What to do in Cabo Frio, Rio de Janeiro? One of the oldest cities in Brazil, Cabo Frio brings together history, beautiful beaches, good restaurants and nightlife.
This text is a complete guide for anyone traveling to Cabo Frio: what to do, where to stay, how many days to stay, how to get there and other information about the city and surroundings.
Cabo Frio: a little history
Américo Vespúcio arrived in what would later become Cabo Frio in 1503, on the third Portuguese expedition along the Brazilian coast.
The controversial adventurer who gave the continent its name anchored in the Lagos Region for five months, during which time he and the ship’s crew built a wooden fortification and collected a large quantity of brazilwood, in an act that founded the colony, exports to Portugal and started deforestation, all at the same time.
The city of Cabo Frio itself was born just a century later, in 1615, but the beginning of the European presence in the region was together with the expedition of Américo Vespúcio, as 24 men were left there when the ships returned to Portugal.
The Indians, on the other hand, have inhabited this region for centuries – some historians guarantee that for millennia. The beauty of the region and its strategic position were two of its charms, both for the pre-Cabraline people and for the Portuguese. The region’s water temperature, which is lower than the average for the Brazilian coast, helped to name the city.
Centuries later, Cabo Frio became the main summer destination in Rio de Janeiro, attracting a lot of people from the capital, the interior and also from neighboring states – every year thousands of miners, my fellow countrymen, leave there, on a pilgrimage that only It is comparable to what we do for Guarapari.
But not me. My first visit to Cabo Frio was only at the end of last year, when I came face to face with this Absurd Blue sea and finally understood the city’s fame. Deserved, right?
What to do in Cabo Frio – tourist attractions
Historic center of Cabo Frio
One of the oldest towns in Brazil, Cabo Frio is 400 years old and looks like a summer resort. O São Mateus Fortbuilt alongside the city, is one of the most interesting historical attractions.
The construction was necessary to protect against attacks from other powers, as the French had also passed through there and liked the area.
Another historic building is the Our Lady of the Angels Convent, opened in 1686 and where there is a small museum of religious art. Nearby, at the top of a hill, is the Our Lady of Guia Chapel, which is from 1740.
In the city center is the Parish of Nossa Senhora da Assumpção, a building that began to be built in 1615.
Finally, the Passagem neighborhood it was where the city was born. There you will find colonial mansions and several buildings listed by the National Historical and Artistic Heritage Institute.
The beaches of Cabo Frio
But it’s very likely that you’ll go to Cabo Frio because of the beaches. The most famous – and where I stayed – is the Praia do Fortename that comes from the São Mateus Fort, which is nearby.
Many kiosks, good infrastructure, a promenade and white sand make this beach popular: in summer and on long holidays it can be difficult to find a place in the sun.
Me and Peró Beach It has a smaller strip of sand, a reputation for beauty and a calmer climate. In the same cove is the Conchas Beach. Also noteworthy are the beaches Dunas and Foguete.
Emptier, the Brava Beach It is usually sought after by surfers and nudists. Meanwhile, the Japanese Island it also seems to be an interesting place with quieter beaches, although also crowded in the summer. It is located on the Itajuru Canal, which begins at the end of Praia do Forte.
Nightlife in Cabo Frio
At night, the best place is Boulevard Canal, a promenade of around 800 meters where there are several bars and restaurants and which was revitalized at the end of 2014.
Shopping in Cabo Frio
How to go to Búzios and Arraial do Cabo from Cabo Frio
As much as I thought the sea in Cabo Frio was beautiful – and had the most beautiful water color I’ve ever seen in Brazil – I confess that I thought the city could be better looked after.
The impression was the opposite in Búzios, which is just 24 kilometers away. For me it was like this: the beaches in Búzios are beautiful, but those in Cabo Frio are more so. On the other hand, Búzios proved to be a much more pleasant city with a better tourist structure.
In addition to the two, 13 kilometers from Cabo Frio is Arraial do Cabo, which thirty years ago gained the right to be an independent municipality. Did you notice how easy it is to fit the three destinations into the same trip? You can choose one of the three as a base and spend your days exploring the other two as well. Or you can choose more than one base.
I did this – I stayed in Cabo Frio and Búzios – and I recommend it. It’s the best way to get to know the entire region. The ideal is to have at least a week to take your time and relax on the beaches, but you can also discover many things in less time. And there are those who stay longer. You remember that Américo Vespúcio stayed for five months, right?
Tips for hotels and inns in Cabo Frio
Due to the time of year (it was New Year’s Eve), I stayed away from the beaches. It wasn’t the best location: the ideal is to be as close to the coast as possible and thus eliminate the need for a car as much as possible.
The best place to stay in Cabo Frio is certainly Praia da Forte. There is no shortage of hotel and inn options there: Booking alone lists 60. Pousada Porto Fino I, the Village du Solei e.o Hotel Marlen are some of them.
See here more alternative hotels and inns in Praia do Forte
How to get to Cabo Frio
How to get to Cabo Frio from Rio de Janeiro
Most people go by car, whether leaving Rio de Janeiro or other states. If this is your case, put it in your GPS and go ahead, but have a good amount of change with you, because there are tolls on the way.
The distance between Cabo Frio and the city of Rio de Janeiro is around 160 km, passing through the Rio-Niterói Bridge and then Via Lagos. The bus trip lasts around 3 hours (under normal conditions), is operated by Viação 1001 from Rodoviária Novo Rio and costs around R$50.
How to get to Cabo Frio from São Paulo
On my journey, which started from São Paulo and previously passed through Paraty, I lost count of how many toll booths I encountered along the way.
Another tip: on weekends, holidays and party times, traffic in the Lagos Region is very slow. Consider this when planning your trip. If you decide to rent a car, I recommend reading the text in which we explain how to rent a vehicle with the best cost/benefit.
How to get to Cabo Frio from Belo Horizonte
There are also departures from other capitals, such as Belo Horizonte. Speaking of which, Azul operates flights to Cabo Frio Airport, departing from Confins Airport, in the capital of Minas Gerais.
How many days to stay in Cabo Frio?
That depends on you, but avoid staying for less than two – in one weekend you can enjoy the beaches and see the basics of the city.
The ideal, on the other hand, is to reserve a whole week and divide the time not only in Cabo Frio, but also between Búzios and Arraial do Cabo.
Cabo Frio: frequently asked questions
- When is the best time to visit Cabo Frio? High season is December to February, but spring and autumn are also good options to avoid crowds.
- What are the best beaches in Cabo Frio? Praia do Forte, Praia do Peró and Praia das Dunas are some of the most popular.
- Is Cabo Frio safe for tourists? Yes, it’s generally safe, but it’s good to be aware of your belongings, especially in busy tourist areas.
- What is public transport like in Cabo Frio? HThere are buses that connect various parts of the city, but many tourist attractions can be explored on foot.
