South America Adventure ( Brazil and Argentina)

Trust me, if you go to Brazil without spending at least 2 nights in Ilha grande you're silly. The english translation is "Big Island" and having been to beaches all over Brazil this place is the best. Its remote location makes it pristine and a true preservation of nature. In the summer months this place is a very busy vacation destination, but I went during the South American winter (June-August) and there were very few people and the weather was perfect (in the 80s all the time but maybe I was just lucky).

Recommendations

you need cash on this island, there are no ATM machines

Sleep-

Betos pousada -payed R$50 ($28 USD) a night for a double. Rooms are small, but clean. Nice size LCD tv but only 6 channels. Breakfast included was sufficient but nothing fancy. Hot tea is available most of the night. Wifi is free but only available in common area. There are also computers with internet for free use.

Activities-

1)Hike from town to mendes Lopez is a 8km trek through the mountainous island. Not to scare you but definitely put on a pair of sneakers and don't do the hike if it's wet. Really nice hike that outlets you at a few beautiful beaches before arriving at mendez Lopez, Which is worth the hike

2)Hike to dois rios- 2 hrs each way, not a very challenging hike for the most part and the way back is much easier. Town of dois rios has a university of Rio doing research on the environment. Otherwise the town is big but completey empty. There used to be a prison in the town, but it was destroyed in the 90's and I think since then many people left the town. Very interesting place, several abandoned houses and the beach is nice. Dois rios= two rivers and on the beach you can literally see a river flowing into the ocean, pretty cool. The beach is beautiful, definitely a good spot to visit for the day, but dont stay too late because you'll have to hike 2 hrs home in the dark.

Beaches-
1) mendes lopez-probably the most popular beach on the island. There is surfing, but what I liked the most was the tranquility from being at a huge beach strip with hardly any people around ( I know this contradicts what I said at first, but the people congregate in one area and the beach is really long)

2) Dois rios- only accessible via 2 hr hike both ways. See hiking description