Buzios Brazil Travel Guide: Coastal Elegance and Endless Charm

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Búzios Brazil: A Quick Look

Hello, adventurers of this world! Let me introduce you to a small town surrounded by natural beauty. Búzios isn’t just a beach paradise—it’s a chic blend of rustic charm and glamorous seaside living. With hidden coves like Praia do Forno trending among influencers and a food scene buzzing with fresh oyster bars and boteco pop-ups, this peninsula feels like Saint-Tropez with a Brazilian soul. Pack your flip-flops and sunglasses; adventure (and caipirinhas) awaits.

In this Búzios travel guide, I’ll give you my best tips for exploring this destination in the best possible way, from pre-planning efficiently to staying safe. My tips include unmissable destinations and important safety considerations so you can start planning your trip!

Side note: One of the main questions we get when planning a trip to our country is “when is the best time to visit Brazil”, which you can read later. Now back to Buzios!

Búzios is PERFECT for beach lovers. Take it from me and my travels in Buzios. The city has more than twenty beaches, all with their own characteristics. The combination of all this and sunny days makes Búzios a perfect destination for your next trip. This Búzios travel guide will help you with everything you need to pack.

Crystal-clear beaches, historic sites and stunning landscapes make Búzios a wonderful year-round destination, whether you’re partying with friends or enjoying time with the family. The urban landscapes come together with nature, creating a perfect link. 

Follow me to find out everything you need to start your trip to Búzios!

Related article: For a more in-depth country guide, see our complete Brazil travel guide.

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Búzios Brazil: Quick Travel Tips Before You Go

🛫 Airport: The most common route to Búzios begins from Rio de Janeiro, where Santos Dumont Airport (SDU) and Galeão Airport (GIG) are located.

🤑 Currency: Brazilian Real, denoted by the symbol R$.

🗣️ Language: Portuguese is the official language. English is more common in tourist areas and hotels.

🕰️ Time Zone: Brasilia Standard Time (GMT-3). One hour ahead of EST and 4 hours ahead of PST.

💵 Cost: Quite cheap when coming from stronger currencies such as the US dollar, or EURO or Yen 

🛜 Internet: The internet in Búzios is stable and fast.

📄 Brazil Visa: As of now, If you are traveling from the United States, Canada, Australia, or Japan, then NO. This could change as of October 1, 2023. Track the status and details here. You do NOT need a visa for EU Nationals, and you may not be affected by the Oct 1, 2023 change. You can see the details here.

🔌 Power Outlets: In Brazil, there are two associated plug types, Types C and N. Plug type C features two round pins, while plug type N is distinguished by two round pins and a larger grounding pin. To ensure compatibility with these outlets during your travels, consider carrying a universal travel adapter.

🔋 Power Grid: Brazil operates with a supply voltage of 127/220V and 60 Hz. Some of the newer hotels run on 220V, but it’s best to ask what voltage the hotels have so you don’t run into any problems. 

📳 SIM Card: Let me tell you the answer is undoubtedly yes. They’re cheap, and having one in any country you travel to is a need.  

🚘 Car Rentals: Setting up a car rental in Brazil is a quick and easy process. Not all cities have a working public transportation system, so driving might be the best choice, depending on your location.

Búzios Brazil: Safety Travel Tips (Use Common Sense)

🍏 Food safety: Food here is super safe. But use your common sense if you have food allergies, for example. Be sure to prepare to talk about them in another language! 

💧 Water safety: Tap water should be avoided except for brushing your teeth, shower, and such. Filtered water and ice are safe to ingest. Restaurants usually have filters, so you don’t need to worry! I’d recommend you stick with filtering your water or buying bottled water. Consider bringing along a Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle for convenient access to clean water wherever you go.

👷‍♀️ Daytime safety: Búzios is a safe and peaceful city. But it is always very important that you take basic precautions when it comes to your safety. 

🦺 Nighttime safety: Common sense should be your best friend, as in any big city you visit. Avoid keeping valuable items in easily accessible pockets, refrain from walking alone after dark, and don’t display valuables in your hand while out on the streets.  

