Buzios Day Trip from Rio: Is the Boat Tour & Lunch Worth It? A Full Review

So, you’re thinking about swapping the energy of Rio de Janeiro for a day of sun, sea, and maybe even a little bit of celebrity spotting in Buzios? I get that. That small peninsula has become well-known, and is a really popular escape, promising pristine beaches and some serious relaxation. I ended up booking the “From Rio: Full Day in Buzios with Boat Tour and Lunch” thing, and thought I would give you a completely honest account of the whole experience, covering if it lives up to the hype, or if the trip may just leave you wishing you’d stayed put on Copacabana beach. It may very well offer the right balance for folks needing a break. Actually, a change of pace may be needed after days experiencing city sights, but, maybe this is just another tourist trap?

The Early Start and Getting There

Now, I’ll be straight with you, the day does begin early. My pickup happened at around 6:30 in the morning. To be expected, you know? That’s, sort of, the price you’re paying to travel about 170 km (or 105 miles) northeast of Rio. You might even want to think about that distance a little bit. In any case, the thought of the stunning beaches ahead provided a little bit of motivation. In that case, it meant it was much easier to drag myself out of bed. As a matter of fact, that early start might even mean you catch a memorable sunrise. The bus itself? A bit of a mixed bag, I will say. Some reviewers mention comfy coaches, yet, I can say the bus I rode was perfectly adequate. The air conditioning worked (a very vital detail in Brazilian heat!), and the seats reclined to a certain degree. The highway there is a fairly smooth road, more or less, but you still might want to bring a neck pillow in case you do try to get a bit more shut-eye. The total journey took roughly around 3 hours, although it seems to be, very dependent on Rio traffic. Do keep that in mind. It’s a bit more than just nipping down the street.

Arrival in Buzios and the Anticipated Boat Tour

Seeing Buzios finally appear into view provides you with some reward after the long drive! That place features a certain charm to it right away. Pretty charming even. That little town strikes you as quite different from the feel of Rio. The town is less hectic, seemingly quieter and, well, more relaxed. It is exactly what most people are hoping for from this escape. Once the bus came to a stop, they led everyone directly onto a boat that was, admittedly, already rather crowded. I actually would have favored some time to wander around the town at my speed, but, you can’t always have things go as planned, right? So, I got on board, and I think it might be better to be pushy to grab a decent spot if that’s very important to you. I’d say, arrive a bit earlier if you can. In some respects, the boat heads out, starting off the much talked about boat tour.

Sailing the Buzios Peninsula: Beaches, Views, and…Crowds?

Now, the boat trip shows what this region is all about: some gorgeous, green islands, clear water that is such a striking turquoise color, and various beaches dotted all around. A bit amazing, basically. The boat goes to various places. On the itinerary of our trip, they were João Fernandes Beach, Tartaruga Beach, and Ossos Beach. Seemingly very wonderful! The beaches have a little appeal, but what makes them different are the quick stops for a dip in the ocean. Basically, jump into the refreshingly clear water. That’s all, though. What I noticed right away was that the boat was pretty full, kind of cramped even. It got very hard at times to just move around to get better views or to snap images, or at the very least just move out of the way. In fact, people were bumping each other frequently as they tried to go to and from the bar. In a way, the music blared a bit too loudly for folks just looking for a little relaxation, honestly. That might even be a factor for some. It is more like a party boat. Do note, though, that depending on the weather conditions and the sea, they might shift the route or where the boat is able to dock, just so you realize. In some respects, that’s alright, as they put your safety first.

Lunch: What to Expect

I need to mention lunch. It actually was one of the okay parts of the trip! The trip, in some form or another, had a buffet-style meal in a simple, open-air restaurant not far from one of the beaches that we visited. We did. Did it provide a gastronomical experience that’s worth writing home about? Certainly not! Did it fuel you up after a morning in the sunshine and the sea? Indeed it did. It offered the energy that I wanted. You’ll typically find local cuisine, along with rice, beans, salad and a variety of meats. Likewise, vegetarians may have little to select, I’m really sorry to say. That really could be made better for others. All the same, cold drinks could be purchased, which definitely was a blessing. Bear in mind, though, that the restaurant will probably be packed when your tour group goes. It does add to some crowding that detracts just a bit from a calm, beach-type of atmosphere.

