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Which is better: Ilhabela or São Sebastião?

Short answer

Ilhabela and São Sebastião are in the same region (North Coast of São Paulo). Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; São Sebastião: the town that gives its name to the north coast of São Paulo state. The weather is similar in both this month. The two are about 3 km (2 mi) apart, 0h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.

Sources: INMET (updated 2026) · ANP · OpenStreetMap
Most reviewed activity in IlhabelaSnorkeling Class in Ilhabela★ 10 · 12 reviews · from US$ 26 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Most reviewed activity in São SebastiãoSão Sebastião Whale Watching★ 8 · 1 review · from US$ 102 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Ilhabela São Sebastião
Best time to visit May → Aug May → Aug
Weather this month 26° · 15 days of rain 26° · 15 days of rain
By car R$ 132 · from São Paulo R$ 107 + tolls · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 4–5 days 4–5 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family Adventure, Relax, Family, Romantic
Choose Ilhabela if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: sailing, shipwreck dives, waterfalls in the forest and the dreaded borrachudo.

See guide
Choose São Sebastião if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: almost 100 km of coastline, from the surf of Maresias to family beaches and a 17th-century historic center that almost nobody visits.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Ilhabela or São Sebastião

The average nightly rate is around R$ 320 in Ilhabela and R$ 412 in São Sebastião; what changes in practice is each place's season. Check current prices for your dates before deciding.

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

See all hotels in Ilhabela

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

Amora Hotel Maresias in São Sebastião 9.3 ★★★★ · 65 reviews Amora Hotel Maresias See on Booking → Suítes Las Flores Maresias in São Sebastião 9 ★★★ · 118 reviews Suítes Las Flores Maresias See on Booking →
See all hotels in São Sebastião

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

Frequently asked questions

Ilhabela or São Sebastião: which is better?
Ilhabela and São Sebastião are in the same region (North Coast of São Paulo). Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; São Sebastião: the town that gives its name to the north coast of São Paulo state. The weather is similar in both this month. The two are about 3 km (2 mi) apart, 0h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Ilhabela and São Sebastião?
The best time to visit Ilhabela is from May to August; for São Sebastião, 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, Ilhabela is 197 km (122 mi) and costs about R$ 132 each way (fuel plus tolls); leaving from São Paulo, São Sebastião is 196 km (122 mi) and costs about R$ 107 each way (fuel only, tolls not included). The calculation assumes a car that gets 11 km/L. Lodging and activities vary with each place's season.
Where does it rain less, Ilhabela or São Sebastião?
Averaged over the year, Ilhabela has 13 rainy days a month and São Sebastião has 13. The two are practically tied over the year, but what decides the trip is the month: the rainiest month in Ilhabela is January and in São Sebastião, January. For temperature, both have the same average high, 27°.
How many days should you spend in Ilhabela and in São Sebastião?
To see the main sights without rushing, Ilhabela calls for 4–5 days and São Sebastião, 4–5 days. Since the two are 3 km (2 mi) from each other, anyone with 8 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Ilhabela or São Sebastião with kids?
Both work with kids: Ilhabela (national capital of sailing, shipwreck diving, and waterfalls in the forest) and São Sebastião (dozens of beaches, surf, and ferry to Ilhabela). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
Can you visit Ilhabela and São Sebastião on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 3 km (2 mi) apart, 0h30 by car and in the same region (North Coast of São Paulo). Combining them in a single itinerary is common, with a few days in each.
What should you not miss in each?
In Ilhabela: Castelhanos Beach, Cachoeira da Toca, Vila and historic center. In São Sebastião: Praia de Maresias, Praia de Camburi, Praia de Boiçucanga. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.