The tiny beachtown of Buzios, Brazil was originally made famous by Bridgitte Bardot. The actress supposedly hid there on vacation with her Brazilian boyfriend, and then constantly declared her love for the fishing village’s beautiful beaches.

Since then, international celebrities such as Mick Jagger and Madonna have made it a prime resort location. It is now known as Brazil’s St Tropez, a prime hotspot for upmarket tourism.

typical view in Buzios

It’s an easy place to check out, if you’re in Rio de Janeiro for a while and want to venture out for a weekend trip to see something new. The beaches are quite different from Rio de Janeiro, and the landscape is more rocky, with lots of cacti.

one of the busier beaches in Buzios

If you love beaches, scenic views, and relaxation, Buzios is a perfect fit – especially if you like exploring in a car.

The town has a beach for everyone – from those that like bustling, busy, Brazilian beaches packed with umbrellas and chairs, to those craving a private beach of their own… Buzios has it!

my own private beach for the morning!

If you like roadtrips, Buzios may be one of the best places in Brazil for you to check out. It is safe, simple, and almost impossible to get (badly) lost. With over 20 beaches, most are best discovered by driving along the coast line until you see a little grass parking lot and then following the trail down to the beach.

in search of a new beach

You can also pick up a map from your hotel or tourist agency, and see what you can find!

a random scenic overlook we stumbled upon

Necessary Details

For a town made famous by a stylish French actress, I expected it to be a lot more chic. I was quite disappointed by the quality of the restaurants, and even before arriving, the quality of the hotels available. The most obvious description would be overpriced and substandard. While the shops and charming promenade of “downtown” Buzios are adorable, and the views stunning – not much can be said for its eateries or hotels, or at least not much positive.

The “nachos” above were 42 reais – a handful of chips, 2 store-bought salsas, an enchilada sauce, and a spoonful of guacamole. Um, what?

The meal I’m seen gleefully chowing down on (because I was starving, not because it was delicious) later resulted in food poisoning. Great!

I’d recommend getting an Airbnb with a kitchen (not bad values, in general, and if it’s your first visit you get $30 off), and cooking for yourself. Save your money for drinks, which were actually quite good and cheap.

this is what I’m talking about

While friends had come to Buzios via bus, I would highly recommend renting a car. All of the beaches are quite spread out, and I didn’t see a single taxi while there. Another popular option is renting a dune-buggy style cart car, or a moped. Being motorized is definitely the way to go to make the most of the beaches and vistas of Buzios.

We rented a car from Rio de Janeiro, and it was an easy, safe 3 hour drive to Buzios. The main road towards Buzios and Arraial do Cabo does frequently have police barricades with stops (I have been stopped 100% of the time that I have passed by), in which the police will review your passport and check your car. Be sure to always have ID on you in Brazil, this is a good example why. When you step out of the car, be sure to watch the police officer who is checking your vehicle, to be sure that nothing is taken out of nor put into your vehicle inappropriately.

Don’t Forget

Bugspray: I found that the beaches in Buzios had a lot of bugs – sand gnats, bees, and flies in general. I would definitely recommend bringing bug spray with you.

Sunscreen

I’m a BIG fan of this natural, organic version, as I’m trying to reduce or eliminate the amount of potentially harmful chemicals I put on my skin – the largest organ in my body. Sunscreen is ridiculously overpriced in Brazil in general, but especially in Buzios. And if you’re looking for a natural version – HAHAHAHA not going to find it.

Umbrella and beach mat: The larger beaches had kiosks renting umbrellas and chairs, as usual in Brazil. Some of the smaller (and prettier) beaches were more deserted and didn’t offer rentals, so if you don’t want to get sunned out and you want a comfy place to sit, be sure to bring your own

If you forget sandals, coverups, or a bikini, you’re in luck! Buzios has really decently priced, cute beach wear at lots of little local shops in the main promenade, and at its night market.

Pin Weekend Trip from Rio de Janeiro to Buzios!

Necessary Details: Buzios 

What’s your favorite weekend trip from Rio? What’s your favorite weekend trip from your home city?

Steph

A short vacation in Thailand turned into a life abroad with a canceled ticket home. Nearly a decade later and after living in Bangkok, Rio de Janeiro, Puebla, and Puerto Vallarta, Steph is on to her next adventure and living back in beautiful, cosmopolitan Mexico City. She is living, traveling, and working (both as an expat therapist and an international health insurance representative) around the world to find the beautiful, inspirational, and interesting while sharing it with you!

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