👺 Avoiding scams: Keep your valuables safe place. Buy your tickets online for sightseeing tours and shows. Book cabs or Uber directly from your apps or your hotel. Be careful where you withdraw your money; do it in banks only.

Búzios Brazil Travel Tips: A Local Perspective

🏨 Best neighborhoods for tourists: Downtown, Around Rua das Pedras and Orla Bardot, Ferradura Beach, and João Fernandes.

🎄 Top Brazilian holidays and traditions: Universal Confraternization (January 1), Carnival, Labor Day (May 1), Brazilian Independence (September 7), and Christmas (December 25).

🍜 Local food to try: The food scene in Búzios is mostly fish and seafood dishes; you will want to have some! But there are also so many restaurants to try after a long day on the beach!

🍹 Local drinks to try (alcoholic): Other than cachaça and draft beers, Caipirinhas pair well with seafood.

🧉 Local drinks to try (non-alcoholic): Coconut water, fruit juices, guaraná, açaí juice.

🚶‍♂️ Walkability: It’s the way to go! There are plenty of stores selling local crafts and products to discover, streets filled with restaurants to try, and more.

🎉 Nightlife: The nightlife here starts at dusk and goes on until dawn. Yes, Búzios is one of those places where the city only sleeps when the day begins. So make the most of every minute to have fun! 

😀 Friendly to foreigners: Super welcoming! Some places even have bilingual menus!

🏥 Hospitals: Being a relatively small city, Búzios is focused on tourism and outdoor life. So the medical infrastructure is a little limited if we compare it to larger cities.

🇺🇸 English speaking: In some places, but not everywhere.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Where is Búzios Brazil Located?

Búzios Map 

Búzios is located approximately 180 kilometers (110 mi) from Rio de Janeiro in southeast Brazil. As well as charming, Búzios is one of the most structured beach towns in the state of Rio de Janeiro.

What State is Búzios In? 

Búzios is one of Brazil’s most charming beach destinations, a little less than 180 kilometers (110.1 mi) from Rio de Janeiro, and an 8-hour drive from São Paulo. It is part of Rio de Janeiro state, located in the southeast of Brazil. Búzios offers an ensemble of perfect beaches in different shapes that can be visited all year round thanks to its tropical weather.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

What’s the Closest Airport to Búzios Brazil?

The city of Búzios doesn’t have its own airport, but you can easily reach the destination via two different airports. Santos Dumont Airport (SDU), in Rio de Janeiro, is approximately 180 kilometers (about 110 miles) from Búzios, but is mainly domestic and great for flights from São Paulo. Then there’s Galeão International Airport (GIG), also in Rio de Janeiro and about the same distance, but for those coming from outside the country, Galeão is the better choice.

There’s also the option of flying straight into Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB), a smaller airport but a lot closer to Búzios! It is only 34 Km (approx 31 Miles) away!

What is the Best Way to Get to Your Búzios Hotel?

When you arrive at any of these airports, Santos Dumont or Galeão, you’ll have a few alternatives for reaching your hotel. 

This Búzios travel guide recommends that you use private transportation so that you don’t have any worries and also so that you feel safer.

Yes, the voyage from Rio de Janeiro to Búzios is commonly done by car or bus. The trip by car lasts a couple of hours from Rio Airports, but you’ll hardly find an Uber willing to do it. Both airports are close to the bus station, and by bus, it will take 3h30 from Novo Rio to Búzios. If you come into Cabo Frio, then Ubers usually accept the ride, given that it’s less than an hour away.

Renting a car is an option for getting to know Búzios even better. You need to take some precautions when traveling, just like anywhere else in the world. Remember to ask all your questions about the rental and the contract so you don’t have to worry about it.

If you don’t want to drive and prefer not to risk using the bus, you can always look up transfer services that connect different locations in Rio de Janeiro and Búzios.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

How to Get Around Búzios?

Ride Sharing (top choice): Uber works well in Búzios and is a lot cheaper than a cab. Rides in town hardly ever cost more than $3,08 (approximately $3.08 dollars at the time of writing this article), but as the pricing is dynamic, it can be more expensive at times of high demand.

