Lopes Mendes Beach (Praia Lopes Mendes)
Ilha Grande, Brazil
With its long arc of fine golden sand lapped by the waves of the Atlantic Ocean, Lopes Mendes Beach (Praia Lopes Mendes) is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Brazil. Fringed with thick vegetation including almond and palm trees, a visit to Lopes Mendes Beach can feel like an escape into untouched nature.
The basics
Ihla Grande’s Lopes Mendes Beach is a great place to get away from it all, but there are also options for more active travelers. Surfing is popular here; during the summer, you can rent boards on the beach. Boat tours departing from Vila do Abraão on Ihla Grande typically take you to Lopes Mendes Beach and Praia do Pouso (Pouso Beach) on the other side of the island and give you free time to spend as you please.
Things to know before you go
As the beach has little infrastructure, bring water, food, and bags to collect your trash.
There is often a strong swell in the water, so swimming is not usually recommended.
Lifeguards are usually stationed on the beach.
How to get there
There are no roads on Ihla Grande so you can only get to Lopes Mendes Beach on foot or by boat. A popular 3.5-mile (7-kilometer) walking trail starts at the eastern end of Abraão's town beach, crosses the hills to Praia de Palmas, then continues to Pouso and Lopes Mendes beaches. Another option is taking a boat from Abraão to Pouso and then walking around 10 minutes to Lopes Mendes.
When to get there
Lopes Mendes Beach is delightful any time of year and the trail is accessible year-round. However, during the summer season (December to March) soaring temperatures and heavy rainfall can make hiking challenging. The shoulder seasons of spring and fall promise mild and dry weather.
What to do on Pouso Beach
If you travel to Lopes Mendes by boat, tour, or on foot, you will pass through Pouso Beach (Praia do Pouso). It’s worth lingering a while on this secluded beach and having a bite to eat at a floating restaurant named Marola Flutuante, which specializes in seafood.
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