Búzios, the Paradise That was Made Famous by Brigitte Bardot

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A highlight of the Lake District, the city of Armação dos Búzios contains the perfect ingredients for an excellent trip: fascinating beaches, wonderful restaurants, and a great network of lodgings, ready to meet the needs of tourists visiting the destination.

Búzios became famous in 1960 when the renowned French actress Brigitte Bardot spent her vacation in the region not yet explored by tourism. In a short time the quiet fishing village began to feature the covers of newspapers and magazines from around the world, showing an even more paradisiacal side of Rio de Janeiro.

Located in an enormous peninsula, Búzios is surrounded by 13 beautiful beaches of outstanding beauty and distinct features. João Fernandes Beach is home to some of the best hotels in the city and boasts quiet waters, ideal for families and people looking for a beach that offers a good structure, while Azeda and Azedinha beaches are more “isolated”, preserving a more peaceful and paradisiacal environment. For surfers, kitesurfers and windsurfers, Geribá Beach guarantees great waves.

The best bars, restaurants, and nightclubs in Búzios are located at Rua das Pedras, downtown. At night, the activity is intense and the options are endless. There are several renowned restaurants that offer music and dance performances, bars, cool snack bars and dozens of designer and gift stores. In addition, the street is surrounded by a charming coastline decorated with charming traditional boats from the region’s fishermen.

What to do in Búzios

Rua das Pedras

The liveliest street in Búzios is home to some of the best restaurants, great bars, designer stores, nightclubs and charming inns. The street is located downtown following the Bardot’s shoreline, enabling a pleasant walk through the most charming area of the city while looking at the wonderful Armação Beach.

Boat Ride

This is the most fun way to get to know the city’s beaches. The boat ride runs through the most beautiful spots located on the north side of the peninsula. The tour covers 12 beaches and two islands with three stops to dive and relax.

Lookouts

Other attractions that are also very enjoyable to visit in Búzios are the lookouts scattered all over the coast. Among the most visited are the Forno, João Fernandes, Ferradura Beach, and the Ilhas Lookouts.

Buzios Nightlife

The destination is a great place for those wishing to enjoy the nightlife. There are several options for nightclubs, bars, and restaurants with music and dance performances.

Beaches in Búzios

Azeda and Azedinha

One of the city’s postcards is the lookout that gives access to Azeda and Azedinha Beaches. This side of the peninsula offers calmer seas. Azeda beach is accessible by a cobbled road and a wooden staircase from Ossos beach. On the right end, a short and easy path near the rocks takes visitors to the small Azedinha Beach.

João Fernandes Beach

João Fernandes Beach is among the areas with the most hotel and gastronomic infrastructures in the peninsula. The beach is also on the list of favorites for those who visit because of its view surrounded by mountains and cliffs that render the waters calmer. Throughout the stretch of sand visitors can settle in the available bar and restaurant options.

Geribá Beach

Long and with powerful waves, Geribá Beach is one of the first sighted when entering the Armação de Búzios Peninsula. The site is very popular among surfers who enjoy the beauty of the place and the perfect waves to practice the sport. At the end of the left corner, the waves become a little calmer, this is also where one has access to the charming Ferradurinha Beach.

Ferradurinha Beach

One of the most famous beaches in the city takes its name from the exact shape of a horseshoe (ferradura=horseshoe). The beach features calm waters and is well suited for groups with children and the elderly. With a calm and pleasant environment, the beach provides stand-up, pedal and kayak tours.

Olho-de-Boi Beach

Attended by naturists, Olho-de-Boi beach is not easily accessible. To reach the spot visitors must take a medium level trail up and down a hill from the right side of Brava beach.

Armação Beach and Canto Beach

These beaches are located in the center of the city near Rua das Pedras, the beaches actually share a single stretch of sand and are divided only by the start and end of the Bardot shoreline. The famous statues of fishermen and actress Brigitte Bardot are found in Armação Beach. On its left corner, Canto Beach holds a larger stretch of sand in front of some summer homes.

How to reach Búzios

By plane

The International Airport of Cabo Frio, 30 km away, takes regular flights from the Azul airline. It takes approximately 20 minutes by car from the airport of Cabo Frio to Búzios. Another option is to travel through Rio de Janeiro and hire a shuttle to the city or with a transport company from the bus station.

By car

It is approximately two hours of travel. After crossing the Rio-Niterói bridge, take a left towards Rio Bonito. Shortly after Rio Bonito, turn right – Via Lagos, direction Araruama/Cabo Frio (Região dos Lagos). At the end of Via Lagos, proceed for 5 km and go up a small overpass to RJ-106, and take the Macaé/Búzios direction. After 14 km (just after the gas station “Até que enfim”), turn right and continue for approximately ten minutes to Búzios.

By bus

The company 1001 (0800-941-3334) runs buses departing from cities in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.

Best time to visit Búzios

The city of Búzios is a perfect option for holidays regardless of the time of year. The location typically experiences high temperatures during most of the year and has little variation in temperature over the months.

The hottest months of the year coincide with summer. At this time the thermometers usually go above 29°C. These are also the months when the city experiences the most rainfall, but do not worry, the rains in Búzios are typically brief.

Due to its proximity to the city of Rio de Janeiro, and other high-population cities such as Niterói and Cabo Frio, Búzios usually experiences a steady flow of tourists. If you prefer to enjoy your holidays in quieter places, avoid long holidays and the great celebration dates of the year, such as New Year’s Eve and Carnival.

Where to stay in Búzios

Booking.com offers over 1000 accommodation options in Búzios. Búzios also offers great lodging options by Airbnb. The platform that provides houses, apartments, and rooms rental may be much cheaper than hotels.