[takeaways] • The "Island of Snakes" — Ilha da Queimada Grande — sits more than 30km off the coast of Brazil and is completely off-limits to tourists.
• As many as 4,000 golden lancehead vipers, a critically endangered species found nowhere else on Earth, live on the island's roughly 106 acres.
• The snakes have been isolated on the island for more than 11,000 years, evolving venom and behaviors distinct from their mainland relatives.
• A separate "Snake Island" in Ukraine's Black Sea (Zmiinyi Island) became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, unrelated to the Brazilian island.
• Only scientific researchers are permitted to visit Ilha da Queimada Grande — the Brazilian Navy actively restricts access to protect both people and the endangered snakes.
• A SIMOVO eSIM for Brazil keeps you covered for mobile data while you explore the country's (much safer) cities and beaches instead. [/takeaways]
While Brazil is considered an amazing country to visit and a genuine highlight of South America, there are some territories close by that might make you do a double-take. For example, have you ever heard of the Island of Snakes?
This island, based off the coast of Brazil, is considered legendary for a few reasons — and yes, as the name suggests, that status is largely to do with the animals that live there! However, a similarly-named territory became a news staple in recent years for completely different reasons — and in this guide, we'll break down exactly why.
What exactly is the Island of Snakes?
The Island of Snakes, otherwise known as Snake Island, or locally as Ilha da Queimada Grande, is a large rock that is more than 30km away from Brazil. It's gained infamy with people living on the mainland because it is, as its name suggests, completely infested with snakes!
The legend of Snake Island has, as you might expect, a few different tales behind its origin and what happened to the last few people who tried to live there. For example, there is a longstanding rumor that thousands of venomous snakes were put there on purpose to guard treasure!
Quite how true that is, we may never know. However, note the word "venomous" — a trip to Snake Island means you'll be in the more than uncomfortable company of lots (and we mean lots) of deadly snakes. They have been left to proliferate here for more than 11,000 years, which, as you might imagine, means they have adapted much differently to others on the mainland.
It's certainly not anywhere you'd like to go if you even have a slight fear of slithering beasts, and it's safe to say that Indiana Jones himself would want to turn right around!
How many snakes live on the island?
There's no exact number of snakes that live on the island, but it's thought that there may be as many as 4,000 — that might not sound like much, but consider that Snake Island is only around 106 acres in size. That's 0.43 square km — for perspective, that's a snake for just over every 100 square meters.
Imagine the island is full of tennis courts — that's two snakes per court! That's a lot of slithering to consider, especially seeing as they could be absolutely anywhere… not to scare you, of course!
What types of snakes live on Snake Island?
The venomous snakes on Ilha da Queimada are golden lancehead vipers. They are critically endangered but extremely venomous, and you won't find them anywhere else on the planet!
One of the reasons why the golden lancehead has proliferated and evolved here is because the rock has no other predators — meaning they are unthreatened by species that would otherwise want to try eating them. However, they are technically endangered simply because they are exclusive to Ilha da Queimada.
That said, sadly, there have still been attempts to smuggle the golden lancehead for profit, meaning the Brazilian Navy has gotten involved to protect it.
Snake Island and Ukraine: what's the link?
Here's where there's been some confusion over the years. Snake Island isn't just a translated name for Ilha da Queimada Grande, but is also the name of a Ukrainian island in the Black Sea, which has played a part in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Specifically, the military zone is known as "Serpent Island", or "Zmiinyi Island", and was contested by Russia in the early 2020s. However, Ukraine claimed control of the outpost in 2022, which was seen as a major victory.
Regardless of the mix-up, it's best that you stay away from both Islands of Snakes, whether for the venomous slitherers or the military contesting.
Can you visit the Island of Snakes?
[warning]No — you can't visit Ilha da Queimada Grande. The reason for this is fairly simple — the snakes are so venomous, it's a threat to life. As BBC Bitesize explains, the exceptional visitors here tend to be scientific researchers, and the Brazilian government has otherwise banned tourists or curious wildlife spotters from seeing the snakes up close. As the source linked also states, however, there are some golden lanceheads in captivity on the mainland.[/warning]
This, sadly, hasn't stopped some people from trying to access the island for innocent or nefarious purposes. Take it from us — regardless of how fascinated you are by endangered species, you're going to want to stick to the relative safety of Brazil's cities and take it easy instead!
