Brazil · BUZIOS DAY TRIPS
A fishing village that Bardot made famous, twenty-three beaches and a cobbled main street. These 15 trips are compared on beaches visited, time in the water and whether the day is worth the two-hour drive each way.
Leave Rio early for Búzios, a three-hour drive away, then board a schooner for swimming stops near João Fernandes, Azeda, Azedinha, Tartaruga, or Ossos. Lunch and free time on Rua das Pedras follow. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guides lead the 14-hour outing, with pickup from selected Rio hotels.
“Thanks Carla for your great heart and trying to keep the group together and happy.”
Join P&P Diving for a private scuba session at Praia de João Fernandes in Búzios. Accredited divers enter a protected natural pool with a guide and full equipment, looking for turtles, seahorses, coral, fish, crabs, and lobsters. Guides associated with the school include Pablo, Matias, Nacho, and Sole. Photo and video packages cost extra.
“A wonderful diving experience and with very friendly diving instructor! Every thing was explained well and everyone made us feel at ease. Constantly checking that we were okay and every thing understood throughout the dives. Would definently dive with Matias again, a great instructor. Great to meet Mariana as well, who made us all welcome.”
Ride an open-air trolley through Búzios for two hours, passing 12 beaches and stopping at the Brava and João Fernandes belvederes. A specialized guide leads the tour in Spanish, English, or Portuguese. Meet at the Brigitte Bardot statue, or choose hotel pickup for an added fee.
“The guide and driver really made the tour. They were fun, informative and catered to all languages including English. It is a great way to orient self to the area and beaches and history. It is breezy and pleasant in the heat and fun to meet new friends. Highly recommend! Great for solo travellers.”
Board a stable catamaran from Búzios’ downtown pier for a three-hour cruise past famous beaches and islands. You’ll stop at João Fernandes, Feia Island, and Tartaruga for swimming and snorkeling, with Portuguese- and Spanish-speaking hosts. Food and drinks are sold onboard, while masks and snorkels can be rented.
“Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to know you had an excellent experience on the Búzios Catamaran Boat Tour. Your feedback means a lot to us and inspires our team to keep delivering unforgettable moments. – C2Rio Team”
Spend 150 minutes aboard a traditional schooner around Búzios, passing 12 beaches and islands with stops at João Fernandes, Feia Island, and Little Turtle Beach. You can swim or relax at each stop. Meet by the Brigitte Bardot statue, and expect service in Spanish, English, or Portuguese.
“Tur çok kalabalıktı. Tekne fazla kişi alıyor.”
Leave Rio early for Búzios, once linked with Brigitte Bardot, then board a schooner for three swim stops and an all-you-can-eat regional buffet. You will have free time on Rua das Pedras for crafts and souvenirs. The group can reach 120 people, and loud music, long road transfers, and variable guide language are part of the deal.
“più messaggi in cui viene chiesta la puntualità del cliente (giustamente)e mi sono ritrovata ad aspettare 35 minuti nella hall dell'hotel e nessuno rispondeva ai miei messaggi in cui chiedevo informazioni sul ritardo. partenza ore 8.30 e arrivo a buzios ore 13 FOLLIA. Per la gita viene data l'opzione in lingua inglese ma in tutta la giornata nessuno e stato capace, mi sono dovuta accontentare di una traduzione (scarsa) dal telefono della guida . gita in barca mediocre, l'unica cosa che si salva è la bellezza di Buzios che merita il viaggio.”
Travel by bus from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo, then cruise past Lighthouse Island, Blue Grotto, Pontal do Atalaia, and Forno Beach. You get three swim stops, a buffet lunch, and a planned Cabo Frio city tour. English, Spanish, and Portuguese guides are available, but boat fees and weather changes need attention.
