Best Things to Do in Buzios (Full Visit Guide!)
Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by Kelly
Armação de Búzios is a beach town located about 110 miles northeast of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. It’s a popular vacation destination for locals and tourists alike. It has a prime position on the Costa do Sol, which is Brazil’s Sun Coast. The weather tends to be warm and dry most of the year, which makes it an excellent beach escape from Rio. There are 23 different beaches in Buzios. We spent several days visiting after my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding. It was the perfect retreat to relax and unwind after the wedding festivities. In this post, we’ll share all about our trip to Buzios!
About Armação de Búzios
Buzios is one of 13 cities located on the Costa do Sol, and it’s definitely the most popular. The city of Buzios sits on a 5-mile peninsula with 23 beaches within its reach.
The weather in Buzios tends to be warm year-round. The average temperature for the month of January is in the high 80s, and it’s in the high 70s for the month of July. Because of it’s tropical climate, it’s been called the St. Tropez of Brazil.
Historically, Buzios was a small fishing village. It became famous around the world in 1964 when Brigitte Bardot escaped there with her Brazilian boyfriend in order to get some privacy from the paparazzi in Rio. Bardot fell in love with the coastal town, and since then, people from around the world have traveled to see its turquoise waters.
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Best Things to See in Buzios
Trolley Tour
We recommend starting your trip off with a trolley tour of Buzios. You’ll get a good overview of the city and beaches, which will help inform how you want to spend your own time in Buzios. This trolley tour of Buzios will take you to see about a dozen beaches and a couple of viewpoints. After this trolley tour, you’ll definitely have a sense of which beaches you want to visit!
Rua das Pedras
At the heart of Buzios is Rua das Pedras, which is a cobblestone street lined with trendy restaurants and boutique shops. During the daytime, it’s filled with people shopping, visiting cafes, and eating ice cream. During the evening, it’s filled with people heading to one of the many night clubs.
Joao Fernandes Beach
One of the most popular beaches in Buzios is Joao Fernandes Beach. The beach forms a semicircle that is perfect for swimming and snorkeling. If you’re looking for calm water, this is the place to go. It’s also a popular beach for families with young children.
Orla Bardot Boardwalk
This picturesque cobblestone boardwalk connects Armacao Beach with Rua das Pedras. The boardwalk is lined with benches and features spectacular ocean views. It’s the perfect place to go for a stroll after dinner. The boardwalk is named after Brigitte Bardot. Along the boardwalk, you’ll notice several famous statues that were created by artist Christina Motta.
Brigitte Bardot Statue
Along Orla Bardot Boardwalk, you’ll see a statue of Brigitte Bardot herself facing the sea. Brigitte Bardot had a strong influence on the town, and you the boardwalk and statue pay homage to her.
Tartaruga Beach
Another beautiful beach is Tartaruga Beach. It’s named after the Portuguese word for turtle because sea turtles love to frequent this beach to spawn. The beach is located in a quiet cove with calm waters. This a popular beach for tourists, and water sports like kayak rentals and banana boats are often available here.
Geriba Beach
Geriba Beach is the widest beach in Buzios, and it’s also one of the very most popular. Because it has a decent surf, people head there to participate in water sports. Surfers like to use this beach the most.
Ferradurinha Beach
The water at Ferradurinha Beach is a bright blue. The beach lies within a protected bay and is surrounded by unique rock formations.
Porto da Barra Buzios
This open-air stretch of restaurants and shops is a vibrant place to visit. You can see some of the amazing dishes they create on their Instagram page.
Privilege Buzios
If you’re looking for nightlife, look no further than the nightclub Privilege Buzios.
Three Fishermen Monument
This incredibly lifelike statue depicts three fishermen. The statues are located right off of Armação Beach. They are made of bronze and were created in the year 2000 by artist Christina Motta.
Tucuns Beach
This beach is perfect for surfing and it’s much more secluded than some of the other beaches. To reach it, you’ll need to drive around the hill that separates Tucuns from Geriba Beach. (The drive is about 10-15 minutes long.) Bring your own beach gear and enjoy this less-crowded beach.
How to Get There
Armação de Búzios is located at the tip of the peninsula. If you’re traveling to Buzios from Rio de Janeiro, it can take between 3 to 4 hours to reach your destination because of traffic. (Try to travel during non-peak travel times.) Some websites say the travel time is only 2 hours, but give yourself the extra time just in case. Have cash on hand because there are several tolls along the route.
It’s possible to book a private transfer from Rio to Buzios. For more information about booking a car service, see this website. You can also inquire about booking a car at your hotel.
Where to Stay
Buzios has some spectacular hotels. Here’s a few to consider for your trip:
- Buzios Beach Resort: This hotel is located near Tucuns Beach. The hotel has a large swimming pool. This is one of the largest hotels in the area.
- A Concept Hotel and Spa: This is one of the nicest hotels in Buzios. The modern architecture and luxury finishes make this the perfect place to stay.
- Insolito Boutique Hotel & Spa: This hotel features two swimming pools and its own private beach. The hotel is located on Ferradura beach.
- Pedra da Laguna Hotel Boutique & Spa: This elegant hotel has a swimming pool and restaurant on-site.
- Cliffside Luxury Inn: This 5-star hotel sits near the very end of the peninsula. This hotel is very private and has expansive ocean views.
When we visited Buzios, we stayed at a private villa that we booked through AirBnb. This villa was perfect for our multi-family getaway. There were 6 bedrooms with 6.5 baths. The villa had its own private pool, and there was a massive kitchen. The property overlooked the beach, and it was a very quiet area. We only saw a few other people walking the beach the entire time we were there. We would definitely recommend this AirBnb to others!
Restaurants
There are lots of great places to eat in Buzios. Some places you might want to consider are:
- Chez Michou: This restaurant is known for their sweet and savory crepes!
- Rocka Restaurant & Beach Lounge: Located right on Brava Beach, you can enjoy a cocktail and admire the ocean. Their dishes are beautifully plated and focus on local seafood.
Visit Nearby Rio de Janeiro
Buzios is located just a few hours from Rio de Janeiro. A few recommendations for further sightseeing include:
- Copacabana Beach: Enjoy the golden sand, beachside bars, and samba music.
- Christ the Redeemer: Visit the statue on top of Mount Corcovado.
- Sugarloaf Mountain: Take the cablecar to the top of the mountain for views of the city.
- Selaron Steps: Visit the colorful stairway that was created from thousands of unique tiles.
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (Rio de Janeiro Botanical Garden): Take a walk through the lush gardens.
-
Museu do Amanhã (Museum of Tomorrow): This science museum has impressive architecture.
Summary
We definitely think Buzios is worth visiting! It’s easily accessible from Rio de Janeiro, and there are nearly two dozen beaches to explore there. If you’re looking for a beach escape, Buzios is the perfect place to go.
After visiting Brazil for my brother and sister-in-law’s wedding, Buzios was the perfect place for us to relax. Our days were spent going back and forth between the pool and the beach. Waking up early to watch the sunrise over the ocean was definitely a highlight. If you get a chance to visit Brazil, we highly recommend that you add a trip to Buzios to your itinerary.
Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.
