I was already expecting beautiful beaches in adventurous Ilha Grande, and it all came true when I saw that emerald green sea, exquisite vegetation and pleasant temperature. The best is to go trekking heading for fantastic hidden beaches, or full of tourists who came by boat. This is not a big problem, for whoever comes by boat does not stay long and it will be a desert beach again.
There are 16 marked trails around the island. It is possible to go around it in a few days, you only need to take a tent and have permission to camp on beaches like Aventureiros. In 3 days I was able to do 4 trails and one that was not on the maps. I was pretty lucky, I could have got lost or finished the trail at night time and under rain, but a little adventure is always good to spice things up.
Leaving Vila de Abraão, the easier trails are the CIRCUIT OF ABRAÃO and AQUETUDO – SACOS DO CÉU. On the way we rested at Enseada das Estrelas beach, passed by the aqueduct ruins and Feiticeira Fall, always surrounded by nature.
The most difficult trail was to Caxadaço Beach, there are two ABRAÃO – DOIS RIOS and DOIS RIOS CAXADAÇO, but it was worthwhile to arrive in paradise after 4 hours in the wild. We met another group doing the trails and some obstacles, like the road of stones covered with slippery moss and thousands of ants. We rushed through and then shook the ants off. On the way back we met a group of people who had come by the other way, the one that was not on the maps. We had to choose between going back alone on the same trail, which would be dark because of the forest, or trust that they knew an alternative path. We voted for number one and it was the best choice, we arrived in Lopes Mendes faster and got a boat to Abraão on the exact minute of a downpour. But do not take this trail without a guide or someone who knows the way well; it is easy to get lost.
The last day would be shorter because of the trip back, so we decided to get a boat and enjoy it in LOPES MENDES. Keeping the pace, we went to Pouso and did the trail POUSO – LOPES MENDES. Lopes Mendes beach has a lot of tourists, but it is good to have a walk with your feet in the water or to find a peaceful place, for it has a great extension of land. For those who do not enjoy trails, there are boats to every beach and taxi boats that pick you up on the schedule.
Time was short for open water diving; it must be wonderful in those waters. I want to return to dive and do the other trails.
TAKE NOTE
The TRAILS can be done with or without guide. There are agencies that offer several tours and guiding services. Buy sandwich and water at the bakery to have a snack on the trail, some places sell no food.
Pack up repellent, the mosquitoes have no mercy, they attack under the shadow of a tree and it is even worse at night; they are terrible if you are allergic. I ended up with a lot of lumps all over my body.
Where to stay: CASA GRANDE Inn, it is clean and pleasant, in the middle of the nature. It is located in Abraão, away from the harbor but close to the beach. On the arrival, we went on foot with our heavy backpacks. Breakfast was quite good, in the presence of white-eared marmosets reaching for food.
How to get there: you can leave Angra dos Reis by ferry boat, schooner or catamarans; it is advisable to check their departures. We went by ferry boat and bought the ticket when we arrived at the bus station, same price if you buy it on the ferry. A good idea is to leave São Paulo at night to arrive in Angra early in the morning, from the bus station to the boats it is a 30-minute walk, or you can go by taxi.
Translated by Lúcia Maciel
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