Best Things to Do in Arraial do Cabo, Rio de Janeiro (+ Practical Tips)

The town itself may not be the most charming place in Brazil, but the beaches… oh, the beaches. Arraial do Cabo is a true jewel in the state of Rio de Janeiro if what you’re looking for is Caribbean-style waters. The turquoise sea, framed by cacti and bromeliads, makes this destination a beach paradise.

Want to know the best things to do in Arraial do Cabo, when to go, how to get there, where to stay, and how long to spend there? Let me tell you everything.

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Best time to visit Arraial do Cabo, Rio

If you have some flexibility with your travel dates, here’s my biggest tip: avoid visiting Arraial do Cabo during holidays. Ideally, go on weekdays and outside school vacation periods (July, December and January).

During long weekends and especially in summer, the city gets extremely crowded. Parking also becomes a nightmare if you’re traveling by car. There are ways to avoid the crowds, especially if you stay further away from the city center and avoid the most popular beaches, but they sure are worth visiting.

“And is it worth going outside summer?” Absolutely. In fact, the weather can actually be better, since December and January are among the rainiest months in the region.

I visited Arraial do Cabo for the first time during autumn, in May, and thought it was the perfect time. Temperatures were still warm, rainfall was lower, and there were far fewer people around.

During the other seasons, it’s worth checking the weather forecast. Winter can still work because some days are surprisingly hot, although it varies from year to year. Spring is usually another great option – I was also there in October, and it was great, but rainfall tends to increase from November onward.

How many days to spend in Arraial do Cabo

I recommend spending at least two full days in Arraial do Cabo. That gives you enough time to take the famous boat tour, visit the main beaches, and still have time to relax at your favorite one.

The city itself doesn’t have many attractions beyond the beaches, but honestly, unless it’s raining, that’s exactly where you’ll want to be anyway.

If you have more time, even better. Besides beach hopping, you can also go diving, take a jeep tour, or explore hiking trails.

On my first trip I spent three nights in Arraial do Cabo and another three in Búzios, which felt like a great balance. But I definitely could have stayed longer, and had a great time going back there again.

How to get to Arraial do Cabo

From Rio de Janeiro to Arraial do Cabo, it’s about 160 km. If you’re driving, you’ll leave Rio via the Rio-Niterói Bridge and continue along BR-101 and other highways that your GPS will guide you through. The drive usually takes around three hours, although on holidays it can take twice as long.

If you’re not renting a car, getting there by bus is very easy. Auto Viação 1001 operates buses from Novo Rio Bus Terminal and, during high season, from Galeão Airport as well. You can buy tickets online or on the same day if you’re traveling during quieter periods.

The small bus terminal in Arraial is located close to downtown, and from there you can even walk to places like Praia dos Anjos (one of the most central locations to stay in Arraial).

To travel between Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio and Búzios (other popular beach towns in the area), you can take a local bus operated by Salineira. It’s more like a city bus, so it can be a bit uncomfortable if you’re carrying large luggage, but it works fine. Schedules are not very frequent, so it’s worth checking departure times in advance.

I did the route Rio → Arraial do Cabo → Búzios → Rio by bus on my first visit, traveling solo, and it was pretty smooth.

Things to do in Arraial do Cabo

As I mentioned above, Arraial do Cabo doesn’t offer many “urban” attractions like trendy nightlife, sophisticated restaurants, or stylish beach clubs. If that’s more your vibe, I’d recommend spending more time in Búzios.

But if you’re looking for a more relaxed atmosphere, especially during low season, staying in Arraial itself is a great idea. Waking up early and walking to the beach, taking a boat trip, hiking to hidden beaches… it’s the kind of trip that feels wonderfully simple.

So, what are the best things to do in Arraial do Cabo exactly? Here are some of my favorite spots and experiences.

Best Beaches in Arraial do Cabo

Praia do Forno

Praia do Forno was my personal favorite. This small bay with bright white sand completely won me over before I had even stepped onto the beach itself. That’s because getting there involves a short hike of about 15 to 20 minutes, and the trail rewards you with an incredible viewpoint overlooking turquoise water framed by giant cacti.

Praia do Forno loses a bit of its charm during high season because it’s quite small and gets crowded easily. If you’re visiting during holidays or summer, it’s worth arriving early in the morning before the chaos begins.

This is also one of the beaches in town with the best structure, including beach bars with chairs, umbrellas, and snacks.

Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia

Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia are a little harder to access, but absolutely stunning.The two small beaches sit side by side and, depending on the tide, can become one continuous strip of sand. I visited them during a boat tour and loved the place. The scenery is breathtaking, and the beach is more spacious than Praia do Forno.