Rent a Car (top choice): Renting a car always gives you the most freedom. Getting around Búzios by car is easy, and you won’t have to drive far to each beach. You can rent a car in Rio or Búzios or hire a buggy when you arrive (between $31.00 and $37.00 per day). This way, you can explore remote beaches or drive scenic coastal roads. But please remember to bring your valid driver’s license and prepare to drive on the right-hand side.

Take a Taxi:  Unlike other places, cab fares in Búzios have a fixed rate; you find price lists displayed at the cab ranks. Rides through the center of Búzios cost $4.10; from the center to the main beaches, between $4.10  and $6.15.

Vans: The Cooper Búzios and Coopergeribá vans are a good alternative for getting around Búzios on a budget. Although they don’t go all the way to any beach entrance, vans drop passengers off at nearby points, from where you can easily complete the rest of the journey on foot.

Aquataxi: The aquataxi is the most exciting way to get around Búzios. They are small fiberglass boats with a capacity of up to 7 people – like motorized pedal boats.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

When to Go to Búzios?

Deciding when to visit Búzios depends on what you want from your trip. It’s important to remember that the seasons here are opposite to the northern hemisphere ones, so it’s vital to plan well.

Búzios Brazil Summer (December to March): The city of Búzios is charming all year round, but of course, the variation in temperature and peak season significantly influences the place’s atmosphere. So, if you’re looking for more tranquil getaways, I recommend you steer clear of the periods when tourist activity is expected.

November and December are the rainiest months, while June, July, and August are the driest. The high tourist season runs from December to April. However, every month of the year offers wonderful experiences.

Summer Carnival: Carnival stands out as one of the most famous celebrations. It happens in the Brazilian summer, usually at the end of February or the beginning of March. Carnival in Búzios promises you to be full of joy and festivity. No wonder the city is the second most visited in the state. Especially during Carnival, Búzios brings together people who like to relax and those who want to party with various activities.

Búzios Brazil Fall (April and May): If you want a slower pace, fall/autumn offers pleasant weather and is less crowded. There are rainy and windy days during this season. April and May are the middle ground regarding temperatures and rainfall. This is one of the best times to visit Búzios and when accommodation prices start to fall.

Búzios Brazil Winter (June to August): In winter, the climate in the city is very pleasant, with temperatures rarely dropping below 18º Celsius degrees. The days are marked by sunshine, while the temperature is cooler at night. Búzios has a low rainfall rate, the lowest in Rio de Janeiro. Winter is generally a period of little rain.

Búzios Brazil Spring (September to November):  This area has an arid microclimate, but what does that mean? It means you can choose to be in town all year round. But between September and October, spring begins, with predominantly good weather and temperatures that can reach 75ºF or 24ºC. The arrival of spring already has sea lovers thinking about the beach, and Búzios is the perfect destination.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Where to Stay in Búzios Brazil? (By Neighborhood)

In this Búzios travel guide, I’ll say the best neighborhood to stay in Búzios can change based on your itinerary. So some locations might make it easier to go sightseeing and others to enjoy the city at night.

The main options are Geribá (group of friends and solo travelers), Manguinhos, Ferradura, Ferradurinha, Tartaruga (family), João Fernandes (couples), Orla Bardot and Rua das Pedras (best central location). 

So, the first step should be to decide on the goal of your trip, depending on who you’re going with, and then research the best option. Here’s a little bit about each so you can take that into account.

Geribá (Best for Groups of Friends and Solo Travelers) 

This trendy area has a lot more beach access, complete with a wide strip of sand. In addition, the waves in this area are more robust if you want to try surfing, and the water is colder due to the southern sea currents, in case you’re looking to cool down after suntanning.

Manguinhos, Ferradura, Ferradurinha, Tartaruga (Best for Families)

Buzios’ beaches each have their own personality. These beaches, in particular, are quieter, with small waves for children to play in and crystal-clear waters. Not to mention that they are also suitable for swimming and water sports, which is why many families prefer these quieter areas, as they can relax without so many worries

João Fernandes (Best for Couples) 

Located at the tip of the Búzios peninsula, this area is home to some of the city’s most beautiful beaches. The calm, transparent waters are ideal for swimming, stand-up paddling, and snorkeling. In addition, several kiosks and restaurants offer couples a quiet and romantic getaway. 

