I�m planning to spend a day at Itacuru��. I want to go on my own with friends, by car. I was there years ago and I�d like to go again, this time by myself.

I�ve planned to rent a car, I�ve driven in Rio before so it�s not an issue (in a past thread people recommended me not to drive, better to hire a taxi, but driving is part of the fun to me, and since I live in Lima, I can drive in any city of South America, no city is wilder than Lima for drivers).

Is it ok to park near the main square or docks? Or are there parking lots? I mean where is the safest place to park while I�m in the islands or beaches?
I've read that for R$7 aprox I can take a taxi boat across to Ilha Itacuru�� and Praia Grande. Is that still true? Do you recommend other island or beaches?

Thanks

Another question.. Do you know what the classical islands or zones included in the "Islas Tropicales" day tour? I know that tour departs from Itacuru��.

The best place is the nearest place. There is no better place. Itacuru�� is not a dangerous place. Just don't leave anything of value inside the car, but that advice applies to any place in Brazil.

It depends on which tour you're taking, but the "zone" is this one:

http://maps.google.com.br/?ll=-22.99...56384&t=h&z=13