In the past, I'd heard a lot about Angra being a brilliant, flashy destination (around fifteen years ago). But by the time I first went there, the town had become just one big favela.
I've been there twice in the past six years, mainly to catch the boat to Ilha Grande, and I still haven't found a single positive thing about Angra dos Reis.
I therefore don't advise anyone to go there, except to make the crossing to Ilha Grande of course. There are many wonderful things to see on a trip to Brazil, and this grotesque seaside favela is not one of them.
Angra Dos Reis is a main departure point for travelers heading to Ilha Grande. Its port is well known as there are so many options for people traveling to the islands, from cheap ferries to fast, comfortable catamarans. It's also a popular sailing spot.
Even though the port is colorful, the town itself doesn't have a lot to see, despite its colonial past; it's been blemished by industrialization. The biggest attraction is, therefore, visiting the bay by boat and going to its beaches and isles I was lucky and got talking to some local fishermen who told me about places to see only a few minutes away from the coast. But to be honest, I didn't see anything spectacular during this part of mytrip to Brazil, partly because many of the isles are privately owned and dotted with celebrities' vacation homes.
Suffice to say that Angra dos Reis, has nothing special in itself and there's no need to hang around, particularly if you're short of time.
Angra dos Reis serves, whenvisiting Brazil, as the departure point for visits to the myriad islands around it. With as many of them as there are days in the year, it's impossible to tour them all.
I visited Juruba Beach, commonly referred to as "Dentist's Beach", on Gipoia. I went diving among fish which inquisitively approached close to take a look at me. If I'd been a hunter, I wouldn't even have shot, they were so confident.
I visited Ilha Grande, where I went for long walks through lush vegetation and by beautiful waterfalls. I visited Macacos and Sito Forte and dropped anchor in the bay at Maguaraquissaba. This remarkable bay is a veritable paradise for those who like the sea and underwater diving. With bathing spots, white sandy beaches and multicolored fish, there's a new spectacle to see here every.