are a few Airbnb options, however, we’ve found our accommodation on Booking.
We spent 3 nights at Pousada Mirante da Praia Grande (a Brazilian-style bed-and-breakfast) in a perfect location. It’s just a few minutes walk from Praia Grande and around 10-15 minutes drive from the ferry station. The staff was very friendly, and the reception staff even spoke English. The accommodation offers free parking for guests. The simple but tasty breakfast is also included in the price.
We wanted a great view, so we had to climb about 70 steps to the room, which was basic and clean. I liked the hard and comfy bed, though I was missing some hangers for my summer clothes. We went for the view and comfy bed, and we got that!
How to get to Ilhabela?
First, you have to reach the beach town of São Sebastião, where a ferry departs every 30 minutes to Ilhabela, and every hour during the night.
To reach São Sebastião, you can go by motorcycle, bus or car. By car, we needed a bit more than 4 hours from São Paulo to arrive at the ferry station due to traffic and constructions.
You can check the ferry schedule for reference on this São Paulo Ferry Crossings website. You might have to wait in long lines during peak season. On our way there (on Friday afternoon), we waited almost an hour for boarding. However, on our return (Monday morning), the wait was approximately 15 minutes.
Ilhabela ferry prices (only cash is accepted)
By car from São Sebastião to Ilhabela:
- Weekdays: BRL 19,00
- Weekend and holidays: BRL 28,50
On the way back to São Sebastião:
- Tourist fee for cars: BRL 9,05
For pedestrians and cyclists: free
More information on the São Paulo Ferry Crossings website.
The best things to do in Ilhabela, Brazil: what to do and where to go
Ilhabela is far more than just a beach destination. Relaxing on the sand is part of the experience, but the best things to do in Ilhabela also include jungle hikes, waterfalls, scenic viewpoints, boat trips and great local food. The island’s mix of wild coastline and Atlantic rainforest makes it one of the most diverse places to visit on Brazil’s coast. Keep reading to discover what to do, where to go, and which spots are truly worth your time in Ilhabela.
Relax on the best beaches of Ilhabela
Praia de Castelhanos
Praia de Castelhanos is located on the eastern side of the island, facing the Atlantic Ocean, and is accessible only by boat, 4×4, motorcycle, bicycle, or on foot. The 4×4 vehicle of Landpoint Turismo brought us to the beach through the jungle of the Ilhabela State Park. The 15 km road was bumpy but remarkably beautiful, and we made many stops, including a natural pool and viewpoints. You can also book this 4×4 tour on Viator.
The 1.5 km-long sandy beach at Praia de Castelhanos is one of the most beautiful in Ilhabela. From the beach, a viewpoint and a waterfall can also be visited. The outlook is accessible with a short walk, and you can adore the heart-shaped beach from above. Visiting the 50-meter high waterfall, Cachoeira do Gato requires a 4 km long trip, which takes approximately 1,5 hours in total (including the return).
Praia do Bonete
The most famous beach of the island is listed on the “Top 10 beaches in Brazil” article by The Guardian. Praia do Bonete is situated on the southern part of the island and is only accessible by boat or on foot. The boats depart from Praia Pereque, and it takes around 40 minutes to get there. If you’re adventurous, hike 12 km (about 4 hours) in the jungle surrounded by waterfalls and nature.
Our original plan was to take the Landpoint Turismo boat tour to Praia Bonete, but the weather was rainy on our 3rd day. So we’ll visit this beach on our next Ilhabela trip. Hopefully 😉
Photo from Ilhabela.com.br.
Praia do Pereque
Praia do Pereque is located in the centre, surrounded by palm trees, coconut trees, bars and restaurants (and many parking places). It’s the main scene for water sport activities like kite surfing, windsurfing, kayaking and SUP.
Photo from Ilhabela.com.br.
Praia do Julião
This beach on the west side of the island is smaller and more tranquil than the others. At its sides, big rocks can be found in the water, where many people were snorkelling and looking for fish in the clean water.
You can also hide under the trees and rest in the shadow. Or enjoy the white sand and the view under the umbrellas of Restaurante Prainha Do Julião.
Praia Grande
Praia Grande lies next to Praia do Julião, and as its name shows, it’s one of the biggest beaches of Ilhabela. The slope of the beach is a bit steep, and the waves are smaller.
This was the closest beach to our accommodation, so we spent our 1st afternoon on this fantastic beach, just relaxing, enjoying the waves and watching the sunset.
Praia Curral
Praia Curral is south of Praia Grande, farther from the centre. We wanted to try this beach as well, but the free parking spots were full, and the other options near the beach were overpriced, so we chose another beach.
Discover the top waterfalls in Ilhabela and hike in the jungle
Cachoeira dos Três Tombos
Cachoeira 3 tombos is the only waterfall we could visit. It has 3 drops, all of them are beautiful and unique in their way. The 1st drop even has a big natural pool, where you can refresh yourself.
The trail in the tropical forest is not steep but can be slippery after rainy days. It’s easily accessible, you can leave the car at the entrance of the trail, and from there the route is only around 700 m long.
