Ilha da Gigóia: A Guide to Rio’s Best-Kept Secret

Christ the Redeemer, Sugarloaf Mountain, Two Brothers Peak, Ipanema Beach, bustling bars in Copacabana… These are the famous things associated with Rio de Janeiro.

Probably not a car-free island hidden right in the middle of the city, right?

Ilha da Gigóia is a small island on the Tijuca Lagoon. Here, people would bike about or travel between islands by boat. I heard about it through one of my teachers at the language school I was attending, so this is a true local spot.

Although it truly comes alive when local tourists visit on the weekends, it’s very peaceful on weekdays. It’s my favorite way to go reading in a quiet cafe on a Tuesday afternoon.

After several visits, I’m here to show you how to get there, what to do, where to eat, and more. Let’s turn you into that cool tourist who goes where no one else does!

Where Is Ilha da Gigóia Exactly?

Arriving in Barra da Tijuca on the highway heading west, if you look to your right, it’s hard to miss the Tijuca Lagoon.

Completely contrasting against the bustling highway you’re on, the lagoon radiates a different vibe, a bit frozen in time. Ilha da Gigóia is among the first pieces of land you’ll see on it.

Why Is There an Island in the Middle of Rio?

Word has it that Ilha da Gigóia was the first island to appear on the Tijuca Lagoon. Back in the beginning, the water was so clear that you could see the fish swimming and even take baths in it.

Fishermen first discovered the island. They would travel from their homes every day to fish and leave with a bucketful. Soon after, they would start to build cottages and homes to be closer to the food source.

Fast forward to today, and close to 3,000 inhabitants are living on Ilha da Gigóia.

How to Get to Ilha da Gigóia

The most economical way to arrive at the main pier is via the Metro. Take lines 1 & 4 (connected) to Jardim Oceânico, then use exit A towards Lagoa.

Once you’re outside the station, you’ll be facing away from the main highway and towards an alleyway. Walk there, and it’ll lead you right to the boat taxis.

The boat taxis should charge you R$5 for simply crossing the lagoon or to get to the front parts of the island. It’ll cost R$6 to get to the back of the island.

Payments are accepted via Pix or in cash; no credit cards.

Alternatively, you can join this half-day tour from Rio if you’re not comfortable going by yourself.

The guide will pick you up from your hotel, take you around the island for some wildlife sightings, and drop you back off in the city after.

5 Things to Do on Ilha da Gigóia

As expected from a peaceful, small island, the list of things to do isn’t exhaustive.

That’s what I love about it. The place doesn’t feel like a “destination” to be ticked off a list, but somewhere you can go to live a quieter, more mindful version of your life in Rio.

1. Take a Boat Tour of the Lagoon

At the pier where you take your boat taxi across, there are also local tour operators. Just like tour operators always do, they will spot you before you spot them. They’ll come up to you and explain their package.

Basically, for a 30 to 40-minute ride around the lagoon, exploring the mangroves and spotting wildlife, and a drop off at the island, you’ll pay anywhere between R$35-45 ($6-8).

I enjoyed the boat ride, spotting baby crocodiles, and learning a bit more about the other islands that are mostly just residents.

2. Discover Local Restaurants and Cafés

There are more than a handful of restaurants and bars around the island.

The most talked-about is probably Bar do Cícero, which I have not visited. It’s actually on Ilha Primeira, next door, so you’ll have to pay R$1 to cross over from the back dock of Ilha da Gigóia.

Deck Bar comes highly recommended at a lower price point and with a more local vibe. Please note that this place has no back access from inside the island. You’ll have to tell the boatman to drop you off at Deck Bar.

Next door to Deck Bar is Cais Bar, which serves typical Brazilian dishes with a fancier twist.

This means the food price will be a little higher here as well. Unlike Deck Bar, you can access Cais Bar from one of the streets on the island.

As for coffee and pastries, I stumbled upon Café da Poesia by accident while walking around the island. It caught my attention immediately with its lovely industrial-style decoration and plants.

3. Browse Local Arts and Crafts

To me, the streets of Ilha da Gigóia felt like one massive elementary school. You know, with cute little murals on walls every once in a while and some colorful wooden signs and craft shops.

Buying souvenirs from the arts and craft shops here is a great way to support the local community.

4. Chill and Soak in the Quiet Vibe

Do you just love hanging out in silence, away from the hustle and bustle?

Pack a good book and read it here on Ilha da Gigóia! Strolling along its tiny streets, you’ll find places you can sit once in a while.

Inside Café da Poesia is also not a bad idea at all! Just make sure to pick a weekday if this is your intention. The island gets packed with locals during the weekends. And I mean packed.

5. Listen to Samba While Watching the Sunset

Imagine watching the sunset over calm water, with a few boats coming and going, and lush green surrounding the lagoon. You can have that sunset view on Ilha da Gigóia, too!

Head over to Sunset Gigóia, where you can eat, drink, and listen to Samba to your heart’s content when they have an event going on. Check for the next event date and time your visit for then!

Staying Overnight on Ilha da Gigóia

It’s possible to explore the whole island within a few hours, but there are guesthouses as well if you’d like more days there. Most places are within a reasonable price range.

I highly recommend Veneza Carioca Hotel, where you get your own spa bath for only US$159 a night. Staff are incredibly professional. Their bright designs are especially easy on the eyes as well.

Extra Tips for Visiting Ilha da Gigóia

Bring insect repellent and use it!

I didn’t do this the first time I visited, and so I got bitten about a hundred times on my legs by some mysterious insects. Unfortunately, I had allergic reactions, so the bites burned, got super itchy, and took 2 weeks to heal.

So, don’t be like me. Bring insect repellent.

Bring a Brazilian friend with you if you have one.

I noticed a small price difference for the taxi boat between the few times I visited, once with foreigners and another with Brazilians. It’s not a serious difference, though.

Have cash ready for the boats

The boats don’t accept credit cards, only Pix, the local no-contact payment app. So, have some cash on you.

Follow My Itinerary for Rio de Janeiro!

Got several days in Rio de Janeiro? Why not follow my 4-day itinerary and get a mix of must-visit places and some more local experiences I found during my 3 months there?

Included on the itinerary are Christ the Redeemer, a visit to Ilha da Gigóia, a meal at Garota de Ipanema (where the song was written), and more!

Staying Safe in Rio de Janeiro

I hate how “famously dangerous” Brazil is when I never felt that terrible throughout three months of my stay there. Was the danger real? Yes. But you just have to know how things work.

Learn what to do to navigate the risks and stay safe before you go, and for extra bonus with the locals, read up on some of their cultural points.

Here are some basics to get you started on safety.

• Have a copy of your important documents (passport and any travel documents) saved on your phone and other devices, just in case they get stolen.
• Dress down. This city is not for showing off your riches on the street.
• Avoid taking long walks alone. Even in the safest countries in the world, it takes crossing ONE street to feel the difference between a safe neighborhood and a less safe one in the city.
• If you get robbed, do NOT fight the assailant, as you don’t know whether or not they have a weapon. Give them what they want and immediately report the incident to the police.

Other Helpful Travel Resources for Brazil

• Make sure you protect your trip with a travel insurance.
• Get this eSIM for local data without giving up your number.
• Must-have Apps: Google Maps, Uber, WhatsApp

As a bonus, grab a copy below of the template I created and personally use to plan my own trips. It’s completely free for you!

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