In the state Rio de Janeiro, within a region referred to as the Brazilian Caribbean, Arraial do Cabo and Armação dos Búzios showcase the best group of beaches of mainland Brazil that I’ve personally seen. I do have some other favorites from different parts of the country, but they’re individual contenders. What I’m referring to here is more of a collective.
The two beach towns are located 36 km from each other, making it easy to travel from one to another by rideshare or public bus. They are located roughly 165–180 km from Rio de Janeiro, RJ. The commute from Rio takes a little under 3 hours by car and about 4 hours by bus from Novo Rio, the city’s main bus terminal.
Arraial do Cabo is a modest destination with the essentials necessary for anyone with a desire to enjoy some beautiful white-sand beaches. Beyond that, there’s not really much going on there. Búzios is much more commercially developed and presents a thriving restaurant and nightlife scene. Arraial shuts down at night for the most part, especially in the winter. Búzios has much more to offer after dark.
Summer vs. Winter
As with most places on Earth that have seasons, a variety of things change throughout the year. The same rings true for the places we’re discussing here.
SUMMER (PEAK SEASON)
During this time, from December through February, peak tourism reaches this corner of Brazil. A massive influx of tourists hits the area, leading to packed beaches, heavier traffic, and premium pricing—peaking hardest around New Year’s Eve and Carnival (if you want to party in Búzios, this is probably the best time to do it).
In the summer, the seas tend to be calm, and the temperature is very pleasant for swimming, ranging from an average of 23.5 degrees Celsius in December to almost 26 degrees in February. Winds are light, and the air temperature averages out at a high of 29 and a low of 24. Rainfall is fairly common, but the heavy showers typically don’t last too long.
WINTER (LOW SEASON)
June through August (and kind of September) is low season. Tourism drops off a lot, mainly due to colder temperatures. The air temperature reaches around a high of 23–24 and a low of 17. The ocean temperature ranges from 20–22 degrees. For Brazilians, that’s some pretty cold water.
When it comes to precipitation, rainfall is mostly a non-issue. However, winds are much stronger this time of year, especially in Búzios, making it a prime location for windsurfing and kitesurfing. I found it to be surprisingly windy in some parts of town when I visited in July.
The pier at Porto do Barra is an excellent place to see the sunset, but the gusts were so relentless when I was there that they took away from the spectacle (I had no jacket). In any other season of the year, I’m sure it would have been amazing.
The Beaches
Búzios has a ton of beaches—23, to be exact. Arraial doesn’t have nearly as many, but it has the two most beautiful ones, and it’s not really up for debate for me. My recommendation is that you visit both places and get a taste of the vibes that each one offers. Here’s a mix of my favorite beaches you could see during your trip:
- Praia do Forno (Arraial)
- Praia Ferradura (Buzios)
- Praia Ferradurinha (Buzios)
- Praia do Pontal da Atalaia (Arraial)
- Praia da Azeda (Buzios)
- Praia de Geribá (Buzios)
- Mirante do Forno (Buzios)
- Mirante do Pontal do Atalaia (Arraial)
Keep in mind that my visit to Buzios was in mid-July and my visit to Arraial do Cabo was at the end of July.
PRAIA DO FORNO
I’ll just get this one out of the way—Praia do Forno is my favorite beach on the entire list. The water clarity is superb, and there is hardly any current in the sea, making it perfect for swimming. The setting is gorgeous from above as well as from the beach itself. 10/10, no complaints. Appreciate the clean, soft white sand, beautiful natural landscape, the cheerful vibe on the sand, and the party vibe in the distance from the settling boat tours.
Access to the beach requires a little hike that you can do in sandals—nothing the average human being can’t accomplish. I think it keeps some lazy people away, too, which can be a good thing in helping to prevent overcrowding. I relished in it’s seclusion, swimming in the pristine waters. After venturing 50 meters out or more, I could still see the bottom of the sea.
DISCLAIMER: There are no public restrooms available here.
PRAIA DA FERRADURA
Praia da Ferradura provides a very pleasant overall experience. It’s a great size and comfortable, with a welcoming appeal. The houses in the surrounding hills give it a homey vibe, while the beach itself has tons of space. Its location in Buzios is far enough away from the main boardwalk to draw fewer crowds while still being popular. I enjoyed wandering the roads on this side of Buzios, admiring the more remote environment, and hopping from beach to beach.
