Brazil Tours

Brazil Travel / Mata Atlântica - The Ilhabela State Park is an integral protection conservation unit of the Mata Atlântica Biosphere Reserve in the State of São Paulo. It covers 85% of the surface of the island. Ilhabela, which is oficially named São Sebastião Island, is the main of the 12 islands and keys that make up the archipelago of São Sebastião (see map).

With 350 sqkm, Ilhabela is, behind Santa Catarina, Brazil's second largest continental island. It is situated 5 km off the coastline and can be reached by ferry boat from the port of São Sebastião. São Sebastião is located 200 km southeast of the city of São Paulo and 340 km southwest of the city of Rio de Janeiro.

Ilhabela, which is basically composed of four plutonic rocks (see geological evolution) and which was discovered by Amerigo Vespucci 500 years ago (see history), is nowadays an exciting ecotourism spot in southeastern Brazil. Its dense submontane and montane tropical rainforest covers 14 summits between 600 and 1.300 m, more than 300 waterfalls, mostly difficult to access and 43 beaches, many of them almost deserted. Some trails lead to isolated caiçara communities on the eastern part of the island.

See also: Trails / Tours / Photos