Vitória Travel Guide: Coastal Elegance and Urban Charm

Vitória TRAVEL GUIDE

Vitória Brazil: A Quick Look

When we think of vacations, our minds automatically remember all those summer days, sand strips, and swimming in the ocean. But what if you could do it all and more?

Vitória, a coastal town in Espírito Santo, has a beautiful bay waiting for you. Not only that, it has a second coastal area with the sweetest waters. Plus, the Brazilian northeast is where the country began, so there are numerous historic sights to be in awe of. Don’t forget to read our Brazil travel guide if you are going to see several places in the country.

As we go along this ultimate Vitória travel guide, I hope to help you plan a stress-free adventure! So we’re going over frequently asked questions, safety tips, what to do in town, when to visit, and which items are must-haves in your bags. 

Vitória is becoming increasingly popular among domestic travelers for its untouched beaches and laid-back vibe. It’s the kind of city where you can surf in the morning, eat moqueca by the sea, and hike forested trails—all in the same day.

Brazil is an immense country, as rich in culture as it is in warmth. It is impossible to have a bad time here! So grab a pen some paper, and let’s plan your trip!

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Vitória Brazil: Quick travel tips before you go

🛫 Airport: The town’s airport is called Vitória International Airport – Eurico de Aguiar Salles, and the code is VIX.

🤑 Currency: Like everywhere else in the country, the primary currency here is the Brazilian Real, shown by the R$ symbol.

🗣️ Language: Vitória’s main language is Portuguese, but you will also find English spoken in some form at many hotels and tourist spots.

🕰️ Time Zone: Vitória’s time zone is Brasilia Standard Time (GMT-3). One hour ahead of EST and 4 hours ahead of PST.

💵 Cost: We have a more in-depth section in our Vitória Travel guide about this, but rest assured, this trip can be super affordable. Especially if you’re coming from a stronger currency like the US dollar, EURO, or Yen.

🛜 Internet: Because this is a state capital, it should be great! You are all good to access all the apps you may need.

📄 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: Outlets in Brazil have two plug types, C and N. Type C features two round pins, while Type N includes an additional grounding pin along with the two round pins. Consider bringing a universal travel adapter to ensure compatibility with these outlets during your travels.

🔋 Power Grid: The power grid in Vitória is very stable and operates largely on a 127V voltage. But it is important to remember Brazil mostly operates on 127/220V voltage and 60Hz. While some newer buildings have a 220V grid, don’t count on it everywhere.

📳 SIM Card: If you aren’t sure whether to get a SIM card or not, think that you will probably need to use Uber or Maps; maybe you will want to upload a picture, so definitely get one! It is just safer to have one in every country you travel to.

🚘 Car Rentals: Although renting a car and learning about new traffic rules may seem complicated, our Vitória travel guide highly recommends considering it. It is your best choice to get around.

Vitória Brazil: Safety Travel Tips (Use Common Sense)

🍏 Food safety: A majority of foods are safe for eating, even in some street stalls. Just be smart and don’t hesitate to send something back or just pass on it if it doesn’t feel right.

💧Water safety: Tap water isn’t recommended for drinking when unfiltered. However, it’s still fine for other uses like brushing your teeth and showering. Restaurants typically filter water for making ice and drinks, so you won’t have to worry about that. I recommend always keeping a reusable bottle with you to avoid buying bottled water all the time. Consider using a Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle for convenient access to clean water during your travels.

👷‍♀️ Daytime safety: Daytime safety is pretty basic because petty theft is your main concern, as it’d be in all major cities. Just be careful with your belongings, and don’t have them out unless it’s necessary. Plus, ditch designer items and flashier accessories.

🦺 Nighttime safety: At night, use your common sense. Your valuables still need to be safely put away. As for being outside, it’s never recommended if you are by yourself, so use ride-sharing apps or rent a car.

👺 Avoiding scams: Scamming happens mostly during sales transactions, so opt for buying tickets online from reputable websites whenever you can. And if you take cabs, always make sure the meter is up and running.

Vitória Brazil Travel Tips: A Locals Perspective

⚠️ Stay Smart, Stay Safe: Our Vitória travel guide has plenty of safety tips for you, but your best friend will always be common sense. Especially if you are traveling solo, don’t carry more than you need or stay out until late. It is better to be safe than sorry!

🏨 Best neighborhoods for tourists: Your main options are Historical Downtown (best central location), Canto Beach (best for nightlife), Jardim da Penha or Jardim Camburi (best for groups and solo travelers), Suá Cove (best for couples), and Camburi Beach (best for families).

