Traveler tips: Best Day Trips from Rio de Janeiro
These are some of our favorites Trips from Rio de Janeiro
1. ANGRA DOS REIS
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Trips from Rio de Janeiro: Angra dos Reis, you can enjoy beautiful hilly landscapes dotted with colorful boats[/caption] / Photo: Daytours4u
Meaning Bay of Kings, this coastal town is situated 168 km south of Rio de Janeiro. What makes Angra dos Reis spectacular is the lush Atlantic Forest which gives way to a glittering bay with 365 islands. The opportunities for adventure are endless with gorgeous isolated beaches, great diving and hiking trails. Most tourists come to Angra dos Reis for the purpose of taking a boat trip around the bay to visit some of the islands, the most famous of which is Ilha Grande.How to get to Angra dos Reis
Accommodation options here include sensational beach resorts around Angra, or convenient hotels and hostels near the port for those opting to use the town as a launching pad for exploring the bay. The most spectacular option, however, is to stay on Ilha Grande.
Discover all that Angra dos Reis has to offer, a magnificent destination you won't want to miss!2. ILHA GRANDE
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One of the best Trips from Rio de Janeiro, an ecological sanctuary, Ilha Grande is home to stunning beaches, waterfalls, mountains, rivers, and a whole lot more[/caption] / Photo: Daytours4u
Ilha Grande, meaning Big Island, is the crown jewel in the Angra dos Reis archipelago. This large island has an interesting history as a pirate lair, a quarantine hospital, a penal colony housing Brazil’s most dangerous criminals, and now a tourism hotspot as a top island getaway.Boats will take you to the island’s main town, Vila do Abraão. The development has been taking off on the island and the town now offers a variety of hotel and pousada options, as well as plenty of great beachfront restaurants where you can feast on fresh seafood, with a caipirinha in hand.
Note that there are no roads or cars on the island. To get around, hike along the island’s many walking paths, or take a boat from Abraão to the beaches. The most famous beach is Lopes Mendes, which has been included in various lists as one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. A popular option is to walk to the beach from Abraão, a scenic 2 and a half-hour walk, and then catch a boat back to town at the end of the day. Another postcard-perfect beach is Praia do Aventureiro, on the western side of the island. If you want to see some of the island’s history, head to Dois Rios beach, where you will find the ruins of the old Candido Mendes prison, abandoned in 1994, on the southern end of the beach. It’s an interesting place to ponder the island’s volatile history, which stands in stark contrast to its idyllic beauty.
How to get to Ilha Grande
If you have enough time on your itinerary, consider staying on the island for a few days. Take a bus or book with us the transfer from Rio to Angra dos Reis. Regular boats complete the journey from Angra to Ilha Grande in one hour. Do not miss the opportunity to visit Ilha Grande, is a unique and great way to visit its spectacular beaches paradise.3. BUZIOS
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Along the coast of Búzios, visitors can find 24 beaches, some lapped by open waters and others by closed seas. Buzios, one of the greatest Trips from Rio de Janeiro[/caption] Buzios is to Rio what the Hamptons are to New York. The town made famous by Brigitte Bardot, who came here in the 60s to escape the paparazzi, is located on the peninsula to the north of Rio.
Today it is a favorite holiday spot of Cariocas. On weekends and holidays, many Brazilians, including the rich and the famous, flock to the town to enjoy the gorgeous beaches and wide selection of trendy bars, restaurants, and nightclubs. On the weekdays and off-season, you can enjoy a much more laid-back Buzios.
The draw of the town is the multiple beaches lining the peninsula. It’s the perfect spot to practice a number of outdoor sports, such as snorkeling, diving, surfing, kitesurfing, SUP, and kayaking. The peninsula also offers eco-tourism, hiking, and a golf course. Those chasing the sun can take boat trips to explore the many coves and more hard-to-get-to beaches. The beaches aren’t the only attraction that draws people to Buzios. Much more developed than many of its neighboring beach towns, the town has plenty to keep you occupied. The main street of the town is Rua das Pedras where you will find an array of top-class restaurants, cafés, trendy bars, nightclubs, as well as art galleries and many shops. Its proximity to Rio makes a Day Tour in Búzios from Rio with Panoramic Navigation perfect for those short on time. This will give you a chance to explore the town as well as the beaches on a boat tour around the peninsula. Or you can join the cariocas for a weekend getaway, or a quieter midweek break. Just keep in mind that this town fills up dramatically during summer with those looking to make the most of the temperature or to escape high season in the city. If you travel at these times, you will need to book your accommodation in advance.How to get to Buzios
To get to Buzios you can take a bus from Rio, which runs from the Novo Rio bus station to Buzios. There are regular buses running. Check the schedule here. Another option is to hire a car, particularly if you want to explore other areas outside of Buzios. Alternatively, book a private transfer from Rio to Buzios, for the comfort of hotel-to-hotel transport.
