Wheater
 
Geographical Situation
Ilhabela is an archipelago located on the Southeast shore of Brazil, between two important economic centers - only 138 miles from São Paulo, and 210 miles from Rio de Janeiro. The geographical bearings are : 23 46' 28" Latitude South and 45 21' 20" Longitude West.
 
Climate

Ilhabela has a relatively mild tropical climate. Summer can get hot and humid, 30ºC is not uncommon, while winter is very dry and sunny. Usually, the rain falls in the summer months ( December until March ).About 85% of its territory (the average temperature is 73º F) is part of the State Park of Ilhabela, assuring the preservation of the last remaining and one of the most beautiful reservation of the Atlantic Forest (declared Biosphere Sanctuary by the UNESCO).
 
People
Portuguese immigrants have spread all over Brazil, while Germans, Arabs, Lebanese, Italians and other Europeans are concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Asians are mostly settled in the south and in the north of the country. African descendants live all over the country. People who are born along the shores, are called "caiçaras".
 
Language
Portuguese is the national language. It is spoken with rhythmic intonation and in a relaxed way unknown in Portugal. English is the second language spoken specially in hotels, restaurants and other tourist places. Spanish is now part of the school curriculum , overviewing South America’s Southern integration through Mercosul, the regional economic group formed by Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.
 
Currency and Exchange

Real is the local currency. There are three usual convention rates – commercial, tourist and free. There are coins of one, five, ten, twenty five , fifty centavos and one Real. Bills are available in one, five, ten, fifty and one hundred reais. Most international credit cards are accepted.

Banespa Bank is the only one that exchanges officially foreign currency in the Island.

Bank hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Banespa Bank : 39, Pref. Mariano Procopio street - Perequé

Phone : +55 12 3896 9100
 
Newspapers and Media
The main local newspapers are Imprensa Livre, and Diário do Litoral Norte. O Estado de São Paulo and Folha de São Paulo, all in Portuguese, are also available. The island also has a local radio station called Nova Litoral.
 
Electrical Power Supply
Elektro is the company that provides energy to the island. Differently from most of the Brazilian cities, Ilhabela’s standard power supply can be 220 V 60hz and 110 V 60hz. For those who are coming from North America with 110V 60hz appliances, be sure to use an appropriate transformer, you can find it easily in electrical supply stores .
 
Smoking


In Ilhabela smoking is widespread, although the government has implemented some measures to reduce smoking in indoor establishments.

Most restaurants offer a smoking section and many shops allow smoking as well; the only places where smoking is really not allowed is inside public means of transportation like planes, buses, trains, cabs and some large supermarkets.
 
Tips and Taxes

Tips are accepted in Ilhabela. As a general guideline, in restaurants and bars the usual tip is included (services), corresponding to 10% of the bill .

Hotel porters will take it and depending on how much luggage you have , you can tip them with R$5 to R$10. Most of the prices of items and services have already the Brazilian taxes included.

 
Business Hours
During the week and low season, general business hours in Ilhabela are from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except Banks 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and Post Office 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). On weekends and during the summer , the village stores are open until midnight. The village Restaurants and bars are open until the last client leaves.
 
Where to leave luggage
You will find it only at the bus station in São Sebastião.
 
Medical Emergencies & First Aid - Medical Assistance

You will have immediate medical help if you need it. But it is a good idea to have some kind of medical insurance that covers further treatment if necessary.

Call these numbers if you have an emergency:

Emergencies                                       192

Gov. Mario Covas Hospital                    +55 12 3895 8789
 
Pharmacies / Drugstores
Pharmacies and Drugstores (Farmácias or Drogarias) are identified by the large red cross displayed outside them. You will find an ample selection of over - the - counter medication for the usual variety of colds, headaches, digestive discomforts, etc. In doubt ask the pharmacist. If you need a doctor and he prescribes medication be sure to keep the receipts to claim when you get back home.
 
Consulates
Argentina / phone (011) 846-5423
Austrália / phone (011) 829-6281 - Fax (011) 822-8412
Canada / phone (011) 287-2122 / 287-2234
Denamark / phone (011) 831-9799
Finland / phone (011) 881-8736
France/ phone (011) 289-2146 / 881-1255
Germany / phone (011) 814-6644
Great Britain / phone (011) 287-7722
Holland / phone (011) 814-0802
Hungary / phone (011) 535-5011 Fax (011) 542-4321
Ireland / phone (011) 287-6362
Israel / phone (011) 815-7788
Italy / phone (011) 826-9022
Japan / phone (011) 284-2184
Sweden / phone (011) 883-3322
Switzerland / phone (011) 543-4646 / 253-4951

United States / phone

(011) 881-6511
 
Safety

Ilhabela is mostly a safe city and you can walk around and do your sightseeing at ease. However, some basic precautions should be taken to avoid uncomfortable situations.

General Safety advice for visitors:

Watch your luggage, especially handbags, cameras, video cameras, etc., while you walk in the city.

If you travel by car and have left your luggage inside it, don't leave objects within sight.

When you are in open or public areas don't show large amounts of money .

Use your hotel's safety box and leave your valuable objects and currency in it. If you want to you can ask your hotel to keep your identity documents ( passport , etc. ) . If you do this you should ask your hotel to make a copy of your documents which you should always carry with you.

To make a police report or in an emergency:

 General Police phone 190
Local Police Station phone 3895-8562
Federal Police phone 146
 
Telephone/E-mails
Public telephones are readily available almost anywhere in the island. All public phones will accept a phone card which you can buy at the post office ,newstands,stores, supermarkets, etc. This phone card is useful for lokal, national and international calls. For international calls you have to digit 00 + the lokal operators number + country number + city number + number.( Operators numbers= 15 Telefónica/ 21 Embratel/23 Intelig.
If you need Internet service , there are some stores called Cyber-café or Lan-house where you can rent a computer for about 3 reais an hour. There are some in the Village, Perequé and Barra Velha neighborhoods.
Many hotels and inns offer also Internet service.
 
Fax
Most hotels provide public fax services for their guests and you can also find it at the post office.
 
Mail
You can buy stamps at the post office. If you need some fast mailing , there´s a special service called SEDEX.