7 Best Weekend Trips From Rio de Janeiro for Beaches, Culture, and Adventure

Rio de Janeiro is dazzling in its own right, with 24-hour samba parties and one of the world’s most famous stretches of sand as its living room. Yet as with most things in Brazil, there’s always a little something extra—a bit more borogodó, as we like to call that untranslatable Brazilian charm. And if you’re lucky enough to visit for longer than a week, you’ll have just enough time to experience it.

Just a couple of hours outside the city of Rio, you’ll find car-free, backpacker-friendly islands, Caribbean-blue waters that put even the Caribbean to shame, and jungle-lined coasts far quieter than the ones found in the city.

These are the best weekend trips from Rio—whether you’re trying to get off the main tourist trail or simply want to soak up more of Brazil’s natural beauty.

2.5 to 3 hours by car and ferry from Rio

Just a couple of hours from Rio lies the state’s biggest island—its name literally translates to “Big Island.” It’s a definite stop on Rio’s hippie trail, with the same barefoot, backpacker vibe you’d find on islands in Southeast Asia. Leave your car on the mainland and hop on a ferry (or a faster speedboat) to reach it. Base yourself in the main village of Abraão for feet-in-the-sand dinners and easy access to hikes through the island’s lush jungle. Along the way, you’ll find waterfalls, lagoons perfect for snorkeling, and boat trips to untouched slices of coastline.

The island’s crown jewel is Lopes Mendes, an endless golden beach backed by green mountains—often ranked among the best in Brazil. Want something quieter? Stay at Bonito Paraíso, just a five-minute boat ride from town, where mornings start with a colorful breakfast spread on what feels like your own private beach.

2.5 to 3 hours by car from Rio

“Chora, Caribe,” as Brazilians like to say when they visit Arraial do Cabo. It translates to “go ahead and cry, Caribbean,” a cheeky way of claiming that this region’s beaches are every bit as beautiful as the ones found in the Caribbean tropics. Case in point: the water here is such a surreal shade of blue it almost looks fake. Just a few hours by car from Rio, Arraial is a favorite weekend escape and does get busy, especially on holidays.

The top spots here are Prainhas do Pontal do Atalaia, famous for its wooden staircase leading down to twin coves of white sand; Praia do Farol, the crown jewel accessible only by boat; and Praia do Forno, which you can reach by boat or a quick hiking trail that rewards you with a gorgeous viewpoint. Add in dolphin-spotting boat tours and snorkeling with turtles and you’ll see why Arraial has earned its bragging rights. Just don’t expect Carribean-warm waters—the sea here is known to be bracingly chilly.

1.5 to 2 hours by car from Rio

For mountain lovers who welcome a break from the beach, Petrópolis is an excellent option. Known as Brazil’s “Imperial City,” it was once the royal family’s summer retreat—hence the palaces and mansions now turned into museums and other attractions. The air up here is refreshingly cooler, a welcome escape from Rio’s heat and the very reason the emperor moved in.

Just beyond the city, the forested hills give way to Serra dos Órgãos National Park, which stretches across the mountain towns of Petrópolis, Teresópolis, Guapimirim, and Magé. It’s one of the state’s most spectacular spots for outdoor adventures, featuring cascading waterfalls, jungle trails, and legendary granite peaks like Dedo de Deus (“God’s Finger”), and Pedra do Sino. 

Base yourself in the Casa Rosa Boutique Hotel for cozy mountain vibes and easy access to the best cafes and restaurants in the city.

2.5 to 3 hours by car from Rio de Janeiro

A chic little peninsula with more than 20 beaches, Búzios feels like Brazil’s own Riviera. The humble fishing town shot to fame in the 1960s when French actress Brigitte Bardot came for a visit. She fell in love with the village’s simple charm, and her visit helped transform it into the elegant seaside escape it is today.

Now, Búzios is all cobblestone streets, teal-water coves and design-forward boutique hotels with sea views. Rua das Pedras is the town’s lively main corridor, lined with cafés, seafood restaurants, live music, and buzzing nightlife. For beaches, arrive early on weekends and holidays to snag a calm corner—like Praia Azedinha, a tiny cove you might be lucky enough to have to yourself.

Rocka Restaurant & Beach Lounge is a great place to experience the region’s fresh seafood, while TAWA Beach club brings the full DJ, cocktails, and beach-club energy to the sand.

30 to 40 minutes by car from Rio

There’s a running joke that the best thing about Niterói is the view back to Rio—and while the vistas across Guanabara Bay really are stunning, the city delivers far more than just a pretty backdrop. Just 30 minutes by car or a 20-minute ferry ride from Rio’s city center, Niterói makes for an easy weekend getaway that can feel vastly different from its neighbor, if you know where to go.

Architecture fans will love Niemeyer’s UFO-shaped Contemporary Art Museum (MAC), while sunset at Parque da Cidade, where paragliders launch over the cliffs, offers the best vantage point of Rio across the bay. I once rented a little shack steps from Itacoatiara Beach and spent the weekend marveling at its powerful swells. With giant waves that attract surfers from around the world, the beach isn’t great for swimming—but its natural beauty makes up for it. I fully recommend it.

4 hours by car from Rio

A bit farther from Rio, Paraty is a charming colonial town where cobblestone streets, whitewashed houses, and rainforest-covered mountains spill right into the sea. The town’s historic center is a UNESCO-protected gem, best explored on foot so you can take your time visiting its many galleries and shops. Out on the water, a schooner or private boat trip takes you to hidden coves and beaches.

Or you can drive over to the fishing village known as Trindade to explore the area’s best beaches on your own time, like Praia do Cachadaço, known for its wild beauty and beachfront dining. This region is also known for its excellent cachaça distilleries, where you can learn about how Brazil’s national spirit is made and taste some fine examples.

2 hours by car from Rio

Saquarema feels like a typical small town in Brazil’s backcountry—except it happens to have the best surf in the country. Praia de Itaúna is the main stage, where the pros compete each year in the World Surf League. Even if you don’t surf, it’s an amazing sport to watch. Plus here, you get to do that on endless stretches of sand while enjoying a much slower pace compared to Rio.

Stay right on the sand at Hotel Maasai and grab a bite at the legendary Casa do Surf, a hangout where locals refuel between waves. For sunset, climb up to the whitewashed Nossa Senhora de Nazaré church, perched dramatically on a bluff over the sea. And if you want to see another side of local life, head to the Lagoa de Saquarema, a large lagoon where fishermen and paddlers share the calm waters.