Picking the right Ilha Grande pousada or hotel makes a bigger difference than you’d expect. A short walk can be tough, navigating sand and steps with bags, and a quieter beach can mean thinking ahead for meals and an extra boat transfer.
My guide helps you choose the right area for your first visit, with some hand picked, well rated stays that will ensure you have a great trip.
Quick answer. Where should you stay?
For the simplest first trip, stay in Vila do Abraão. It’s the most straightforward place to arrive, everything is walkable, and you’ve got the widest choice of accommodation, food and tours. It’s where I always recommend people stay on their first trip.
If you want something more secluded, romantic and a bit special, look at Araçatiba or Praia Vermelha. But know it means a longer boat, a quieter stay and less choice.
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More of my Brazil guides to help plan your trip
- Paraty Brazil Travel Guide — The best activities, things to see and how to get to Paraty from Rio and Sao Paulo
- Restaurants in Paraty — My favourite restaurants in Paraty for all occasions, plotted on an easy to follow map
- Ilha Grande Travel Guide — How to get to the island, what to do, where to stay and what to eat when you’re there
Comparison of the best location to stay on Ilha Grande
| Area | Why pick it | Trade-offs | Not ideal if… |
| Abraão. Near the pier | Fast arrivals, easy tours | Busier feel, louder at night | You’re a light sleeper |
| Abraão. One street back | Best balance for most people | Slightly longer walk | You want to be right on the sand |
| Abraão. Quieter end of the beach | Calmer without leaving Abraão | Longer walk back from the pier | You’re doing lots of pier-based trips daily |
| Araçatiba or Praia Vermelha | Secluded beach base, switch-off stays, great views | Fewer choices nearby, more planning | You hate organising transfers |
If you’re still torn, default to Abraão. You can always do quieter beaches as day trips, then decide later if you want a more remote second stay.
If you want one simple Ilha Grande hotel or Pousada
I’d book Pousada Farol dos Borbas or Pousada Água Viva in Abraão so your arrival and first couple of days feel effortless.
If you’ve got longer on the island and want to slow things down, add Bonito Paraiso for a quieter treat, or switch to Araçatiba or Praia Vermelha for a proper change of pace.
I have picked all these recommendations based on where I have stayed, recommendations from people I know and ensuring they all score above an 8 rating on Booking.com, my number one rule for accommodation!
Map of Ilha Grande’s best pousadas and hotels
Vila do Abraão. The easiest base for a first visit
Abraão is where the trip feels the least complicated. You can arrive, eat, sort plans, and change your mind without it becoming a mission. On a first visit, I like having that flexibility for the first couple of days.
Where should I be located in Abraão
- Near the pier – Best if you’re arriving late or you want the shortest walk with bags. It can feel busier
- One street back – The best all-round option for most people. Close to everything, usually calmer at night.
- Further along the beach – A more relaxed feel without leaving Abraão, but expect a longer walk if you’re going back and forth to the pier.
Best Abraão pousadas and hotels
Near the pier and easiest logistics
Pousada Farol dos Borbas
Choose this for convenience. It’s ideal if you want to step off the boat and be at your room fast, with tours, restaurants, and late ferries all easy.
1–2 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$326 (£44) per night • Rating 8.3
Pousada Água Viva
If you like being close to the sand and staying right in the middle of things, this is a strong shout. It’s the sort of place that makes it all simple.
2–3 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$740 (£100) per night • Rating 8.5
Best value: For those who want both
Pousada Tagomago
A useful middle ground. Close enough for an easy arrival, but with a more relaxed feel than the most central options.
5 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$446 (£60) per night • Rating 9.1
Better for sleep: Still walkable
Pousada Albatroz
Good if you want Abraão convenience, but you don’t want to feel right in the pier bustle at night.
10 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$446 (£60) per night • Rating 9.0
Pousada Porto Girassol
A solid option if you want a quieter stretch of Abraão without losing the ability to walk to dinner and tours.
10–15 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$817 (£110) per night • Rating 9.1
Social stays. Great if you want company
Ilha Grande Hostel
A good base if you want a sociable vibe and help arranging plans, especially if you’re travelling solo and are keen to meet some new friends.
