Family trip to Ilha Grande with children. Ideas on where to go with your child

Ilha Grande has been an extremely attractive tourist destination for the last decays. The access to the island used to be denied not only for travelers but for Brazilians as well because of the local prison. To date, the island's tourism infrastructure is not that good developed, but on the other hand, there is a magnificent pristine nature and a bunch of opportunities for leisure activities. So, come to Ilha Grande, but remember that you won't be able to move around with your kid by car, as there is no public transport or taxi service at all. The reason for it is the forbiddance on all kinds of motor wheeled vehicles there. Please, keep it in mind and plan ahead how you would go around the area with your child.

However, if your kid is able to ride a bicycle, you can rent one for your child and one for yourself and easily do some sports activities while visiting local attractions. Young fans of walking trips would like the island too. There are more than 150 km of the foot routes which pass through the territory of the local national park. Here children can get acquainted with the diversified flora and fauna world of the Atlantic Forest. For instance, kids can see a great variety of snakes, sloths, lizards, pygmy marmosets, caimans, and even howler monkeys. The monkeys are called like this because of the loud sounds they produce. Even though the sounds can frighten children, still the monkeys themselves are not dangerous at all and they are even recognized as an endangered species.

In case your child is well-trained and can withstand a two-hour ascent, then you can try to climb the island's highest point – Pico do Papagaio Mountain. You would enjoy the fascinating view during the trip and also there is even more to see as you reach the pick of the mountain. However, if your child is not fond of climbing, you can take a sightseeing tour along the coast. You'll have a chance not only to observe the island from afar but also to swim in the open sea or a small bay (where you can get only via the water). You can also take a small trip around the local territory together with your kid or even to try to find pirate's treasures on Caxadaço Beach. According to the legend, these were whether German or French privateers who hid their riches on the beach. Copyright www.orangesmile.com

The perfect place for holidays with children is Lopes Mendes Beach. One of the peculiarities of this beach is a gentle descent while going deeper into the water. Abraao Beach's bay is pretty shallow. Besides, a child can take surfing courses in the local surf school or either rent snorkelling equipment. Swimming with a diving mask and a breathing tube on Saco do Céu or Parnaioca is also really exciting. If your child prefers something more isolated, then Aventureiro is a perfect choice for you; it's a deserted beach with unusual «silver» sand. Another good place to visit on the island is Dois Rios Beach. As soon as your child gets tired of swimming and sunbathing, take a walk around the local village where you can see a rather beautiful church and little Brazil-style houses.

Older kids would be interested in the local prison which had been functioning for more than 100 years; later it was turned into a museum. You can also buy some hand-made souvenirs for your children there. One more activity for you and your kid is to go up to the very top of the white-stone Castelhanos Lighthouse or to take a walk around the Vila do Abraã – the urban centre of the island with a great number of ancient representatives of the colonial style. There is an aqueduct hidden in the island's forest which was built in 1893; you can also find the ex-hospital just near the aqueduct where all the non-residents were kept in quarantine for a few weeks in the past.

You can also show your child the ruins of large plantations just near Parnaioca in the forest. Chambers of lords, rooms of simple workers and some utility rooms are the only artifacts left from those plantations. In case your children are already eight years old, they can try themselves in diving. There are tens of pirates' sunken ships near Ilha Grande. Most of the ships are lying not so deep, so even beginners can explore it. What is more, you can come and see a great variety of underwater species and incredible landscapes of the local water area. Here children can learn water-skiing or how to steer a sailing yacht. In addition, there are several football fields on the island and these are always crowded with people.