To arrive in Ilha Grande (the Big Island) is to come one step closer to reaching a paradise that few people know. The boat trip to the island itself is already an enchanting ride. As you cross the Ilha Grande bay with its crystal green waters, you can see the vast green of the Atlantic forest and imagine what the first tourists whom arrived in 1502 experienced.

The first residents of Ilha Grande were the Tamoyo Indians, called the island Ipaum Guaçu (Ipaum = Island and Guaçu = Big). This tribe of Indians were warriors, brave and powerful. They were skilled with bow and arrows, great hunters and fishermen, as well as divers. Their way of life was different from that of other tribes, their villages were surrounded and protected by wooden steaks called caiçaras. Their oceanside tribe was located at the Praia do Sul (South Beach), a biological preserved area, consisting of coastal area, tidewaters, and rivermouths. This entire area is managed and protected by the Fundação Estadual de Engenharia do Meio Ambiente (FEEMA) or the equivalent to an Environmental Protection Agency. Today, as a result of the decline in economical and fishing industries, the island has thrived almost exclusively of the tourism industry which has experienced rapid growth, giving headway to new inns and hotels, as well as activities such as boat tours, hiking, diving, and etc.

There are numerous types of flora on the island, including hillside, coastal, mangrove and the plains vegetation. Ilha Grande is located within the thick low land grove’s domain called the Atlantic forest. another less frequent ecosystem are the formations of marine sandbanks, fluvial-marine (mangroves) which are one of the most significant ecosystems on the island with a vast diversity of life, influencing the commercial fishing of the area. The Island is home to an extensive fauna typical of the region, including various bird species such as parrots and saracuras. you will also encounter several kinds of monkeys, iguanas, snakes, etc. Many animals face the danger of extinction, in example, the monkey Bugio (Alouatta fusca). Conservation is everyone's responsibility!

Today the primary industry is tourism. Exuberant beaches and forests with abundant hiking trails (light, moderate, and advanced hikes), diving (it is the second most popular diving spot in Brazil), sail boat and speed boat tours (to secluded beaches, caves, and waterfalls), kayaking, historic tours, surfing and bodyboarding, fishing, birdwatching, and nature tours guided by biologists, oceanographers, bird experts, and geologists are some of the activities the island has to offer.

1- Depart Rio de Janeiro - Arrival in Ilha Grande
Meet and greet at the hotel or airport in Rio de Janeiro. At about 05:45am, transfer to the pier in Mangaratiba where you’ll embark at 08:00am the ferry boat to Vila do Abraão in Ilha Grande (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes trip). Arrival in Vila do Abraão, where you’ll be welcomed. Walking transfer to your pousada, check in and accommodation. Welcoming Tour as a walk through the village and its main spots.

The tropical Ilha Grande is located 180 km (approximately 2 hours) southwest of Rio de Janeiro. It has 192 km² of area, mostly covered by a huge and dense tropical forest , one of the most important remainings of Mata Atlântica (Brazilian Atlantic Moist forest). There are 106 beaches and many other landscapes, offering a great variety of transparent greens in the coast that faces the continent, and intense blues in the face turned to open sea.

2- Ilha Grande
At leisure. Enjoy the beaches or the village of Abraão. As an optional you can take a tour by boat to Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon), where you will find beautiful spots which preserve the islands natural environment. The tour will then continue with a stop at Fregesia de Santana beach, there you will visit two outstanding beaches as well as the historic Santana Church (founded in 1796). You will follow with a stop at Japariz beach and return to the docks. In the evening feel free to exploring the nightlife in Vila do Abraão (weekends and holidays have Forró and Popular Brazilian music at the Casarão).

3- Ilha Grande
At leisure. We suggest to hike towards Lopes Mendes beach. For the adventurer at heart, upon arriving at the entrance to Lopes Mendes there is an optional 20 minute hiking trail which takes you to another beautiful secluded beach, Santo Antonio beach. Upon arriving in Lopes Mendes (truly one of the most beautiful beaches, known for its fine white sand and crystal clear waters which captivate all visitors) you will enjoy a beach that pleases everyone from the casual swimmer to the experienced surfers. The beach extends 2.4 km in length and at its end there’s a creek which dumps into the ocean, and it has a small chapel as well as a mosaic on the beach made by Silvio Cavalheiro on a steel bouye.

4- Depart Ilha Grande - Arrival in Rio de Janeiro - Next City
After breakfast you’ll have time to relax or explore the island. At 5:00pm walking transfer to the pier in Vila do Abraão, where you’ll embark the ferry boat to Mangaratiba (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes trip). Reception at the pier in Mangaratiba and transfer to your hotel or the airport in Rio de Janeiro. Homebound flight or proceed to your next destination.

Land-Only prices in US-Dollars per person in double occupancy (single supplement available), including:

• Regular roundtrip transfer Hotel or Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro/Pier in Mangaratiba/Hotel or Airport GIG or SDU in Rio de Janeiro featuring air-conditioned vehicle with driver only. Maritime transfer Pier in Mangaratiba/Pier in Vila do Abraão/Pier in Mangaratiba by regular ferry boat service without guide. Reception at the Pier in Vila do Abraão, luggage handling and walking transfer to your pousada with English speaking guide.

• Welcome Tour as a walk through Vila do Abraão with English speaking guide.

• Accommodation in the pousada of your choice.

• Daily Brazilian buffet breakfast, unless indicated above.

• Meals as per description (B=breakfast, L=lunch, D=dinner).

• Hotel taxes.

-> The above mentioned times in the Day-By-Day Description may be changed at any time due to varying ferry times.

-> The island does not have any banks, currency exchange locations, or ATM machines. The currency exchange is done by local businesses at a rate lower than the official going rate. We advise that all currency exchange should be realized in Rio prior to coming to the island. Generally, Visa and MasterCard are accepted in the main restaurants and gift shops on the island.

-> To reduce or extend number of nights in this package, simply click on the hotel of your choice and check the desired period.

To receive more information, please email us at office@opcotours.com.