PRAIA DA FERRADURINHA
This is the prettiest beach in Buzios (in my opinion), with the calmest and clearest waters. It’s a family-friendly environment with a local crowd. As you can see, the beach is small, so I imagine it could be quite crowded in the summer during high season. Consider going on a weekday and getting here early to avoid any discomfort if you go in the summer. Kayaking, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are common activities here.
PRAIA DO PONTAL DA ATALAIA
Allow me to introduce you to the most famous beach in Arraial do Cabo, Praia do Pontal da Atalaia. When I first laid eyes on this place from above, I was mesmerized. What a stunning natural creation. I walked here from Praia dos Anjos, which took about an hour.
If we’re talking purely aesthetics, it’s the most gorgeous beach I’ve seen in Brazil (along with Praia dos Golfinhos in Pipa). Personally, I prefer Praia do Forno more because it’s easier to swim there. This beach has a little bit of a current. Maybe it’s stronger in the winter; nonetheless, it was present. Other than that, the water was crystal clear and the purity of the sand and eveything else is noticeable.
You can get here by foot or by car. I walked from Praia dos Anjos, and it took about 50 minutes. If you take an Uber or taxi, there’s an extra R$20–25 fee to enter the beach, which is a protected area. You’ll be dropped off at the top of a very long set of stairs, Escadaraia das Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, to access the beach from above. I was able to catch some other great viewpoints by walking. I recommend doing the same if you can.
DISCLAIMER: Currently, parking is not allowed. Check for any updates on this matter. There are also no public restrooms.
PRAIA DA AZEDA
Hear me out really quick. This beach is small and gets crowded, but the open sea is beautiful and the water is calm, not to mention the sunsets are really good. I personally think it’s worth a visit. If you really don’t like crowds and need some peace and quiet, you can skip it, or go really early or late to avoid the rush of people.
Praia da Azeda is essentially two small beaches right next to each other. The one furthest from the entrance is more secluded, shaded, and quiet. One reason why I like it here is because of its closer proximity to restaurants and bars compared to other beaches like Ferradura and Ferradurinha, which are located in a more remote section of Buzios.
PRAIA DA GERIBÁ
I’m including Praia da Geribá for its massive size and because it’s the most active place for surfing and a variety of beach sports and activities, like altinha, futevôlei, frescobol, and beach volleyball. Located in the Manguihnos neighborhood of Búzios, it’s conveniently close to Porto da Barra, the place I mentioned earlier regarding the sunset, which also happens to offer a variety of quality restaurants.
The 2-kilometer-long open-ocean beach is famed for its consistent waves, energetic vibe, and status as the premier surf hub. It caters to all skill levels, with local surf schools and varying break zones. Surf schools and kiosks operate right on the sand.
If you happen to find yourself in Arraial do Cabo and really need a large beach with plenty of open space for sports and activities like the ones I mentioned above, consider Praia Grande. The water is cold and choppy all year round, though, so it’s not ideal for swimming.
Viewpoints
This list wouldn’t be complete without a couple of great viewpoints. It’s always good to get a bird’s-eye view of where you are to give you a different perspective.
MIRANTE DO FORNO
Located in Buzios, Mirante do Forno is easily accessible by foot or by car. I passed by it while exploring the town after leaving Praia Ferradura. It’s a really nice area to walk around, and the view is great. Close by are other low-key discoveries like Ponta da Lagoinha.
MIRANTE DO PONTAL DA ATAILIA
In Arraial do Cabo, getting to Mirante do Pontal da Atalaia is pretty straightforward as well, involving just a little bit more work. You can drive there, but there is a fee. It’s about a 15–20-minute uphill walk from Parque Estadual da Costa do Sol. I recommend viewing the sunset from here on a very clear day if you get lucky. It’s amazing. Besides that, it is said that during some parts of the year, you have a chance to see whales from the viewpoint.
Conclusion
If you’re in Rio de Janeiro for a long enough time, you have to spend some time in Buzios and Arraial do Cabo. It’s called the Brazilian Caribbean for a reason. Don’t miss out! Before I let you go, though, I just want to say that the beaches I’ve just shown you aren’t the only ones that I think are worthy of visiting here. What I did was simply provide my highlights and give you some variety. If you have enough time, by all means, explore some more!
