(Rio de Janeiro Travel Tips) – Getting from Rio de Janeiro to Buzios is relativity easy. In the end, it’s only a two and half hour’s car ride. But choosing a place to stay it’s another business. The city lies on a 23 beaches peninsula, with very unique characteristics. Deciding where to stay in Buzios is not an easy task, since beaches are really different from each other. We have prepared a short guide with five regions that in our understanding are the most accurate to book your stay.
Where to stay in Buzios, some options:
Geriba Beach
Geribá beach is one of the most famous beaches in Búzios Town. Many bars, restaurants, and pousadas either on the beach, in the blocks behind it, or on the overlooking hill. Good surfing location. There are several people offering surfing lessons (look for the upright surfboards in the sand).
With two kilometers long, Geribá is the most frequented beach in the city. Beautiful waterfront residences, hotels, pousadas, and bars stand out on its shore. Surrounded by rocks and beautiful houses embedded in the rocks.
With fine white sand and rough sea, it is excellent for surfing (with lefts and rights breaking along its entire length), bodyboarding, beach soccer, windsurfing, beach volleyball, wakeboarding, sailing and hiking, becoming the favorite meeting place for young people. It is a place of beautiful and famous people.
Geribá offers a strip of sand for all tastes. In both corners, left and right, there is calm. There are fewer people and you will be able to enjoy with more tranquility. In the right corner, it is possible to climb the trail through the rock and have a wonderful view of the beach. The sea is calmer in the left corner, the kiosks are more rustic and the place is an invitation for those who prefer more authentic beaches. The left corner gives access to Praia da Ferradurinha, also among the favorites of tourists and residents.
The center of the beach is where the biggest movement is. There are several inns by the sea, as well as summer houses. The strip of sand is surrounded by tents, chairs, street vendors, and stalls. Everything to make the visitor’s stay more pleasant.
Geribá Beach offers many accommodation options. There are hotels with a foot in the sand as well as simpler and cheaper hostels on the street parallel to the beach. For those who dream of a pool by the sea, the highlights are Chez Pitu, Pousada Mar a Vista, and the elegant Le Ralais La Borie. For those who do not insist on standing in the sand, but want to stay in Geribá, it is worth trying the Pousada Blue Marlin and Pousada Recanto do Guerreiro.
Ferradura Beach
Ferradura Beach (Paraia da Ferradura) offers calm and shallow sea, paddle boats, SUP, kayaks, chairs, umbrellas, and several dining options. That is everything that parents need to go to the beach with the little ones. Not to mention that it will not be difficult to get a bathroom nearby. For this reason, Ferradura Beach is among the favorites of families with children. Whoever wants to escape the confusion of the left corner can choose the right corner of the beach, where there are no kiosks and tents. You will be in the middle of nature with much more tranquility.
Despite being a favorite among families, Ferradura Beach is not among the most beautiful in Búzios. The water is not so clear compared to Ferradurinha, João Fernandes, or Azeda. Even if it is not among the most beautiful, Ferradura Beach can be very crowded on weekends. So arrive early or avoid Saturdays and Sundays.
There is a good attraction for adults in the left corner of the beach. Eden Beach Lounge offers a more exclusive and cool atmosphere, with the option of a restaurant, bar, and lounge. Great for those who like comfort and a little elegance on the beach. The place holds some parties by the sea. Enjoy the view and don’t miss the fun.
There are excellent lodging options for all budgets. Those who have money left over and want to invest in a wonderful experience can choose the Insólito Boutique Hotel & Spa, the Cliffside Villa Luxury Inn or the Hotel Ferradura Resort. With a more affordable price, Pousada Búzios Summer Park is a hit with tourists. For a relaxing environment, look for Cachoeira Inn, Pousada Le Jardin de Búzios or Pousada Terra do Mar.
Ferradurinha Beach
Ferradurinha Beach is among the most beautiful in the city. Consider it as a unique place when planning where to stay in Buzios. Protected by a large wall of rocks, the beach has an extremely calm sea. An invitation to practice sports like SUP and kayaking. The strip of sand is not long and, on very hot days, the beach can get crowded. Prefer to go on weekdays so as not to go through the stress of not getting a spot in the sun. When visiting the beach, be sure to climb the rock wall. The view to the other side of the sea is wonderful, as well as the waves crashing on the rock. It is a beautiful setting for photographs!
Ferradurinha Beach is well hidden from the general public and there are not many accommodation options on-site. The region offers some good prices, such as the Gringos B&B (with a beautiful view from the pool to the beach), the Casa da Luz B&B, the Praia da Ferradurinha Guest House, and the Pousada Villa Toscana, with a beautiful view of the beach.
To reach Ferradurinha Beach, it will be necessary to travel a short path, which starts from the left corner of Praia de Geribá. The path is not a trail and is entirely paved. Along the route, there are options for snack bars and restaurants. There are only 400 meters to be traveled to Ferradurinha. Parking in the left corner of Geribá is very limited. Try to park as close to the end as possible to walk less to the beach.
There are several small snack bars and restaurants on the way between Geribá Beach and Ferradurinha. Nothing luxurious, but certainly the options will be able to appease hunger. On the sand of the beach, there are some kiosks where you can buy drinks, and rent chairs, umbrellas, and sports equipment.
This is one of the best beaches in Búzios to go with children. They will be able to have fun in the calm sea and still take the opportunity to venture on the rocks, with adult supervision, of course!
