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Which is better: Ilhabela or Ubatuba?

Short answer

Ilhabela and Ubatuba are in the same region (North Coast of São Paulo). Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Ubatuba: more than a hundred beaches between the Serra do Mar and the ocean. The weather is similar in both this month. Driving from São Paulo, Ilhabela costs less. The two are about 73 km (45 mi) apart, 1h30 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 UbatubaUbatuba Northern Islands Boat Tour★ 10 · 1 review · from US$ 99 · via CivitatisSee dates and price →
Ilhabela Ubatuba
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$ 145 · from São Paulo
Ideal stay 4–5 days 4–5 days
Best for Adventure, Relax, Romantic, Family Adventure, Relax, Family
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 Ubatuba if

you want a trip for adventure seekers and relaxation: surf, Atlantic Forest and coves you reach by trail.

See guide
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Where to stay

Where to stay: Ilhabela or Ubatuba

The average nightly rate is around R$ 320 in Ilhabela and R$ 417 in Ubatuba; 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 Ubatuba on Booking.com, with up-to-date prices and availability, before you book.

Kaliman Pousada in Ubatuba 9 ★★★★ · 16 reviews Kaliman Pousada See on Booking → Catalina Hotel in Ubatuba 9.6 ★★★★ · 1 review Catalina Hotel See on Booking →
See all hotels in Ubatuba

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

Frequently asked questions

Ilhabela or Ubatuba: which is better?
Ilhabela and Ubatuba are in the same region (North Coast of São Paulo). Ilhabela: Brazil's largest marine island, reachable only by ferry; Ubatuba: more than a hundred beaches between the Serra do Mar and the ocean. The weather is similar in both this month. Driving from São Paulo, Ilhabela costs less. The two are about 73 km (45 mi) apart, 1h30 by car; you can combine them in a single trip.
What is the best time to visit Ilhabela and Ubatuba?
The best time to visit Ilhabela is from May to August; for Ubatuba, 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, Ubatuba is 225 km (140 mi) and costs about R$ 145 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, Ilhabela or Ubatuba?
Averaged over the year, Ilhabela has 13 rainy days a month and Ubatuba 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 Ubatuba, January. For temperature, both have the same average high, 27°.
How many days should you spend in Ilhabela and in Ubatuba?
To see the main sights without rushing, Ilhabela calls for 4–5 days and Ubatuba, 4–5 days. Since the two are 73 km (45 mi) from each other, anyone with 8 days or more can combine them in a single trip.
Ilhabela or Ubatuba with kids?
Both work with kids: Ilhabela (national capital of sailing, shipwreck diving, and waterfalls in the forest) and Ubatuba (more than a hundred beaches, surf, and Atlantic Forest). The choice usually comes down to getting there, not to infrastructure.
Can you visit Ilhabela and Ubatuba on the same trip?
Yes. The two are about 73 km (45 mi) apart, 1h30 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 Ubatuba: Praia de Itamambuca, Praia do Félix, Praia Vermelha do Norte. These are the sights that show up most in first-trip itineraries for each destination; the full guide to each has the whole list.