City Center 

This is the busiest area of Búzios with stores, markets, bars, and nightclubs. Staying in the city center makes it easy to get around and do many things, such as going to the local markets, restaurants, and beaches, and you can also enjoy the area’s nightlife. 

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Things to Do in Búzios Brazil

• Stroll Along Rua Das Pedras and Orla Bardot: These are the most charming spots in Búzios and a characteristic part of this destination. Here, you’ll be able to find local foods, handmade items, and so much more.
• Schooner Ride in Búzios: This boat trip passes 12 beaches and islands. It’s great for making friends with other people on board. The service is usually complete, with drinks, snacks, and lots of music.
• Buggy Ride: This is a favorite tour in Búzios, especially for those who don’t rent a car, so it consists of touring the city’s beaches and viewpoints in a buggy.
• Exploring Búzios’ Beaches: There’s no greater thing to do here than get acquainted with the big assortment of beaches in Búzios. Take your time and pick your fav!
• Nudist Beach in Búzios: This might not be for everyone, but if you’re a naturism enthusiast or looking for an adventure… A nudist beach certainly makes for great stories to tell.
• Watch The Sunset in Búzios: In my opinion, there’s nothing better than enjoying a beautiful sunset. Make plans to be at one of the best places to watch the sunset in Búzios in the late afternoon to see what I’m talking about.
• Scenic Vistas in Búzios: Whether witnessing a stunning sunset or taking in a sweeping panorama, Búzios offers numerous viewpoints that deserve a spot on your list of activities.
• Trying Local Cuisine: If you’re a traveler who likes to indulge yourself in local foods, the good news is that you can try many different foods in Búzios. From fresh seafood to traditional sweets and coffee. 
• Underwater Exploration in Búzios: Much like other coastal getaways, scuba diving ranks among the top activities in Búzios.
• Búzios Nightlife: There are so many bars and restaurants with live music here; you can even wander around aimlessly and enter the place that catches your eye.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Best Búzios Tours

In this Búzios travel guide, it’s my duty to show you which tours in the city are a great way to get to know the locals and the surrounding area. Renting a car, or taking an Uber or a taxi, for example, are great alternatives. 

Below, you’ll find the best tours in Búzios and the surrounding area. The selection includes splendid beaches, scenic hiking trails, buggy rides, amazing food, and vibrant nightlife. It’s also an efficient means of familiarizing yourself with the neighborhoods in a shorter period of time.

💡 Pro Tip: If I have a week or more to spend in a new place, I usually start by exploring the neighborhoods and the nearby areas with a tour. This helps me quickly grasp the layout and decide where to spend my time for the rest of my trip. Discovering a favorite spot only when you’re almost out of time is not great.

Tours are a simple way to immerse yourself more in the local culture, history, and fun that Búzios has to offer without making too many plans.

💡 Pro tip: Don’t book excursions with just anyone on the street. Book them online or at your hotel. I believe it’s better to do it online, as it ends up being cheaper than in hotels most of the time. Hotels act as intermediaries and take a cut, which ends up increasing prices.

Here are the top tours for Búzios: 

• Sea Trips in Búzios: Hiring a professional guide can be a good option, as they will help you find the best places to explore. Boat trips are the most common among visitors wishing to explore the beaches of Búzios from a different. 
• Land Tours: This tour is for those who want to visit several beaches in one day and choose their favorites. Children and adults alike are amazed to be able to ride in an adapted vehicle that travels through such breathtaking scenery.
• Air Tours: Hang gliding and paragliding start at the Reserva Ambiental das Emergências and land on Tucuns Beach. If you don’t fancy a double parachute jump, another option is to see Búzios from the sky by taking a helicopter ride. 
• Culinary Exploration Tours: For those who appreciate good food, this tour is tailored to your tastes. It will allow you to try traditional dishes from the local culture. 
• Sunset tours: It’s a great option to admire a beautiful sunset in Búzios. This moment will undoubtedly stay in your memory.  
• Diving in Búzios: An unforgettable excursion can be diving in crystal-clear waters and admiring the marine life. Don’t worry! A guide will help you with all the necessary instructions before you hit the water.
• Personalized Private Tours: Sometimes, I like personalizing things and taking a custom private tour. That way, you can choose your itinerary and go at your own pace without worrying about other people in a group.

