Where to Stay in Ilhabela: Best Areas, Beaches & Hotels

Ilhabela, on the northern coast of the Brazilian state of São Paulo, is an absolute delight. Besides its charming historic center, the island has more than 40 beaches and 20 waterfalls, along with other stunning natural attractions. In this article, I’ll explain the best areas to stay in Ilhabela, Brazil, so you can make the most of your time in this paradise. But first, let’s go over the destination’s main highlights.

What to do in Ilhabela

With attractions for every type of traveler, Ilhabela offers plenty of activities, from hiking through lush forests to boat tours that take you to paradise-like beaches such as Praia do Bonete and Castelhanos. The island’s main attractions are divided into two regions: north and south, using the ferry dock as a reference point.

The south side is more preserved and has less infrastructure. That’s where you’ll find Ilhabela’s most beautiful beaches, along with several waterfalls and natural pools. On the north side, the beaches are more urban and better equipped. This is also where the Historic Center is located, full of small shops, restaurants, historic sites, and cultural events.

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How to get around in Ilhabela: car or bus?

Since Ilhabela has 130 km of coastline and lots to do, understanding how to get around is an important part of your trip planning. If you’re driving, you can combine several nearby attractions in the same day and save time thanks to faster transportation. However, during high season, the island’s narrow streets get congested, and the ferry line can take hours.

If you’re not driving, don’t worry! The island’s public transportation works well, and you can reach most attractions with it. I speak from experience, since this is the option I used the most while spending time there. The only downside is that it takes longer.

A good option for those relying on buses is to stay in Barra Velha or Perequê. That way, you’ll be close to the terminal where buses depart to both sides of the island, operated by the company Fênix.

The most common means of transportation among Ilhabela residents, however, is the bicycle. The city has a long bike lane that starts near the ferry dock and stretches all the way to the northern tip of the island. For visitors, there are plenty of bike and electric scooter rentals, perfect for a pleasant ride along the seaside.

Oh, and one important note: Uber and other rideshare apps currently do not operate on the island, so don’t count on those.

Where to Stay in Ilhabela: Best Areas

When deciding where to stay in Ilhabela, consider how close you’ll be to the attractions you want to visit so you don’t waste too much time getting around.

The best areas to stay in Ilhabela are:

• North Side, the most urbanized area with good infrastructure
• Vila, Ilhabela’s charming historic center (the “village”)
• Barra Velha, near the ferry and home to more budget-friendly options
• South Side, quieter and more preserved
• Praia do Bonete, perfect for nature lovers and those seeking peace

Now that you know the main regions of the island, let’s go through each one in detail — what makes them unique, nearby attractions, and well-rated places to stay.

Best Areas to Stay in Ilhabela

1. North Side of Ilhabela

The northern region offers good infrastructure and more urban beaches, as I mentioned earlier. The main attractions here include Praia do Sino, Praia da Armação, Praia da Siriúba, and the viewpoint Mirante da Praia dos Barreiros.

It’s a great area if you want to stay close to the historic center and nice beaches — not as stunning as the ones in the south, but still enjoyable. The downside is that prices tend to be higher here.

Where to stay on the North Side

If you’re looking for beachfront hotels in Ilhabela, Hotel Mercedes is an excellent choice. Located in front of Praia do Viana, this 4-star hotel features a gym, a restaurant with international dishes, a beautiful pool, and room options with hot tubs and sea views.

Another option with ocean views is Pousada Refúgio das Estrelas, just 200 meters from Praia do Sino. It offers an outdoor pool, free private parking, a lounge, a shared kitchen, and barbecue facilities.

Closer to the historic center, the charming Pousada Manga Rosa is just 50 meters from Praia de Santa Tereza. It has rooms for up to four people, an outdoor pool, a bar with great drinks, and a breakfast that guests love.

2. Vila (Historic Center)

The Vila (Village), where Ilhabela’s Historic Center is located, is the ideal place to stay if you want strong tourism infrastructure. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, accommodations, and lively nightlife, but the nearby beaches are urban and some aren’t suitable for swimming.

Where to stay in the Vila

A luxurious option in the Vila is Hotel Vila Kebaya, just 150 meters from the Historic Center and 300 meters from Praia do Saco da Capela. The hotel offers rooms with hot tubs and saunas, a bar, a restaurant, an infinity-edge pool, and bike rentals.

