An icon of Búzios, Rua das Pedras is the portrait of the resort town’s glamour. Just over 600 meters long, the “catwalk” is full of trendy bars, sophisticated restaurants, designer shops, inns, cafes, art galleries, ice cream parlors, nightclubs …
The crowds are sparse during the day but when night falls and the yellowish streetlights take over the street, the buzz permeates every nook. After 1 a.m., the come-and-go of young people, foreigners, and couples is relentless – not for naught, the shops are opened until dawn.
The spirit of Rua das Pedras also extends towards Orla Bardot, which is practically a continuation of the street, but alongside Armação Beach. There you can also find bars, shops, ice cream parlors, inns, and nightclubs, as well as some of Búzios’ most sophisticated restaurants.
The bucolic also has a place at Orla Bardot, which is always colored by fishing boats. A walk along the boardwalk, peppered with wooden decks, benches and gardens, features bronze sculptures of famous visitors like French actress Brigitte Bardot and former president JK. Distinguished residents and workers – the fishermen – are also honored there by a beautiful monument signed by artist Christina Motta.
Squares
Following the Orla Bardot you will arrive at the charming Praça dos Ossos, which also features beautiful bronze sculptures by Christina. Called “Child Scene”, the work depicts two children and a little black and white dog, an homage to the artist’s dog, "Tango". Around the small square there are restaurants (Japanese, Argentinian…), gift shops and diners. Buy an ice cream, sit on the benches under the trees and enjoy the atmosphere without haste.
At the bustling Praça Santos Dumont, accessible through the Travessa dos Pescadores (where Rua das Pedras ends and Orla Bardot starts), the crowds are guaranteed by the crafts fair that happens every day at dusk. In the stalls, jewelry, paintings, clothes, and tapestries color the scene. The square is also home to concerts, artistic performances and even film screenings during the Film Festival.
THE BEACHES
On the peninsula that seems more like an island, the beaches are the main stars. There are 23 little pieces of heaven, each with its unique charm and style. Geribá, the young crowd’s favorite, attracts surfers year round. While the calm waters of Tartaruga and João Fernandes beaches are more suitable for those travelling with little ones. The same goes for Ferradura, which features kayaks, banana boats …
The central waterfront, formed by the Canto, Armação and Praia dos Ossos beaches, has a scenery worthy of a fishermen’s village, peppered with colorful boats. Starting from there you can walk to the beautiful Azeda and Azedinha beaches, which are tiny and surrounded by lush vegetation. On the other side of town, great winds are a daily staple of Manguinhos and Rasa beaches, which are meeting points for windsurfers and kite surfers.
Where to Stay?
We stayed at a Hostel called Nomad: http://www.nomadbuzios.com.br/
Going to Arraial do Cabo/Cabo Frio
From the website: http://www.lonelyplanet.com/brazil/the-southeast/arraial-do-cabo
Images: Amandy Gibbons
Arraial do Cabo, 45km east of Saquarema, is surrounded by gleaming white sand dunes and offers breathtaking beaches without half the touristy fuss of neighboring Búzios. Arraial is home to a working fishing port, Porto do Forno, which lends it a welcoming working-class demeanor. Some of the best beaches – pristine swathes of gorgeous sand and bright-green waters – are within an easy 15-minute stroll of the downtown bus station, while others are just a short boat ride away. Arraial is a renowned diving destination, and it’s also a good place to observe humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), whose migration routes pass directly offshore.
