Port Ilha Grande
Ilha Grande, nestled off Brazil's Costa Verde, is a breathtaking island sanctuary where dense Atlantic rainforest cascades down to over 100 secluded beaches. The charming village of Vila do Abraão serves as the main hub, where colorful pousadas and beachfront restaurants welcome visitors arriving by boat. With no cars allowed, the island maintains its peaceful, unspoiled character.
Adventure seekers can trek through jungle trails to the world-renowned Lopes Mendes Beach, kayak to hidden lagoons like Lagoa Azul, and dive among tropical fish at Gruta do Acaiá. Whether you're watching howler monkeys swing through canopy, relaxing in a hammock, or catching sunset from Pico do Papagaio, Ilha Grande radiates pure tropical magic.
History
Long before Portuguese colonization, Tupi-Guarani indigenous peoples called Ilha Grande home, fishing its rich waters and living in harmony with the rainforest. In the 16th century, the island became a haven for pirates and smugglers, with hidden coves providing perfect shelter. Later, it served as a quarantine station and leper colony during colonial times.
The island's darker chapter began in 1884 with the construction of Cândido Mendes Prison, which housed some of Brazil's most dangerous criminals until its closure in 1994. The notorious Lazareto and maximum-security facility cast a shadow over the island for over a century. However, after demolition of the prison complex, Ilha Grande was reborn as an ecological paradise, now protected as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and celebrated for conservation rather than confinement.
