Is Ilha Grande safe?
Calm and car-free with little crime. Slippery trails, rough boat crossings and mosquitoes are bigger risks than people.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-05-28.
- Homicide rate in Brazil: 19.3 per 100,000 people (2023, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in Brazil: 16.0 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
Safety in Ilha Grande at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Petty theft from rooms and beach bags is the main problem; muggings are rare in the village. |
| At night | Abraão is lit and lively with bars until late. Bring a torch for any walks outside the village. |
| Solo women | Comfortable for solo women: the island is small and social. Avoid isolated trails alone and walk back to your room before dark. |
| Other risks | Slippery jungle trails and steep descents; Rough ferry crossings in winter swell; Mosquito-borne diseases; carry repellent |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Boat touts selling tours below the official price, then changing stops
- Baggage porters demanding high fees at the pier
- Trail guides overselling long hikes you can do alone
Take care
- Jungle trails in rain: slippery, muddy and hard to cross after storms
- Beach swimming without a lifeguard: strong currents at some spots
- Hiking Pico do Papagaio alone: steep, with no signal
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Carry ID: your passport or a certified copy; police checks happen.
- Any alcohol before driving is illegal, and Lei Seca checkpoints are common.
- Racist or homophobic insults are crimes that can bring prison terms.
How Ilha Grande compares in Brazil
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Fernando de Noronha | 5/5 · Very safe |
| Foz do Iguaçu | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Florianópolis | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jericoacoara | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ilha Grande | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Paraty | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Búzios | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pipa | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Itacaré | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Morro de São Paulo | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chapada Diamantina | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Lençóis Maranhenses | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Bonito | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Ouro Preto | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Balneário Camboriú | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Porto de Galinhas | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Gramado | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Rio de Janeiro | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| São Paulo | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Salvador | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Recife | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Fortaleza | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manaus | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Natal | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Maceió | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Belo Horizonte | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Brasília | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Curitiba | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Porto Alegre | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Belém | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Ilha Grande safe for solo female travelers?
Comfortable for solo women: the island is small and social. Avoid isolated trails alone and walk back to your room before dark.
Is Ilha Grande safe at night?
Abraão is lit and lively with bars until late. Bring a torch for any walks outside the village.
What is the crime rate in Ilha Grande?
Petty theft from rooms and beach bags is the main problem; muggings are rare in the village. Nationally, Brazil records 19.3 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2023).
What number do I call in an emergency in Ilha Grande?
Police 190 · Ambulance 192 · Fire 193.
More about Ilha Grande
Going to Ilha Grande solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Ilha Grande State Park (INEA)
- Prefeitura de Angra dos Reis
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.