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Which is better: Ilha Grande or Paraty?

Short answer

Ilha Grande and Paraty are in the same region (Rio de Janeiro and Surroundings). Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Ilha Grande has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in Ilha GrandeAcaiá Cave & Ilha Grande Lagoons Boat Tour★ 8 · 1 review · from US$ 46 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in ParatyParaty Islands Tour★ 8.9 · 47 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Ilha Grande Paraty
Best time to visit May → Aug Jun → Aug
Weather this month 28° · 13 days of rain 28° · 14 days of rain
By car R$ 312 · from São Paulo R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family Romantic, Food, Adventure, Relax
Choose Ilha Grande if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: the wildest island on the Costa Verde, with Lopes Mendes at the end of the path.

See guide
Choose Paraty if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: uneven cobblestones, whitewashed houses and craft cachaça on the Costa Verde.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Ilha Grande or Paraty

What usually tips the balance for your wallet is the rate on your travel dates. Check current prices for each city before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Ilha Grande on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

See all hotels in Ilha Grande

Compare hotels and places to stay in Paraty on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Porto Imperial in Paraty 9.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Pousada Porto Imperial See on Booking → Pousada das Pedras in Paraty 8.4 ★★★★ · 412 reviews Pousada das Pedras See on Booking →
See all hotels in Paraty

Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Ilha Grande or Paraty: which is better?
Ilha Grande and Paraty are in the same region (Rio de Janeiro and Surroundings). Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Ilha Grande has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Ilha Grande and Paraty?
The best time to visit Ilha Grande is from May to August; for Paraty, it is from June to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from São Paulo, Ilha Grande is 404 km (251 mi) and costs about R$ 312 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Paraty is 280 km (174 mi) and costs about R$ 155 each way (fuel only, tolls not included). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Ilha Grande or Paraty?
Averaged over the year, Ilha Grande has 12 rainy days a month and Paraty has 14. Ilha Grande is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Ilha Grande is January and in Paraty, January. For temperature, Ilha Grande is the warmer one (average high of 29° versus 28°).
How many days should you spend in Ilha Grande and in Paraty?
To see the main sights without rushing, Ilha Grande calls for 3–4 days and Paraty, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Ilha Grande or Paraty with kids?
Ilha Grande (car-free village, forest trails, and paradise beaches) is the better pick of the two for families. Paraty (colonial historic center, boat trip, and waterfalls in the mountains) is geared more toward adults or couples. With small children, weather matters: Ilha Grande has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Ilha Grande: Lopes Mendes Beach, Vila do Abraão, Pico do Papagaio. In Paraty: Colonial historic center, "Pé de moleque" streets, Paraty Bay and boat trip. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.