Right in the heart of the historic center, Vilarejo – Centro Histórico Ilhabela offers rooms with air-conditioning, private bathrooms, flat-screen TVs, breakfast, and bike rentals.

At Hostel Da Vila Ilhabela, located 150 meters from the Historic Center, you can sleep in a treehouse, a VW van, or even a sailboat! They offer private and shared rooms, a bar, a pool, a kitchen, lounge areas, a garden, a terrace, and a tour desk.

3. Barra Velha

Barra Velha is where the ferry dock is located and marks the dividing point between the north and south of the island. It’s also where the main bus terminal is.

Being in the middle makes it a great option if you want to explore both sides of the island. It’s also a good choice if you’re looking for affordable places to stay, as this area tends to offer lower prices.

Barra Velha has good commercial infrastructure, with shops, restaurants, and accommodations. The only downside is that the beach here isn’t suitable for swimming.

Where to stay in Barra Velha

Very well located, VELINN Caravela Pousada, 500 meters from the ferry and close to shops, offers rooms with balconies and hammocks, a pool, and free parking. The on-site bar serves snacks, appetizers, and drinks. Guests consistently praise the service and breakfast.

4. South Side of Ilhabela

The south side of the island is the most preserved area, as I mentioned earlier. Here you’ll find less urbanized neighborhoods, several waterfalls, and Ilhabela’s most beautiful and famous beaches.

The main attractions in this region include Praia do Curral, Praia da Feiticeira, Praia do Veloso, Cachoeira do Paquetá, and Ilha das Cabras, among others. This is also the best area for diving.

The downside of staying here is being far from the historic center and the Vila, so nightlife options are limited.

Where to stay on the South Side

Ilhabela’s most luxurious hotel, DPNY Beach Hotel & SPA, is located on Praia do Curral and also functions as a beach club with live shows and DJs. It features a beautiful outdoor pool, saunas, a spa, a garden, and four restaurant options.

For ocean views and great value for money, Elephant GuestHouse sits on Praia do Curral, just 250 meters from Praia do Veloso. The suites have a patio, dining area, a seating area with TV, and private bathrooms. The continental breakfast is well served and varied.

A budget-friendly option in this region is Pousada Pôr do Sol, just a few meters from Praia Grande. The pousada has a pool, green areas, and a breakfast full of homemade treats.

5. Praia do Bonete

If you’re looking for a more rustic, nature-immersive experience, the isolated and paradise-like Praia do Bonete is the ideal place to stay in Ilhabela. You can only get there by trail or boat, and there’s no cellphone signal, no pavement, and no cars.

Bonete is home to a small fishing village with traditional caiçara restaurants, bars, and beach stalls. Beyond the stunning beach, you can hike through the Atlantic Forest and enjoy waterfalls. It’s hands down my favorite beach in Ilhabela!

Where to stay in Praia do Bonete

With rustic décor and a beachfront location, Pousada Canto Bravo sits right on the sand at the stunning Praia do Bonete. You’ll find rooms with beautiful views, and you can enjoy candlelit dinners at the pousada’s restaurant.

Offering great value, Pousada da Rosa, 150 meters from Praia do Bonete, has simple rooms with rustic décor, a cozy ambiance, and delicious caiçara food. The tasty breakfast is a highlight.

How to Stay in Ilhabela for Free

Did you know you can stay in Ilhabela without paying for accommodation? That’s possible through Worldpackers, a platform where you exchange your skills for accommodation and other perks in destinations across Brazil and the world.

There are many volunteer positions in Ilhabela, from helping at reception to gardening, repairs, painting and decorating, and much more. Check out all current volunteer opportunities in Ilhabela.

It was through Worldpackers that I was able to spend a long period on this incredible island, volunteering in a hostel. It was an amazing experience, and I managed to explore Ilhabela’s main attractions while spending very little money.

Like the idea? With the promo code JANELASABERTAS, you get 20% off the annual Worldpackers membership, which gives you unlimited access to the platform for a full year. Click here to secure your discount.

Article by Rafaela Beatriz, contributor at Janelas Abertas

Photo credits: Unsplash (Creative Commons) and Rafaela Beatriz (provided for publication on Janelas Abertas)

By booking your stay through the links in this post, Janelas Abertas earns a small commission that helps me keep creating more content, and you don’t pay anything extra for it. Transparency is a core value around here.