Brazil Costa Verde — Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty
- 8-day Rental car tour from Rio de Janeiro to São Paulo
- Speedboat from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande: half an hour
- 5-hour snorkeling tour on Ilha Grande: 20 euros per person
- Dinner on Ilha Grande: 20–30 euros per plate — quite high
- Fuel on the mainland: approximately 1.20 euros per liter
Contents of this post5 chapters
Our road trip from Rio to São Paulo ☀️
On the first day, we took a speedboat from Angra dos Reis to Ilha Grande🚤. The crossing took half an hour in total. When we arrived, we were completely speechless😶. A beautiful golden beach, crystal-clear water & in the background, the green jungle🥰. Where have we landed? In paradise?😮🙌
It was simply indescribably beautiful. But the best part: the deserted beaches! Absolute peace & pure nature!
In our first accommodation, we had a cute balcony overlooking the sea. What could be better than relaxing in a hammock & listening to the birds chirping? Maybe a hearty breakfast? I don't know. I found both awesome! 😄
In the evening, we strolled around the small village. Here you'll find shopping opportunities & plenty of restaurants on every corner. Prices for a good dinner range from about 20-30 euros per plate, so quite high! In the supermarket, prices are roughly the same as on the mainland - but of course, with slightly less choice. You can get clothes here at fairly reasonable prices.
The tours are inexpensive. We paid 20 euros per person for our 5-hour snorkeling tour. Totally okay 😛 With this water, snorkeling is also one of the MUST DO's! The underwater world was incredible!
Overall, we had a lot of fun! Ilha Grande was one of my absolute highlights on our tour🥰! It definitely won't be the last time we visit this beautiful island! So, if you love snorkeling with turtles, sunbathing on a deserted beach, & swimming in crystal-clear water - you're in the right place! ☀️😍
Party☀️
Next, we headed back to the mainland. From there, we got our rental car to drive to Paraty🚘. The car ride was super easy. Finally, no potholes on the roads! 👍 Fuel prices are around 1.20 euros per liter. ⛽️
When we arrived, we were initially enchanted by our new suite at the Hotel Pousada do Ouro! The whole building, like the city of Paraty, is kept in a chic, colonial style. Incredibly cool! 😎
In the afternoon, we explored the beautiful old town of Paraty. There were restaurants and small boutiques on every corner🛍. Jewelry makers sold their handmade works in the narrow streets. Everything was very well maintained. I was particularly fascinated by the beautiful, brightly painted doors! 🖍
In the evening, the city exuded a romantic charm. It reminded me of the sweet fishing village in Faro - one of my absolute highlights from Portugal. I love those gold-yellow lanterns❣️
São Sebastião 😊
On the way to São Sebastião, we made a few stops at great waterfalls! That's what I love about road trips. Just stop wherever you want. Max took the pictures - Doesn't it look like something out of a storybook, right? ☺️
When we arrived at our new accommodation at Maui Maresias, there was a little gift for me on the bed🎁. Have you ever received a piece of jewelry from a hotel? It was definitely the first time for me! 🥰 Later, we had a freshly squeezed juice outside. Meanwhile, a saxophonist played his music - absolutely delightful atmosphere! 🎷🎶
The next day, we spent a night at our final accommodation called Nau Royal Hotel Boutique and Spa. As the name suggests, there was a large spa offering & outside there was a swimming pool, as well as a whirlpool with a sea view. We also enjoyed the view during the rich breakfast! The staff were once again very nice & fulfilled our every wish. A nice end to our Costa Verde tour!
Conclusion: The Gateway Tour was one of the best parts of our Brazil trip. My absolute highlight was definitely Ilha Grande - this island simply enchanted me🪄. The waterfalls were also particularly beautiful & of course, the chic accommodations - with the super delicious breakfast! It was sooo nice not to have to plan anything. The organization went smoothly - there were no problems at all👏😍! A big thank you to the great Gateway Team 💐!
You can find more information about the tour here:
Next Stop: Who knows... 😄
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get to Ilha Grande?
By speedboat from Angra dos Reis. The crossing took a total of half an hour.
How expensive is Ilha Grande?
A good dinner costs around €20-30 per plate, which is quite expensive. Supermarket prices are roughly the same as on the mainland, but with less variety. Clothing is reasonably priced, and tours are affordable: we paid €20 per person for our 5-hour snorkeling trip.
Is renting a car worthwhile on the Costa Verde?
Yes. The drive was super easy—finally no potholes in the roads—and gas prices are around €1.20 per liter. The great thing about road trips is that you can simply stop wherever you want, for example at the waterfalls on the way to São Sebastião.
What was the highlight of the tour?
Ilha Grande. Golden sand, crystal-clear water, lush green rainforest in the background — and above all, deserted beaches. The underwater world was incredible while snorkeling, and we even saw little monkeys on a hike through the rainforest.
Ready for your next campaign?
For the past eight years, I've worked with tourism boards, hotels, and premium brands—authentically, personally, and effectively. Combined with Max Haase, we reach over 6.6 million people.
German 
English