Arraial do Cabo & Cabo Frio

Both Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio are really popular for Brazilian families on holiday. The beautiful beaches with crystal clear waters and reasonable cheap restaurants and accommodation are main reasons. There arenīt so many foreigners here, yet...

Me and Nadja like it here too, this is
Prainhas at Pontal da Atalaya

Getting There
The easiest way is just to catch a bus from the bus station in Rio. It takes about three hours and they leave starting at around 5 AM until 8 PM. Go to 1001 , to find the timetable. If you want to have information about where you can buy your bus tickets in advance (a good idea Fridays, holidays and during high season) just click here . How to get to and from the bus station you find out by clicking here . A good option is to rent a car, this you can easily do in Cabo Frio or in Rio, if you want more info on this click here . This is good because you get access to more beaches.

Accommodation
Both in Cabo Frio and in Arraial do Cabo finding a place to stay is easy, the exception is holidays and high season. Searching on the internet before arriving is recommendable since no one will approach you at the bus station.

Arraial do Cabo
This little town got discovered by Amerigo Vespucci in 1503, the history is that of whaling and fishing. Up until recently there was a salt refinery active in the city, now that itīs closed the only sources of income is tourism and fishing. The population is about 25.000.

The Beaches
There are some really nice beaches here. The biggest is Praia Grande, this beach that sometimes has good waves for surfing has crystal clear, normally really cold water. You can bathe here but it hurts! Prainha is located right in the beginning of Arraial and is the most popular. Clear, calm and warm waters (although not always 100% clean) make it popular with the families. You have banana boats and music here. Praia do Forno is located a short hike from the port. The waters are warm and clear, good for snorkling. Since the strip of sand is narrow quickly fills up over weekends. Prainhas Only reachable by car and a hike or by boat, itīs one of the most beautiful beaches in the state. You can sand surf here. Praia do Farol Located on an island itīs only reachable by boat.

Diving
They call Arraial the capital of diving in the state of Rio, and itīs well deserved. There are around 10 operators offering good diving in these really clear waters. You have lots of underwater life here so itīs well worth it.

Boat Trip
Yes, they have boat trips here as well. They are really nice and affordable. You go beach hopping and youīll visit a big cave. Most of these stop at a floating restaurant where you can have really tasty seafood (avoid the mussles though, they are not so good).

Nightlife and Restaurants
Even though Arraial do Cabo hasnīt that much to offer in this aspect it exists. At the square Praca Daniel Barreto close to Praia dos Anjos you have the biggest concentration. If this isnīt enough I recommend a bus to Cabo Frio where you have a lot more options. A cab back wouldnīt cost a fortune.

Cabo Frio
With a population of 165.000 itīs considerably bigger than Arraial. It has a better nightlife, good shopping and some really nice beaches. It has been quite exploited.

The Beaches
Praia do Forte is located in Cabo Frio. You can surf here but the main thing is the big crowd and itīs the beach with most people. Further towards Arraial do Cabo it changes name to Praia do Foguete where there are good conditions for Kite Surfing. A good beach is Praia das Conchas, absolutely clean water, you need a car to get here, the last bit you have to walk. Praia do Peró is also only available if you have a car, it has more buildings but itīs still very clean, you have surfable waves here. At low tide you can walk to Praia das Conchas from here.

Shopping
There are many stores with brand clothes and other for good prices, many times a lot cheaper than Rio. The biggest attraction is the so called Rua das Biquinis located just on the other side of the bridge. Itīs a whole shopping area with only beach wear.

Nightlife
There are two areas worth too mention. One is over at Praia do Forte where you have many restaurants and bars, at night there are lots of people around. The other one is Boulevard Canal where you have bars, restaurants and some nightclubs located on the street alongside the canal.

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