Things to do in Búzios: beaches, boat trips and Rua das Pedras

The best things to do in Búzios happen on the water: a catamaran cruise (€28, 4.0/5 from 72 reviews, with pickup), a schooner trip around the beaches (from €12), the town trolley tour (€27, 4.3/5 from 80 reviews) and a natural pools walk (€39, 4.1/5). At night, head to Rua das Pedras. The catalogue lists 41 activities in and around Búzios, 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.

Búzios is a peninsula about 170 km east of Rio de Janeiro with more than 20 beaches: sheltered coves such as Azeda and João Fernandes, Geribá for surfing and Ferradura for families. Days are spent in the sea; evenings on the Orla Bardot waterfront and the restaurants of Rua das Pedras. Prices and ratings below come from the Tours Brasil catalogue of things to do in Búzios and Arraial do Cabo.

The 10 best things to do in Búzios

1. Town trolley tour — €27, 4.3/5 from 80 reviews, 2 hours with pickup. The most-reviewed activity in Búzios and an easy way to see the viewpoints and main beaches.
2. Catamaran cruise — €28, 4.0/5 from 72 reviews, 3 hours with pickup. Swim stops at coves that look best from the sea.
3. 2.5-hour schooner trip — €22, 3.8/5 from 68 reviews. The classic beach cruise; modest rating, low price.
4. Secret natural pools and eco walk — €39, 4.1/5 from 39 reviews, 3 hours. Coastal trails and clear rock pools.
5. Schooner with 3 stops — €16, 4.1/5 from 27 reviews, 2.5 hours. Better rated than the one above and even cheaper.
6. Private speedboat to 2 islands and 11 beaches — €438 per group, 5.0/5 from 18 reviews, 4–7 hours with pickup. The top-rated experience.
7. Scuba diving experience — €84, 4.3/5 from 10 reviews, 3 hours. A guided dive off the peninsula.
8. Town and beaches tour with lunch — €43, 4.6/5 from 6 reviews, 7–13 hours.
9. Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio day trip — €71, 3.7/5 from 59 reviews, 7 hours with pickup in Búzios.
10. Best beaches schooner — €12, 4.0/5 from 4 reviews, 2.5 hours. The lowest price in Búzios.

More ideas: a samba show with a welcome drink (€35, 4 hours with pickup, no reviews yet), a boat, lunch and buggy combo (€56, 6 hours) and a catamaran with a DJ (€20, 3 hours).

Quick comparison: price, rating and pickup

Activity	From	Rating	Reviews	Duration	Spanish guide	Pickup
Town trolley tour	€27	4.3/5	80	2 h	Yes	Yes
Catamaran cruise	€28	4/5	72	3 h	Yes	Yes
2.5-hour schooner trip	€22	3.8/5	68	2,5 h	Yes	No
Natural pools and eco walk	€39	4.1/5	39	3 h	Yes	No
Schooner with 3 stops	€16	4.1/5	27	2,5 h	No	No
Private speedboat: 2 islands, 11 beaches	€438 (group)	5/5	18	4-7 h	No	Yes
Scuba diving experience	€84	4.3/5	10	3 h	Yes	No
Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio	€71	3.7/5	59	7 h	Yes	Yes

How to plan your days

A weekend

Take the trolley tour on day one to get your bearings; on day two, a morning catamaran and an afternoon on João Fernandes or Ferradura beach. Dinner on Rua das Pedras.

Nature and clear water

The natural pools walk (€39) and scuba diving experience (€84) are the picks, plus a day in Arraial do Cabo, under an hour away, with the clearest water on the Rio coast. See our Arraial do Cabo day trip guide.

Couples and groups

The private speedboat (€438 per group, 5.0/5) is the best-rated experience; split between six people it comes to about €73 each, pickup included.

3-day Búzios itinerary

Day 1: the trolley tour (€27), an afternoon at Azeda or João Fernandes and a night on Rua das Pedras. Activities: €27.

Day 2: a morning catamaran (€28) and the natural pools walk (€39), with sunset on the Orla Bardot. Activities: €67.

Day 3: the Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio day trip (€71, pickup included). Activities: €71.

That is €165 per person in activities over three days. Budget version: swap the catamaran for the 3-stop schooner (€16) and spend day three on the beaches: €82 in total.

How much do activities in Búzios cost?

• Schooners and catamarans: €12–28 per person, 2.5–3 hours.
• Town trolley tour: €27.
• Natural pools walk: €39.
• Tours with lunch: €43–56.
• Scuba diving: €84 from Búzios (€127 departing from Rio).
• Arraial do Cabo and Cabo Frio day trip: €71.
• Private speedboat: €438 per group.

The median activity in the area costs €52, less than in Rio. Hotels and dinners in Búzios are pricey, but time on the water is cheap.

Plan your trip

Getting there: Búzios is about 170 km from Rio, 2.5–3 hours by road depending on traffic leaving the city. Take a bus, a hire car or a transfer; a private transfer for 4–6 passengers costs €212 per group. If you only have a day, see our Búzios day trip from Rio guide. Getting around: the centre is walkable; for Geribá or Tucuns use water taxis from Armação beach, taxis or ride-hailing apps. Renting a buggy is a Búzios classic.

When to go: Búzios is drier and sunnier than the rest of the Rio coast. December to March is high season; April to June and September to October are quieter with good weather. Where to stay: the centre and Rua das Pedras for nightlife on foot, Ferradura and João Fernandes for calm family beaches, Geribá for a young surf scene.

Practical tips

• Schooner trips have modest ratings (3.8–4.1/5); the catamaran or private speedboat are the safer picks.
• Book ahead for summer, New Year and Carnival, when Búzios fills up.
• Carry some cash for water taxis and beach stalls.
• 32 of the 41 activities list a Spanish-speaking guide and 18 include pickup; check each page for English.
• When the wind blows from the south, pick a beach on the opposite side of the peninsula.

FAQ

How many days do you need in Búzios?

Two days cover the town, a boat trip and a couple of beaches. Three let you add Arraial do Cabo.

What is the top-rated activity in Búzios?

The private speedboat to 2 islands and 11 beaches (5.0/5 from 18 reviews). The most-reviewed is the town trolley tour (4.3/5 from 80 reviews).

What is Rua das Pedras?

The cobbled main street of Búzios, lined with restaurants, bars and shops, and the heart of its nightlife alongside the Orla Bardot.

How do I get from Rio to Búzios?

By road: about 170 km and 2.5–3 hours, by bus, hire car or transfer.

How much is a boat trip in Búzios?

€12–28 for a shared schooner or catamaran; €438 per group for a private speedboat.

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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