Travel With Mery

When a friend suggests to spend a week on an island in Brazil, you imagine turquoise waters, sandy beaches and caipirinhas.
Well, life surprises you. We decided to spend a nice week at Ilhabela because we googled it and thought "yes, let's do it! Looks like paradise". We booked a nice pousada next to the Perequé Beach (Pousada Pereque, 30 eur a night per person with breakfast included and pool). We took a bus from Sâo Paulo Tietê bus terminal. Once in São Sebastião we got in to the "balsa" which crosses the river every 30 minutes (pedestrians free) and takes you to the island. We arrived and it was raining: not as expected.
That night we decided we just go to sleep. When we woke up the next day, it was cloudy, cold, and when we finished breakfast (fresh tropical fruits, home made cakes, breads, cheese, fresh juices) it started to rain. But they said it was just a tropical rain and later it would be sunny, so we left for a walk under the rain with the idea of finishing at the BEACH.
That never happened, we spent 6 days in Ilhabela, and we only saw the sun 1 day. So if it happens to you that you arrive to the island an instead of sun you only find lots of rain, no worries here is the alternative plan to replace those paradise beach sunbathing days:
From the port (where the "balsa" arrives) there are two buses: one heading north and the other heading south (3,50 reials a ride), they go all the way along the coast. This way, you get to know the island without getting wet! If you are lucky you might find an open bar on the way south at Praia do Cabra and if you are super lucky, then you might find another one open at Praia Grande. On the north side, everything is closed except for the restaurants at "La Vila", the old town.
If you feel like doing some exercise, there are great trekkings.The islandit's full of waterfalls, and if it's raining, these get better! So put on your trekking shoes, snickers or havaianas, and go for it. "Cachoeira" (waterfall in Portuguese) dos Três Tombos an the Veloso one, are near the bus stops, and only a few Kms walk (south part of the island). You can also reach Praia Boneto walking (15km) getting of at the last stop of the bus heading south.
If it happens that it doesn't rain, take a jeep excursion (between 60 and 90 reials) to Praia dos Castelhanos, and do the trekking to Cachoeira do Gato, one of the best of the island.
Hope this lines help you enjoy despite the rain!