🎄Top Brazilian holidays and traditions: Brazil’s regions each have their own unique celebrations, but the whole country stops to celebrate Carnaval in February. We also have Easter in late March, Festa Junina in June and July, plus the Holiday season in December all the way through New Year’s Day.

🍜 Local food to try: The local cuisine is a reflection of the many cultures that influenced the area, so don’t forget to try dishes like the Moqueca and the Capixaba Pie. In addition, Crabs are quite traditional here, so it’s a must-have too!

🍹 Local drinks to try (alcoholic): Vitória is famous for its beers! Several local breweries sell their goodies in town, but in case you’re more of a mixed drinks person, lots of bars have original recipes to surprise you.

🧉 Local drinks to try (non-alcoholic): Even if it is hot, try the coffee! It has even won a few prizes in the past! Other than that, there are Guaraná, Açaí smoothies, and many more drinks to try!

🚶‍♂️Walkability: Vitória’s terrain is an extension of the sea plains, so you can walk easily along streets and beaches.

🎉 Nightlife: Although this town’s calling card isn’t the nightlife itself, you still have plenty of options to enjoy yourself during the evening.

😀 Friendly to Foreigners: People like to say that Vitória is just big enough to make you feel at ease, and locals help with that. They are ready and expecting you to come with open arms.

🏥 Hospitals: Public health in Vitória works particularly well due to a number of policies, but our Vitória travel guide talks about and highly recommends getting good travel insurance, too, just to be safe.

🇺🇸 English Speaking: As is the case with most tourist spots, you will find English in details like restaurant menus and museum descriptions. Fluent speakers are available mostly in the hospitality business.

Vitória TRAVEL GUIDE

Where is Vitória Brazil Located?

Vitória Map 

Vitoria, aka Guananira to the native people of the area, is a beautiful town in the southeastern part of Brazil. Surrounded by the sea and the Santa Maria River, because this is one of three state capitals that are on an island, these streets are waiting to share magical moments with each visitor.

What State is Vitória In? 

Your next destination is the coastal capital city of Espírito Santo. Nestled between Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, you will enjoy many sides of Brazil in a single town. And you can even take a car to go further if you so wish!

What’s the Closest Airport to Vitória Brazil?

Like other capital cities, Vitória’s airport is in town. The Vitória International Airport, Eurico Aguiar de Salles (VIX), is 10 km (6 miles) from the downtown area. When flying in, you will probably get a connecting flight into town from either Rio or São Paulo.

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

Once you have landed at Vitória International Airport (VIX), you can reach your hotel in a few different ways since they’ll probably be close enough.

As your company through this Vitória travel guide, I highly recommend arranging for a private shuttle to pick you up at the airport. It is the perfect way to start the trip with no stress, but if you want to start your time with adventure, there are other ways to reach your hotel.

💡 Pro Tip: If you plan to take an Uber, ensure you have a Brazil SIM card so your phone operates appropriately. You never want to depend on free public WIFI for using your ride-share apps. 

Because we have a short distance to cover, way number three to leave the area is to get a taxi since there are always vehicles available in the area, but it can get more expensive than ride-share apps. If you do get one, make sure the meter’s on.

But our Vitória travel guide’s second top recommendation is to rent a car. Getting a rental in Vitória is easy! You will be glad to have your way of getting around, and it’ll give you the ability to go even further. Plus, if your trip includes the whole family, it’ll be better to rent a car than to split into different Ubers every time you have to go out. 

How to Get Around Vitória?

Ride Sharing (top choice): Just like other state capitals and major cities, there are plenty of drivers working with ride-share services. It is a somewhat cheap and convenient way to move; just have a mobile network functioning properly to avoid relying on public wifi.

Rent a Car (top choice): We just saw it in our Vitória travel guide, but let me repeat: rent a car! Sure, it’s a little more expensive, but it pays off by giving you the most freedom. With it, you can follow your own pace. Be sure you have all the necessary documents, and off you go!

Take a Taxi: Our Vitória travel guide doesn’t put it in a top spot, but you can always take them to escape the heat or in a pinch. I always take one when I get into town late. Just always check that you’re getting in a licensed vehicle with the meter on.

Get on a Bike: Something I greatly enjoy in town is the shared bicycle system available. You shouldn’t rely on it as your main way to get around, but it can be wonderful to take one for a quick ride along the shore or through parks.

Public transportation: Public transportation should always be used carefully and as a last resort, especially when the city doesn’t have a subway system. So unless it is an emergency during off-peak times, opt for Ubering or your own rental car.

When to Go to Vitória?

