Early this month, I visited one of the most beautiful places in the world. Ilha Grande, or literally “Big Island,” is an island in the coast of Rio de Janeiro. It is a very well preserved place, where you can be in touch with the pure nature.
Although I’m a very connected person, once a while, I try to disconnect from the Internet. I wished that I could turn off my smartphone. Unfortunately for professional reasons, I had to let my phone able to receive calls (just in case of emergency). So, I uninstalled all apps of my smartphone (except Google Maps, to review later the places that I visited).
I recommend it to everyone. Technology is excellent, and it brought advances for society. However, it’s mandatory balancing online time. It was just 48 hours (actually, 51), but it’s incredible how you had so much time to do a lot of things, talk to people or just contemplate the nature when you are disconnected (or almost, in my case).
What you read and see below is what I experimented this weekend.
My Journey
I let my city, Volta Redonda, at 4 PM, on Friday. After having driven for about 1 hour and 45 minutes, I get the Conceição de Jacareí Pier, which is the fastest way to get Vila do Abrão, a village in Ilha Grande (bellow, all tips and directions to going to the “Big Island”). The boat trip to Vila do Abrão took no more than 20 minutes. It was rained when I arrived there, and I felt a little disappointed. However, a tourist guide that I met swore me that the climate forecast to the weekend was excellent. In fact, it was a perfect winter Brazilian weekend (32ºC during the day and comfortable time during the evening/night).
Friday, I strolled to Ilha do Abrão to grab something to eat (and a couple of beers for sure). It could be just a small fisherman Village (what would be incredible). However, it is also a multicultural place. Apart from Portuguese (spoken in different accents), I listened to people speaking Spanish (mostly Argentinian accent), English, French, Italian, German, Russian, Mandarin, Arabic and other languages that I failed in identify.
By the way, English and Spanish are widely spoken by the people who work in tourism (and you even can find people who speak other languages, including foreign people who live and work there). I talked to a Caiçara (how natives from Ilha Grande are called), who speaks English, Spanish and French. He has neither studied in a regular course nor lived in another place than Ilha Grande (he learned talking to tourists). It doesn’t mean that everyone speaks English and Spanish, but people will always be helpful.
Maritimes Tours
Saturday, I went to a maritime tour. Between all tours available I chose the half turn to the Island to visit places like Lagoa Azul (Blue Lagoon), Lagoa Verde (Green Lagoon), Praia da Feiticeira (Witch Beach) and other sites. A tip: These tours use to stop on the Japariz beach to lunch (the sailor will suggest you order in advance in a partner restaurant. The prices, however, are high and you won’t have a lot of time to enjoy a meal. So, I use to bring some snacks).
Saturday night
After taking a rest in my BnB, I pic out a restaurant with a piece of good music. If you enjoy the nightlife, same Hostels promote parties till 5 AM (I preferred coming to bed early to enjoy the next day).
Lopes Mendes
On Sunday, I took a walk in Vila do Abrao to take some pictures and then took a boat to visit Lopes Mendes Beach. It’s a kind of desert Beach and to reach there is necessary to hike for about 25 minutes (a medium hike, I’d say). Well, look the pictures and check if worth it or not.
Unfortunately, I just had two days. Bellow see some tips to plan your trip to Ilha Grande.
Where to stay?
Vila do Abrao. There a lot of Inns, Hostels and you can also book a BnB room (what I preferred). Take a look at this place:
How long to stay?
At least four full days to have an overview of the Island.
Must see / Visit
Maritimes tours – There a lot, but try at least Turn the Island (or Half Turn, depending on the Sea Level), Paradisic Islands (two smaller Island close by Ilha Grande) and Lopes Mendes (remember that you have to hike).
How to Get “Ilha Grande”?
You can get Ilha Grande from both Angra dos Reis or Mangaratiba State (at least five piers). The fastest way to get there is throughout the Village of Conceição de Jacarei, in Mangaratiba (20 minutes in a Fast Boat). I choose that option. If you are driving parking there, it will cost you R$ 30 (about U$ 7,50 per day). Because of that, some people prefer Santa Luzia Pier in Angra dos Reis, where free parking is available. Pay attention: the transfer time to Ilha Grande can increase up to 50 minutes or more (depending on the boat). If you are coming from Rio de Janeiro and will hide a transfer, I suggest to negotiate the transfer to Conceicao de Jacarei).
Extra Tips
I’ve been to there early this month, which is technically wintertime. However, I had an incredible sunny weekend. The best? Accommodations and Maritimes tours are much cheaper in Winter than in Summer.
If you are traveling on a budget trip, you can find good deals close to the Catholic Church. And, come on, you’re a Local Guide, Google Maps is plenty of useful information about the Island.
Float Restaurant
In the Praia do Pouso, where you take the trail to Lopes Mendes there is a Float Restaurant. Like most restaurants in Ilha Grande is not so cheap (for Brazilian patterns, please), but the food is delicious and the worth it.
Two questions:
Do you usually disconnect from the Internet? How do you balance your online time?
What is your refuge in your Country?
* All Photos by Local Guide @AlexandreCampbell. I thought about to create a Google Photo Album, but I decided that worth to use my photo quota on Local Guides Connect to show you how beautiful is this place. I save space in the future.
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