Caiçara Ilha Grande

We had breakfast included, and when we mentioned that two of the four of us eat plant-based, the kitchen staff brought chickpeas, avocado, hummus, and peanut butter each morning. They also prepared more vegetables that our group had brought. A big thank you for taking such good care of us and going the extra mile. The pousada is very clean and feels safe, and the staff are super friendly. One suggestion: I think more guests would appreciate having avocado, extra vegetables, plant-based spreads like hummus, and plant-based milk for cereal as regular breakfast choices. A wider range of basic options could also appeal to more people.

Really enjoyed the free tea time, and the breakfast and fruit were super fresh. It’s a great place to experience Ilha Grande, right on the beach, with clean rooms that have enough space and very friendly staff. I’d suggest using the luggage carriers too :)

Getting away from the busy harbour only takes a few minutes, which made the location really convenient. The staff were so kind and helpful, and I loved the fresh juice and delicious cakes they baked each day. Breakfast felt cozy, too. I'd suggest booking a room with a sea view. They also provide beach towels for free.

The breakfast was disappointing, with fruit that had no flavor, and we regretted choosing this pousada despite the positive TripAdvisor reviews. Getting there was a rough start: you have to haul your own bags about 400 meters across sand and streams after arriving on the island. We later found out there are cart carriers called "carreteiros" around the island, and Caiçara should have offered some way to transport guests' luggage. When we finally arrived, sweaty from the walk, nobody offered us a seat or a drink. They immediately asked for our passports. That felt like a remarkable lack of hospitality, something we'd rarely encountered in our travels, especially in South America. I also have concerns about the staff's honesty. A month after our trip, our card was used for 14 payments in Brazil, several above R$200, which would only have been possible with the PIN. We had used that card just once during our whole stay in Brazil, to pay the remaining room balance at Caiçara.