Cabo Frio, Arraial & Buzios From Rio

We collect you from your accommodation in Rio de Janeiro and drive east to Cabo Frio – around 2 hours 40 minutes – crossing the Rio–Niteroi Bridge and following open roads through the Lakes Region. En route, our guide shares an overview of the area and what to expect over the next three days.

On arrival at our centrally located accommodation in Cabo Frio, we continue to nearby Arraial do Cabo for a stroll around the centre and a traditional lunch. Arraial do Cabo is renowned for its many beaches, clear waters and striking coastal scenery. After lunch, we set off on a 3‑hour beach buggy tour to discover its standout beaches, viewpoints and landscapes.

Later, we return to Cabo Frio to relax before meeting in the evening for drinks and a look at the local nightlife. We explore the downtown area – lively with bars, live music, restaurants, pizzerias, ice‑cream parlours and shops. If you’d like a quieter wander, you can head to the Boulevard Canal along the Itajuru Canal for waterside views of the lagoon and moored boats.

After breakfast at the hotel, we drive around 20 minutes to downtown Arraial do Cabo to board a boat and cruise along the coast, visiting islands and beaches including Farol, Ponta do Atalaia, Gruta Azul and Forno Beach. The tour lasts about four hours, with average stops of around 45 minutes at each beach. There’s time to swim, snorkel, try free floating dives, enjoy stand up paddle and relax in the crystal clear waters – or step ashore to explore the sand. Keep an eye on the sea as we sail, as dolphins, turtles and rays are often spotted – and occasionally orcas.

After we dock, we stroll through downtown Arraial along a lively street lined with restaurants, bars and craft shops. We stop for lunch to sample typical Brazilian cuisine. In your free time, you can browse for bargains or return to the beach for a relaxed break.

As evening falls, we head to the charming town of Buzios to explore its nightlife. We start with sunset drinks and snacks at a bar, then continue to the main gastronomic hub, Pedras St – a vibrant strip of live music, welcoming bars and great people-watching, with a mix of locals and visitors.

On our final day, after breakfast at the hotel, we take a short 10 minute drive to Sao Mateus Fort in Cabo Frio – one of Brazil’s oldest colonial buildings – for wide views of the coastline and the canal entrance. We then continue to Buzios for a seaside stroll through the town centre, with time to browse its open air boutiques and craft studios – you can shop for local art and antiques. We stop for a typical lunch, then it’s free time – you may wish to relax on a nearby beach with clear waters. In the late afternoon we return to Rio de Janeiro for drop off at your hotel or the airport – the tour ends here.