Buzios, Brazil
About buzios
When Americans head to South America, Rio de Janeiro is always high on the destination wish list. But where do the nearly 7 million residents of one the world’s most famous seaside metropolises go when they want to get away? Located on a knobby peninsula two hours east of Rio, the rustic seaside village Armação dos Búzios, or Búzios, is known for the easy access to a wide variety of beaches and watersports and the cobbled Rua das Pedras, around which the town’s active—but not overly so—nightlife revolves.
Búzios is blessed with reliably epic sailing conditions, featuring northeast to east trade winds in the 10- to 18-knot range and has long been a favorite of South American sailors, hosting the Star South American Championship on multiple occasions as well as the 2011 Lightning World Championship. In December, it will play host to the Youth Sailing World Championship.
Getting There
Approximate Travel Times
Local Tips
Local Tip
While Buzios has unfortunately become progressively touristy so has the rest of the world due to globalization, it is a charming place with a lot to offer.
robert scheidt
One of our Zig Sailing Insiders was riding in a cab in Buuzios, and told the driver she was a sailor. The driver pointed to a hill and said “now there’s a fellow I really admire, Robert Scheidt. That’s the hill he trains on. He’s a real athlete and national champ!”.
Scuba Diving
Buzios has great SCUBA diving! You can dive with a 5mm wetsuit. The water is so pleasant that you don’t even need gloves or a hood when night-diving.
weather links
SAILING CLUBS
Marine Stores
Boat Storage
Boat Maintenance
MARINAS/Fuel
RESTAURANTS
La Plage Beach Club is a bar and restaurant located within the La Plage Hotel. Sitting right by the beach with stunning unobstructed views of the ocean, the Beach Club offers an ever-changing and exciting outdoor environment. The menu features a wide variety of dishes from burgers to seafood and steaks, as well as an excellent selection of national drinks and cocktails. La Plage Beach Club is an excellent spot to enjoy the beach without really going to the beach- have a cocktail and a burger while enjoying the beach and ocean from afar!
Address: Rua 01 293 Lote 21, R. Joao Fernandes, Buzios
Phone: +55 22 99622-2315
Prices: $$$
Located in the Vila da Santa Hotel, La Gare Restaurant provides a true gastronomic experience that aims to warm all the senses and create unforgettable memories. The restaurant combines cuisine, drinks, and warm service in an elegant environment filled with artworks that tell stories of the days past, while creating a cozy and inviting mood. The dining patio outside, inspired by classic Mediterranean villas, offer a beautiful space to enjoy a meal in the fresh air, under the stars. La Gare’s menu is diverse and combines traditional Mediterranean flavors with a fresh tropical flair. La Gare also offers a carefully selected wine list that pairs beautifully with the menu, as well as a strong classic and signature craft cocktail selection. A night at La Gare promises to be a unique and special Brazilian experience.
Address: Praca Eugenio Honold, 173, Armacao dos Buzios
Phone: +55 22 2623-5770
Prices: $$$
La Familia is a popular local cafe and bar located right up the street from the water. The cafe is open-air and offers a cute outdoor patio area, as well as a small indoor (but open air) area. La Familia offers a large menu focused on freshly grilled seafood and meats served in family style, as well as pasta dishes and pizza. Known by the locals for their Caipirinhas, Brazil’s national cocktail, it is a must-have while visiting La Familia. This restaurant is perfect for a quiet and somewhat secluded spot to enjoy a cocktail and the flavorful local cuisine.
Address: Av. Jose Bento Ribeiro Dantas, 88-180, Armacao dos Buzios
Phone: +55 9 6575 8393
Prices: $$
Located right on the waterfront, Mata Hari offers all of the local Brazilian favorites, often served family style, as well as their spin on a few American classics. A local menu favorite is the incredibly fresh ceviche- served with an ice-cold beer on the side- not much better under the warm Brazilian sun!
