Essentials
- City
- Vila do Abraão, Ilha Grande, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- Internet Speed
- Average 20-50 Mbps; Starlink is increasingly common to mitigate frequent cable outages (often caused by storms)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 USD ≈ 5.00 BRL. Limited ATMs on the island; Bradesco and Itaú are found in Angra dos Reis on the mainland
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; buy 5L mineral water jugs at Supermercado do Meio for approx. 12 BRL
- Power
- 110V/127V, 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets (three-pin Brazilian standard). Frequent power outages during summer storms
- SIM Card
- Vivo has the best island coverage. Purchase at Angra dos Reis before boarding the ferry
- Banking for Expats
- Wise and Revolut are widely accepted. Use 'Pix' for local transfers (instantly available to anyone with a Brazilian account)
- Accommodation
- Pousadas (guest houses) and Airbnbs. Most nomads stay in Vila do Abraão for connectivity
- Cashless Friendly
- Surprisingly high; almost all kiosks and shops accept cards and Pix, but keep some cash for remote boat trips
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local 'Casas de Temporada' rentals range from 4,500 BRL to 9,000 BRL per month in low season
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Che Lagarto Ilha Grande (approx. 80-120 BRL for a dorm bed)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vila do Abraão (heart of the island, most services and nightlife)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Vila do Abraão (the only area with reliable enough internet and generator-equipped cafes)
- Population
- Approximately 5,000 (permanent residents)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- No dedicated 'official' coworking spaces; Arrebol Coworking/Coliving is the closest nomad-centric hub on the island
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cafe do Mar (beachfront) or Kebab Lounge (reliable Wi-Fi and power outlets)
- Networking Events
- Informal meetups at Beer Cartel (craft beer spot) or organized through 'Digital Nomads Brazil' WhatsApp groups
- Social Events for Expats
- Forro classes at Aquário Hostel on Wednesday nights; weekly 'Caipi-hour' at Che Lagarto
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Non-existent. No private cars allowed on the island. Use 'Taxi Boats' (approx. 30-100 BRL per person depending on distance)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicycles can be rented in Vila do Abraão (approx. 50 BRL/day), but terrain is mostly sand and steep trails
- Best Beach Nearby
- Lopes Mendes (consistently ranked among the world's top 10 beaches; 20-min boat + 20-min hike)
- Top Regional Airline
- Azul Conecta (flies small planes from Rio-Santos Dumont to Angra dos Reis)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM or Air France/KLM into Rio de Janeiro-Galeão (GIG)
- Highway Access
- Access via BR-101 (Rio-Santos highway) to Angra dos Reis, Mangaratiba, or Conceição de Jacareí
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- The CCR Barcas Ferry Terminal in Angra dos Reis (20 BRL for a slow ferry)
- Public Transport Passes
- FlexBoat (fast boat) tickets are bought per trip; approx. 70-100 BRL for a one-way transfer to the mainland
- Regional Travel
- Interurban buses (Costa Verde) connect Angra dos Reis to Rio de Janeiro (approx. 3 hours, 70 BRL)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Posto de Saúde da Vila do Abraão (basic care only). Major emergencies go to Hospital Geral da Japuíba in Angra dos Reis
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espaço Zen Ilha Grande (yoga classes overlooking the forest)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Academia da Ilha (basic weights and cardio equipment in Vila do Abraão)
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Ilha Grande (approx. 40 BRL per load, washed and folded)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Direct WhatsApp ordering is the standard; look for signs outside restaurants like 'Pizzaria da Ilha'
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Peixe com Banana (Fish with Banana) at Restaurante Dom Mario
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Lua e Mar (seafood spot with excellent vegan Moqueca alternatives)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Creperia Tropicana (famous for sweet crepes with local fruits)
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado do Meio (most competitive prices for groceries on the island)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Livre (deliveries are shipped to the mainland and brought over via boat, takes 5-10 days)
- Grocery Delivery
- N/A - most people carry their groceries home to their pousada or Airbnb
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Rua da Praia in Vila do Abraão (the beach strip where the most bars are located)
- Local Brewery
- Cervejaria Ilha Grande (craft brewery with a taproom in Abraão)
- Wine Bars
- Vino e Mare (high-end wine selection located near the main pier)
- Street Food Stalls
- Empanadas in the central square (Praça da Igreja) - approx. 12 BRL each
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kebab Lounge (Turkish/Middle Eastern fusion that is very popular with digital nomads)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Pico do Papagaio (Parrot’s Peak) for 360-degree island views
- Museums & Art Venues
- Ecomuseu da Ilha Grande (located in the old prison site in Vila de Dois Rios)
- Historical Sites
- Cândido Mendes Prison Ruins (notorious former maximum-security prison)
- Religious Sites
- Igreja de São Sebastião (the small, iconic white church in the center of Abraão)
- Annual Events
- Festival de Música e Ecologia da Ilha Grande (usually in July/August)
- Cultural Districts
- Vila de Dois Rios (a quiet, historical village with a different vibe than Abraão)
- Theater Venues
- N/A - most cultural performances are outdoors in the central square
- Local Markets
- The weekly farmers market next to the church (Saturdays)
- Music Scene
- Live Forró and Samba at the beach bars almost every night during high season
- Street Art
- Murals on the walls of the Célula de Informação Turística
- Cooking Classes
- Seasonal workshops at Pousada Naturalia
- Art Galleries
- Local artisan shops selling 'Caiçara' woodwork art near the harbor
- Historic Buildings
- Lazareto Ruins (old quarantine center for immigrants in the 19th century)
- Local Heritage
- Caiçara culture (traditional coastal inhabitants' customs and fishing techniques)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Laguna Azul (Blue Lagoon) for elite snorkeling among turquoise waters
- National Parks Nearby
- Ilha Grande State Park (covers 62% of the island's territory)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The T1 to T16 trail system connecting all beaches across the island
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirante do Abraão (15-minute hike from the village center)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Atlantic Forest trails (home to parrots, hawks, and the endangered sloth)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited in the state park; strictly regulated to specific beach pits during festivals
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios (Post Office) in Vila do Abraão; items arrive slowly via the ferry
- Tech Repair Services
- None available on the island; requires a boat trip to Angra dos Reis
- Table Tennis Spots
- Che Lagarto Hostel common area
- Language Classes
- Informal Portuguese tutoring through local teachers advertised on community boards
- Libraries & Study Spots
- The community library 'Cantinho da Leitura' in the central square
- Community Centers
- Associação de Moradores e Amigos de Abraão (AMAVILA)
- Gaming Lounges
- None; connectivity is generally too low for competitive gaming
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Brazil
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 15,000 BRL per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 600,000 BRL) - rare due to environmental restrictions
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 8,000 BRL per m² in less developed coves with no infrastructure
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 12,000 BRL per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 720,000 BRL)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 7,000 BRL per m² in remote bays (e.g., 60 m² = 420,000 BRL)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. 10,000 BRL per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 800,000 BRL)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. 6,000 BRL per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 480,000 BRL)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% - 25% (depending on the tax regime chosen: Simples Nacional or Lucro Real)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0% (Current Brazilian law exempts dividends, though reforms are frequently discussed)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for tax residents (over 183 days stay)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5%
- VAT
- ICMS/ISS (Integrated system adds up to approx. 17% - 25% depending on goods)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, strict rules applied to profits of foreign subsidiaries
- Property Tax
- IPTU (approx. 0.6% to 1.5% of the assessed value of the property)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITBI (approx. 2% to 3% of the transaction value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Brazil offers a specific Digital Nomad Visa (up to 2 years) which grants residency status