Essentials
- City
- Ilhabela, São Paulo, Brazil
- Population
- Approximately 36,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 50-100 Mbps; fiber optics available in Vila and Perequê
- Currency & Banking
- Brazilian Real (BRL). 1 USD ≈ 5.00 BRL. ATMs available at Bradesco and Banco do Brasil
- Tap Water
- Not recommended for drinking; use filtered or bottled water (approx. 10 BRL for 5L)
- Power
- 110V/220V (varies), 60Hz, 🔌 Type N sockets (three-pin Brazilian standard)
- SIM Card
- Vivo (best coverage on island), Claro, or TIM. Available at 'Banca do Perequê' for 20-50 BRL
- Banking for Expats
- Nubank, Revolut (limited), Wise is widely accepted via card
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local 'Pousadas' (guesthouses)
- Cashless Friendly
- Highly friendly; 'Pix' and credit cards accepted even by beach vendors
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and local agencies like 'Ilhabela Imóveis'
- Budget Accommodation
- Hostel Da Vila (approx. 120 BRL/night for a dorm)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Vila (Historic Center) for walkability, dining, and charm
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Perequê; hub for commerce, better internet consistency, and central location
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- IlhaHub (Perequê) - Day pass approx. 80 BRL
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ponto das Letras (Vila) - Great coffee, bookstore vibes, and stable Wi-Fi
- Networking Events
- Casual meetups at 'Vila' bars; seasonal sailing events (Rolex Sailing Week)
- Social Events for Expats
- Facebook Group 'Expats in Ilhabela' and Friday nights at 'Cervejaria Caiçara'
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Uber (limited), 99 App, and 'Ilhabela Táxi' (WhatsApp booking)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Pousada do Capitão or local shops in Perequê (approx. 60 BRL/day for bikes)
- Best Beach Nearby
- Praia do Curral (South) for infrastructure; Castelhanos (East) for wild beauty
- Top Regional Airline
- Azul Brazilian Airlines (flying into São José dos Campos or GRU)
- Top International Airline
- LATAM, TAP Air Portugal, American Airlines (via São Paulo GRU)
- Highway Access
- SP-055 (Rio-Santos) connected via the ferry from São Sebastião
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Rodoviária de São Sebastião (Main bus terminal for mainland connections)
- Public Transport Passes
- Bilhete Único Ilhabela (Green card); bus fare is approx. 5.00 BRL
- Regional Travel
- Ferry (Balsa) to São Sebastião (Free for pedestrians, approx. 19-28 BRL for cars)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Hospital Mário Covas (Junior) - Public/Emergency; Santa Casa for private
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Espaço Gaia (Vila) - Hatha and Vinyasa classes
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Iron Gym Ilhabela (Perequê) - Monthly pass approx. 180 BRL
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Ilhabela (Perequê) - Approx. 40 BRL per service load
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- iFood is the dominant platform on the island
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Casquinha de Siri (Stuffed Crab) at 'Restaurante Cheiro de Mar'
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Manjericão (Perequê) - Great buffet with many plant-based options
- Best Dessert Spots
- Donnabella Casa de Delícias (Vila) - Famous for gourmet cakes
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Supermercado do Frade (Perequê)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Mercado Livre (fastest delivery), Amazon.com.br
- Grocery Delivery
- Supermercado os Marins (online order/WhatsApp)
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Rua do Meio in Vila; lots of live music and craft beer
- Local Brewery
- Cervejaria Caiçara (Vila) - Local craft beers brewed on island
- Wine Bars
- Vinho & Vida (Vila) - Curated selection of South American wines
- Street Food Stalls
- Pastel do Trevo (near the ferry entrance) - famous oversized pastéis
- Popular International Cuisine
- Famiglia Manzoli (Italian/Pasta) near the coastline
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Farol da Ponta das Canas (Lighthouse)
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museu Náutico (Ilhabela) - History of shipwrecks
- Historical Sites
- Fazenda Engenho d'Água (Colonial sugar mill)
- Religious Sites
- Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora d'Ajuda (Vila)
- Annual Events
- Ilhabela Sailing Week (July); Shrimp Festival (August)
- Cultural Districts
- Vila (Centro Histórico)
- Theater Venues
- Espaço Cultural Pés no Chão
- Local Markets
- Feira de Artesanato na Vila (Craft market)
- Music Scene
- Sea Club (High-end beach club with DJs and live bands)
- Street Art
- Murals near the Perequê boardwalk depicting marine life
- Cooking Classes
- Gourmet classes hosted by individual chefs (Private booking)
- Art Galleries
- Waldemar Belisário Gallery (Vila)
- Historic Buildings
- Antiga Cadeia e Fórum (Old Jail and Courthouse)
- Local Heritage
- Caiçara culture (Traditional coastal fishing heritage)
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Toca Waterfall (Cachoeira da Toca) - Natural waterslides
- National Parks Nearby
- Parque Estadual de Ilhabela (85% of the island's area)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Ciclovia de Ilhabela (Bikeway connecting the Ferry to Vila)
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Mirante do Piúva (Overlooking the channel and ferry)
- Birdwatching Locations
- Trilha do Baepi (Challenging hike with endemic bird species)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not officially permitted on major beaches; check Pacuíba for secluded spots
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Correios (Célio de Castro branch in Perequê)
- Tech Repair Services
- Ilha Tech (Perequê) - Smartphone and laptop repairs
- Table Tennis Spots
- Limited; available in residential 'Condomínios' or some Pousadas
- Language Classes
- Privately arranged tutors found via 'Superprof' or ‘Ilhabela Digital’
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Municipal (Vila)
- Community Centers
- Secretaria de Cultura (Vila)
- Gaming Lounges
- No dedicated lounges; 'Lan Houses' in Perequê for basic access
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Illegal in Brazil; only Lotteries (Loterias Caixa) available
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 15,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = R$ 450,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 10,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = R$ 300,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 14,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = R$ 700,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 9,000 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = R$ 450,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. R$ 12,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$ 960,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. R$ 8,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = R$ 680,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 15% to 25% (depending on tax regime: Lucro Real vs Presumido)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- Currently 0% (Note: potential tax reforms are frequently discussed in Brazil)
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 27.5%
- VAT
- Complex system (ICMS/PIS/COFINS) approx. 17-25% combined
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable to Brazilian tax residents
- Property Tax
- IPTU (Annual tax based on property value, approx. 1%)
- Property Transaction Tax
- ITBI (approx. 2-3% of property value)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Brazil offers a Digital Nomad Visa (1 year); taxes apply if residing over 183 days