Cabo Frio is a spectacular coastal town located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, the beaches in this region have the clearest water’s we’ve seen so far in Brazil, the sand is white and soft, it’s like the Caribbean.
If you’re looking to chill out and relax on a stunning beach, swim in the clear, cold waters and snorkel with turtles, then Cabo Frio need’s to be added to your destination list. In fact, it’s said to be one of the best beaches in Brazil, you certainly don’t want to miss this spot. Let’s jump into this guide and get you ready for your next adventure.
Best Time To Visit
The best time to visit Cabo Frio is between October and March, late Spring to Early Autumn. During this time the weather is warm and the perfect temperature for beach fun activities, be it sunbathing, swimming, ball games, the warm sun will soothe your bones and you’ll be topped up with vitamin D.
December to February is the peak tourist season, especially around Christmas and Carnival. This time of year brings in the crowds, big time. Perhaps you enjoy the buzz of the chaos but if you’re anything like us, you prefer a quieter beach to relax on, coming out of season will be much less busier.
You’ll still get the warm weather, but you might also get some rain at time’s, worth it though to avoid the mass of people and who doesn’t love swimming in the rain!
Weather and Climate
- Spring (September to November): Temperatures average between 20°C and 28°C. It’s warming up nicely around spring, pleasant temps for beach fun, there could be some rain.
- Summer (December to February): Temperatures averaging 25°C to 30°C. Summer is a hot and humid time of year, with some rainfall. The crowds roll in during the festivals and holidays. Prepare to get your sweat on!
- Autumn (March to May): Temperatures average between 23°C to 28°C. It’s beginning to cool, and although March can still be humid, rainfall will decrease moving into May.
- Winter (June to August): Temperatures ranging from 18°C to 25°C. It’s much cooler and drier around this time of the year. It’s the least crowded season, making it ideal to avoid the crowds.
How to Get to Cabo Frio
By Air
The Airport is called Cabo Frio International Airport (CFB), you can find flights from major cities in Brazil such as Rio and São Paulo. Check Airlines such as Latam for flight prices. We always recommend using Skyscanner as this always gives you a price comparison between different airlines and you can also select the cheapest month the travel.
By Bus
You can get a bus to Cabo Frio from major cities such as Rio or São Paulo, we got a bus from Rio and it took around 2 hours and 30 minutes. Buses are regular and pretty cheap, the cost around $10 USD. You can reserve your ticket online via Clickbus, you’ll need a CPF which you can generate on CPF Generator. If you prefer to select your seats in advance and secure your place, the tickets do sell out quite fast as this is a popular route along the coast.
Where to Stay
Although there are various accommodations to choose from, we found the infrastructure in Cabo Frio to be quite dated and it was hard to find a decent place. Airbnb has many listings, but the good ones are few and far between.
It’s worth paying extra to feel comfortable. Airbnb has more luxurious options compared to Booking.com, be sure to check out our 7 Airbnb Hacks To Save Money when making your booking!
Best Beaches
Cabo Frio
Cabo Frio is the most popular beach that most tourists flock too, and there’s no surprise why, it’s crystal clear waters and white sand beach stretches for miles. It offers a lively nightlife and lots of surrounding restaurants to indulge in. This particular beach is without a doubt the busiest and you can find street vendors selling all kinds of items from beach shawls, Bikinis to even your own personal BBQ!
You can rent parasols and chairs to make your time more comfortable, the UV rays are very high in this region so it’s important to protect your skin as much as possible. Relax by the turquoise waters and enjoy sipping on a cocktail overlooking one of the best beaches the country has to offer.
Prainha
We were recommended Prainha beach as we prefer beaches that are more tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the huge crowds of people that head to this region every year. Compared to Cabo Frio, we found this area to be more relaxing and less intrusive. There was a lot more room where we didn’t feel like we’re on top of one another.
The views of the surrounding mountains and backdrops of lush green vegetation made it feel even more special. It’s important to note that the infrastructure of this area is not great in comparison to other regions in Brazil, this was a bit of a let down for us as we were surprised that they haven’t invested more in making this area more attractive for visitors. Don’t let this put you off though as the sea is incredible and it’s totally worth it, just to bask in the beautiful beaches.
Praia dos Anjos
If you’re an avid snorkeler or Scuba diver, then this is the place for you! This is area is renowned for its stunning coastline and coral reefs which is great for those keen to explore the diverse range of fish and other marine life.
How about exploring some underwater shipwrecks? Cabo de São Tomé is a 19th century cargo ship that sank in the area. Divers can explore its rusty remains, taken over by marine life. If you fancy taking a boat trip to explore the coastline then this area is a great place to do so, many companies are offering competitive rates to enjoy local boat tours.
Praia Grande
Praia Grande is the largest beach in the area, you can enjoy crystal clear waters with a beautiful backdrop of the mountains. If you’re into surfing or body boarding, then the waves here provide great surf!
Be extra cautious though as the currents here are quite strong and are constantly changing depending on the weather. The beach is actually famous for its beautiful sunsets, the skies light up with orange sunset hues. Keep an extra eye out for marine life, you may be lucky to spot a sea turtle!