Note: Where pousadas are off the beaten track, Google maps only show the nearest town, and are not an accurate guide to location.
I am not sure how I first discovered the Vila PedraMar, but what a find- a new oceanfront hidden pousada with its own jetty, right next to the beach of Praia Vermelha on Ilha Grande.
Inaugurated only in 2010 Vila PedraMar sets new standards of luxury combined with care for the environment; of personal service combined with a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere. Inside the 3 suites are extremely well appointed each one with a beautiful bathroom, square mosquito net over the bed which makes it seem like a four poster, and 1200 thread count bamboo bed linen to luxuriate in. Look out of the windows from any of the suites and you'll see the sweep of the bay and the amazing sunsets right in front of you.
This is an extraordinary place, not just for the spectacular location but also for the Bali/Brazilian design throughout the pousada which maximises light and views, the superb food, and not least the hospitality of South African/Dutch owners Sarie and Jo, who came for a holiday and somehow couldn't leave. We took the pousada boat "Truck" round the island, visited countless deserted beaches, had a great lunch at Christian's restaurant on Praia Vermelha and then went off on a sunset champagne cruise. I, for one, was in paradise again.
Ilha Grande may be firmly on the alternative tourist route by now, but few people will have heard of Praia Vermelha situated on the other side of the island from the main town of Abraao a small bay with sandy beach and small village nestling at the foot of mountains covered in thick tropical rainforest. There is only one boat a day which runs back and forth from Angra dos Reis but as a result of this you will find the small fishing village is beautifully quiet and peaceful- at least in low season. In high season a couple of other pousadas open their doors mainly to people attending diving school, and tourist schooners sometimes stop here briefly on their way round the island, but there are no shops or banks and only a couple of bar/restaurants so life in general still runs at an altogether more "relaxed" pace
Basically Praia Vermelha is a place where your mobile phone/internet may not work and where electricity may go off at any moment, but at the same time it is also a place of turquoise seas, transparent waters, shoals of coloured fish, playful dolphins, and the sound of waves lapping against the shore. Sometimes the outside world deserves to be left behind for a while.
treks/walks to beaches of Itaguaçu, Aracitabinha, Praia Grande and Aventureir0
diving and snorkelling locally
boat trips around the island
personality and exclusivity
combination of luxury and informality
superb oceanfront location
hospitality
Try a different place if..
you have any mobility problems or need nightlife
I am not sure how I first discovered the Vila PedraMar, but what a find- a new oceanfront hidden pousada with its own jetty, right next to the beach of Praia Vermelha on Ilha Grande.
Ilha Grande may be firmly on the alternative tourist route by now, but few people will have heard of Praia Vermelha situated on the other side of the island from the main town of Abraao a small bay with sandy beach and small village nestling at the foot of mountains covered in thick tropical rainforest. There is only one boat a day which runs back and forth from Angra dos Reis but as a result of this you will find the small fishing village is beautifully quiet and peaceful- at least in low season. In high season a couple of other pousadas open their doors mainly to people attending diving school, and tourist schooners sometimes stop here briefly on their way round the island, but there are no shops or banks and only a couple of bar/restaurants so life in general still runs at an altogether more "relaxed" pace
