There are beautiful beaches, some considered to be among the nicest of Brazil.

• Art Gallery inside of Vivenda das Bromelias Inns
• Aqueduct
• Candido Mendez Jail Ruins en Dois Rios - It´s not preserved or restored but come here and remember that the most dangerous criminals in Brazil were kept here
• In Parnaioca Beach (not easy to reach) there are other remainders of the slave period. The dark past of the island: jail prisioners, slaves, pirates and lepers in the Lazareto Hospital. Many people affirm that they have seen phantoms in Parnaoica or Caxadaco beaches.

Enseada do Bananal, what a nice quiet location.

The only way to get to Ilha Grande is by boat. Ferries operated by BARCAS S/A to Vila Abrão from the mainland leave from Mangaratiba (105 minutes, departure 8:00 am, return 5:30 pm, additional departure Friday 10PM) and from Angra dos Reis (90 minutes, departure M-F 3:30PM, Sa,Su 1:30PM, return 10AM). Note that the schedule is changed frequently. Prices are significantly lower on Monday through Thursday than on Fridays, weekends and holidays.

There are also several private boats from Angra dos Reis port to Vila do Abraão, leaving almost every hour (depeding on the demand). Prices may vary from R$ 15,00 do R$ 25,00. If you walk near the pier and look like a tourist you will be approached by these boat operators. Note that they may not be entirely truthful about how soon their boat will depart - if you are told to wait on a pier and see no boat nearby, find another operator.

Daily buses operated by Costa Verde[1] leave from Rio de Janeiro to Mangaratiba and Angra dos Reis. Daily buses from São Paulo to Angra dos Reis are operated by Reunidas Paulista[2].

There are no roads and no private cars on the island. A good option is to use Vila do Abraão as a base and plan day trips from there. There are several hiking trails to the many beaches on the island. Some trails can be strenuous in the tropical weather, so be prepared and take plenty of fluid. Remember that night falls early and dawn is short near the equator, so carry a flashlight if you plan to return after 6PM. Many beaches can be reached by boat and several agencies in Vila do Abraão sell packages for the numerous schooners serving the island. It is easy to find one-way trips and pick ups back to Vila do Abraão on many beaches in the evening. It is possible to walk around the outside of the island in about 4 or 5 days if you're not in too much of a hurry. Its best to start at Abraão and go in an anticlockwise direction, through Dois Rios. Note that accommodation on the back side of the island is scarce and free camping is illegal. At Parnaioca beach on the backside, arguably one of the most beautiful spots on the whole island and worth spending at least a couple of days at, you can ask for accommodation in the local houses (there are only about 8 people living there); ask for Sr. João, he'll help you out. Meals can also be purchased, but variety is very limited, so it might be a good idea to take some food. There used to be a camping ground there with some very limited infrastructure run by the locals, but in 2006 that was prohibited by the national environmental agency (IBAMA), and was still prohibited at the end of 2007, although the locals were apparently appealing this ruling.

There are a few souvenir shops in Vila do Abraão selling t-shirts, magnets and other stuff. In fact, there is nothing typical or special to buy in Ilha Grande.

• Pastel de frango at Crena Beach

There are about 30 restaurants in the island. Some are expensive but there are many cheaper options like hamburgers. Try FOOD for KILO; pay about US $0.80 per 100g for very nice food.

The seafood is generally very good and could perhaps be regarded as a specialty. Many restaurants offer casseroles with several types of seafood, served as a dish for two. Although in the higher price range for Ilha Grande, they are delicious and good value for money. Try one with a lucky friend or significant other!

• Beer, beer, and more beer. The most popular is Skol, but Itaipava is very good and little cheaper. Another classic is Antartica.

• Guarana, Brazil's ever-present soft drink.

• Caipirinha, Cachaça with lime and sugar. Strong but perfect.

• Fresh Juices, you can't miss the opportunity to try mango, orange, guava and other fresh juices - and sooo cheap - when in most northern countries they are so difficult to be found!