Practical FAQ for Ilha Grande (money, water, internet & more)

Ilha Grande is wonderfully wild — no cars, no banks, real rainforest — and that’s exactly its charm. It also means a few practical things are worth knowing before you come: there are no ATMs, the tap water isn’t drinkable, power cuts happen, and the mosquitoes are real. None of it is a problem if you arrive prepared. Here’s everything, from someone who lives here.

Money: bring a card, not a wallet of cash

There are no ATMs or banks in Vila do Abraão, so don’t plan to withdraw cash once you’re here — sort that out on the mainland. The good news: cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops and boat tours, and PIX is very popular too. You barely need cash; just bring a little as backup.

One thing to budget for: the island is noticeably more expensive than the mainland, especially groceries and food, since everything arrives by boat.

Internet & phone signal

  • Mobile signal: near the coast and the village, all three networks (Claro, TIM, Vivo) work — but coverage drops the moment you head inland or to remoter beaches. Claro is the only one I’d recommend: by far the most reliable, while the others are poor away from the coast. Bring a Claro chip if you can.
  • Wi-Fi in the village is so-so: it arrives by radio link and is fine for messaging and planning, but not dependable for serious remote work.
  • If you need to work online, choose accommodation with Starlink. It’s still uncommon in the village (our pousada runs two Starlink antennas), so ask before you book.

The Taxa Viva Angra (access fee)

Angra dos Reis charges an environmental access fee, paid by QR code:

  • R$50 if you have a registered, legal accommodation booked; R$100 if not (roughly €10–20, depending on the rate).
  • You pay it when you board the boat to the island, or on disembarking the public ferry (barca).
  • Children, visitors over 60, and residents don’t pay — only tourists.

You’re issued a QR-code ticket — keep it on your phone, because you’ll need it again when you leave the island, not just on arrival. Having your booking confirmation saved helps too. (Rates and rules can change, so double-check when you book.)

Drinking water: always bottled, skip the ice

The tap water isn’t safe to drink — as across Brazil. The island’s water actually starts as beautiful spring water from the forest, but the storage, filtering and disinfection along the way are precarious, so don’t risk it.

  • Drink bottled water, and avoid ice in soft drinks, juices, vitaminas and smoothies — the island’s ice is made from the same water.
  • The one phrase to learn: sem gelo (sounds like “seng JEH-loo”) means “no ice”. When you order any drink, add “sem gelo, por favor” — easily your most useful Portuguese on the island.
  • Brushing your teeth and showering are fine.
  • My own running joke: the one cold drink you can always trust is a caipirinha — about a quarter pure cachaça. Said with a wink, of course; the real rule is bottled water and no ice.

Health & pharmacies

Abraão has two pharmacies and a well-equipped health post (posto de saúde), staffed 24 hours. Care there is free, even for visitors. If something happens, bring someone who speaks good Portuguese to help interpret — your pousada or hostel can usually arrange that.

Power cuts

Power cuts happen. They’ve become less frequent, but short micro-outages are common — usually a few hours, mostly in the daytime, and only occasionally longer. A power bank is a smart thing to pack, especially if your phone’s battery is weak.

Getting around & luggage — travel light

There are no cars on Ilha Grande. Streets are a mix of sand, cobblestones and dirt, and luggage is moved by hand cart (carrinho).

  • The west side of the village is fully cobbled, so suitcases are manageable there (that’s where Pousada CostaVerde is).
  • The central-east side is unpaved dirt that floods when it rains, making it hard to haul luggage — which is partly why accommodation there is cheaper.
  • The best setup is a carry-on plus a backpack you can carry yourself. Fast boats have little luggage space.
  • Hiring a cart to move your bags isn’t cheap either — around R$70–100 per trip. One more reason to pack light.

What to pack

  • Insect repellent and sunblock — non-negotiable
  • Trekking shoes (or good-quality sandals for dry days)
  • A light rain layer or poncho — bring your own; pousadas here generally don’t provide umbrellas or rain gear
  • A power bank
  • A card (and a little cash as backup)
  • A good reusable water bottle — a golden tip: boat tours include unlimited mineral water but serve it in tiny disposable cups, so a refillable bottle saves you money (and thirst)
  • Any toiletries and personal-care items you’d find pricey — they cost more on the island, so stock up on the mainland first

For the trails, the boats and the best time to come, see our guides on getting there, the trails and the best time to visit.

Frequently asked questions

Are there ATMs on Ilha Grande?

No. There are no ATMs or banks in Vila do Abraão. Cards are widely accepted in restaurants, shops and boat tours, and PIX is very popular, so you can get by without much cash — but bring a little as backup, and sort out money on the mainland before you arrive.

Can you drink the tap water on Ilha Grande?

No — like in the rest of Brazil, tap water isn't safe to drink. The island's spring water is lovely but the treatment and distribution are precarious. Always drink bottled water and avoid ice in soft drinks, juices and smoothies, since the ice is made from the same water. Brushing your teeth and showering are fine.

What is the Taxa Viva Angra and how much is it?

It's an environmental access fee, paid by QR code. It's R$50 if you have a registered, legal accommodation booked, or R$100 otherwise (roughly €10–20). You pay it when you board the boat to the island, or on disembarking the public ferry. Children, over-60s and residents don't pay — only tourists.

Is there mobile signal and Wi-Fi?

Near the coast and the village all three networks (Claro, TIM, Vivo) work, but coverage drops as soon as you head inland or to remoter beaches — so Claro is the only one I'd recommend, by far the most reliable. Village Wi-Fi is patchy: fine for messaging, but not for serious remote work. If you need to work online, choose a place with Starlink (still uncommon in the village).

Are mosquitoes a problem on Ilha Grande?

Yes — bring repellent and sunblock, both essential. As well as regular mosquitoes there are 'borrachudos', tiny biting midges on the beaches that leave itchy welts. Dengue exists on the island at times, so cover up at dawn and dusk and use repellent.

Is Ilha Grande safe?

Very. It's one of the safest places I know — a small community of around 6,000 residents with a strong, shared intolerance of theft, so problems are rare.

How should I pack for Ilha Grande?

Travel light. There are no cars; luggage is moved by hand cart over sand and cobblestones. A carry-on plus a backpack you can carry yourself works far better than big suitcases, especially on the fast boats where luggage space is tight.