Cabo Frio Attractions

Fort São Mateus

The fort of São Mateus which dominates the coast is one of the great landmarks of Cabo Frio. It was built in 1616-17 by the celebrated military architect Francisco Frias, who was also responsible for the Forte do Mar (Salvador), the Forte dos Reis Magos (Natal) and several other forts on the Brazilian coast.

N.S. dos Anjos

In Largo Santa Antìnio is the Franciscan friary of Nossa Senhora dos Anjos (Our Lady of the Angels), which was built between 1686 and 1696. The church houses a museum of Baroque art. Note particularly the magnificent carving on the high altar.

N.S. da Assunção

In the district of Largo São Benedito and in the town center there are still many buildings dating from the colonial period. Particularly notable is the church of Nossa Senhora da Assunção (1615-56) in Praça Porto Rocha. The tourist information office is in the same square.

Beaches

In the center of Cabo Frio is the Praia do Forte; to the north of the town are the beaches of Conchas (2.5km/1.6mi from town center), Peró (6km/4mi) and Brava (7km/4.3mi); and to the south are Dunas (2km/1.3mi), Cabo Frio, Sudoeste and Coqueiral.

N. S. da Guia

From the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Guia which crowns the hill of that name there are wide views of Cabo Frio and the surrounding coast.

São Pedro da Aldeia

17km/10.5mi north-west of Cabo Frio on RJ 106, on Araruama Lagoon, is the fishing and holiday village of São Pedro da Aldeia, a former Jesuit mission station. The principal church and the house of the Jesuit order (1723) have been preserved. Particularly beautiful are the beaches of São Pedro, in the village; Linda, Carapebas and Iguaba Grande (14km/8.7mi), to the south; and Porto da Aldeia, Peça and Baleia to the north.

6km/4mi from Cabo Frio on the road to Arraial do Cabo is the huge dune known as the Dama Branca ("White Lady"). In this area are the beaches of Brava, Prainha and Pontal do Atalaia.

Islands

In recent years increasing numbers of people have been hiring boats to explore the islands along this stretch of coast. To the south of Cabo Frio, opposite Arraial do Cabo, are the island of Cabo Frio - the original nucleus of the town, separated from the mainland by the Strait of Cabo Frio - and the Ilha dos Porcos ("Island of Pigs"). Off Cabo Frio itself are the islands of Papagaios, Dois Irmãos, Redonda and Comprida. Between Cabo Frio and Búzios, 25km/15mi to the north, are numerous offshore islands, including the Ilhas dos Capìes, dos Pargos, do Breu and de Emerência de Fora. Farther from the mainland are the islands of Ancora and Gravatá. To the north of Búzios are the Isla Branca, Isla Rasa and Isla Feia.