Even though the area feels somewhat isolated, there were beach kiosks selling caipirinhas, drinks, snacks, and seafood appetizers.

Besides joining a boat tour, you can also get there by water taxi, car, Uber, or on foot, but the walk involves around 4 km on a dirt road. You can also hike there from Praia dos Anjos. According to a blog reader called Gabriel, who lives in Arraial, the trail takes around 35 minutes and offers beautiful scenery along the way.

If you go by car, keep in mind that parking fills up quickly during high season, so arriving early is essential. No matter how you get there, you’ll still need to go down around 250 steps before reaching the sand. Trust me, it’s worth it.

Prainha

As soon as you arrive in town, you’ll probably find yourself face-to-face with Prainha, one of the most urbanized beaches in Arraial do Cabo.

It may not be the island’s most spectacular beach, but it’s easy to access on foot and surrounded by hotels and pousadas. The sand is bright white, the water is beautifully blue, and snorkeling near the rocky corners of the beach is common.

You’ll also find kiosks serving snacks and meals in the area.

Praia do Pontal

Praia do Pontal was another one of my favorites. With powdery white sand, crystal-clear blue water, very little infrastructure, and a peaceful atmosphere, it felt much quieter than the more famous beaches.

But what really made me fall in love with Praia do Pontal was the chance to spot sea turtles right from the pier. Sadly, they refused to pose for my photos.

Praia Grande

Praia Grande sits on the opposite side of town from the center. It’s a more urban beach, lined with bikini shops, ice cream places, açaí stands, kiosks, and bars. I liked it because the beach is extremely long and spacious, making it a good option even on busier days.

Since it faces the open ocean, Praia Grande tends to have stronger waves, making it ideal for travelers who enjoy rougher seas.

It’s also one of the best spots in Arraial do Cabo to watch the sunset.

Praia dos Anjos

I stayed very close to Praia dos Anjos, which is near downtown and serves as the departure point for most boat tours. From there, you can walk to almost all the beaches mentioned above, except for Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia.

The beach itself isn’t the best for swimming, since it’s full of fishing boats. But it has a charming atmosphere thanks to the colorful boats, plus a few bars and restaurants around the waterfront.

Boat tours in Arraial do Cabo

One of the absolute best things to do in Arraial do Cabo is taking a boat tour. Several companies offer schooner and traditional boat trips, usually lasting between three and four hours with stops at two different beaches. Since many of the region’s most beautiful spots are easier to access from the water, the tour is definitely worth it.

I did mine with Don Juan Tour and really enjoyed the experience. The service was great, but what I liked most was the departure time. While most tours leave around 10 a.m., Don Juan’s boat usually departs at 8:30 a.m. That means you get to enjoy some of the best beaches before the crowds arrive, which makes a huge difference.

Jeep city tour

If you’re visiting without a car and want to get an overview of the city, a jeep city tour can be a great idea. Besides helping you understand the layout of Arraial do Cabo, these tours also take you to more distant spots like Pontal do Atalaia and Mirante do Francês, a nice viewpoint that’s especially beautiful at sunset.

The jeep tour offered by Don Juan Tour lasts an entire afternoon, making it a good option if you arrive around midday and want to get familiar with the beaches and different areas before deciding where to spend your next days.

Scuba diving in Arraial do Cabo

Want to make your trip even more unforgettable? Then you should definitely consider diving in Arraial do Cabo. I did my first-ever scuba diving experience there, and it was amazing. The water is usually very cold, but the experience completely made up for it.

Besides colorful fish and coral formations, the crystal-clear water often allows you to spot rays, sea turtles, and other marine life.

I went diving during my second trip to Arraial do Cabo with Maré Expedições, a company that organizes diving expeditions around the world and doesn’t work at the town itself. But there are many local dive agencies in town offering beginner dives and certified diving tours as well.

Where to stay in Arraial do Cabo

As I mentioned before, if you want more nightlife options or a more charming accommodation scene, staying in Arraial itself might not be the best choice. If you’re traveling by car and, consider staying in Cabo Frio and going there for the day.

Most pousadas in Arraial do Cabo are fairly simple, without a huge focus on luxury or stylish decor. But if you’re happy with a relaxed “beach house” vibe, there are plenty of good options around town.

I’ve written a full guide on where to stay in Arraial do Cabo. If you have any questions, ask me in the comments section below.

I hope you enjoyed these tips on the best things to do in Arraial do Cabo. Have a great trip!

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