The Beaches of Cabo Frio, Brazil, Are as Epic as the Surfing
25.07.2023 - 10:39
/ matadornetwork.com
The turquoise waters and paradise beaches of Brazil’s Região dos Lagos have earned this watery region the nickname Caribe Brasileiro, the Caribbean of Brazil. The area lies on a lake- and lagoon-filled coastal outcropping in Rio de Janeiro state, just a couple hours’ drive north of the city of Rio. While it’s best known for the glitzy beach resort of Búzios, the less-traveled town of Cabo Frio is less than an hour south of Búzios and offers a lot to those fortunate enough to visit. Locals cherish Cabo Frio for the high quality of life, the ease of getting into nature, and the fact that you can have gorgeous places to yourself.
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Several of the beaches in Cabo Frio and the neighboring town of Arraial do Cabo have been named the best in Brazil. You could visit a new beach every day for months without running out of options. Praia Pontal, Praia das Conchas, and Prainha are the spots to head to relax and listen to the waves, while Praia Foguete and Praia Brava are wilder with bigger waves.
Cabo Frio’s main beach, Praia do Forte, should be your pick for lively ambience. At night, the boardwalk fills up as people kick back at the kiosks with live music and an icy cold Brahma, Brazil’s most popular lager. This is also where the city’s postcard symbol from the 15th century is located, the San Matheus Fort. Climb up its stairs for great views, especially around sunset.
You’ll find swells all year in and around Cabo Frio, considered one of Brazil’s top surfing areas. Peró, Dunas, and Brava beaches are a few options with great wave-riding conditions. In addition to competitions like Cabo Frio Surf Pro, the Surf World Cup is held in the neighboring town of Saquarema. The entire region has a strong surf culture. Stop by Barrel Surfboards on Rua 13 de Novembro for gear and to check in on the day’s conditions.
Cabo Frio is also the birthplace of Brazilian surf champions like Victor Ribas, and home to the surf museum with the largest collection of surf equipment in Latin America. Owner Telmo Moraes has more than 800 boards on display. It’s an informal gallery, so if you wish to visit, stop by the location on Rua Aníbal Amador do Vale in Citizenship Square in the late afternoon. Google shows that it opens at 5:00 PM, but comments list hours starting as early as 4:00 PM.
Photo: Gilmar Paolilo/Shutterstock
Many local providers including Guga Tour and Camp Tur Boat Trips organize ocean excursions that take you around nearby islands to a series of caves and beaches only accessible via the water. While these tours can get crowded in the high season — South America’s summer months are from December to March — you can also rent your own boat for a more private experience. Combine your cruise with