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Tips for visiting elsewhere in Brazil
Now we've hopefully put aside any ideas you might have had for exploring Snake Island, let's focus on a few different ways you can make the most of your time on Brazil's mainland instead. Whether you're visiting for the first time or if you've been back here many times before, here are a few things you'll want to put into practice when you arrive.
[tip title="Carry cash for rural and less built-up areas"]Taking cash with you is a must if you're traveling through some of the more rural or less built-up areas of Brazil. While many of the city and tourist spaces will accept international plastic, keep some change to hand if you're going off-track.[/tip] [tip title="Use Uber and confirm the meter is running"]When getting around Brazil, stick to taxis through Uber or another ride-hailing app of your choice. Never set off in a taxi unless you can be sure that the meter is running.[/tip] [tip title="Keep your phone out of sight in busy areas"]Avoid flashing your phone around in busy areas. While you may well want to take lots of photos while you're away, keep in mind that there is still a risk of theft in busy areas — so protect yourself as much as you can.[/tip] [tip title="Learn a few Portuguese phrases"]Many languages are spoken across Brazil, particularly in the major cities, but it's still a good idea to try and learn some Portuguese phrases. Your efforts will be welcomed by people who know you're doing your best![/tip] [tip title="Follow the lines at street food vendors"]When it comes to enjoying food and drink in Brazil, go traditional! The street food scene in the cities is among the best in the world. Just make sure to buy from a vendor that has clean preparation standards and long lines — long lines mean that you can be sure the food is safe and tasty.[/tip] [warning]It's not mandatory to be vaccinated to enter Brazil, but the CDC recommends that you at least get a shot for Yellow Fever if, for example, you're traveling into natural inland zones such as the Amazon rainforest. Consider protecting yourself against rabies and malaria, too.[/warning] [faq] [q]What is the Island of Snakes in Brazil?[/q] [a]The Island of Snakes, or Ilha da Queimada Grande, is a small island more than 30km off the coast of Brazil, home to as many as 4,000 critically endangered golden lancehead vipers. The snakes have been isolated on the island for more than 11,000 years and are found nowhere else in the world.[/a] [q]Can you visit the Island of Snakes?[/q] [a]No — Ilha da Queimada Grande is banned to tourists and casual visitors due to the extreme danger posed by its venomous snake population. Only scientific researchers are permitted to visit, and access is tightly controlled by the Brazilian government and Navy.[/a] [q]How many snakes live on the Island of Snakes?[/q] [a]It's estimated that as many as 4,000 golden lancehead vipers live on the roughly 106-acre island — working out to around one snake for every 100 square meters.[/a] [q]Is the Brazilian Island of Snakes the same as the Ukrainian Snake Island?[/q] [a]No — they are two entirely separate places that share a similar nickname. Ilha da Queimada Grande in Brazil is known for its venomous snakes, while Snake Island (Zmiinyi Island) in Ukraine's Black Sea became a symbol of Ukrainian resistance during the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with Ukraine reclaiming control of the outpost in 2022.[/a] [q]What snakes live on Snake Island in Brazil?[/q] [a]The island is home exclusively to the golden lancehead viper, a critically endangered and extremely venomous species found nowhere else on Earth. Its isolation for more than 11,000 years has led it to evolve differently from related snake species on the Brazilian mainland.[/a] [q]Do I need an eSIM for visiting Brazil?[/q] [a]A SIMOVO eSIM for Brazil is a convenient way to stay connected while exploring the country's cities and beaches — useful for navigation, translation apps, and staying in touch. It means no hunting for a local SIM card on arrival.[/a] [/faq] [esim flag="🇧🇷" label="Brazil" data="10GB · 30 days" price="$19.90" href="/products/brazil" benefits="Instant QR setup · Reliable 4G/5G · No contract"]Get connected for your next trip to Brazil[/esim]
