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Which is better: Ilhabela or Ouro Preto?

Short answer

Ilhabela is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP), while Ouro Preto is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Ouro Preto: stone-paved slopes, gilded Baroque churches and the work of Aleijadinho in the former gold capital. For this month's weather, Ouro Preto has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in IlhabelaSnorkeling Class in Ilhabela★ 10 · 12 reviews · from US$ 26 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Ouro PretoJardineira Tour★ 8.6 · 145 reviews · from US$ 19 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Ilhabela Ouro Preto
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 26° · 15 days of rain 29° · 8 days of rain
By car R$ 132 · from São Paulo R$ 63 · from Belo Horizonte
Ideal stay 4–5 days 2–3 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family Romantic, Food, Family
Choose Ilhabela if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: sailing, shipwreck dives, waterfalls in the forest and the dreaded borrachudo.

See guide
Choose Ouro Preto if

you want a trip for couples and food lovers: stone-paved slopes, gilded Baroque churches and the work of Aleijadinho in the former gold capital.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Ilhabela or Ouro Preto

The average nightly rate is around R$ 320 in Ilhabela and R$ 527 in Ouro Preto; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

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

See all hotels in Ilhabela

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

Pousada Sinhá Olímpia in Ouro Preto 9.5 ★★★★ · 71 reviews Pousada Sinhá Olímpia See on Booking → Hotel Solar de Maria in Ouro Preto 9 ★★★★ · 14 reviews Hotel Solar de Maria See on Booking →
See all hotels in Ouro Preto

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

Frequently asked questions

Ilhabela or Ouro Preto: which is better?
Ilhabela is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP), while Ouro Preto is in the Historic Cities of Minas Gerais (MG): different regions of Brazil. Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Ouro Preto: stone-paved slopes, gilded Baroque churches and the work of Aleijadinho in the former gold capital. For this month's weather, Ouro Preto has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Ilhabela and Ouro Preto?
The best time to visit Ilhabela is from May to August; for Ouro Preto, it is from May 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, Ilhabela is 197 km (122 mi) and costs about R$ 132 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from Belo Horizonte, Ouro Preto is 100 km (62 mi) and costs about R$ 63 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Ilhabela or Ouro Preto?
Averaged over the year, Ilhabela has 13 rainy days a month and Ouro Preto has 8. Ouro Preto is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Ilhabela is January and in Ouro Preto, December. For temperature, both have the same average high, 27°.
How many days should you spend in Ilhabela and in Ouro Preto?
To see the main sights without rushing, Ilhabela calls for 4–5 days and Ouro Preto, 2–3 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.
Ilhabela or Ouro Preto with kids?
Both work with kids: Ilhabela (national capital of sailing, shipwreck diving, and waterfalls in the forest) and Ouro Preto (Minas Gerais Baroque, UNESCO heritage, and historic city). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Ouro Preto has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Ilhabela: Castelhanos Beach, Cachoeira da Toca, Vila and historic center. In Ouro Preto: Church of Saint Francis of Assisi, Tiradentes Square, Inconfidência Museum. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.