“le spiagge di Arrial do Cabo, sono fantastiche come ai Caraibi. Purtroppo per il tour non si può dire lo stesso. Presi in hotel alle 8.20 a Buzios con una macchina ci hanno ad portato ad Arrial do Cabo. Arrivati lì ore 9.20 abbiamo aspettato quasi 2 ore prima che la nostra barca lasciasse il porto. Lasciato la banchina ore 11.15. Visto 4 spiagge di cui solo 2 visitabili solo via gommone. Alle 15.15 rientro in porto. Fermati a mangiare e ritorno a Buzios. La sosta di Cabo Frio inserita nel programma e non fatta? Sicuramente esperienza da non ripetere. Peccato”
Leave Búzios by air-conditioned vehicle for Arraial do Cabo, then spend about four hours by boat visiting Forno Beach, Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, Praia do Farol, and the Blue Grotto. The tour includes lunch and hotel transfers, but drinks, snorkeling gear, and local taxes cost extra. Guides may speak Portuguese and Spanish, with English help available when requested.
“Bellas playas, pero la excursión muy comprimida. Mucho circo. Muchas pequeñas cosas a tener en cuenta que hacen imposible relajar.”
Spend about 14 hours exploring Búzios from Rio with a bilingual guide, beach visits, a schooner ride, buffet lunch, and time on Rua das Pedras. Rachel has been praised for her guiding, while long transfers, shared transport, traffic, and limited beach time are the main tradeoffs. Expect a full day, not a quick coastal outing.
“The bus ride to Buzios which allows one to see the country. Of course, the amazing scenery and the sophistication of the town.”
Walk 3.5 km through Costa do Sol State Park with a private accredited guide, stopping at Pedra do Guardião, Enseada das Poças natural pools, and Praia dos Amores. The 3.5-hour outing includes time for swimming, photos, and rest. Guides such as Nicole, Loan, and Nay have helped adapt the pace for families and different fitness levels.
“Loan is an excellent ! Absolutely the best. Knowledge about history local situation and culture . Strongly recommend”
Travel from Rio to Búzios with a bilingual guide, walk through the former fishing village made famous by Brigitte Bardot, then take a schooner past seven beaches. A buffet lunch is included, with meat, fish, chicken, or vegetarian choices. Hotel pickup covers Rio’s South Zone and downtown, not Barra, Recreio, or São Conrado.
“Hate this activity. If you like being on a buss with 60 people and a boat with a 160 capacity then please join this S****.”
Travel from Rio’s South Zone to Búzios for a three-hour catamaran ride, swimming stops, a buffet lunch, and free time around the Bardot Promenade and Rua das Pedras. A multilingual guide provides commentary in English, Portuguese, and Spanish. Expect a very long day, with traffic sometimes stretching the journey to four hours each way.
“Estuvimos esperando dos horas y cancelaron de la nada”
Walk 3.5 km through Búzios with a private guide such as Nicole or Nicola, starting at Costa do Sol State Park. Explore Guardian Stone, rest in its shaded rock vent, then reach low-tide pools and Praia dos Amores. Bring sturdy shoes, water, swimwear, and balance for steep paths and uneven rocks.
“Excellent. Our guide, Nicole was so enthusiastic for her subject & keen to pass on to us. Good length walk, with spectacular views. Sadly we didn’t have the opportunity to swim in rock pools as advertised, but still a lovely experience.”
Travel from Rio to Búzios by air-conditioned vehicle, then board a traditional-style schooner for beach stops at João Fernandes, Ilha Feia, and Praia da Tartaruga. Lunch, swimming stops, Orla Bardot, and free time on Rua das Pedras are included. Pickup covers Rio’s South and West Zones, with guides in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
“la seul chose qui pourrai être amélioré c est le transport. Nous avons eu un minibus qui aurait besoin d'être mit a la réforme. Pas de confort et zero amortisseur. On a bien été secouer tout on long du trajets, de plus la climatisation a font alors qu'il n'y avait pas de grosse chaleur”
Set out from central Búzios on a Portuguese-speaking schooner with room for up to 120 people. In 2.5 hours, you pass 12 beaches and 3 islands, stopping three times for swimming and snorkeling. The boat has a 13-meter waterslide, children's pool, bar, restrooms, and covered seating. Bring a towel and sunscreen.
“Pas mal, dommage qu on est pas eu d explication, niys étions les seuls européens et ne parlons pas portugais. On ne pouvais pas vraiment se baigner car trop froid, même si beaucoup ont réussi. En plus obligé de porter des gilets de sauvetage pour nager, pas pratique pour aller sous l eau.”
Pick a summit, a coast or a waterfall.
