Armação dos Búzios, or simply Búzios for those in the know, is one of the most sought-after destinations in Brazil and the world. Famous for its cold, calm waters, stunning sunsets, the country’s most popular pool parties, the meeting point for the ‘hype’ crowd, for being next to the famous Brazilian Caribbean (Arraial do Cabo) and the meeting point for ‘gringos’. Traveling to Búzios is the dream of many locals, Brazilians and foreigners, but there is always the question that won’t go away: “What is it like to travel to Búzios?” And we at Bamboo Hostel decided to direct this article to answer it.
Demystifying the peninsula
The first thing we should mention is that Búzios is famous for being a very lively city. In fact, for those who like to party, Búzios is the best place in the Lakes Region. It’s no wonder that one of the most famous nightclubs in the country is located on Orla Bardot: Privilége. But we can’t think of Búzios as a place devoid of peace and tranquility. Amidst the hustle and bustle of parties, the resort also offers plenty of silence and family atmospheres. It’s important to understand that there are spaces and events for all tastes. If you like to party, come. If you don’t, it’s also worth it.
Is it too expensive?
There is a lot of talk about the high prices in Búzios, but little about the cheap options. Yes, we have the most expensive and sought-after bars and restaurants in the country, but we also have local establishments that are very interesting, tell the gastronomic history of the place and offer very fair prices, such as Pensão da Lurdeca, which we always recommend here as a well-located place with good food and fair prices. In addition, pages focused on selling tours forget about free experiences such as visiting Enseada das Poças, swimming with the fish at João Fernandes beach, watching the sunset at Porto da Barra or admiring the turtles at Ferradurinha beach. As for cheap accommodation, facing the sea, in the most popular spot in the city: Rua das Pedras, we don’t even need to say that Bamboo Búzios Hostel is a reference in this regard. In short, there are expensive and cheap experiences; you choose – according to your conditions and desires – which one you want to live.
The beaches
Búzios is one of the few Brazilian destinations where environmental preservation is apparently taken seriously. The beaches are very clean, with over 20 beaches to suit all tastes. From the most famous, such as Ferradura, to the lesser-known ones, such as Praia da Sereia, and even the naturist beach: Olho de Boi. All are very well looked after, with well-marked trails and accessible trash cans. In fact, marine life occurs naturally even in the shallowest parts of the beach. It is possible to see fish and turtles swimming easily on any beach in Búzios and the variety of marine life in a simple dive shows that, despite everything, there is a tourism industry concerned with preserving the lives of those who have always lived there.
Security
We can say that Búzios is a peaceful place. Obviously, we should not fail to take all the necessary precautions, as in any other place, but there are no frequent cases of robberies or barbaric crimes. Looking at the context in which the entire state of Rio de Janeiro is located, I would say that the Lakes Region is peace itself. And, in fact, many Cariocas and people from all over Brazil seek out the cities here to rest, relax and enjoy a rural atmosphere. So, if you are a single woman or someone who is coming to Rio de Janeiro for the first time and is feeling unsafe, know that Búzios is a parallel reality. There is peace here.
The conclusion is: Búzios is expensive but also cheap, it is lively and peaceful, and it is one of the safest places in the state of Rio de Janeiro. In addition, it is a very environmentally preserved place, which makes the experience unique. Have you ever imagined walking along Orla Bardot and saying ‘hi’ to a turtle swimming? That is Búzios, one of the best destinations in Brazil. And when you get here, you already know that we are waiting for you at our Bamboo Hostel. Come experience life with us.
Written by @umnobreviajante | Eric Nobre