Setting a date for the trip is when it becomes true. It’s much more than the days off you have from work; you need to understand when the country will be best able to receive you. To help you get a better feel, here’s a short summary of the seasons in Brazil, remembering that they are the opposite of the northern hemisphere.

Vitória Brazil Summer (December to March): Because it is not that far up the country, we still get some weather variations during the year. Summer in Vitória is all about the hot beach days finishing up with delicious seaside dinners or a night out. 

Summer Carnival: We all know that Carnival is one of the most popular celebrations in the world, and it falls just at the end of Summer, usually late February. If you want to experience the authentic experience without the craziness of a major city like Rio, feel free to come over.

Vitória Brazil Fall (April and May): Fall months here are a little cooler than the previous ones, and it dries up since it’s well after the beginning of the dry season. But because temperatures barely drop, you may still get to enjoy sandy beaches.

Vitória Brazil Winter (June to August):  Although temperatures have dropped a little, Winter continues the trend of occasionally being hot enough for a dip in the water. The difference here is that it is quite dry towards the end of the season.

Vitória Brazil Spring (September to November): Spring sees the trend of rising temperatures and more rain as October begins. But not to worry, since it’s mostly those rain showers at the end of a long, hot day. It is perfect if you want a Summer experience without the summer prices.

No matter when you visit, you can’t go wrong with Vitória.

Where to Stay in Vitória Brazil? (By Neighborhood)

At the beginning of our Vitória travel guide, you probably had a lot of questions. And if you are like me, my first questions are all about where to stay in a new city. Vitória has a few different areas for you to stay at depending on what you want out of your trip.

Your main options are Historical Downtown (best central location), Canto Beach (best for nightlife), Jardim da Penha or Jardim Camburi (best for groups and solo travelers), Suá Cove (best for couples), and Camburi Beach (best for families).

So, our first step needs to be figuring out what you want to do the most. Do you want to spend hours enjoying beaches? Are you more interested in dancing through life at a club? Or you may just need to relax. In any case, have that clear along with who is coming along on the journey since that counts, too.

Let’s take a closer look at each neighborhood and what they can offer.

Historical Downtown (Best Central Location) 

Besides museums and other cultural spaces, which you can explore on foot, you get to enjoy la vie boheme with the bars in the area. Of course, the accommodations in this area of town are a lot cheaper, but they’re also a lot simpler with great cost-benefit. Just be careful whenever you’re out after the businesses close for the day since lack of movement can be dangerous.

If you want to have easy access to other parts of town, this Vitória travel guide highly recommends staying at a downtown hotel.

Canto Beach (Best for Nightlife) 

If you are looking for a neighborhood with a wild night to enjoy, look no further than Canto Beach. 

Vitória has a number of options for you to pick from, but the best ones are in this area. The ‘Bermuda Triangle’ between Joaquim Lírio and João da Cruz Street has the most famous establishments in town. You can always ask your hotel for some recommendations of where to go.

Your nights will be amazing, and you will have plenty of stories to tell.

Jardim Camburi (Best for Groups and Solo Travelers) 

This small neighborhood is at the very edge of the Vitória coast, and the major advantage is that it is so close to the airport. Besides that, you can easily get a hotel within walking distance of the beach and major attractions. 

You can feel safe in these streets while taking advantage of the many amenities offered.

Suá Cove (Best for Couples) 

Suá Cove is a one-of-a-kind neighborhood because it unites the natural beauty of Vitória with modern buildings. You will be close to squares, shopping malls, and even wildlife preservation projects. And your days always end with a beautiful sea view.

You can enjoy beautiful beaches, go to restaurants and many tourist spots. Booking your stay here is to have a perfect balance of everything.

Camburi Beach (Best for Families) 

This is the main beach in Vitória, and it goes through three different neighborhoods in town. If your family wants to be in a prime location without the hassles of a more central location, Camburi Beach is this Vitória travel guide’s recommendation. And the beachside boardwalks have structure for you to take advantage of.

Staying at Camburi Beach puts you within walking distance of great beaches, with the advantage of having many establishments a few steps away.

Jardim da Penha or Jardim Camburi (Best for Group of Friends and Solo Travelers) 

So these two options are the best for groups and solo travelers who come to Vitória. Jardim da Penha is close to the federal university, so you get to enjoy a youthful atmosphere with cheap options. Jardim Camburi is further down the coastal area, closer to the airport.

Choosing either of these neighborhoods will let you make the most out of any budget.