4. PARATY
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The charm of Paraty is in its colonial houses and quaint cobblestoned streets, without a doubt, one of the top Trips from Rio de Janeiro[/caption] / Photo: Diana Figueroa One of the most charming small towns on the coast of the state of Rio de Janeiro, the colonial town of Paraty is a popular spot for a city escape. Around 4 hours from Rio, a trip here is a bit long for a day trip, so bank on spending at least one night in Paraty. However, there is so much to do, that you might not want to ever leave. The town’s importance once lay in its sugarcane industry and the gold trail, serving as the port for the gold coming from Minas Gerais. After falling into decline after the collapse of the gold trail, Paraty saw a revival and nowadays is a premier tourist destination, with people coming to see the colonial architecture, idyllic bay and explore the old gold trail. Paraty also plays host to FLIP, an important International Literary Festival. A must-do activity while you’re in Paraty is a boat trip around the bay. The view from the water gives you a chance to explore some of Paraty’s best beaches, as well as take in great views of the town set against a tropical backdrop. You can also explore some of Paraty’s hidden beaches by land with a hike or a tour to Trindade Cove.
Don’t just stick to the beachfront though. Head inland to explore the Atlantic Forest and hills of Paraty. There are many waterfalls to explore, cachaça distilleries to visit, and great hikes through the forest and along the gold trail.
Those that want to dig below the surface beauty of the town and experience the local culture should consider booking a Caiçara Cultural Tour to visit a local community and learn more about the history of this region.How to get to Paraty
You can take a bus from Rio de Janeiro. Check bus prices and schedules here. Keep in mind that you can’t book bus tickets far in advance.5. PETROPOLIS
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Trips from Rio de Janeiro: At the entrance of Petrópolis you will see Palácio Quitandinha, an old casino built in the 1940s.[/caption] Take a break from the beach and head into the mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro where you’ll find Petrópolis, the Imperial City of Brazil. Tucked in the hills of the Serra dos Órgãos, this town used to be the summer residence of Brazilian Emperors and aristocrats in the 19th century. Today it is a popular vacation spot for Cariocas. Tourism in Petrópolis revolves around its spectacular 19th-century architecture, interesting palaces, and lush mountainous backdrops popular vacation spot for Cariocas.
Some of the main attractions in Petrópolis are: the Imperial Museum of Brazil, which was once the summer palace of the emperor, the Crystal Palace, the gothic Cathedral São Pedro de Alcôntara, a walk around the Centro Histórico (the historical centre), Quitandinha Palace and the Museu Casa de Santos Dumont, the house of Alberto Santos Dumont, the Brazilian aviation pioneer.
Active travelers should also consider setting aside enough time to hike in the Serra dos Orgãos National Park. One of the most popular treks is the traverse between Petrópolis and Teresópolis
How to get to Petrópolis
The easiest way to get here is with a day tour to Petrópolis. Those wishing to stay longer to enjoy the hiking trails can take a bus from Rio. Regular services run between Rio and Petrópolis.
6. CABO FRIO
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Cabo Frio is the municipality with the best infrastructure in the Lakes region around Rio.Another of the best Trips from Rio de Janeiro[/caption] Situated between Buzios and Arraial do Cabo, Cabo Frio is a fairly large town that is very popular with locals. Few foreign tourists come here since you need a car to get around, and it doesn't have the same fame as Buzios and Paraty.
However, making the trip here is well worth it. Founded in 1615 by the Portuguese, the colonial legacy can be seen today in the colonial houses and Fort São Mateus. Of course, the most popular attractions in Cabo Frio are the beaches.
The main beach is Praia do Forte, which boasts 7.5 km of pristine coastline, with plenty of space for all the Brazilian holidaymakers. Surfers should head out a bit further to Praia das Dunas, where stronger currents and bigger waves are great for surfing and kitesurfing.
Further along the peninsula is Arraial do Cabo, a place famous for its scuba diving. More laid back than Buzios and Cabo Frio, Arraial has a lot less infrastructure, is cheaper and boasts incredible clear blue water, surrounded by green hills. It also has an incredible array of diving spots for every diving level. You can book a full day scuba diving tour to Arraial do Cabo from Rio de Janeiro to experience this famous diving spot in Brazil.
How to get to Cabo Frio
Rent a car in Rio and drive to Cabo Frio. Alternatively, take a bus and rent a car in town, as public transport within Cabo Frio is limited. There are regular buses running throughout the day between Rio and Cabo Frio. See the timetable here. Travel Tip: We have great experiences prepared for you in Brazil, take advantage of this great opportunity and travel with us!By: Daytours4u Content Team.