6–10 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$504 (£68) per night • Rating 8.5
Aquario Pousada Hostel. Night Club
The clue is in the name, this one is about atmosphere. Pick it if you want a lively, beachy stay and you’re not expecting early nights.
10–15 mins walk to Abraão pier • Cost about R$338 (£46) per night • Rating 8.8
A “special stay” near Abraão
Bonito Paraiso (Abraãozinho)
If you want a more private stay without going totally remote, this is the spot for you. It’s close enough to pop back to Abraão, but it feels more tucked away, which can be a relief if you’ve had a busy couple of days.
5 mins by taxi boat, or 30 mins on foot, to Abraão pier • Cost about R$1,639 (£222) per night • Rating 9.2
Quieter bays. Araçatiba and Praia Vermelha
This is where Ilha Grande feels like the true island paradise it is, but the catch is simple. Boats tours become mandatory, and you’ll usually eat near where you’re staying, or in an on site restaurant, rather than choosing from loads of places every night.
If your trip is short, or you hate organising transfers, Abraão will suit you better. If you want secluded, peace and quiet, with bundles of nature, consider staying here.
Best Araçatiba Pousadas
For each of these you are looking at a 60-90min boat from Abraão pier, or consider a different boat transfer from mainland Brazil
Suítes Carla e Carol
A clean, no-fuss base with air-conditioned rooms that suits a quieter Araçatiba stay. Guests often mention the breakfast and a friendly, helpful host, which makes the logistics feel easier once you arrive.
Cost about R$306 (£41) per night • Rating 9.4
Pousada Canto do Mar
A beach-front style stay where the setting is the main draw. Reviews regularly call out the sea views and breakfast, so it works well if you want simple days in the bay and a comfortable routine.
Cost about R$454 (£61) per night • Rating 9.2
Pousada Mar de Sonhos
A beachfront option that feels geared towards slow mornings and time outdoors. It has on-site spaces like a terrace and bar, and guests often highlight the view and attentive staff who are happy to help book boat tours.
Cost about R$362 (£49) per night • Rating 9.3
Encanto do Mar
A practical choice if you like a bit of independence, with self-catering features like a kitchen plus sea-view outdoor space. It’s right by the beach.
Cost about R$477 (£64) per night • Rating 8.9
Pousada Popeye
A beach-front stay with a restaurant and bar on site, which helps in a quieter area where you don’t have a lot of choice. It’s a good fit if you want beach time first and simple evenings close to your room.
Cost about R$651 (£88) per night • Rating 8.8
Praia Vermelha Pousadas
For Praia Vermelha boat transfers from Abraão are around 70-110 minutes, with some options direct from the mainland as well.
Pousada e Mergulho Dolce Vita
A small, beach-based stay with its own restaurant and a private beach area. Reviews often describe a welcoming host and a looked-after feel, which matters more when you are away from the main hub.
Cost about R$999 (£135) per night • Rating 9.0
Pousada Lagamar
A nature-leaning base by the Lagamar lagoon, with rooms that have views towards the beach or gardens. It also lists activities like snorkelling, diving and hiking, so it suits travellers who want a quieter setting but still like doing a bit.
Cost about R$852 (£115) per night • Rating 9.0
Best of both worlds: Two-base stays
If you’ve got enough nights, splitting your stay is an upgrade as you really do get to see the best of the island.
- Abraão then Araçatiba: start easy, finish quiet.
- Abraão then Praia Vermelha: end with a proper beach switch-off base.
- Abraão then Bonito Paraiso: add a quieter “special stay” without going fully remote.
If you’re only staying a couple of nights, or you hate packing up, stick with Abraão and keep it simple.
FAQ’s about Ilha Grande hotels and Pousadas
Abraão is the easiest and most flexible base. Choose Araçatiba or Praia Vermelha if quiet is the priority and you’re happy using boats more.
On Ilha Grande, most places are pousadas. They’re usually smaller and simpler than a big hotel, and that’s normal for the island.
If you struggle with warm nights, it’s worth prioritising. Check the room type details, not just the headline description. It isn’t everywhere on Ilha Grande. For me personally, it is a non negotiable.
Yes if you want calmer evenings and you’re happy staying local most days. If you want flexibility, lots of food choice, and easy tours, Abraão usually fits better.
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