Address: Orla Bardot 1174 – Praia Da Armacao do Buzios
Phone: +55 22 2623-1853
Prices: $$
SIGHTS
Explore the beaches
Buzios is known for its beautiful white sandy beaches and crystal clear waters. It is well worth taking a day to explore some of the more popular beaches. Many beaches also offer shopping and restaurants nearby.
- Geribá Beach: The largest and one of the most popular beaches in Búzios, Geribá Beach is known for its vibrant and energetic atmosphere and its excellent surf break. A popular beach for all kinds of beach and water activities, Geribá Beach has a vibrant atmosphere, especially on weekends. The beachfront is lined with trendy bars and restaurants, creating a lively social scene. Geribá Beach is a top choice for those seeking a mix of beach fun, water activities, and a lively beach culture while exploring the beautiful Búzios coastline.
- João Fernandes Beach: A beautiful beach with calm, crystal-clear waters, João Fernandes Beach is ideal for swimming and sunbathing. It’s also a great spot for snorkeling and water sports, anything that requires calm waters. The surrounding landscape features rocky outcrops and lush vegetation, providing a serene backdrop for a relaxing day at the beach. The beach also offers a range of beachfront eateries, hotels, and bars- it is known to be a bit commercial- if this is not your scene, simply keep walking to your right and you will soon find a beautiful and more private area.
- Azeda and Azedinha Beaches: These neighboring beaches are known for their crystal-clear waters and calm atmosphere, perfect for relaxing and swimming. These are very small beaches, and depending on the tide, the sand area can be almost non-existent. You will take a wooden staircase down to the beach, where you can rent an umbrella or buy food and drinks from one of the many vendors. Note that these beaches can get crowded on weekends- especially with kids- due to the exceptionally calm and clear waters.
- Tartaruga Beach: Known for its tranquil and shallow waters, and ideal for families with children, Tartaruga Beach waters are also excellent for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking, There are several beachside restaurants at Tartaruga Beach, and on-beach services are available. Note that his beach can also get very crowded, especially on weekends.
- Praia do Forno: A beautiful beach surrounded by rocky cliffs and clear waters, Praia do Forno Beach is a great spot for hiking, and especially snorkeling. This is known to be one of the less crowded beaches in the area, and is especially good for families and children.
Explore Rua das Pedras (Stone Street)
Rua das Pedras is the heart of Búzios- a lively cobblestone street lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and clubs. It is THE place to experience Búzios’ vibrant nightlife. At just over 600 meters long, Rua das Pedras is filled with trendy bars, restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, bars, and nightclubs. During the day the area is like a ghost town compared to nighttime, when the area comes alive with droves of people out to enjoy the food, drinks, and festive atmosphere of Rua das Pedras. Note that the shops on Stone Street are open until dawn! Put on your comfy shoes (no heels on cobblestone!), grab a drink, and make a celebratory night of it!
Orla Bardot (Bardot Promenade)
Orla Bardot, also known as the Bardot Promenade, is a charming waterfront promenade named in honor of the famous French actress Brigitte Bardot, who visited the town in the 1960s and helped transform it into a popular destination. The promenade is adorned with statues and artwork celebrating her connection to the area. Orla Bardot offers breathtaking ocean views, a wide range of restaurants, boutiques, and a bustling street market. Orla Bardot is a delightful place for a stroll, a bite, and some shopping, all while savoring the coastal beauty of Búzios.
Santuário Nossa Senhora Desatadora de Nós (Sanctuary of Our Lady Undoer of Knots)
Santuário Nossa Senhora Desatadora de Nós is a beautiful church located on top of a hill in Buzios, offering a stunning panoramic view of the town and the sea. This is an excellent spot to take amazing photos, as well as take in a stunning sunrise or sunset.
Mirante de João Fernandes (João Fernandes Viewpoint)
It is said that there is no better view in Búzios than the Mirante de João Fernandes lookout. This lookout offers a stunning panoramic view of João Fernandes Beach and the surrounding coastline. It is the highest point you can reach in Búzios, and is a very popular spot for capturing stunning photographs, especially at sunset!