Best Things to Do in Vitória Brazil

• Hit as Many Beaches as Possible: ​​Because Vitória is on an Island, beaches are all around you! You’ll have plenty of options to pick from with the warmest ocean waiting. You can swim around, practice sports, or just sunbathe for hours.
• Adventure Through Historical Streets: When it comes to history, Vitória’s historic downtown area is a sight to see. And you want to know the best part? Most of the wonderful spots can be seen from a tourist bus that takes you past the main ones with ease.
• Explore a Wildlife Preservation Project: Projeto TAMAR is a national organization that focuses on preserving our sea turtles and sea life in general. Here in Vitória, you can pay a small admission fee to go through their complex with several tanks to observe the animals, learn a little, and enjoy a breathtaking view at the end of your journey.
• Watch the Potmakers of Goiabeira Work: This association seeks to preserve the tradition of making pots out of clay. These containers are where they serve their most iconic dish, the Moqueca. So, if you are hoping to have a unique experience, add touring this place to your itinerary.
• Have Fun at Onion Stone Park: 
• This park gets its name from a peculiarly shaped rock, but it’s so much more than that. The surroundings evolved to include lakes, hiking trails, and even picnic fields. It’s the perfect place for families who’d like to have fun.
• Spend an Evening at Namorados Square: Every Saturday and Sunday, Namorados Square comes to life with Vitória’s most traditional culinary and handcrafted items fair. Tens of stalls take over with diverse items like embroideries, home decor, and such. Plus, there are ones with traditional Brazilian food you just have to try!

Best Vitória Tours

Whenever you go to a new city, it can be very confusing to choose a starting point for your explorations. In Brazil, we have a lot of ‘excursões,’ also known as tours for English-speaking friends. It’s your best bet if you want to stress a little less while planning your itinerary.

This part of our Vitória travel guide will focus on a few ways to tour this beautiful city, along with surrounding areas. You will definitely enjoy getting to know this part of Brazil.

My favorite way to begin a trip is to take a complete city tour to get a quick feel of everything. I recommend you adopt this habit in each city you visit if there’s enough time for it. No one likes to find an awesome spot just before you’ve got to get on a plane.

💡Pro Tip: Booking tours is something you should ways do carefully. Try to get them from trusted websites whenever you can, or go through your hotel’s concierge service. Even if it’s a little more expensive, you should never get anything like this from street vendors.

Guided tours are more than just a way to get more done; they will give you the peace of mind to truly enjoy your moment while a professional guides you. Because I want your only concern to be having a perfect day, 

Here Are My Favorite Ways to Tour Vitória:

• Complete Vitória City Tour: I always recommend starting with a complete city tour when you arrive in town, mostly because this will show you where to spend more of your precious time. You can do it on foot since Vitoria isn’t so big or with buses, it’s up to you!
• Take a Tour to Vila Velha: Vila Velha is a nearby village, which completes the vibe of Vitória. It is connected to the island by a bridge, but you can always get a boat tour ticket for a different experience during your time here. 
• Visit The Giant Buddha: Another huge attraction in the area has become a point for peregrines worldwide. A short distance away from town, this giant Buddha statue is an amazing sight. You can take a bus from your hotel or a meet-up spot in town to embark on this adventure.
• Experience the Flavors of The Capixaba Countryside: Would you like to eat moqueca in a traditional clay pot? Then, on this tour to Manguinhos Beach, you can try these flavors in traditional restaurants after enjoying a day in the sun. These tours are generally a day-long affair, so prepare accordingly.
• Private Custom Tours: I personally think that the best way to tour any city is private, if only for not having to deal with other people in my group. But that also enables you to follow your own rhythm and have a guide all to yourself. So, if your budget can take it, definitely book a private tour to enjoy your time here.

Is Vitória Safe for Tourists?

No Vitória travel guide would be complete without talking about your safety here. This island city is a gorgeous state capital, and it’s super safe. But that isn’t your go-ahead to be crazy; we still need to take some precautions.

The top concern for every tourist area you visit around the world is petty theft. Thieves are always looking out for unsuspecting tourists, so wallets can be stolen. Since it’s something that can happen anywhere in the world, here are some:

💡Pro Safety Tips (For Any City You Travel To):

• When you are out, make sure what you’re taking with you is safe. Your most important items should be safely tucked away in a fanny pack under your clothing. Things like cards, IDs, and even cell phones can go in it!
• Other not-so-important items could go in your bag or pockets since they’ll be easier to replace if they get lost.
• During busier times at tourist spots, be careful with sudden chaos because it can be a distraction for a round of pickpocketing.
• Even if it seems tranquil, don’t take your valuables out if it’s not necessary. It will put you at risk!
• This tip is mostly for major cities but check with your hotel’s front desk if there are any areas in town you should avoid currently and where not to go after it gets dark.
• Flashy items, designer logos, and such shouldn’t leave your hotel room. They make you a target for petty criminals.

