Dois Rios (Old Prison – Cândido Mendes)

Nestled deep within Ilha Grande's jungle interior, the crumbling remains of this infamous 19th-century prison tell a haunting story of Brazil's penal history and the resilience of those who survived its harsh conditions. Once one of South America's most notorious detention facilities, the site now offers a somber yet powerful journey through overgrown prison quarters, watchtowers, and cells slowly reclaimed by nature. The atmospheric ruins, named after the two rivers that converge nearby, serve as a poignant reminder of the island's complex past before it became the peaceful eco-tourism destination it is today.