Ilhabela | Hidden Gem of Sao Paulo, Brazil
I used to drive off the São Paulo coast for a weekend getaway when I was living in São Paulo, Brazil . If I have to describe life in São Paulo City, that will be bustling, chaotic, and gray! However, Brazil is truly blessed by God (at least that’s what the locals always tell me.) with every struggle Brazilian are going through, regardless of political or economic reasons. Yet, Brazil stands as one of the most beautiful countries on Earth. Brazilian are very friendly as well. (Ok! I’m not saying ALL are friendly! but for sure you will get to experience Brazilian spirits).
The state of São Paulo has a coastline 370 miles (600 km) long, it possesses some of the most beautiful beaches but not as widely known as Ipanema or Copacabana beach in Rio Janeiro for many foreigners.
About Ilhabela
Ilhabela is one of the off-coast islands we visit very often. This island is considered one of the most popular destinations in São Paulo, with its amazing beaches, waterfall, and rainforest. These are a few fun facts:
- Ilhabela is located on the northern coast of the state of São Paulo, about 210 km from the capital city.
- Ilhabela is the biggest sea island in Brazil; the archipelago has 340 km² and around 150 km of coastline.
- Ilhabela means a beautiful island in Portuguese.
- Ilhabela has more than 40 beaches, some deserted, and others equipped with complete infrastructure.
- Ilhabela has 365 waterfalls within the island.
- 85% of Ilhabela is UNESCO biosphere reserve. The south and east side of the island has been protected as a National Landmark. An only specific group of eco-staffs is permitted to enter.
(Source: Ilhabela Official Website)
How to get there?
Ilhabela is an off-coast island, which means any trip to this island will require taking a ferry from São Sebastião, which is a beach town nearby. São Sebastião is located between the cities of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro and can be accessed by car or bus from either of the two cities.
Ferries leave every 30 minutes most of the day and operate 24 hours, you can enter the ferry by foot, car, motorcycle or bicycle. Check out the timetable and price chart.
Where to stay?
There are several hotels in Ilhabela. We have chosen to stay at a pousada up on the hill close to Praia do Itaguaçu. We prefer this side of the location as it is leaning toward the end of the busy coastline and tend to be calmer at night. Check out the top 10 best hotel in Ilhabela
Off-road Adventures to Praia de Castellhanos
Diving, hiking, or just enjoying the beach with a caipirinha are all the activities you can do in Ilhabela, but the most popular activities are boating around the island to explore beaches.
Ilhabela has over 40 beaches and Ilhabela was one of the first places I had visited in Brazil. Castellanos, considered as the top 5 beaches in Ilhabela. Located on the east side of the island. You can only access there by boat or four-wheel Jeep that can cross the rough terrain of a natural reserve.
Castellanos used to be an exclusive local fisherman’s village, and due to the challenging road condition, it’s often for off-road adventurers. However, it’s becoming a day trip for tourists nowadays as the road has been fixed into a much better condition compared to the photo shown below.
So after the road’s been fixed. The upside is you can either rent a Jeep or join the Jeep adventure tour to experience this fantastic beach; it allows you to discover the island’s forest and hidden natural treasure. But the downside is there are more tourists nowadays. Nonetheless, it is still a peaceful beach worth visiting.
My Multicultural Experience
After being convinced to try on an off-road over to Castellanos, never in my life would have thought that when a Brazilian means “get in nature,” he really means… “Be in nature.” the road condition was extremely poor that day due to heavy rain in the previous night. We spent hours inside the rainforest, of course, without any infrastructure such as a restroom, restaurants, and shops.
It was all fun heading to Castellanos. However, the experience of exiting the rainforest was personally quite an unforgettable memory. Castellanos off road experience definitely draw a new standard for me as a “nature lover”. When you found yourself in the rainforest after dark, the anxiety increased and begin feeling tensed. It was a “step outside the box” day.
Cachoeira do Gato
Among all the waterfalls, Cachoeira do Gato is the favorite! It is a 2 km moderate walking trail from the Castellanos beach to reach the waterfall, for a duration of 30 to 45 minutes.The trail to Cachoeira do Gato is at the end of the beach from where you climb the mountain, passing several bridges amid in nature. The reward is breathtaking.
Cachoeira do Gato is the highest waterfall in Ilhabela with approximately 40 meters high, definitely recommend to visit if you have someone who is familiar with the trail as it does have some splits along the way.
Mosquitos “Borrachudos” in Ilhabela
Do not forget to wear REPELLENT, because borrachudos or mosquitoes in Ilhabela are unstoppable. I’ve learned it the hard way, mosquitoes will not stop biting you.
Everyone reacts to mosquitoes bite differently. Most people could get away with OFF! Mosquito repellents. On the other hand, Exposis Extrême, which is a professional deep wood repellant, it can prevent 90% of the bites and alleviates the itchiness.
I believe that Ilhabela is one of the best-kept secrets for Sao Paulo. It’s quiet, clean, and beautiful. This island can get crowded during the long weekends, holidays, and the Carnival. If you can arrange the trip on a weekday may give you a more peaceful experience.
