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Which is better: Bonito or Ilha Grande?

Short answer

Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in BonitoTransport Between Campo Grande Airport & Bonito★ 8.4 · 5 reviews · from US$ 45 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in Ilha GrandeAcaiá Cave & Ilha Grande Lagoons Boat Tour★ 8 · 1 review · from US$ 46 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Bonito Ilha Grande
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 31° · 9 days of rain 28° · 13 days of rain
By car R$ 166 · from Campo Grande R$ 312 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 3–4 days 3–4 days
Best for Adventure, Family, Relax Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family
Choose Bonito if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and families: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium.

See guide
Choose Ilha Grande if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: the wildest island on the Costa Verde, with Lopes Mendes at the end of the path.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Bonito or Ilha Grande

What usually tips the balance for your wallet is the rate on your travel dates. Check current prices for each city before deciding.

Compare hotels and places to stay in Bonito on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Pousada Rancho Jarinu in Bonito 9.7 ★★★ · 4 reviews Pousada Rancho Jarinu See on Booking → Wetiga Hotel in Bonito 8.5 ★★★★ · 11 reviews Wetiga Hotel See on Booking →
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Compare hotels and places to stay in Ilha Grande on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

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Rates change with the dates: confirm the price on Booking.com.

Frequently asked questions

Bonito or Ilha Grande: which is better?
Bonito is in the state of Mato Grosso do Sul (MS), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Bonito: rivers so transparent that you float over schools of fish as if you were diving into a natural aquarium; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Bonito has the edge.
What is the best time to visit Bonito and Ilha Grande?
The best time to visit Bonito is from May to August; for Ilha Grande, it is from May to August, based on INMET's climate normals (temperature and rainfall for each month). If your trip already has a date, check each destination's page for your month.
Which of the two is cheaper to get to?
By car, leaving from Campo Grande, Bonito is 300 km (186 mi) and costs about R$ 166 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, Ilha Grande is 404 km (251 mi) and costs about R$ 312 each way (fuel plus tolls). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Bonito or Ilha Grande?
Averaged over the year, Bonito has 8 rainy days a month and Ilha Grande has 12. Bonito is the drier of the two over the year as a whole, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Bonito is January and in Ilha Grande, January. For temperature, Bonito is the warmer one (average high of 30° versus 29°).
How many days should you spend in Bonito and in Ilha Grande?
To see the main sights without rushing, Bonito calls for 3–4 days and Ilha Grande, 3–4 days. These are distant regions: with a week or less, it is usually better to pick one of the two and make the most of it.
Bonito or Ilha Grande with kids?
Both work with kids: Bonito (crystal-clear waters, ecotourism, and river floating) and Ilha Grande (car-free village, forest trails, and paradise beaches). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure. With small children, weather matters: Bonito has fewer rainy days over the year.
What should you not miss in each?
In Bonito: Gruta do Lago Azul, Rio da Prata (float), Rio Sucuri (float). In Ilha Grande: Lopes Mendes Beach, Vila do Abraão, Pico do Papagaio. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.