"A VERY POLEMIC PLACE" Top 5 Page for this destination Ilha Grande by janaina

Ilha Grande Travel Guide: 135 reviews and 206 photos

THE BAD SIDE OF HISTORY

To talk about Ilha Grande is to talk about all its beauty,beaches,mountains,the place where my parents used to take us when we were kids for at least a week an year!
Than,part of my childhood memories,such as the first explorations to the sea,moving all rocks on the way to check what animal are hidding under it,all those memories have a special place inside my heart.
But to talk about Ilha Grande and just about my own memories,is a bit difficult considering the past of this place.
Starting from the end:in the early 70's Brazil was a mess,almost like the rest of South America,specially Argentina.
People usually know the terrible stories of political prisoners in Ar gentina in the 70's,the tortures and the thousand of people that had been take to the police station and never came back!
But,our Brazil,doesn't loose to Argentina in this cruel past,maybe,for our luck and the bad luck of the families of those guys,the world just forgot the same cruelties happened here too!
The stories I heard are terrible as the stories from Argentina.
Ilha Grande was the main jail for political prisoners,a high security prison,where,from there,people never came back,or if they did,in a completely mental destruction.
My memories of Brazilian democracy are much better,because when I start to understand the world,the army goverment wasn't on duty anymore,but it doesn't mean that I don't think many times why they did what they did.
Besides,the atrocities in Ilha Grande come from much earlier,as this place was also a main point for slavers trafic from
Africa,and even before it,was a hot point for the pirates coming to this coast.
Than,looking for the good side of this place only,here we go.
In my travelogue,I'll add some pictures from my mom's private album,pictures she took a long long time ago in Ilha Grande!

PART OF ANGRA DOS REIS

Ilha Grande is part of Angra,and to get there,you need to choose the best port for your needs,Angra Port or Mangaratiba Port.
In Angra,the options for choosing a boat are better,it has many kinds of boats,and the big options of hours to cross tot he island,as the nbr of boats here are bigger than in Mangaratiba.
We crossed from Mangaratiba,because it's closer to Rio.
PICTURE:night comes to Ilha Grande..

TALKING ABOUT THE GOOD SIDE AND ONLY..

WOW!!Exploring Ilha Grande can be everytime as the first time,as there's always a corner you missed last time!
Once in Ilha,it's better to check for a good boat trip around the small islands,the best is to go to the boat association,where you can pick between all kinds of trips,day trip,2 days,special weekends trips and 3 days trips.
The boats for long trips are excelent,you can choose to have your meals during the stops in the islands,or have your meals on board.
To walk in the island is also a great option,specially for those who come for a day trip.
The tracks that take you to the *PRAIA PRETA * (black beach) show a great view and it's an easy track for all ages !
PICTURE:Gruta do Acaia (Acaia's grotto ).

Pros and Cons

Pros:CLOSE TO RIO,A ISLAND WITH MANY SMALL ISLANDS TO EXPLORE
Cons:SOMETIMES BRAZILIANS CAN THINK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED HERE IN THE PAST!
In a nutshell:THINK ONLY ABOUT THE GOOD SIDE,IT WORTHS!

Intro Written Sep 17, 2002
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Reviews (34)

THE GOOD SIDE OFTHE PRISON (THE ONLY GOOD ONE) - Ilha Grande

THE GOOD SIDE OFTHE PRISON (THE ONLY... Off The Beaten Path (3)

The fact that there was a high security jail in Ilha,kept the island away from tourist,as none could visit in many parts... more travel advice

A VIEW OF ABRAAO BEACH FROM THE PARROT'S PEAK - Ilha Grande

A VIEW OF ABRAAO BEACH FROM THE PARROT'S... Off The Beaten Path (3)

This is another view from the peak. I know it'll be a hard trecking,but you should try to get there climbing,makes the... more travel advice

ANOTHER VIEW.. Off The Beaten Path (3)

You can take thousand pictures of it!! This one was taken during the way to the peak. more travel advice

PARROTS PEAK Things to Do (9)

The second highest point in Ilha ( 990m). We climbed the peak,and it took 3 hours!! You can see many faces in it:from... more travel advice

Nightlife (2)
See All CARNAVAL IN ILHA GRANDE
Sports & Outdoors (1)
SNORKEL AND SCUBA DIVE IN ILHA GRANDE
Favorites (3)
See All MY MOM'S ALBUM
Local Customs (4)
See All LIEUTENANT LORETTI

Transportation (1)
LEAVE YOUR CAR BEHIND!
Warnings and Dangers (2)
See All SAD BEHAVIOUR
Restaurants (3)
See All A RESTAURANT IN ABRAAO BEACH
Hotels (6)
See All PART OF FURNITURE!!

Travelogues (1)

Written Sep 23, 2002

5 photos

MOM'S ALBUM

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Comments (13)

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Martin_S. Feb 14, 2012 at 11:24 PM

What a beautiful setting for such horrible history. A pity that "reclamation" cannot bring back those lives lost as it can a forest or stream.
Martin
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Cheewa Feb 17, 2008 at 9:29 AM

Hi. I don´t agree with you about the past in particular about the Argentinian history. Usually the conflicts are more complex than you mentioned. Argentina suffered a terrorists atacks during the 70s so the army protected the population.
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racheljapi Oct 22, 2004 at 9:31 AM

You really captured Ilha Grande! It is one of the most beautiful places! Amazing job on this page
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arasnosliw Oct 19, 2004 at 12:35 AM

que lindas fotos do teu pais magnifico!!
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dsantosh Mar 13, 2004 at 12:12 AM

Janaina, great narration excellant tips and albums.
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dharmabum222 Mar 2, 2004 at 7:21 PM

Thanks for all the history of one of my favorite places. You arel ucky that you were able to visit so many times!
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Gili_S Feb 12, 2004 at 3:02 PM

WOW, this place looks like paradise (if you don’t see the garbage of course) but why it had to be so far away?
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JaneyD Aug 17, 2003 at 11:46 AM

This is a wonderful site, such a great help in planning my trip. Thank you for all your work - it seems like a labour of love!
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Janayna Jun 17, 2003 at 9:03 AM

Oi!Eu queria saber se tu ja ouviste falar de um hotel chamado Sitio Itaguçu em Ilha Grande?Estou querendo ir para la,porem não sei aonde ficar.Tu achas melhor o Sitio Itaguçu ou Logamar ou ainda Eco & Dive Resort. Valeu, Jana
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nomada Apr 15, 2003 at 2:20 PM

Amazing work Jana ! Regards from Ilha Grande