Armação Beach (Downtown)
When planning where to stay in Buzios, choosing city’s central area gives your trip a different perspective. The main tourist spot in Búzios, Armação Beach (Praia da Armação) is one of the busiest places in the city. The beach is not the best option for swimming (in fact, you don’t even see bathers there), but it has good attractions. Armação Beach is an icon, especially due to the presence of the sculpture of the French actress Brigitte Bardot, whose passion for the city made her promote Búzios in her trips around the world.
Armação Beach is the location of “Orla Bardot”, a promenade surrounded by greenery, flowers and many benches to relax and enjoy the view. It is a delightful walk at dusk, especially for having a beautiful sunset. The beach is crowded with boats, which helps to form a beautiful backdrop for photos.
In addition to its natural beauty, Armação Beach is also home to “Rua das Pedras”, the main point of shopping and local cuisine. Along the beach, there are dozens of options for a delicious meal, as well as many shops to spend some money.
The boats that make trips on the beaches of Búzios and also the maritime taxis that transport passengers depart from Armação Beach. They all leave the pier near the entrance to “Rua das Pedras”.
Armação Beach may not even be a good option for swimming, but it is certainly an unmissable walk. You will hardly visit Búzios without taking a walk there. Parking in the region is complicated, look for parallel streets further away from the beach and walk down to the beach. Only pedestrians are allowed to drive on “Rua das Pedras”. Armação Beach is a delightful walk, both day and night.
Armação Beach offers the widest variety of accommodation in the city. There are everything from cheap hostels to boutique hotels with very high prices (but certainly wonderful). You can choose to stay by the sea or closer to the center, around “Rua das Pedras”. Whatever the choice, you will be very well located. It is important to just keep in mind that this is the busiest place in the whole city, especially at night. Be prepared for traffic jams and lots of people.
If you travel to the city by car and choose to stay in this region, check with the hostel if it offers free parking for guests. Car spaces are rare and they are almost always part of the Blue Zone (rotating). The price of parking can greatly influence the final budget of the trip. Also, check that the hostel is not in an area intended for pedestrians only and where your car will not be able to enter. The region of Praia da Armação and Búzios Center has some of the best prices in town.
For those who want a sea view, try Casas Brancas Boutique Hotel & Spa, Byblos Pousada, Vila d’este Handmade Hospitality Hotel, Pousada Abracadabra, and Hotel El Cazar. All with wonderful balconies to Praia da Armação.
For those who prefer to combine good location and quality at low prices, the Praia e Conforto Annex guesthouses, Casa das Rosas, Búzios Sea, Casa do Centro, Pousada do Centro Oeste and Che Lagarto Hostel Búzios are good starting points to save a little on travel. If money is no problem, invest a little more at Pousada Aroma do Mar, Armação de Búzios Design Hotel, Pérola Búzios Hotel & Convention, Villa Balthazar or Porto Bay Búzios (a little away).
Certainly, this is the largest gastronomic hub in the city. There are dozens of good restaurants on “Rua das Pedras” and “Orla Bardot”. The menus range from the most popular dishes made to exquisitely prepared menus. Good for all tastes and pockets.
João Fernandes Beach
The show starts at the top of the lookout and shows the beautiful sea of João Fernandes Beach. It is difficult not to be enchanted and go down to the sand. The beaches of João Fernandes and “João Fernadinho” (little beach) are neighboring and there is no land connection between the two. João Fernandes is the busiest side, with restaurants, stalls and a long strip of sand. On the beach, there is equipment rental for skorkeling, kayaking and SUP. Access is easy.
The beach offers good infrastructure and is full of hotels around. That is why it attracts a large number of tourists. In other words, João Fernandes Beach is among the most beautiful and most crowded in Buzios. Nothing that a change in the scale of visits does not solve. To see João Fernandes a little calmer, prefer weekdays.
The streets near João Fernandes Beach are full of good accommodation options. Despite not being so close to the center, the beach has a beautiful neighborhood. Pay attention only to the location. The region is very mountainous. Not necessarily a hostel near the beach on the map will actually be on the waterfront.
Among the options in the streets below (close to the beach) we highlight the Coronado Beach Hotel, Colonna Park Hotel (with direct access to João Fernandinho Beach), Pousada Bahiamarela, Hotel Rio Búzios Beach, and La Boheme Hotel. For those looking for a paradisiacal look at the top of the mountain, check out Pousada Porto do Céu, Pousada Experience João Fernandes, La Pedrera Small Hotel & Spa, Búzios San Francisco, Pousada Santorini, and Luxury Villa Búzios, with a wonderful view infinity pool that joins the sea.
João Fernandes Beach is well served by restaurants. And we’re not just talking about kiosks, but restaurants with infrastructure. There will be no difficulty for those who wish to have lunch on-site.
Great choice for kids! Beach with calm and shallow sea, infrastructure, and lots of shade.
Where to Stay in Buzios, some conclusions
At the end of the day, is a very personal decision. What are you looking for? A calm waters beach or waves for surfing? Are you interested in sleeping next to the sand or in the city downtown? We hope that based on the information above, you can make the best decision for your trip.
Do you need additional info to decide where to stay in Buzios?
Feel free to contact our team on the footer menu link. We will be pleased to advise you on the best alternative based on your travel plan. We can also suggest hotels, “pousadas” and any other service you might need during your trip.
You might also be interested in:
– How to get to Buzios (From Rio)
– Where to Stay in Rio de Janeiro
– Rio-Buzios Transfer Service