Búzios day trip from Rio: beaches, boat trips and prices

The most booked Búzios day trip from Rio is the full day with a boat trip and lunch: €58, 14 hours, hotel pickup and 3.9/5 from 132 reviews. The catamaran version with lunch costs €68 (4.0/5). If you would rather stay over, the Rio–Búzios transfer is €25 and local schooner trips start at €12–16. The destination lists 41 activities, from €12, with a median price of €52.

Prices, ratings and review counts updated on November 9, 2026 from the GetYourGuide catalogue. Tours Brasil is a GetYourGuide affiliate: booking through our links costs you the same and we earn a small commission.

Armação dos Búzios is a peninsula with around twenty beaches, roughly 170 km east of Rio. Brigitte Bardot put it on the map in the 1960s; today it is known for Rua das Pedras, the seafront promenade and boat trips to coves you cannot reach by road. Each way takes about 3 hours, so a day trip is a long day. Here is what is on offer, what it costs and when it pays to stay the night. Data comes from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Búzios and Arraial do Cabo and tours from Rio de Janeiro.

The 10 best ways to experience Búzios

1. From Rio: Búzios boat trip with lunch — €58, 3.9/5 from 132 reviews, 14 hours with pickup. The most reviewed day trip.
2. From Rio: full day in Búzios with catamaran and lunch — €68, 4.0/5 from 64 reviews, 14 hours with pickup. The best-rated day trip with 50+ reviews.
3. Rio de Janeiro–Búzios transfer — €25, 4.0/5 from 246 reviews, 3–4 hours. The go-to option if you are staying overnight.
4. Town tram tour — €27, 4.3/5 from 80 reviews, 2 hours with pickup. Viewpoints and the main beaches in one easy loop.
5. Catamaran tour — €28, 4.0/5 from 72 reviews, 3 hours with pickup.
6. Schooner trip with 3 stops — €16, 4.1/5 from 27 reviews, 2.5 hours. Swim stops in coves only reachable by sea.
7. 2.5-hour schooner tour — €22, 3.8/5 from 68 reviews.
8. Secret natural pools and eco walk — €39, 4.1/5 from 39 reviews, 3 hours.
9. Búzios dive experience — €84, 4.3/5 from 10 reviews, 3 hours. A beginner dive around the peninsula.
10. Speedboat to 2 islands and 11 beaches — €438 per group, 5.0/5 from 18 reviews, 4–7 hours with pickup. The top-rated private option.

An honest note: day trips from Rio score between 3.0 and 4.0, and the usual complaint is the long drive and little free time in town. Activities based in Búzios score a bit better.

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
From Rio: boat trip and lunch	€58	3.9/5	132	14 h	Yes	Yes
From Rio: catamaran and lunch	€68	4/5	64	14 h	Yes	Yes
From Rio: full-day trip	€80	3/5	43	12 h	Yes	Yes
Rio–Búzios transfer	€25	4/5	246	3-4 h	No	No
Town tram tour	€27	4.3/5	80	2 h	Yes	Yes
Búzios catamaran	€28	4/5	72	3 h	Yes	Yes
Schooner with 3 stops	€16	4.1/5	27	2,5 h	No	No
Natural pools and eco walk	€39	4.1/5	39	3 h	Yes	No

Day trip or overnight stay?

Day trip: an early pickup, a boat trip with two or three swim stops, lunch and a late return. Simple if you only have one day and do not want to change hotels. The main options are boat and lunch (€58), catamaran and lunch (€68) and the classic full-day tour (€80, 3.0/5 from 43 reviews). There is also a buggy day from Rio for €59.

Overnight: take the transfer (€25), arrive around midday, do a schooner trip in the afternoon and catch sunset on Orla Bardot. Next day, enjoy the natural pools walk or the catamaran without rushing.

Add Arraial do Cabo: a day trip from Búzios to Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio costs €71 (7 hours, pickup). For turquoise water, see our Arraial do Cabo day trip guide.

Which option suits you?

One free day in Rio

Book the catamaran day trip with lunch (€68, 4.0/5), or the €58 boat and lunch version on a tighter budget. Wear your swimsuit from the start.

Couples

Stay the night: evenings on Rua das Pedras are half the charm. A private speedboat to 11 beaches (€438 per group) or a beginner dive (€84) makes it special.

Families

The town tram tour (€27, 2 hours) and the 2.5-hour schooner are short and easy with kids. Calm beaches like João Fernandes and Ferradura are good for swimming.

2-day Búzios itinerary from Rio

Day 1: morning transfer from Rio (€25), an afternoon schooner trip with 3 stops (€16), sunset on Orla Bardot and dinner on Rua das Pedras. Total: €41.

Day 2: the tram tour (€27), the natural pools circuit (€39), then the transfer back (€25). Total: €91.

That is about €132 per person in activities and transfers over two days, compared with €58–80 for a day trip. With a third day, add Arraial do Cabo from Búzios (€71).

How much does a Búzios trip cost?

• Day trips from Rio with boat and lunch: €58–80.
• Shared Rio–Búzios transfer: €25 each way.
• Schooner trips in Búzios: €12–22.
• Catamaran: €20–28.
• Tram tour: €27; natural pools walk €39.
• Diving: €84 in Búzios, €127 departing from Rio.
• Arraial do Cabo from Búzios: €71–74.
• Private speedboat: €438 per group.

The median across all 41 activities in Búzios and Arraial do Cabo is about €52. Activities in town are cheap, mostly under €40; accommodation in high season is what drives up the cost.

Plan your trip

Getting there: about 170 km and 3 hours by road, depending on traffic leaving Rio and on the Rio–Niterói bridge. Besides tours and transfers, scheduled buses leave from Novo Rio bus station. Getting around: the centre is walkable; use taxis, ride-hailing apps or rented buggies for Geribá and Ferradura, and boats to see many coves quickly.

When to go: Búzios is drier than Rio, with plenty of sunny days all year. December to March is peak season; April to June and September–October are quieter. Where to stay: the centre for restaurants and nightlife, Geribá for a big lively beach, Ferradura or João Fernandes for calm water.

Practical tips

• Ask for your pickup time on day trips: collections around Copacabana and Ipanema start early.
• Check what is included: some day trips include lunch, others only free time to eat.
• Rough seas can push boats to more sheltered coves.
• Bring high-factor sunscreen and water; you spend hours in the sun on deck.
• Book accommodation early in high season; many Rio locals head here on weekends.

FAQ

How long is the drive from Rio to Búzios?

About 3 hours. The shared transfer allows 3–4 hours and costs €25.

Is a Búzios day trip from Rio worth it?

If you only have one day, yes, but expect 12–14 hours with about 6 on the road. Ratings range from 3.0 to 4.0, so stay a night if you can.

How much is a Búzios day trip?

Between €58 and €80 per person with a boat trip and lunch. The most booked one costs €58 and has 132 reviews.

What is the top-rated activity in Búzios?

The private speedboat to 2 islands and 11 beaches scores 5.0/5 from 18 reviews. Among shared tours, the town tram tour has 4.3/5 from 80 reviews.

Búzios or Arraial do Cabo?

Búzios has more atmosphere, restaurants and nightlife; Arraial do Cabo has the most turquoise water. A day trip from Búzios to Arraial costs €71.

Do I need a visa for Brazil?

Since 10 April 2025, US, Canadian and Australian citizens need an e-visa to visit Brazil. UK and EU passport holders do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Always check the official Brazilian consulate website before travelling.

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