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Is Búzios Safe for Tourists?

Yes, Búzios is a peaceful place. It’s very safe, with many tourists from Brazil and around the world strolling around peacefully. However, this doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t happen, as in any big city or tourist destination, you have to use common sense so that you can always be safe. 

Your biggest concern may be petty crime, such as theft, at peak times and around the most popular tourist spots. Whether you’re in London or Búzios, the risk of this kind of thing is the same. 

Remember: the more you plan, the less of a target you are.

💡 Pro Safety Tips (For any city you travel to) : 

• Keep valuables in different places on your body. Your valuables can go in a small, thin pouch to hide under your clothes around your waist, for example. That way your valuables aren’t just kept in one place. Believe me, this tip can be very useful. 
• Keep copies of essential documents like passports with you and leave originals in a safe place.
• Avoid exaggerating about drinks and risky experiences.
• If there is a safe in your hotel, leave your valuables there. 
• Don’t keep checking the pockets where you keep your valuables at tourist sites. Petty thieves look for that.
• Beware of chaotic situations, such as someone spilling a drink on you to distract you. 
• Ask your hotel which areas to avoid entirely and which areas to avoid only at late night.
• Take out travel insurance.

Even if Búzios generally has a lower crime rate than other Brazilian cities, it’s always important to take the usual precautions. The neighborhoods are well-patrolled, and locals are welcoming to tourists. That said, be mindful of your surroundings, especially at night or when visiting crowded tourist areas. 

Traveling is not usually dangerous. For numerous individuals, it’s a tranquil period to unwind and leave behind our concerns. Nevertheless, it’s essential to be cautious: just like in any aspect of life, there are potential risks. Remember that your safety primarily hinges on staying vigilant of your surroundings and making wise, sound choices.

What is the Best Travel Insurance for Brazil?

This is a question that I get a lot, as travel insurance can get confusing. This is a critical part of your trip though so that you do not have to worry when visiting Búzios or any other part of the world. 

Figuring out travel insurance can be overwhelming. However, having the right travel insurance coverage is essential for a stress-free trip to Búzios, Brazil. The key is to make sure it is simple and flexible. 

To streamline this, we have broken down the best travel insurance companies out there in the industry that are all great but also serve different needs.  

Let’s explore what each of them brings to the table: 

✅ World Nomads: Best for comprehensive coverage, flexibility, AND adventure sports. Covers trip cancellation, emergency medical costs, and emergency medical transportation and protects your travel gear. 

✅ SafetyWing: This is for general travelers, frequent travelers,  and long-term digital nomads in Brazil. Provides lots of flexibility as far as start date, coverage extension, and automatic renewals. It also has limited home-country coverage. 

✅ Travel Insurance Master: Brazil travel insurance search tool, this is for people who really want to compare policies. 

Búzios TRAVEL GUIDE

Búzios Travel: Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Drink the Water in Búzios Brazil?

Tap water is a resounding NO. 

This Búzios travel guide recommends that it’s best to avoid unfiltered water in Brazil. Even if it is treated and normally safe to drink as a visitor, you shouldn’t risk it. 

You can use tap water safely for brushing your teeth, taking showers, and such. However, it’s advised to go for bottled or filtered water when it comes to all other purposes.

Many restaurants in Búzios offer purified water to their customers and use it to prepare ice, so cold drinks are usually fine. Remember to ask at the restaurant; if filtered tap water isn’t available, go back to the bottled water choice.

Within this Búzios travel guide, we emphasize how intense the sun in Brazil is, even more so in the state of Rio. It’s so important to stay adequately hydrated to prevent any problems during your trip because you are dehydrated. 

Extra Tips To Be Safe With Drinking Water:

1. If you are staying in an Airbnb, it is advisable to boil your tap water before using it if there is no filter.
2. While staying in a hotel, it is recommended to purchase bottled water to drink.
3. Always buy your water in bottles. This way you will have the convenience of carrying it in your backpack or bag, ensuring hydration wherever you go. Consider investing in a Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle for an eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles, allowing you to refill and filter water on the go.