Free Time in Buzios: A Quick Look

The tour generally provides one or two hours of free time in Buzios after lunch, too it’s almost, really dependent on the group’s overall pace, and that traffic I mentioned. After that morning boat ride, that time gives you a chance to investigate Rua das Pedras, that place known for the many boutiques and galleries. Seemingly pretty interesting! This area will also have various cafes where you may want to have a proper Brazilian coffee or grab an ice cream. Clearly, those who were not keen on shopping chose to hang out on the beach, or just watched the world going past, just so you realize. Basically, just relax and get some sunshine.

Is the Buzios Day Trip Worth It? Weighing the Pros and Cons

So, back to that very initial question: is it really worth your money to do this day trip? It might be something that’s tricky. Let’s look at some of the good stuff first. The views really are great, with water of clear blue, and the various beaches are rather beautiful to check out from the boat. Also, it’s great just to escape from the fast pace of Rio even if you only have a day. So that long journey pays off somewhat if that seems vital for you. Now, here’s where it gets tricky, just a little bit. Basically, the tour may often feel a little rushed. You go to a place and just barely have the opportunity to settle in, that kind of thing, before moving on. It does become a bit too much like checking items off some kind of must-see list rather than truly taking everything in. Arguably, the boat can also get very, very packed, that does kind of take away a bit from the peaceful beachy vibe, you see. To be honest, lunch could really be improved, especially, when considering the vegetarians along the trip. All in all, if what you want to do is to see a few awesome beaches and don’t mind that kind of, very fast-paced rhythm and dealing with crowds, then, as a matter of fact, you are going to have fun. Even still, keep in mind that there are other options.

Alternatives to the Standard Day Trip

Should you prefer to spend a more relaxed time and like, just experience Buzios at your own rate, it may be worth considering booking a private transfer or potentially stay a night or more in the area. Clearly, that might give you more freedom, along with avoiding large groups. The down side will be, naturally, it’s going to increase your cost by a certain amount. If cost isn’t so much of an issue, hiring a vehicle could possibly be a better fit for that situation. You could also locate smaller group tours, if you’re willing to pay out a little bit more for a less stressful day. I mean, maybe it might actually allow you to explore some hidden gems, and relax much more? Just something to keep in mind, right?

Essential Tips for Your Buzios Getaway

Get ready for that early start: Seriously, go to bed early. I mean, there’s nothing better to start out on the right foot, is there?
Bring sunblock: This should come as a no-brainer, even still, the sun will be strong. In a way, be careful when you spend your time under the Brazilian sunshine.
Hydrate often: Bring water. Or, that is, buy water to help remain comfortable.
Think about seasickness meds: Just in case, really. Should you generally have motion sickness, don’t forget to get them!
Manage Expectations on Crowd Sizes: This is a tour that’s very popular. Because of that, you could likely share the tour with some big groups. So do try to have reasonable hopes for peace and quiet.

Final Thoughts

This “From Rio: Full Day in Buzios with Boat Tour and Lunch” can prove to be an appropriate choice, for many who only have just a little amount of time and truly would like to see some popular beaches around Buzios. Even though it can feel quick and at times rather touristy, the scenery provides something. The beaches have the charm of getting away from that energy that is Rio. Bear in mind that it may prove a rather hectic day trip, basically. You do want to weigh that against how important a comfy, very relaxing trip is to your preferences. All in all, think carefully about everything! The trade-offs you accept, against whether other opportunities for traveling somewhere may be better for you! After all that I have said, the time spent experiencing Brazil is always going to be something!

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