Ilhabela faces dispute over Baía dos Castelhanos road plans

A dispute has emerged in Ilhabela, São Paulo, regarding the management and infrastructure of Baía dos Castelhanos. The conflict involves community associations, tourism agents, the local municipality, and the state government over proposals to pave or tile the 17-kilometer access road.

Currently, access to the bay is restricted to 65 vehicles per day, and the unpaved road requires four-wheel drive due to steep climbs and unstable terrain. Tourism agents are pressuring the Fundação Florestal to increase the daily vehicle limit. In response, the foundation has established a working group to evaluate vehicle capacity limits.

The area is part of the Ilhabela State Park, characterized by the Atlantic Forest. Permitted activities are limited to local fishing and community-based tourism provided by a small number of local establishments.