Ilha Grande is a tropical island about 5 hrs outside of Rio by bus and boat.
Ilha Grande is an ecological paradise and is just a great place to relax. There are no roads or cars on the island at all. About 40% of the island is a protected natural reserve which can only be accessed by little speed boats.
There are only three inhabited areas on Ilha Grande of which Vila Abraao is the largest.
You can find wonderful sand beaches in the North and the West, while the South has a rough coast. You can get a wonderful panoramic view from the 1000 meter high Pico de Papagaio.
In Abraao, the main village, there are two cobbled streets and the rest is all sand paths. There are several restaurants and shops on the main square and there is a church as well. At night several stands are set up where you can buy sucos, acai, or caipirinhas are freshly prepared. One of the pousadas has a big garden full of butterflies and even hummingbirds.
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