The Island Experience | Adventure Spa

Last update: August 1, 2006
If you have any other questions that are not available in our FAQs, feel free to email us at information@theislandexperience.com with your questions.

1.	What sort of documentation do I need to travel to Brazil?
2.	I just made a reservation with The Island Experience, now what?
3.	When I apply for my Brazilian Visa, what Brazilian Address should I use?
4.	What exactly does the entire package for the Island Experience include?
5.	What sort of flight arrangements should I make?
6.	What happens once I land in Rio de Janeiro International Airport?
7.	What if I miss the scheduled airport pickup?
8.	What if I want to come to Brazil a couple of days earlier, or spend more time in Brazil after the Island Experience?
9.	What kind of clothes do I need to bring?
10.	Do I need Travel Insurance?
11.	What sort of backpack/hydration system do I need?
12.	What sort of footwear do I need?
13.	Will I need any sun block or bug repellent?
14.	What is the weather like on Ilha Grande?
15.	I have never used a Kayak, is that going to be an issue?
16.	I don't know how to swim, will that be an issue when I am kayaking?
17.	Do I need to be in top shape to complete the program?
18.	I smoke a lot of cigarettes and drink alcohol; do you allow smoking and drinking during the program?
19.	I will need to call home and work on the Internet, is that possible?
20.	Is it safe on the island, is there any violence?
21.	How much cash do I need to bring with me?

1.	What sort of documentation do I need to travel to Brazil?
	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.

2.	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 reservations@theislandexperience.com

3.	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: Village das Estrelas Praia de Camiranga Ilha Grande, Angra dos Reis, RJ 23900-060 Brazil tel 55 21 2552 3500

4.	What exactly does the entire package for the Island Experience include?
	The Island Experience provides you with: - 6 nights of lodging (Sunday to Friday) * - 3 meals and a snack everyday - 45 hours of supervised activities - 7-12 yoga classes - 5 one hour massages offered daily - Various recreational activities (snorkeling, Brazilian music, art and dance) - 3 nights of Brazilian cultural entertainment - free transportation from Rio International Airport - Galeao to Ilha Grande (Sundays Only) - free transportation back to Rio International Airport (Saturdays Only) * Accomodation is based on single occupancy - double occupancy for couples only. ** 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.

5.	What sort of flight arrangements should I make?
	We suggest that you land in Rio International Airport on Sunday morning between 10 AM and 11:30 AM and that you plan to depart the following Saturday anytime after 7 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 5 PM. To make your flight arrangements please visit our airfare section. You can always use your own personal travel agent as well.

6.	What happens once I land in Rio de Janeiro International Airport?
	You will be greeted by a member of our staff at your arrival gate. We will transport you by van down the beautiful Brazilian coast to a local port where we will transport you by boat to Ilha Grande. Visit this link for more information on Rio International Airport

7.	What if I miss the scheduled airport pickup?
	You should call us immediately at ( 9925 9756 or 021 24 9831 0020) from the airport so we can make arrangements for your transportation. To make a call from the airport you must visit the information booth and ask to purchase a calling card. Public phones in Brazil only accept calling cards (equivalent to about $2 dollars).

8.	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.

9.	What kind of clothes do I need to bring?
	T-Shirts (long-sleeved and short), tank tops, shorts (for hiking and swimming), hiking socks (8 pairs), bikinis, sunglasses, hat (waterproof recommended), lightweight rain gear - rain jacket, hat. Evening Wear - long sleeve shirt, pants, shoes. Toiletries - Shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste, lotions, etc.

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?
	The Island Experience strongly recommends that you purchase your own personal 70 oz. Camelbak Hydration System Backpack . The Camelbak is the perfect design for outdoor hiking, trekking and kayaking.

12.	What sort of footwear do I need?
	A good pair of hiking boots is strongly recommended. We suggest that your boots are well broken-in to avoid any blisters. We also suggest bringing sandals for beach activities.

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. We will provide you with bug repellent but it is always a good idea to bring your own personal 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. We split our guests into different groups and assign a trainer for 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?
	There is internet access available on Wednesdays only via an internet cafe at a nearby village. We use cell phones to call from our lodge.

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, transportation. You may want to bring some emergency money in case you wish to stay longer on the island. We suggest that $200-$400 is an ample amount of cash to bring to the island.