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Voykit pocket guide · Brazil
Ilha Comprida
Go for 2–3 days if you want quiet, uncrowded beaches and dunes; skip if you need nightlife, infrastructure or a day trip from São Paulo (3.5 h each way).
Ilha Comprida is a 74 km barrier island with Atlantic Forest, dunes and empty beaches, reached only via Iguape. It is an Environmental Protection Area and a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The island has basic services and no big resorts; you come for nature, not for parties. Two nights let you explore the dunes and the south end; three if you want a full day on the beach.
- Country
- Brazil
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Dec–Feb (crowded with São Paulo tourists, hot), Jul (winter rain)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- BRL
- Money
- Currency is the Brazilian real (BRL, R$). About R$5–5.8 per US dollar in 2026 — check. Cards and tap-to-pay are accepted almost everywhere, even at beach kiosks.
- Daily spend
- Budget R$ 150–250 excl. bed · Mid R$ 250–400 excl. bed · High R$ 400+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Vivo, Claro and TIM cover the country; buying a prepaid SIM needs a passport and sometimes a CPF — an eSIM before you fly is easier.
- Emergency
- Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193
- Plugs
- Types N, C · 127 V (Rio, São Paulo) or 220 V (Brasília, much of the Northeast) · Check the voltage on the socket; most chargers are dual-voltage.
- Tipping
- Restaurant: 10% service (serviço) usually on the bill; optional but normal.; Beach kiosk / bar: Often included; round up.; Taxi / Uber: Not expected; round up.; Guide: US$5–15 per person per day.; Hotel staff: Small tip for porters.
- Water
- Do not drink tap water; filtered water is provided in most homes and hotels.
- Toilets
- Put toilet paper in the bin, not the toilet, in most places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a padaria | R$ 5–8 |
| Seafood prato feito (PF) | R$ 30–50 |
| Beer (garrafa 600 ml) | R$ 8–15 |
| Bicycle rental per day | R$ 30–50 (check) |
| Supermarket sandwich and drink | R$ 15–25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CGH · Congonhas (São Paulo)
- then bus or car to Iguape, about 3.5 h
- GRU · Guarulhos (São Paulo)
- then bus or car to Iguape, about 3.5 h
Typical fares
- Bus São Paulo → Iguape
- about R$ 70–100, 3.5 h (check)
- Taxi Iguape → Ilha Comprida
- about R$ 40–60
- Bicycle rental per day
- R$ 30–50 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
You need a car or bicycle. The island is 74 km (46 mi) long with one main road (Av. Beira Mar). Buses run along it but are infrequent. Taxis from Iguape can be arranged.You need a car or bicycle. The island is 46 mi (74 km) long with one main road (Av. Beira Mar). Buses run along it but are infrequent. Taxis from Iguape can be arranged.
See and do
Known for
- 74 km of undeveloped beaches
- Dunes (up to 10 m) and lagoons
- Atlantic Forest and birdwatching
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Iguape | Cross the bridge by car or bus, about 10 min | 20 min |
| Cananéia | Car via Iguape and the ferry, about 1 h | 1.5 h |
| Peruíbe | Car via Iguape and BR-101, about 1.5 h | 2 h |
Sleep
- Boqueirão Norte
- Closest to the bridge from Iguape; most pousadas and restaurants.
- Boqueirão Sul
- Quieter, closer to the dunes; fewer services.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello / Good morning | Bom dia |
| Thank you | Obrigado / Obrigada |
| How much is it? | Quanto custa? |
| Where is the beach? | Onde fica a praia? |
| Can I pay by card? | Posso pagar com cartão? |
| I need a doctor | Preciso de um médico |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake, hug or cheek kiss (one in São Paulo, two in Rio); avoid: Being stiff with new acquaintances
- Gestures: Use thumbs-up freely; avoid: The OK hand sign (it is rude)
- Language: Try Portuguese; say obrigado/obrigada; avoid: Defaulting to Spanish
- Time: Expect relaxed social punctuality; avoid: Being late for tours and flights
- Beach: Bring only a towel, cash and a copy of your ID; avoid: Leaving things unattended
Scams and watch-outs
- The only road in is the bridge from Iguape; if it floods or is closed, you are stuck.
- No ATM on the island (check); bring cash.
- Dune access can be restricted during nesting season (check).
- Mosquitoes at dusk; bring repellent.
Very safe; the main risk is traffic on the single road and mosquito-borne illnesses. Use repellent and drive carefully.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Ilha Comprida yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- 74 km of undeveloped beaches
- Dunes (up to 10 m) and lagoons
- Atlantic Forest and birdwatching
- UNESCO Biosphere Reserve
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Ilha Comprida, revision 5033299 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5033299
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/ilha-comprida). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.