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Which is better: Ilhabela or Paraty?

Short answer

Ilhabela is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Ilhabela 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 ParatyParaty Islands Tour★ 8.9 · 47 reviews · from US$ 24 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Ilhabela Paraty
Best time to visit May → Aug Jun → Aug
Weather this month 26° · 15 days of rain 28° · 14 days of rain
By car R$ 132 · from São Paulo R$ 155 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 4–5 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family Romantic, Food, Adventure, Relax
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 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: Ilhabela or Paraty

The average nightly rate is around R$ 320 in Ilhabela and R$ 507 in Paraty; 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 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

Ilhabela or Paraty: which is better?
Ilhabela is on the North Coast of São Paulo (SP), while Paraty is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Paraty: a colonial historic center and a bay of islands. For this month's weather, Ilhabela has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Ilhabela and Paraty?
The best time to visit Ilhabela 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, Ilhabela is 197 km (122 mi) and costs about R$ 132 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, Ilhabela or Paraty?
Averaged over the year, Ilhabela has 13 rainy days a month and Paraty has 14. Ilhabela 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 Paraty, January. For temperature, Paraty is the warmer one (average high of 28° versus 27°).
How many days should you spend in Ilhabela and in Paraty?
To see the main sights without rushing, Ilhabela calls for 4–5 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.
Ilhabela or Paraty with kids?
Ilhabela (national capital of sailing, shipwreck diving, and waterfalls in the forest) 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: Ilhabela 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 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.