Before you go
Your trip to Mangaratiba.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
Mangaratiba – RJ Destination Costa Verde about 105 km from Rio de Janeiro
How to get there
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Aeroporto Internacional do Galeão (GIG) Rio de Janeiro · 102 km
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Aeroporto Santos Dumont (SDU) Rio de Janeiro
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Terminal Rodoviário de Mangaratiba
Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.
Mangaratiba is 105 km from Rio de Janeiro on the BR-101, the Rio-Santos, about two hours by car. Buses to the Costa Verde leave from Rodoviária Novo Rio. There's no passenger train. The nearest airport is Galeão. The ferry to Ilha Grande leaves from downtown, and the speedboats from Conceição de Jacareí, a district of the town.
How many days
Two days: one for the boat trip around the islands of Itacuruçá and Jaguanum, another for the Muriqui waterfall and downtown. Mangaratiba also works as a base for a day on Ilha Grande.
When to go
Boat trips depend on sunshine and calm seas, and summer is the most popular season. The heat runs from December to March, which also has most of the rain. The festival of the patron saint, Nossa Senhora da Guia, is in early September, downtown.
Do you need a car?
It helps. The town spreads along the Rio-Santos in separate districts: Itacuruçá, where the schooners leave from, Muriqui, Conceição de Jacareí and downtown. Without a car, you can get around by bus along the highway or by taxi.
Suggested itinerary
An order that works
Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.
One day in Mangaratiba
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Morning
Ilha de Itacuruçá
The schooner or saveiro (wooden boat) trip leaves from the Itacuruçá pier and stops at the island's calm-water beaches.
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Afternoon
Ilha de Jaguanum
On the same trip, Praia do Araçá, with light sand, surrounded by forest.
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Late afternoon
Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Guia
Back on the mainland, the 1795 church with its Portuguese tile facade, downtown.
2 days in Mangaratiba
Day 1
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Morning
Ilha de Itacuruçá
A schooner from the Itacuruçá pier, with swimming stops.
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Afternoon
Ilha de Jaguanum
The island covered in Atlantic Forest, with Praia do Araçá.
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Late afternoon
Praia do Saco
Calm water near downtown, to end the day without hitting the road.
Day 2
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Morning
Cachoeira Véu da Noiva (Muriqui)
In the Parque Estadual Cunhambebe, with a half-hour climb. Go early: the lower part, with the rock slide, fills up on weekends.
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Afternoon
Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora da Guia
Downtown, listed by Iphan, with the original statue of the patron saint on the altar.
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Late afternoon
Praia do Saco
Small, with calm water, a few minutes from downtown.
Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.
Before you go
Frequently asked questions
Where does the boat to Ilha Grande leave from?
The ferry leaves from downtown Mangaratiba, with one departure a day. The speedboats, faster and more frequent, leave from Conceição de Jacareí, also in Mangaratiba.
How do I get to the islands of Itacuruçá and Jaguanum?
By schooner, saveiro or water taxi, from the Itacuruçá pier. Schooner trips usually visit both islands on the same day.
Is there a train from Rio to Mangaratiba?
No. The rail line now carries only freight. From Rio, go by car or bus along the Rio-Santos.
Does Praia do Saco have facilities?
Don't count on kiosks. It's a small, calm beach, good for a family swim. Bring what you need.