Angra Dos Reis Brazil Tourism & Travel Information Hotels Tours Airport Transfers

Angra Dos Reis					Brazil

Angra Dos Reis Travel Information

About Angra dos Reis

Angra dos Reis is a small town located on the southwest coast of the State of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 154 Km. (95.5 mi.) away from the city of Rio de Janeiro and 377 Km. (234 mi.) away from Sao Paulo. The municipality extends along a continental area as well as on an insular territory (see map of Angra dos Reis).

Angra dos Reis has several casonas (big houses) and churches dating back to the Colonial period. Downtown streets take a curved shape, following the direction of winds. At present, its infrastructure is dedicated to tourism, with a wide variety of hotels and inns all along the coast, and a marina ready to receive and supply hundreds of boats.

Angra dos Reis is the access door to a magnificent area consisting of 365 islands, two thousand beaches, and several bays and inlets, on the coasts of the Atlantic Ocean and surrounded by tropical groves, and filled with natural beauty, legends, and fun.

Continental Angra dos Reis is divided into 4 areas: The area of Contorno road (running along downtown beaches), the area of Ponta Leste road (featuring 10 Km. – 6.2 mi. - of beaches), the area of BR-101 highway, Rio-bound (last beaches to the east of the municipality), and the area of BR-101 highway, Santos-bound (50 Km. – 31 mi.- of beaches to the west of the central area).

Angra dos Reis is considered one of the best places in Brazil to practice scuba diving thanks to the numerous shipwrecks and rich sea life present in the area. It is also possible to practice other water sports, such as water-skiing, fishing, and sailing.

Ilha Grande is the largest island in Angra Bay. It is a mountainous territory covered by abundant flora, with paths, waterfalls, and deserted beaches. For almost 60 years, it played an important historical role due to its prison. The center for tourist activities is Vila do Abraão, with some inns and handicraft shops.

Hotels in Angra dos Reis

Hotels in Angra dos Reis are top-class, offering comfortable rooms, swimming pool, sauna, tennis courts, and restaurants, among other services, and are strategically located between the grove and the coastline.

Inns in Angra dos Reis represent another excellent option, as they are typically really cozy, nature-integrated, offering customized service, extra services (such as cruises, diving gear rental and instructors) and varied rates.

Hotels and Inns in Angra dos Reis are located all along the coastline, on Contorno road (those in downtown), on Ponta Leste road, on BR-101 highway, Rio-bound (mostly residential and condo area), on BR-101 highway, Santos-bound, and on Grande and Gipóia Islands.

Low-priced Hotels and Inns in Angra dos Reis are located downtown and around halfway down Contorno road.

Hotels and Inns in Angra dos Reis should be booked well in advance during the Carnival season (in late February or early March).

Tours in Angra dos Reis

Tours in Angra dos Reis offer an opportunity to enjoy the quiet, nearby beaches and islands, travel through the area discovering the native flora and fauna, and practice water sports, such as scuba diving, snorkeling, surfing, water-skiing, and sailing.

Downtown Angra dos Reis features several attractions, such as the Church of Our Lady of Conception, St. Lucy Church and the wharf, the Hermitage of Senhor do Bonfim, the Convent of Our Lady of Carmo, the original casonas on Market Street, the fountain of Carioca, and Lopes Trovão Square with its handicraft market.

Contorno road allows accessing several beach resorts, such as Grande Beach (the most crowded one), Anil Beach, Bonfim Beach, Figueira Beach, Tanguazinho and Tanguá Beaches. Along BR-101 highway, Santos-bound, Mambucaba Beach and Brava Beach stand out.

The best way to get to know Angra dos Reis Bay is taking a boat cruise, which allows visitors to enjoy the crystal-water sea, watching the lush native vegetation and the rich and famous’ mansions located on private islands.

Ilha Grande is the largest island in Angra Bay, featuring beautiful landscapes and spots. Many beaches can only be accessed on foot, through paths surrounded by the dense Atlantic rain forest vegetation. Camping outside campgrounds and cars are not allowed. “Saco do Céu” is the most beautiful beach. The ferry trip from the port of Angra takes an hour and a half.

Gipóia Island is known for its crystal-water beaches, gentle waves, and white sands. The most important and crowded beach resorts are Arrow Beach, Dentist’s Beach, and Mergulho Beach.

Botinas Islands, also called “Sister Islands”, is the landscape most commonly featured on Angra’s postcards. They have the most crystal and clearest waters in the area, and sea depth (over 10 m. -33 ft.-) enables visitors to watch the magnificent underwater life.

Cataguzes Island and Paqueta Island are widely visited for their tranquility and beauty. Their restaurants offer delicious sea food.

Car Rental in Angra dos Reis

Car rental in Angra dos Reis is provided by the main international companies, with offices located downtown, and in airports and most important cities in the country.

Air access to Angra dos Reis is through Galeão International Airport in Rio de Janeiro, 170 Km. (105.5 mi.) away from the city. Shuttle services can be hired there.

Intercity buses are a modern, comfortable, and inexpensive option to travel between the main cities. The trip from Rio de Janeiro to Angra dos Reis takes 3 hours and the service offers good daily frequency.

Next to the Port of Angra dos Reis is the Cais de Santa Luzia, where visitors can rent a boat and sail along the bay.

Tourist Information in Angra dos Reis

Tourist information in Angra dos Reis can be obtained at the Tourist Office located on Av. Ayrton Senna, Anil Beach. Tel: (24) 3365-5186. Opening Hours: 8 am to 7 pm.

The legal currency in Brazil is the Brazilian Real, which has a fluctuating exchange rate. It is advisable to use local currency and exchange US dollars at banks and authorized exchange offices, as well as at large hotels (with a less favorable exchange rate).

Most credit cards (Visa, American Express, and Mastercard) are commonly used and are accepted at large hotels, restaurants, and important stores.

Some hotels and inns charge an additional 10% on the final rate as service fee. It is advisable to ask whether such a fee is included in the final rate.

Tipping is optional, though it is common practice and considered a gesture of gratitude. Even though in most restaurants and hotels tips are included, leaving 10%-15% is recommended.

While Angra dos Reis is a safe area, taking good care of your belongings and avoiding poorly lighted and distant places is advisable.

Drinking bottled water and avoiding vegetables and fruits not properly washed or disinfected is bly recommended.