Búzios travel guide
Búzios Tourism | Búzios Guide
You're Going to Love Búzios
Buzios is a resort town situated on a peninsula with more than 20 beaches, and is known as the 'Saint-Tropez of Brazil'. Cobbled streets and charming terraces make the town a great place for a stroll.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Búzios
1. Water Sports
Buzios is a great place to enjoy snorkeling, surfing, boating, and swimming.
2. Party All Night
The town has many clubs, like the lively Privilège, and a sophisticated atmosphere.
3. The Food
The town is renowned for the quality of its restaurants, especially the seafood in place like Bar do Zé and Fishbone.
4. Rua das Pedras
A walk along Rua das Pedras will take you through some of the prettiest areas of town and allow you to enjoy some lovely cafes and bars.
5. People Watching
Buzios attracts some of Brazil's most fashionable people, so choose a seat at a pavement cafe and watch the beautiful people go by.
What to do in Búzios
1. Praia da Ferradurinha: A Striking Seascape
Among the most beautiful beaches in Búzios, Praia da Ferradurinha, protected by a large natural rock wall and which offers breathtaking views, is known for its peaceful waters. The beach, surrounded by mountains, is ideal for practicing sports like kayaking and standup paddle boarding. The area can be easily accessed from Geribá and offers several quaint lodging options, as well as snack bars and restaurants. The beach is also favored by photographers who welcome the unspoiled landscape.
2. Praia de Geribá: A Perfect Place to Spend the Day
One of the most popular beaches in Búzios, Praia de Geribá stretches for nearly 1.2 miles. The area provides numerous lodging options with inns, equipped with swimming pools and hostels, as well as rental homes and restaurants, some featuring live music. On the beach, visitors will find tents, chairs, street vendors, and stalls to purchase snacks and beverages. The center of the beach, where the waves form, is popular among surfers, paddle boarders, and windsurfers. The kiosk in the left corner of the beach provides free parking.
3. Estatua De Brigitte Bardot: Iconic Ingénue
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, visited Búzios in the 1960s with her Brazilian boyfriend looking to escape the paparazzi. Back then, the area lacked many basic necessities but afforded peace and quiet. Bardot became enamored with the town and in honor of the actress the most popular street in town, Rua das Pedras, was named Orla Bardot. On the oceanfront, a bronze statue of the star created by Christina Motta was erected and in town the area's only cinema, Gran Cine Bardot, bears her name.
4. Praia Azeda: A Child's Playground
A small, charming beach, Praia Azeda features calm, inviting waters. The long staircase that leads to the beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Búzios, but for those traveling with children, sea taxis are also available. The beach offers chairs and umbrellas for rent, as well as an abandoned mansion, which has been repurposed by street vendors to sell food and beverages including fried fish, pastries, and beer. The shallow water of the shoreline is also ideal for children to play safely.
5. Praia da Tartaruga: Unobstructed Ocean Views
A sandy beach divided by a striking stone path, Praia da Tartaruga is a family-friendly destination replete with rustic wood kiosks that serve seafood. The calm, colorful waters are perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and standup paddle boarding. The surrounding area is free of homes or hotels, and the kiosks are nicely integrated into the landscape. A generally safe beach, children can enjoy walking along the rocks and watching the colorful fish. Though parking is rare, sea taxis are available to easily and comfortably access the beach.
1. Praia da Ferradurinha: A Striking Seascape
Among the most beautiful beaches in Búzios, Praia da Ferradurinha, protected by a large natural rock wall and which offers breathtaking views, is known for its peaceful waters. The beach, surrounded by mountains, is ideal for practicing sports like kayaking and standup paddle boarding. The area can be easily accessed from Geribá and offers several quaint lodging options, as well as snack bars and restaurants. The beach is also favored by photographers who welcome the unspoiled landscape.
2. Praia de Geribá: A Perfect Place to Spend the Day
One of the most popular beaches in Búzios, Praia de Geribá stretches for nearly 1.2 miles. The area provides numerous lodging options with inns, equipped with swimming pools and hostels, as well as rental homes and restaurants, some featuring live music. On the beach, visitors will find tents, chairs, street vendors, and stalls to purchase snacks and beverages. The center of the beach, where the waves form, is popular among surfers, paddle boarders, and windsurfers. The kiosk in the left corner of the beach provides free parking.
3. Estatua De Brigitte Bardot: Iconic Ingénue
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, visited Búzios in the 1960s with her Brazilian boyfriend looking to escape the paparazzi. Back then, the area lacked many basic necessities but afforded peace and quiet. Bardot became enamored with the town and in honor of the actress the most popular street in town, Rua das Pedras, was named Orla Bardot. On the oceanfront, a bronze statue of the star created by Christina Motta was erected and in town the area's only cinema, Gran Cine Bardot, bears her name.
4. Praia Azeda: A Child's Playground
A small, charming beach, Praia Azeda features calm, inviting waters. The long staircase that leads to the beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Búzios, but for those traveling with children, sea taxis are also available. The beach offers chairs and umbrellas for rent, as well as an abandoned mansion, which has been repurposed by street vendors to sell food and beverages including fried fish, pastries, and beer. The shallow water of the shoreline is also ideal for children to play safely.
5. Praia da Tartaruga: Unobstructed Ocean Views
A sandy beach divided by a striking stone path, Praia da Tartaruga is a family-friendly destination replete with rustic wood kiosks that serve seafood. The calm, colorful waters are perfect for snorkeling, kayaking, and standup paddle boarding. The surrounding area is free of homes or hotels, and the kiosks are nicely integrated into the landscape. A generally safe beach, children can enjoy walking along the rocks and watching the colorful fish. Though parking is rare, sea taxis are available to easily and comfortably access the beach.
Where to Eat in Búzios
O Barco on Orla Bardot has great seafood, with mains from R$25. Mistico Restaurante on Alto do Humaitá has good Mediterranean food from R$45 and great views.
When to visit Búzios
High season for Buzios is November to March and June to July. March is the wet season.
How to Get to Búzios
Plane
Buzios is served by Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB), which is around 20 miles from the center of town. The bus into town costs R$6 and the taxi fare is R$75.
Car
The town is approximately 120 miles from Rio de Janiero on the BR-101 and RJ-128 highways.
Bus
There are regular buses from the Novo Rio bus station in Rio de Janiero to Buzios. Tickets cost from R$20.
Airports near Búzios
Airlines serving Búzios
Where to stay in Búzios
Ossos - this is the oldest area of town and is home to the harbor, yacht club, and some good bars.
Popular Neighborhoods in Buzios
Manguinhos - Manguinhos is situated on the isthmus and is the most commercial area of town, with some of the larger hotels.
Armacao - is the center of town and is where you will find most of Buzios's nightlife, bars, and restaurants. It is also where you will find the pretty beachfront promenade.
Where to stay in popular areas of Búzios
Most booked hotels in Búzios
How to Get Around Búzios
Public Transportation
There is no public transport to speak of in Buzios but minivans offer a basic bus service from R$2.
Taxi
There is a taxi rank at the schooner wharf. The starting fare is R$4, and you will pay around R$4 per mile.
Car
Roads in Buzios can get very congested in high season and parking can be difficult in town. Local companies include Rent A Car JR Vieira Car rental, and prices start at R$150 per day.
The Cost of Living in Búzios
Shopping Streets
Rua das Pedras is the main shopping street in town, with lots of small, independent shops selling beachwear, fashion, and leather goods.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk in Buzios costs R$3.41 and a loaf of bread is R$5.30.