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Which is better: Florianópolis or Ilha Grande?

Short answer

Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Florianópolis has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Ilha Grande costs less.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in FlorianópolisBlumenau & Pomerode Day Trip★ 8.4 · 124 reviews · from US$ 38 · 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 →
Florianópolis Ilha Grande
Best time to visit Apr → Nov May → Aug
Weather this month 24° · 13 days of rain 28° · 13 days of rain
By car R$ 436 · from São Paulo R$ 312 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 4–6 days 3–4 days
Best for Family, Adventure, Relax, Romantic Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family
Choose Florianópolis if

you want a trip for families and adventure seekers: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow.

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: Florianópolis 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 Florianópolis on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Porto da Ilha Hotel in Florianópolis 8.9 ★★★★ · 47 reviews Porto da Ilha Hotel See on Booking → Novotel Florianopolis in Florianópolis 8.6 ★★★★ · 24 reviews Novotel Florianopolis See on Booking →
See all hotels in Florianópolis

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

See all hotels in Ilha Grande

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

Frequently asked questions

Florianópolis or Ilha Grande: which is better?
Florianópolis is on the Santa Catarina Coast (SC), while Ilha Grande is in Rio de Janeiro and its surroundings (RJ): different regions of Brazil. Florianópolis: an island with more than 40 beaches, a saltwater lagoon for windsurfing and oysters farmed in the same sea where they grow; Ilha Grande: Atlantic Forest, trails and green water without a single car. For this month's weather, Florianópolis has the edge. Driving from São Paulo, Ilha Grande costs less.
What is the best time to visit Florianópolis and Ilha Grande?
The best time to visit Florianópolis is from April to November; 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 São Paulo, Florianópolis is 691 km (429 mi) and costs about R$ 436 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, Florianópolis or Ilha Grande?
Averaged over the year, Florianópolis has 12 rainy days a month and Ilha Grande has 12. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Florianópolis is January and in Ilha Grande, January. For temperature, Ilha Grande is the warmer one (average high of 29° versus 25°).
How many days should you spend in Florianópolis and in Ilha Grande?
To see the main sights without rushing, Florianópolis calls for 4–6 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.
Florianópolis or Ilha Grande with kids?
Both work with kids: Florianópolis (island of 40 beaches; Azorean culture; lagoon and surf) and Ilha Grande (car-free village, forest trails, and paradise beaches). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
What should you not miss in each?
In Florianópolis: Lagoa da Conceição, Joaquina Beach, Jurerê Internacional Beach. 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.