It's impossible to deny: Arraial do Cabo's beaches are the reason for tourists to visit the region. With crystal clear waters and photos that are easily mistaken for images of the Caribbean, this small city in Rio de Janeiro is a blue paradise at affordable prices.
Most tips on social media, however, are about the Pontal do Atalaia. With its iconic staircase, this is, without a doubt, the most famous beach in Arraial.
But… which others are worth knowing?
This was my biggest doubt when putting together a script. In addition to the trail to Praia do Forno, there were few suggestions that did not involve a visit to Pontal, and despite being excited to visit this place with its stunning landscape, I didn't want to pass by all my days there.
I ended up traveling without many plans, and decided to rely on local tips to discover the best beaches in Arraial do Cabo. It worked and, in addition to having a lot of fun, I was also enchanted by each scene being more beautiful than the other. Conclude that there is no ugly sea there, rs.
I separated my favorite beaches for this post and, if possible, I recommend that you set aside space in your itinerary to visit each one of them.
If you have questions about planning your trip, There is already a blog post with several tips for visiting Arraial do Cabo.
The best beaches in Arraial do Cabo
Pontal do Atalaia
Starting with the most popular, the one that is unmissable and that you accurate get to know it, even if you only spend one day in the region.
Access is not the easiest: you have to take a taxi boat or make your way to the stairs, at the top of a hill. If you have a car, it's best to go early as the number of vehicles that can park near the entrance is limited. Taking a normal taxi at the beginning of the climb will cost around R$20. Also it's possible walk, but the path is almost 5 km long.
The great attraction of this beach is the color of its water, with shades of blue that are reminiscent of Central American islands. There isn't much to do there other than sunbathe and enjoy the sea, considering that there are no restaurants, music or anything like that. Walking left or right, you will find some rocks that make great backdrops for photos.
To eat, there are some kiosks that serve hamburgers, hot dogs and portions. I found the prices very affordable, and my lunch cost less than R$20 including the drink.
To leave, if you don't have a car, you can take a taxi boat to the Praia dos Anjos marina, costing R$10 per person, or go back via the stairs and take a gardener or conventional taxi.
Forno Beach
It was the biggest surprise of the trip, and I dare say it was my favorite beach of all the ones I visited. Although most people place more emphasis on the path to get there, what really enchanted me was how calm and crystal clear the sea was.
There are two ways to get there: take a trail or take a taxi boat. The first is quiet and can even be done in Hawaiian trees, and the journey takes just over ten minutes. I recommend walking the trail at least once, as there is a viewpoint with a great view of the beach, great for those who like taking photos.
Despite being isolated, the structure of Praia do Forno is better than that of Pontal do Atalaia, and in addition to kiosks there you can find restaurants and even a car rental service. stand up paddle. The prices, unfortunately, were not so friendly, and I opted to eat a chicken skewer and sustain myself with biscuits (or biscuits) until it was time to go to dinner.
If it's very sunny and you don't want to spend money on an umbrella, the tip is to walk to the end opposite the trail entrance, where there are several trees providing shade throughout the day.
Prainha and Graçainha
Prainha is exactly how I imagined the beaches of Arraial do Cabo would be: water So blue that looks like the Caribbean, restaurants and kiosks close to the sand and a super atmosphere relaxation.
As it is close to the city entrance, it was the busiest of those mentioned here, even out of season, so I recommend arriving early. The sand strip is not very wide, and if you take too long you may run out of space.
Without a doubt, it is one of the most commercials in the region, and you won't have any problems finding somewhere to eat at a fair price and even bathrooms.
If you want to escape the hustle and bustle, the suggestion is to take a short trail to Graçainha, a hidden paradise that is rarely visited by tourists.. The path is very peaceful and can be done with Hawaiian trees.
With grass and rocks instead of sand, this small beach has practically no waves and is perfect for those who just want to lie down and enjoy the sun, without being bothered by the crowds.
Big beach
At 40 km long, it is easy to understand why the beach has this name. It is one of the most accessible in the region, and if you stay in the central region it is easy to get there on foot or by car.
Look how long Praia Grande is!
Brava Beach
The most difficult to fit into the itinerary, as the strip of sand only appears when the tide is low. Furthermore, it is not easy to reach on your own, and my suggestion is to hire a guide who knows the trail to this hidden beach.. We closed with Pedro do @maistrilhasporfavor and we had a great experience.
The cool thing about Praia Brava, besides the path to get there, is that very few people venture out to see it. We went late in the afternoon and found a private paradise, as we were the only visitors at that time. There is also a small cave there, perfect for those who want to stay in the shade during sunny moments or just observe the landscape.
Other suggestions
If you have little time to visit the beaches of Arraial do Cabo, my suggestion is to take a boat trip. Normally they pass through Pontal do Atalaia, Praia do Farol (which I didn't mention here as it is only possible to go on one of the tours, and the stay is just under an hour) and end at Praia do Forte.
I recommend this tour if you go in low season. At the peak, as all the beaches are full, it gets tiring and you end up not enjoying it none right. When it's calmer, the boat is great to discover which one you like best, so you know where to go on the other days of the trip.
If you are going to take this trip during vacation or holidays, I recommend following the tips on the Viajei Bonito blog about how to avoid crowded beaches in Arraial do Cabo!
And there they are, the best beaches in Arraial do Cabo! Do you like anything else that I didn’t mention in the post? Leave your suggestion in the comments!
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