What’s the Búzios Weather Like?

Búzios is a relatively warm city, with an average annual temperature of 25ºC (77º F), with highs of 33ºC (91º F) during the summer and lower temperatures hardly below 18ºC (64°F) during the winter months.

Búzios also has the lowest rainfall in the state of Rio de Janeiro. Of the 365 days in the year, 254 have blue skies and good beach weather. The tropical climate means that Búzios has hot, humid summers and mild, dry winters. The hottest days of summer are tempered by the strong winds coming off the Atlantic Ocean.

This Búzios travel guide recommends that you travel during the low season, which takes place between fall and winter. This is when the beaches are less crowded, allowing you to enjoy the sand without any problems. In addition, prices are much more affordable during this time. 

However, it’s worth noting that not all establishments operate year-round or throughout the winter months.

Is Búzios Expensive?

Búzios often seems a little cheaper due to the exchange rates for tourists from the United States, Europe, or any area with a stronger currency. Things like accommodation, food, and transportation can end up more affordable than you usually pay for back home.

Eating out, especially in local places, will cost much less than you expect to pay for stuff in big US or European cities, thanks to favorable exchange rates. 

However, remember that it won’t be much cheaper if you want to go to luxury hotels, resorts, and beach clubs. But comparing luxury prices here and in your home country, it still ends up more affordable.

It’s important to note that prices tend to rise during the peak season, particularly in areas with the most significant demand. If you’re working with a limited budget, traveling outside the summer months will ensure better value for your money.

In short, as your Búzios travel guide, I would say that Búzios presents a range of higher and lower costs, varying levels of activity and calmness, and still maintains its status as the safest and most peaceful city in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is also an exceptionally environmentally preserved place, which makes it an even more unique experience.

Can you imagine strolling along the Orla Bardot and saying hello to a swimming turtle? That’s Búzios, one of the best destinations to visit in Brazil.

Is Búzios Worth Visiting?

Absolutely! Búzios is a unique destination in Brazil for all types of travelers, and you’ll undoubtedly want to come back often. 

According to all the Búzios travel guides, this is a city that is very popular with Brazilians and foreigners alike. The average number of visitors can reach around 2 million during the summer.

Búzios can please all tastes. There are many things to do in the city, such as captivating beaches, natural beauty, remarkable walks, tasty cuisine, vibrant nightlife, and various tours. You’re sure to enjoy it if you come to Búzios. 

But this place has much more to offer than just the beaches. Búzios’ many bars, nightclubs, beautiful restaurants, craft stores, and inns make up most of the local atmosphere. It’s the perfect city for those who want to eat well, stroll around, and rest their body and mind without giving up the nightlife.

The roster of Búzios’ must-do activities includes savoring the diverse local cuisine. If you’re looking for a particular dish, chances are high that you’ll find it. The residents are welcoming, and the city is much safer compared to larger urban centers in Brazil.

Búzios has tourists all year round. In the low season, a little less, so if you prefer more excitement, you should go in the high season.

How Many Days Do I Need in Búzios Brazil?

With so many options for beaches, excursions, and nightlife, the ideal is to stay in Búzios for at least four days, as suggested by your Búzios travel guide. However, if you prefer to travel on a Carnival holiday, I would recommend staying in Búzios for longer, at least seven days to enjoy the city and its attractions.

An option is to begin your journey on a Thursday and extend your stay until Monday, enabling you to explore all the key attractions, beaches, and landmarks in Búzios. Over three days, you can visit a handful of beaches and perhaps one or two other points of interest. However, I’m confident you’ll end up wanting more time to appreciate the experience fully.

Indeed, returning to Búzios offers the chance to create a fresh experience each time. With every visit, you can explore new accommodations, discover additional spots, and embark on more excursions, enhancing your overall adventure.

I usually estimate the days I will actually need and include an extra day or two in that calculation. This way, you don’t need to see places in a hurry and you will have more time to explore. Thinking like this tends to guarantee a more relaxed and pleasant experience.