Rio, Ilha Grande & Paraty: How to Combine All Three (The Complete Coastal Route)

Rio de Janeiro, Ilha Grande, and Paraty sit along the same stretch of coast, and a lot of travelers end up wanting all three rather than picking one. The good news: the route between them is well established, even if it takes a bit of planning to connect the dots efficiently. Here's the complete route, plus a suggested itinerary.

The logical order: Rio, then Ilha Grande, then Paraty

Geographically, this is the natural sequence, Rio de Janeiro sits furthest north, Ilha Grande roughly in the middle just off the coast near Angra dos Reis, and Paraty further south, closer to the São Paulo border. Traveling in this order means you're always moving forward rather than backtracking, which saves both time and money. That said, the reverse order works just as well if it suits your flights better.

Leg 1: Rio de Janeiro to Ilha Grande

From Rio, you'll travel by road to one of three mainland departure points, Angra dos Reis, Conceição de Jacareí, or Mangaratiba, then cross by boat to Vila do Abraão on the island. Conceição de Jacareí tends to offer the most frequent departures and shortest crossing for those coming from Rio. Several shared transfer services combine the road and boat legs into a single booking, worth looking into if you'd rather not coordinate the connection yourself.

Leg 2: Ilha Grande to Paraty

This is the connection most travelers ask us about, and we've written a full step-by-step breakdown in our How to Get from Ilha Grande to Paraty guide. In short: there's no direct boat, you'll cross back to the mainland (Angra dos Reis is the most practical departure point for this leg) and then continue by bus, van, or private transfer to Paraty, roughly four to five hours door to door including the boat crossing.

Our Tip: If you'd rather not manage two separate bookings for this leg, a combined shared transfer handles the boat and road connection together. We cover this option in the Ilha Grande guide, and you can book a transfer with us directly.

How long should you spend at each stop?

For a well-paced trip, we'd suggest a minimum of three to four days in Rio (there's a lot to see beyond the beaches), two to three days on Ilha Grande for its beaches and trails, and, per our How Many Days Do You Need in Paraty guide, at least three to five days in Paraty to properly experience its culture, beaches, and nature. All together, that's a comfortable eight to twelve day trip covering the full Costa Verde experience.

A suggested itinerary

Days 1-4, Rio de Janeiro: Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and the city's food and nightlife. Days 5-7, Ilha Grande: Travel from Rio via Conceição de Jacareí, then spend your days hiking to the island's beaches and disconnecting from any kind of schedule. Days 8-12, Paraty: Travel via Angra dos Reis, then settle into the Historic Center, a boat day exploring the islands or Saco do Mamanguá, a beach day at Trindade or Praia do Sono, and a waterfall and cachaça day.

Our Tip: If your total trip is shorter than eight days, we'd suggest cutting Ilha Grande down to two full days rather than skipping it, or dropping it entirely in favor of a longer, less rushed stay in Paraty and Rio. See our Paraty vs. Ilha Grande comparison if you're trying to decide which to prioritize with limited time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best order to visit Rio, Ilha Grande, and Paraty?

Rio, then Ilha Grande, then Paraty is the most geographically logical order, keeping you moving forward along the coast rather than backtracking. The reverse order works just as well depending on your flights.

How long do I need to combine all three destinations?

We'd suggest a minimum of eight to twelve days total to give each stop enough time, roughly three to four days in Rio, two to three on Ilha Grande, and three to five in Paraty.

Is there a direct boat from Ilha Grande to Paraty?

No, you'll need to cross back to the mainland, typically via Angra dos Reis, and continue by bus, van, or transfer to Paraty. See our dedicated guide for the full route.

Can I skip Ilha Grande if I'm short on time?

Yes, if your trip is shorter than about eight days, it's often better to spend more time properly enjoying Rio and Paraty than to rush through all three destinations.

Should I book transfers between each leg in advance?

Yes, especially during holidays and festival periods, when both boats and buses along this route can fill up.