Whenever you are at a new place, use your trusted safety measures because it’s better to be safe than sorry. No matter if it’s another Brazilian city, a country in Europe, or in your own state, being careful always pays off!

Keep your wits in place and be smart; it will make a world of difference. If you try to make smart decisions, your trip will be amazing!

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 Vitória 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 [ Vitória ], 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. 

Vitória Travel Guide: Frequently Asked Questions

Can you drink the water in Vitória Brazil?

Well, drinking tap water is a massive NO in all of Brazil.

Tap water is never safe to drink unfiltered anywhere in our country. It is safe to use externally, but don’t drink it under any circumstances!

You should be able to safely brush your teeth and do your hygiene, but no Vitória travel guide will tell you to chug it. You’d be safer buying bottled water when needed or carrying a refillable one to take advantage of filters.

Most establishments that work with food have a filter to make ice and drinks, so you can ask for some ‘água da casa.’ If it’s not available, then just buy a bottle.

Also, another topic every Vitória travel guide should touch on is how hot it can get here ALL YEAR LONG. So you’ve got to stay properly hydrated when you’re outside; otherwise, you can get sick and ruin your entire trip.

So Your Steps to Stay Safe With the Water Are:

1. If you are in an Airbnb, boil water in case there isn’t a filter. The filter is usually attached to the kitchen sink faucet.
2. At hotels, buy bottled water in the absence of filters. This can get expensive quickly, so look for grocery stores nearby to buy it cheaper.
3. Bring along or buy a reusable water bottle to refill, and because refilling is generally free, you don’t have to worry about something as simple as buying drinking water while in Vitória, Brazil. A Water-To-Go Filterable Bottle can be particularly handy for ensuring access to clean and safe drinking water during your travels.

What’s the Vitória Weather Like?

Capixaba weather is a truly unique experience in southeastern Brazil. It has a little more variation in temperatures since it is a little further down the Equator meridian.

Average temperatures year-round are pretty similar regardless of season. Our summer, from December through February, has temperatures between 32⁰C and 23⁰C (89⁰F to 73⁰F). Winter months, June through September, get a slight decrease and average from 28⁰C and 19⁰C (82⁰F to 66⁰F).

Now for the wet season, it usually happens from October until December more markedly. And there are regular rain showers throughout the year too since it’s a beach city and we can always expect summer rain at the end of a hot day.

Is Vitória Expensive?

Not at all if you are coming from places with a favorable exchange rate, such as the United States or Europe. You can use planning as your ally to make an excellent trip for a fraction of what you’d normally spend to travel within your homeland.

It is a lot easier to enjoy your life when budget isn’t such a huge concern. However, if you are one of those people who prefer to enjoy the finer side of things, costs can easily add up to an amount similar to what you usually spend.

Brazil is such a vastly interesting country, you’ll easily find incredible and affordable establishments everywhere. Most cities have incredible activities for next to nothing as well!

We have a small section dedicated to peak and slow seasons just further down our Vitória travel guide but keep in mind everything is a lot more expensive during peak season. So to stretch your budget, take advantage of other seasons.

Is Vitória Worth Visiting?

I personally think this answer is a resounding yes!

Espirito Santo is often forgotten just because it is sandwiched between the states of São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro, but you need to give it a chance. From enjoying a state capital on a literal island to perfect beach weather throughout the year.

You should give Vitória your consideration if you’d like to celebrate Carnaval with style and without the hassle of a major city like Rio. And nothing stops you from exploring further if you just get your own rental car!

And all this goes without talking about capixaba cuisine, which can be a trip in itself.

How Many Days Do I Need in Vitória Brazil?

Well, Vitória is a state capital which always means plenty of things to do, activities for all kinds of visitors, and a guarantee of fun for everyone!

In case your trip is scheduled for peak travel seasons but you still want to do a bit of everything with time, then try to stay for at least five whole days. With this much time, you’re able to tour the city and still enjoy beach days ending with a dining experience seaside.

But your trip may be only for checking out the main sights, enjoying a quick dip in the ocean, and trying culinary classics. In that case, three full days in town are more than enough for all that plus some more.

As I put together this ultimate Vitória travel guide, I recommend you always add a couple of days to however many you’re thinking of. This time will give you a margin to maneuver if any unforeseen circumstances happen.