If you are a U.S. citizen, you must have a valid passport with a minimum validity of six months of your travel date to enter the Federal Republic of Brazil. A US passport application can take up to 6 weeks. You can get a US passport in 24 hours for a fee of $140. Visit www.passportsandvisas.com for more information. Or call them toll free at 800-860-8610. If you are a U.S. citizen, you must have a visa to enter Brazil. To obtain a visa contact the Federal Republic of Brazil Consulate, please visit our Visa Section for a list of Brazilian Consulates and information on how to obtain a visa application online.

I just made a reservation with The Island Experience, now what?

You should have received a confirmation email confirming your reservation. An Island Experience agent should be contacting you within 48 hours of your reservation to assist you with payment arrangements and will answer all of your questions. If you did not receive a confirmation email or you have not received a call within 48 hours of your reservation, please contact us by email at information@theislandexperience.com

When I apply for my Brazilian Visa, what Brazilian Address should I use?

Please use the following Brazilian address when you are applying for a Brazilian Visa:

The Island Experience
Ponta do Bananal S/N, Ilha Grande,
Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
23968-000

What exactly does the entire package for the Island Experience include?

The Island Experience provides you with:
• 6 nights of lodging
• Private room and bath overlooking ocean
• All meals, juices, mineral water and snacks everyday (natural spa cuisine developed by on-site nutritionist)
• More than 6 hours per day of supervised activities (trekking, kayaking and snorkeling)
• Daily yoga classes (two per day)
• Daily one hour full body massages (three total for each person)
• Various cultural activities (Capoeira, Brazilian dance, painting)
• Round trip from Rio de Janeiro airport or hotel to the Island**

* Accomodation is based on single, double or triple occupancy.
** We only provide scheduled transportation to Ilha Grande on Sunday afternoon and back to the airport on Saturday afternoon. Non-scheduled or special transportation (e.g., helicopter, car, boat) will require an extra fee.

What sort of flight arrangements should I make?

We suggest that you land in Rio International Airport on Sunday morning before 11:30 AM and that you plan to depart the following Saturday anytime after 6:30 PM. We will pick you up from the airport Sunday morning and provide your transportation back to the airport Saturday afternoon. You should be back at the airport roughly around 4:30 PM. After leaving the guests departing that day in the Airport, we will take all the guests staying in hotels downtown.

What happens once I land in Rio de Janeiro International Airport?

If you arrive before the program start date, we recommend that you take a taxi to your hotel. If you arrive on the Sunday of the start of the program, we will either be picking you up from the airport or from a designated hotel in town. For those arriving on a very early flight, you will have the option of taking a taxi to a recommended hotel, where you can have breakfast and relax until we pick you up. For those arriving a little later, the meeting point at the airport will be in Terminal 1, 3rd floor at the Restaurant Demoiselle. All details will be emailed to you a few days before the start of the program. The journey to the island takes about 2 hours by van to a local marina followed by a beautiful 1 hour boat ride to the lodge.

What if I miss the scheduled airport pickup?

You should call us immediately from the airport so we can make arrangements for your transportation.
If you are using an international cell phone, please dial +55 21 9925 9756 or +55 24 9926 3563. Alternatively, you can call us collect 9090 9925 9756 or 901524 9831 0020 from a public phone in the airport

What if I want to come to Brazil a couple of days earlier, or spend more time in Brazil after the Island Experience?

Coming to Brazil a couple of days earlier is a great idea. Rio has a lot to offer. We will pick you up at your hotel on Sunday to transport you to the island. If you are staying in Rio after your Island Experience, we will provide transportation to your hotel on Saturday if you chose to use our official transport back to the airport.

What kind of clothes do I need to bring?

For activities: T-Shirts (long-sleeved and short), tank tops, shorts, hiking socks (6 pairs), at least 2 swimsuits, sunglasses, hat (waterproof recommended), lightweight rain gear - rain jacket.
Around the lodge: casual and relaxed. Bring a couple oflong sleeve shirts and long pants.
Toiletries - Shampoo, conditioner, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotions, sunblock and insect repellent & anti-itch cream.
We also recommend that you bring a flash light and/or a headlamp.

10.

Do I need Travel Insurance?

The Island Experience requires that you obtain travel insurance to cover any unexpected medical problems. Your own travel agent will be able to cater to your personal travel needs. Visit our Insurance section for more information on what sort of coverage you need.

11.

What sort of backpack/hydration system do I need?

We recommend you bring a medium size backpack with a hydration system / bladder (i.e. Camelbak 70-100oz capacity with 20-200CU storage space). The backpack should be big enough to hold water bottles and extra items like food containers, hiking clothes, raincoat and sarong.
You will also need an eco-friendly water bottle (at least 1 litre capacity). The hydration system is for the hikes and the water bottle for kayaking and for use around the lodge. Having these with you will make a difference to your comfort during the week!

12.

What sort of footwear do I need?

A comfortable pair of hiking shoes – preferably already broken into to avoid blisters and with a good grip on the sole. For those with weak ankles, hiking boots are recommended. Sandals/flipflops for use around the lodge and beach.

13.

Will I need any sun block or bug repellent?

Ilha Grande can get very hot. Although our hikes are usually under the jungle canopy and sun exposure is minimal, our kayak trips are on the open sea and you will be exposed to a fair amount of sun. Also, Ilha Grande is a rainforest and there is a generous amount of insects on the island. It is always a good idea to bring your own personal sun block and insect repellent supply.

14.

What is the weather like on Ilha Grande?

Being an oceanic island, the Atlantic Ocean has a strong influence over the sea the climate. It has a tropical weather, very hot and humid. The medium temperatures of the air are between 60F - 86F. The medium water temperature is between 65F - 75F.

15.

I have never used a Kayak, is that going to be an issue?

Many of our guests have never kayaked before. We will give you a brief course on safety and technique and the results are fairly quick.

16.

I don't know how to swim, will that be an issue when I am kayaking?

We will provide you with a life jacket. And remember, your kayak is as buoyant as a cork so you are secure whether you are in the water or in the kayak. We always have a trainer at your side and have access to a boat for any sort of emergency.

17.

Do I need to be in top shape to complete the program?

Our guests are all different in terms of their fitness levels. We cater to all levels. Our guests naturally split in different groups and we assign a trainer to each group in order to guide and motivate you. It is not a race; we all complete the same amount of miles, some faster than others. We have had guests ranging from teenagers to people well into their fifties.

18.

I smoke a lot of cigarettes and drink alcohol; do you allow smoking and drinking during the program?

The Island Experience is a detox program. Many guests come to quit habits such as smoking, drinking alcohol or coffee. We ask our guest to decline from smoking or drinking alcohol and coffee in order to respect those who are following the detox program.

19.

I will need to call home and work on the Internet, is that possible?

We encourage you to you take a break from work and internet during your stay, however we understand that this not always possible. We have a modem available if necessary but no wifi. We also visit Abraao, the main village on Fridays, where there are a few internet cafes. You can make international calls from our cell phones (USD $2.50 per minute); a better option might be buying international calling cards in Rio or at the airport (called "cartão internacional Embratel").

20.

Is it safe on the island, is there any violence?

Statistically, Ilha Grande is one of the safest places on earth.

21.

How much cash do I need to bring with me?

Once you get to the island you will not need much cash. We provide your food, lodging, and transportation. You may want to have some cash for a little souvenir shopping, extra massages or gratuities. You may also want to bring some extra money in case you are tempted to stay longer on the island. We suggest that $200-$400 in Brazilian Reals is an ample amount of cash to bring to the island. Please be aware that there are no banks nor ATMs on the island.