Armacao dos Buzios Attractions

Beaches in town center

Within a short distance of the town center are the beaches of Armação (with the Rua das Pedras), Ossos, Canto, Amores and Virgens, with numerous pousadas and small guesthouses. From the first three of these beaches there are boats to the islands of Ancora, Gravatá, Branca, Rasa and Feia. On a low hill at Ossos Beach is the church of Sant'Ana.

Rua das Pedras

Many of Armação dos Búzios' most exclusive shops and top-class restaurants are on Avenida José Bento Ribeiro Dantas, also called Rua das Pedras ("Street of Stones"). All the buildings in the street follow the pattern of the old fishermen's houses - two- or three-storey buildings, painted blue or white, with colonial-style roofs and sash windows.

Beaches north of Búzios

To the north of the little town are the beaches of Azeda (1.5km/1mi), Azedinha, João Fernandes (2km/1.3mi) and João Fernandinho.

Beaches south of Búzios

Most of the beaches to the south of Búzios are at the north end of the peninsula, in Búzios and Manguinhos Bays. The finest of them are Forno, Foca, Tartaruga, Ferradura, Manguinhos and Baia Formosa. The first three have light seas; at Praia da Ferradura the sea is livelier, and particularly suitable for surfers. On the island of Rasa, which has a modern hotel and leisure center, the beaches of Lua and Ancora are particularly to be recommended. The crossing to the island from Marina Porto Búzios (reached from the road to Baia Formosa) takes 12 minutes. Sailing boats and motorboats can be hired in some of the hotels.

Beaches west of Búzios

To the west are the beaches of Praia do Criminoso and Praia Brava (2km/1.3mi).

Coast between Búzios and Cabo Frio

On the south-east side of the peninsula, between Armação dos Búzios and Cabo Frio, are the beaches of Geribá (3.5km/2.2mi; ideal for surfing), Tucuns, João Gonçalves and Caravelas (10km/6mi).

Rio das Ostras

35km/22mi north of Armação dos Búzios on the road to Macaé is Rio das Ostras (in the commune of Casimiro da Abreu), which has beautiful beaches, for example the Praias das Tartarugas, da Costa Azul and das Areias Negras. The town beach of Rio das Ostras has monazite sand. There is also the fine beach of Costa Azul on the offshore Ilha da Costa.