Cachoeira do Gato
This is the tallest waterfall in Ilhabela, with a height of 50 meters. You can also enjoy its natural cold pool.
Cachoeira do Gato is accessible during your Praia de Castelhanos trip. We planned to hike to this waterfall, though we found out at the beginning of the trail (which was 20 minutes away from the middle of the beach), that there’s a 2 km long trail to reach the waterfall, so the whole trip takes around 1,5 hour. And we didn’t have that much time, so we just turned back and enjoyed the beach.
Cachoeira da Água Branca
Cachoeira da Água Branca is close to the centre, also located in the Ilhabela State Park. Park your car at the guardhouse of Parque Municipal das Cachoeiras, equipped with toilets and showers. Here you can start the easy hike on the trail, which has waterfalls, pools, and an observation tower.
Cachoeira da Toca
During our Praia de Castelhanos trip, we stopped only at its 1st part to enjoy the natural pool. There’s a longer trail to reach the top of Cachoeira da Toca, on the way, you can stop at more natural pools and waterfalls.
Take a photo at the Ilhabela viewpoint
A bit south of the ferry station, you’ll find a viewpoint called Mirante do Piúva, where a huge “I love Ilhabela” sign is located. The terrace overlooks the mainland of Brazil, the coast of Ilhabela, and you’ll also see the nearby island of Isla das Cabras.
Parking places are located on the other side of the road, so you can have as much time as you need to take your photos.
Ilhabela 3-day travel itinerary
Ilhabela is an ideal weekend getaway, especially from São Paulo. Three days are enough to see many highlights, but not the entire island. Here’s how we spent 3 days in Ilhabela, combining the most famous sights with local experiences:
Day 1 – Getting to Ilhabela and beach time
- Drive from São Paulo to São Sebastião
- Ferry from São Sebastião to Ilhabela
- Check-in at Pousada Mirante da Praia Grande
- Relax at Praia Grande
- Dinner at Joãozinho Restaurante
Day 2 – Praia Castelhanos tour
- 4×4 Praia Castelhanos tour
- Swim at the natural pool of Cachoeira da Toca
- Stop at Mirante de Castelhanos
- Beach time at Praia Castelhanos
- Lunchtime at Quiosque do Alemão
- Attempt to visit Cachoeira do Gato
- Dinner at Joãozinho Restaurante
Day 3 – Waterfall and beach time
- Visit Cachoeira 3 tombos waterfall
- Relax at Praia Do Julião
- Lunch at Restaurante Prainha Do Julião
- Dinner at Emirados Esfiharia Cervejaria
Last day – Going home
- Stop at Ilhabela viewpoint, Mirante do Piúva
- Return to São Paulo
For step-by-step details, travel times, and tips, read my full post: How to spend 3 days in Ilhabela, Brazil?
Now you know the best things to do in Ilhabela, Brazil, from beaches and waterfalls to viewpoints and food spots. Use this Ilhabela travel guide to plan your trip.
You can also check the official Ilhabela tourism website for updated information on trails, beaches, and local events.
Ilhabela combines tropical nature, adventure, and a relaxed beach life, which is exactly why it stands out among destinations on Brazil’s coast.
Would you like to visit the beautiful island of Ilhabela?
Interested in more Brazilian beaches and destinations?
- Brazil Travel Tricks: What to Know When Going to Brazil in 2026
- 7 things to know before visiting Lagoinha do Leste in Florianópolis
- Best beaches in Rio de Janeiro
- 10 things to do and see in São Paulo
- What to eat and drink in Brazil?
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8 Comments
Cris - Ilhabela.com.br
January 31, 2020 at 3:02 pmHi Aliz! We loved your post about Ilhabela! <3 We're from the official tourism website of the island and we'd like to know if you want to share your experience with our visitors on our website. We have a new area named "Ilhabela by foreigners" and we'll be happy if you accept to participate =) If you want, you can contact us by email or in our Instagram @portalilhabela. Thanks a lot!
alizswonderland
January 31, 2020 at 5:16 pmThank you Chris! I’d love to, I’ve already sent the email 🙂
Auckland Surf
June 6, 2020 at 6:35 amIn this article we come to know about ilhabela travel guide and I would suggest others who are searching for best tips on the topic to go through this link and get all the details. I will bookmark your site; I hope to read more such informative contents in future.
alizswonderland
June 6, 2020 at 2:30 pmOooooo thank you 🙂 I’m planning to write more useful and informative content, so hopefully you’ll return soon 🙂
Latitude Adjustment: A Tale of Two Wanderers
October 27, 2022 at 9:47 pmGreat information. Thank you!
alizswonderland
October 31, 2022 at 11:12 amMy pleasure 🙂 Have fun in Ilhabela and Brazil!
Ash
March 14, 2024 at 4:25 amHi, did you take malaria meds or get a yellow fever vaccine for visiting Brazil/this island in particular? Thanks!
alizswonderland
March 23, 2024 at 10:16 pmFor Brazil, I needed yellow fever vaccine. But I didn’t have malaria meds. As far as I know, it’s recommended for North Brazil. Make sure to consult a doctor 🙂